Slay the Spire 2 has officially entered early access. Prepare your deck by collecting cards, gathering relics, and bracing yourself for the randomness that might sabotage your efforts. Despite the odds always seeming against you, the game offers chances along the way to turn things around.
One way to do this is through Quest Cards, which are connected to Unknown locations found throughout the map. Here’s what you need to know about them and whether they’re worth pursuing.
Keep in mind, since Slay the Spire 2 is still in early access, the game will likely see updates and changes in the future. This guide covers what is available as of the game’s initial release on March 5, 2026.
## How To Get Quest Cards
Currently, Quest Cards can only be acquired by landing on Unknown markers on your map. When you do, you’ll encounter events tied to either the Spoils Map, Lantern Key, or the Byrdonis Egg. Choosing these events may give you the opportunity to add a Quest Card to your deck and complete a simple task while holding it.
However, note that Quest Cards are marked as unplayable, meaning they’re dead draws during battles. They can’t be used to generate effects or damage and are mainly discarded in combat. You’ll want to think about how having such a card might impact your deck in upcoming fights.
Once you add a Quest Card, you’ll be asked to complete a certain goal, such as visiting a Rest Site. Doing so will either turn the Quest Card into a new card or remove it from your deck in exchange for rewards. Each Quest Card has different objectives, so plan accordingly before committing.
## How To Complete Each Quest Card
### Byrdonis Egg Quest Card
To get the Byrdonis Egg, you must first encounter the Byrdonis Nest event in an Unknown Location. Choosing this will give you a choice: take the egg or increase your max HP by 7. Taking the egg adds the Byrdonis Egg card to your deck, which is unplayable and needs hatching at a Rest Site.
To hatch the egg, head to the next Rest Site and select the “Hatch” option. This turns the egg into the Byrd Swoop Attack card, which costs no energy and deals 14 damage to an enemy. The bird will stay with you until you die, which can be helpful.
Because this card does decent damage and costs zero energy, it’s often worth stopping at a Rest Site to hatch the egg, especially if you’re having trouble early in Act 1. If your deck is stronger, however, the reward of extra max HP might be more appealing.
### Spoils Map Quest Card
To obtain the Spoils Map, you need to encounter the “The Legends Were True” event. This will let you add the Spoils Map to your deck, which is also unplayable and offers no immediate benefit.
The goal with this Quest Card is to carry it through most of an Act and about halfway through the next. You’ll have to reach a specific location marked on your map—a spot circled with black ink and represented as a treasure chest icon. When you arrive, the game rewards you with 600 gold and removes the card from your deck.
Completing this quest is highly recommended because the gold can be spent on relics, potions, or cards at the merchant, giving you a significant advantage.
### Lantern Key Quest Card
The last Quest Card currently available is the Lantern Key. To get it, you must first encounter the Mysterious Knight during Act 2. This requires fighting the Flail Knight enemy. When the event triggers, you can choose to return the key to the knight for 100 gold or fight and kill the knight to earn the Lantern Key.
Slaying the knight grants you the Lantern Key, which is needed later in the game. You’ll take this key to an event called War Historian in Act 3. When you arrive, you can either unlock the cage holding Repy to receive the History Lesson relic or use the key to open a nearby chest for two random relics and two potions.
The History Lesson relic is quite powerful, letting you play a copy of your last Attack or Skill at the start of your turn. It’s especially useful if you can plan your plays to maximize its benefit. However, it requires careful sequencing, as using the relic incorrectly can backfire.
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