Pen Nib

Pen Nib is an Uncommon relic in Slay the Spire 2 that causes every 10th Attack card you play to deal double damage. This relic functions as a persistent damage multiplier that charges up over time across multiple fights, then delivers a devastating burst of damage when triggered.

The key to maximizing Pen Nib is tracking its counter and saving the doubled hit for your highest-damage Attack card. Playing nine cheap Attacks to charge it up, then unleashing a powered-up Heavy Blade, Skewer, or other high-damage finisher can deal tremendous burst damage. The counter persists between combats, so you can enter a tough fight with it nearly charged.

Pen Nib synergizes exceptionally well with Strength-scaling builds and high-base-damage Attacks, as the double damage multiplier applies after all other damage bonuses. Multi-hit attacks also work well since the doubled damage applies to the next Attack played. The relic is weakest in builds that rely on Poison, Powers, or other non-Attack damage sources, but for any deck that plays Attacks regularly, Pen Nib provides a reliable source of burst damage throughout the run.