The Sunken Statue event in Slay the Spire 2 gave me a tough choice, and I know many players get stuck on it. I will talk about whether you should take the Sword of Stone and if the final reward is actually worth your time.
In short, the Sword of Stone is a dormant quest item from The Sunken Statue event. You must defeat 5 elite enemies to transform it into the Sword of Jade, which gives you 3 strength every combat.
What we cover:
What is the Sword of Stone?
When you first accept this challenge, you receive this special item. Do not expect any immediate power boosts. It acts more like a quest tracker sitting in your inventory.
The best part is that it avoids adding any useless cards to your deck. Unlike other events, this one never curses you. It stays out of the way and counts the number of elite enemies you take down. A small counter will show your progress after every major victory.
If you never reach the required kills, nothing bad happens. This makes taking the sword a zero-risk decision for your run.
The Sunken Statue Event Choices
You will get this item during The Sunken Statue event. You can randomly find this encounter in unknown rooms marked with a question mark on your map. It mostly appears during act 1.
The game gives you a difficult choice. You can either pick up the dormant relic or dive into the water for some money. Here is a quick breakdown of your options:
| Option | Reward | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Grab the Sword | Sword of Stone (Dormant Relic) | None |
| Dive into the Water | 111 Gold | 7 HP |
Both choices have their own benefits. The gold provides an instant boost if you plan to visit a merchant soon. It is also the safer choice if you play a deck that struggles against heavy hitters. On the other hand, if you do not need money right now, the sword is a long-term investment for aggressive players.
Is the Sword of Jade Worth It? (Community Verdict)
Many players on steam discussions feel disappointed when they first get this reward. They complain that the buildup takes too long. Sometimes, you only finish the quest right before the Act 3 boss.
However, veteran players on reddit strongly disagree. They believe it perfectly rewards aggressive strategies. Here is a quick breakdown of the pros and cons based on community feedback:
Pros of the Relic:
- Three free Strength provides a massive power spike.
- It works exactly like a free upgraded Inflame card every fight.
- Veteran players compare it to holding three Vajra relics at once.
- It works like a fully upgraded Girya, but you save your campfire actions for healing.
- You collect multiple regular relics naturally while hunting the elites.
Cons of the Relic:
- Five elite battles can easily destroy your run early on.
- The reward often arrives very late in the game.
- Some map layouts simply lack five elites to fight.
Best Characters and Builds for This Relic
The true value of this reward depends entirely on your deck. Some characters turn this simple buff into a game winning condition.
- Ironclad: This character thrives on strength. The bonus damage turns his simple attacks into massive blows.
- Silent (Shivs): Extra strength applies to every single hit. If you play five Shivs in one turn, the damage output becomes incredible.
- Regent: This hero often relies on playing multiple cards per turn. The flat damage boost helps maintain control during long fights.
- Necrobinder and Poison Silent: Avoid this relic for these builds. Summons and poison damage do not benefit from strength at all.
- Defect: Standard orb or focus builds will find zero value here. Only take it if you run a rare physical attack deck.
Strategies for Hunting Elites
You need to plan your map routes carefully to survive this quest. Act 1 usually features the easiest elites. Try to score your first two or three kills early on while the enemies are less complex.
Always hold onto your potions for these tough battles. A good potion can easily save your life against an Act 1 elite. You should also look for paths that place a campfire right before an elite battle. This gives you the chance to heal or upgrade a crucial card before the fight.
Difficulty levels also change how good this relic is. It is actually easier to unlock on Ascension 1 because the game spawns more elites on the map. On the other hand, players usually avoid elites on Ascension 9 and above. The sword becomes much weaker on those higher difficulties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Act bosses count for the Sword of Stone?
No. You must defeat standard elite enemies on the map. Bosses at the end of an Act will not increase your counter.
Does the Sword of Stone add a curse to my deck?
No. It is completely safe. The item only tracks your elite kills and does not harm your deck at all.
