The build relies on a single "combo turn" utilizing Catalyst multiple times to exponentially increase poison damage.

This guide works as of the 1 February 2018 build.

Apply a minimum of 6-10 poison to an enemy with Deadly Poison or similar.
Use Nightmare, targeting Catalyst.
Play Catalysts next turn for >8100% poison damage.

This build is a combo deck and must run as small of a deck as possible (contrast to a traditional deck, which just picks up all the high-quality cards offered). New players often take far too many cards for a deck of this type, resulting in inconsistent draws and the core of the deck suffering (known as entropy). Maintaining temperance with card selection is a core component of optimal play.

Remember that each card added to the deck reduces the chance of drawing critical combo pieces. Most rewards screens will have their rewards left unclaimed, and this is an intentional part of the build. Even cards that seemingly "replace" themselves, such as Dagger Throw or Backflip reduce the likelihood of better draws, especially considering their energy cost (Prepared and Adrenaline are exceptions to this, and this guide discusses them in detail).

Once the deck acquires it's core cards, remove every extra card possible. This includes all curses, not because of their negative effects, but because they increase the deck's entropy.

Fight as many elites as possible, especially after acquiring the core cards of the deck. Elites pose little more challenge than regular enemies after this point, and the relic rewards are substantial.

You MUST collect the following cards for this build to work:
(Note: Some cards must be unlocked, this build will not work on a new game)

The following cards make the build more consistent, though do no make up the essential combo pieces.

These cards trick you into thinking they're useful but end up being inadequate. They clog up an otherwise slim, efficient deck, with sub-par benefits while delaying essential draws.

This build doesn't require any specific relics, though one relic offers a substantial benefit, especially against The Awakened One boss.


Other relics, (including Snecko Skull) aren't critical for this build, though most offer some benefit. As relic distribution is mostly random, there's no specific list of relics to seek out.

Note that this build is NOT an energy-demanding build, so Relics such as Cursed Key possess limited usefulness. A single energy potion is often more than enough for combo turns when the fight demands extra block.

Two specific bosses pose a threat to this build: The Awakened One (Act 3), and to a lesser extent, The Champ (Act 2).

The Awakened One purges all debuffs (including poison) once you deplete its original 300 health. Correct use of your limited Catalysts will win the fight.

If you possess The Specimen, apply poison to the boss and use all combo pieces as usual. When the boss enters the second phase, the poison transfers to one of the cultists, killing it next turn, and then shifting back to the boss (or the other cultist) the turn after. The boss will attack once or twice, depending on whether the poison transfers to the other cultist or back to the boss. A post-combo Corpse Explosion will kill the boss outright during the second phase.

Without the Specimen, the combo must be repeated twice, making the fight substantially more difficult. It's possible to use Corpse Explosion with one or two Catalysts to kill the boss in the first phase along with both cultists, by poisoning the cultists. Two

To deal 300 damage with Catalysts:
One Catalyst requires 100 poison.
Two Catalysts requires 34 poison.
Three Catalysts requires 12 poison.
Four Catalysts requires 4 poison.

Thus, consider how many Catalysts your deck holds in total, either through actual Catalysts or doubling with Burst, and use them once the boss reaches the appropriate level of poison.

The Champ purges debuffs (including poison) at 50% health. Corpse Explosion or a total poison application kills him before he's able to purge the debuff.