Every Slay the Spire 2 act map is generated with a fixed number of elite nodes. Ascension 1, Swarming Elites, raises it from 5 to 8 (5 × 1.6, rounded). Every higher ascension keeps it at 8.
| Below Ascension 1 | Ascension 1 and up | |
|---|---|---|
| Elite nodes per act map | 5 | 8 |
| Merchants per act map | 3 | 3 |
The same count applies in every act, even though later acts have fewer rows. See acts and bosses for map sizes.
Where elites can be placed
- Never in the first 5 rows of the map.
- Never directly before or after another elite on a path.
- Two rooms that branch from the same room are never both elites.
So a path can avoid most elites, but with 8 on the map the choice of path decides how many you fight. ? rooms never become elites in a normal run.
Elites in each act
| Act | Elites |
|---|---|
| Overgrowth | Bygone Effigy, Byrdonis, Phrog Parasite |
| Underdocks | Phantasmal Gardeners, Skulking Colony, Terror Eel |
| Hive | Decimillipede, Entomancer, Infested Prisms |
| Glory | Knights, Mecha Knight, Soul Nexus |
The act draws its elite fights in advance from these three, and does not repeat the elite you just fought when another one is available.
What an elite gives
Each elite drops 35 to 45 gold, a card reward with better rarity odds (10% rare) and one relic. From Ascension 3 elite gold is 25% lower. See reward odds.