Tactician

SilentSkillUncommon
Sly.
Gain .
  • Printed cost: 3, but Sly means you almost never pay it.
  • When discarded from your hand during your turn, it is played for free and you gain 1 Energy, 2 upgraded.
  • Timing: the Sly play happens after the discard resolves; with Calculated Gamble the draw happens first and then Tactician plays.
  • The end-of-turn hand discard does not count.
  • Paying 3 for 1 Energy is a loss, so only discards make it work.
Character
Silent
Type
Skill
Rarity
Uncommon
Cost
3 Energy
Target
Yourself

When to take Tactician

Take it only with three or more discard outlets such as Survivor, Acrobatics or Prepared. Upgrade it early, since 2 Energy per discard is the strongest version.

Cards that synergize with Tactician

Acrobatics
Skill
1
Draw 3 cards.
Discard 1 card.
Acrobatics draws three and discards it.Draw 3 cards.
Discard 1 card.
Calculated Gamble
Skill
0
Discard your Hand,
then draw that many cards.
Exhaust.
Calculated Gamble discards the whole hand.Discard your Hand,
then draw that many cards.
Exhaust.
Tools of the Trade
Power
1
At the start of your turn, draw 1 card and discard 1 card.
Tools of the Trade discards every turn.At the start of your turn, draw 1 card and discard 1 card.
Prepared
Skill
0
Draw 1 card.
Discard 1 card.
Prepared is a 0-cost outlet.Draw 1 card.
Discard 1 card.
Reflex
Skill
3
Sly.
Draw 2 cards.
Reflex is the same trick for cards.Sly.
Draw 2 cards.
Shadow Step
Skill
1
Discard your Hand.
Next turn, Attacks deal double damage.
Shadow Step discards a card, which plays Tactician for free through SlyDiscard your Hand.
Next turn, Attacks deal double damage.
Storm of Steel
Skill
1
Discard your Hand.
Add 1 Shiv into your Hand for each card discarded.
Storm of Steel discards a card, which plays Tactician for free through SlyDiscard your Hand.
Add 1 Shiv into your Hand for each card discarded.
Hidden Daggers
Skill
0
Discard 2 cards.
Add 2 Shivs into your Hand.
Hidden Daggers discards a card, which plays Tactician for free through SlyDiscard 2 cards.
Add 2 Shivs into your Hand.
Dagger Throw
Attack
1
Deal 9 damage.
Draw 1 card.
Discard 1 card.
Dagger Throw discards a card, which plays Tactician for free through SlyDeal 9 damage.
Draw 1 card.
Discard 1 card.
Survivor
Skill
1
Gain 8 Block.
Discard 1 card.
Survivor discards a card, which plays Tactician for free through SlyGain 8 Block.
Discard 1 card.
Malaise
Skill
X
Enemy loses X Strength. Apply X Weak.
Exhaust.
Malaise costs X, so every Energy Tactician gives goes into itEnemy loses X Strength. Apply X Weak.
Exhaust.
Skewer
Attack
X
Deal 8 damage X times.
Skewer costs X, so every Energy Tactician gives goes into itDeal 8 damage X times.
Volley
Attack
X
Deal 10 damage to a random enemy X times.
Volley costs X, so every Energy Tactician gives goes into itDeal 10 damage to a random enemy X times.

Relics that synergize with Tactician

Gambling Chip
Gambling Chip discards at the start of the fight.At the start of each combat, discard any number of cards then draw that many.
Intimidating Helmet
Intimidating Helmet triggers on cards that cost 2 or more, and Tactician is oneWhenever you play a card that costs or more, gain 4 Block.
✦
Haze
Skill
3
Sly.
Apply 4 Poison to ALL enemies.
Reflex
Skill
3
Sly.
Draw 2 cards.
Untouchable
Skill
2
Sly.
Gain 6 Block.
Abrasive
Power
3
Sly.
Gain 1 Dexterity.
Gain 4 Thorns.
Flick-Flack
Attack
1
Sly.
Deal 6 damage to ALL enemies.
Ricochet
Attack
2
Sly.
Deal 3 damage to a random enemy 4 times.
Sneaky
Power
2
Sly.
Whenever another player attacks an enemy, gain 1 Block.
Sidestep
Skill
0
Next turn, gain .

Changes by version

  1. 18 Sep 2025BuffUnplayableInternal playtest
    No longer Unplayable, now costs 3 Energy
  2. 17 Oct 2024Bug fixPounceInternal playtest
    Pounce card no longer makes Tactician show a cost

Internal playtest notes are from before the Early Access release. Names and numbers in them can differ from the game today.

Purchase today
If you haven't bought Slay The Spire 2 yet, it's time. Support the devs, they made an amazing game.Get it on Steam