Apotheosis

• Type: Skill
• Cost: 2
• Rarity: Ancient (Colorless / Innate)
• Effect: Upgrade every card. Exhaust.

Upgraded

• Cost: 1
• Effect: Upgrade every card. Exhaust.

The undisputed best card in STS2. Tier S. Mass-upgrading every card dramatically raises the whole deck's output, benefiting every character and every build. Innate ensures it always arrives in your opening hand, so the full deck upgrade is complete on turn 1. It used to cost 1 but was adjusted to 2 because it was too strong - yet its status as the best card in the game remains unchallenged. Getting it in Act 1 makes every subsequent combat easier, and even in Act 2 and beyond the upgrade benefit is enormous. If you see it, take it above any other card.

Play it immediately on turn 1 to upgrade every card. Innate guarantees it shows up, so you can use it right as combat starts. The 2-cost consumes most of your early turn's Energy, but it pays off many times over across every later fight using upgraded cards. It Exhausts, so you can only use it once per combat, but the effect permanently stays on the deck. Upgraded it becomes 1 cost, so prioritize upgrading Apotheosis itself at campfires or events. If played the same turn as Enlightenment (which reduces all hand cards to 1 cost), the cost problem is solved.

• Echo Form: Can't double-play Apotheosis itself, but an upgraded Echo Form's per-turn effect becomes devastating.
• Corruption: With upgraded skills at 0 cost that Exhaust, the Feel No Pain Exhaust engine becomes even stronger.
• Relax: Upgraded version gives 17 Block + 3 Energy and 3 Draw next turn - major boost to both offense and defense.
• Whistle: Upgraded becomes 44 damage + Stun, skyrocketing its single-target damage.
• All Strikes and Defends: Even basic cards are upgraded, raising the entire deck's floor.