Hotfix•Skill

Is Hotfix good in Slay the Spire 2?

Hotfix is a common Defect skill in Slay the Spire 2. In combat it resolves as: Gain 2 Focus this turn. It currently underperforms most alternatives, sitting at F tier in our Slay the Spire 2 card rankings.

Across 186 recorded runs, decks running it win 17.8% of the time, trailing the 18.9% average by 1.2%. It’s a more selective pick, turning up in just 4.9% of decks that could run it. Defect players keep it in 31.9% of their runs, so it’s a familiar sight in those decks. On average it shows up 1.3 times in the decks that take it.

It performs best next to FTL — together they post a +20.1% swing in win rate. It also has strong chemistry with the relic Joss Paper, which moves its win rate by +28.4%. At 0 energy, it’s upgraded in 28.7% of runs and usually joins the deck around floor 13.

That’s 30 wins, 139 deaths, and 17 abandoned runs with it in the deck. The encounter that most often ends a run carrying it is Queen Boss, which closes out 8.1% of its appearances. Read on for Hotfix’s complete synergy, class, and threat breakdown to decide whether it earns a slot in your Defect run.

Best Cards to Pair with Hotfix

Ranked by win-rate lift, Hotfix performs best alongside FTL (+20.1%), Flak Cannon (+18.3%), and Hologram (+16.5%).

FTL+20.1%30 runsFlak Cannon+18.3%6 runsHologram+16.5%40 runsProlong+16.4%4 runsFasten+16.2%7 runsRocket Punch+14.5%13 runs

Based on small co-occurring samples — treat these as early signals, not final verdicts.

Hotfix Win Rate by Class

Hotfix is drafted only by the Defect, where it holds a 17.8% win rate across 186 runs.

The Defectappears in 31.9% of its runs (186 tracked)

Best Relics for Hotfix

Hotfix pairs best with the relics Joss Paper (+28.4%), Blood Vial (+24.2%), and Lantern (+23.0%), ranked by win-rate lift.

Joss Paper+28.4%9 runsBlood Vial+24.2%30 runsLantern+23.0%14 runsFragrant Mushroom+21.1%10 runsPollinous Core+19.0%3 runsRainbow Ring+18.3%7 runs

Based on small co-occurring samples — treat these as early signals, not final verdicts.

Hotfix Card Details

Hotfix is a common skill costing 0 energy; it’s upgraded in 28.7% of runs and usually picked up by floor 13.

Gain 2 Focus this turn.

What Ends Runs with Hotfix

Hotfix’s most common run-enders are Queen Boss (8.1%), Knowledge Demon Boss (6.5%), and Kaiser Crab Boss (4.3%).

• Queen Boss8.1% of runs
• Knowledge Demon Boss6.5% of runs
• Kaiser Crab Boss4.3% of runs
• Test Subject Boss3.8% of runs
• Decimillipede Elite3.8% of runs

See Also

Compare Hotfix with the rest of the best Slay the Spire 2 cards, relics, and classes below.