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Claw Machine Build

S Tier
DefectMedium

Loop 0-cost Claws and recursion tools until every cycle through the deck hits harder.

Playstyle

Abuse 0-cost Claws, recursion, and draw to scale damage every cycle through the deck.

Win Condition

Loop Claws fast enough that each subsequent copy becomes lethal.

Core Mechanics

  • Claw costs 0 Energy and permanently increases the damage of every Claw in combat each time it is played.
  • All for One is the payoff loop card because it pulls every 0-cost card from the discard pile back into your hand.
  • Scrape and Hologram keep the deck cycling so you can find more Claws and replay the same 0-cost package.

Draft Strategy

  • Take early Claws aggressively because the deck needs multiple copies before the scaling feels unfair.
  • Prioritize cheap support like Beam Cell, Go for the Eyes, Scrape, and Hologram over unrelated orb packages.
  • Use shops and removes to cut slow filler so the deck stays compact and returns to Claw faster.
  • Treat All for One as the premium pickup once you already have enough 0-cost density to cash it in.

Combat Tips

  • After the first Claw, your next priority is usually finding All for One or a recursion piece so the same turn can keep going.
  • Scrape is strongest in lists built around 0-cost density. Discarding expensive cards is often a benefit, not a loss.
  • Long fights favor this build. Stabilize early HP first, then let the repeated Claw scaling take over.
  • The deck does not block naturally, so standalone defense still matters against elites and boss bursts.

Recommended Package

Flex Slots (1)

Key Relics

Cracked Core

Extra opening energy helps you play setup and cycle cards before Claw damage is online.

Nunchaku

Rewards the attack-heavy turns this build naturally produces with bonus energy.

Ornamental Fan

Turns repeated attacks into Block and patches one of the build’s main weaknesses.

Pros

  • Fast, explosive turns
  • Excellent use of 0-cost synergies
  • Scales naturally with deck velocity

Cons

  • Can whiff before setup
  • Wants tight deck control
  • Falls off if Claws do not appear often enough

Tags

claw0-costrecursion

Video Tutorial

Slay the Spire 2 | Turn 1 Queen Kill with Defect Claw Deck (Day 1)

Watch on YouTube