slaywithfriends/docs/rules-canon.md

slay the spire board game rules (canonical reference)

This file is the canonical mechanical reference for this project. Source: STS_KS_Rulebook.pdf.

Use this for adjudicating rule disputes and deciding implementation behavior. For a smaller implementation spec, see docs/rules-web-mvp.md. For intentional product deviations, see docs/rules-web-delta.md.

Canonical clarifications (high-value)

These points are called out explicitly because they are commonly simplified or misremembered.

1. Setup shuffle behavior

• Do not shuffle Summons, Daze, or Status decks during setup.
• Keep 1st Encounter cards separate from the main Encounter deck.

2. Act transition behavior

• Replace act-specific decks with next-Act versions.
• Summons also use the next-Act deck and remain unshuffled.
• Heal to max HP at start of Act II/III (and Act IV when used).
• Shuffle each player's card rewards deck with skipped cards; do not shuffle rares.

3. Combat ordering

• One shared player turn (simultaneous player actions), then enemy turn.
• Die is rolled once per round and drives all die-based effects that round.
• Enemy action order: highest row to lowest row, left to right; bosses act last.
• Enemy Block is removed at start of enemy turn.

4. Reward and inventory constraints

• Players may evaluate combat rewards with full knowledge before finalizing choices.
• Potions are limited; overflow requires skip/pass/use-discard handling.
• Potions are the only tradeable item type outside combat.

5. Targeting and damage semantics

• Player AoE targets one row and always includes boss if present.
• "ALL enemies" targets every row plus boss.
• Weak and Vulnerable interact via cancellation rule in canon reference.
• "Lose HP" is not damage and is not prevented by Block.

6. Playing copies

• Copies are free.
• X-cost copies use original X value.
• Copies resolve before original card resolves.
• Only one "play multiple times" effect can apply to a given played card; additional effects wait for next valid card.

7. Cross-character mechanics

• Transforming off-class/colorless cards still draws from your own card rewards deck.
• Golden Ticket revealed from another character uses that character's rare deck.
• If stances/orbs are gained cross-character, Prismatic Shard rules apply.

8. Golden rule

• If card text contradicts general rules, card text takes precedence.

Scope notes

The official rulebook also includes:

• FAQ and specific card interactions
• Unlock progression and Ascension ladder
• Daily Climb/custom modifiers
• Act IV keys and quick-start tables
• Optional modes

All are canonical unless explicitly listed as product deltas in docs/rules-web-delta.md.