• Type: Curse
• Cost: Unplayable
• Keywords: Innate, Retain
• Effect: Unplayable. Innate. Retain.

Danger: B-tier

A curse that bleeds resources thanks to both Innate and Retain. Innate guarantees it starts in your opening hand every fight, and Retain means it never goes to the discard pile — you effectively fight every turn one card short. There is no damage or debuff attached, but a permanent hand-slot loss across every turn adds up to a heavy cumulative cost. Similar in shape to Insomnia, but Writhe is more annoying because Innate guarantees it impacts turn 1. It is not Unremovable, so shops and events can still purge it.

• Random curse application effects (various events and relics) can roll it
• The ancient being Vakuu's blessing "Sere Talon": a candidate when gaining 2 random curses plus 3 wishes
• "?" room events where you accept a curse

• Shop removal: ~75g. Since it is not Unremovable, it is worth cutting given the permanent hand-slot cost
• Blue Candle: plays for 1 HP to Exhaust it. Use it on turn 1 of the first fight after you draw it and subsequent turns play normally
• Omamori: blocks the next 2 curse applications
• Draw cards: offset the lost hand slot with extra draw

• Blue Candle: Exhausts Writhe for 1 HP. Innate guarantees you can clear it on turn 1
• Fire Breathing (Ironclad): deals damage every time you draw Writhe — Innate triggers it every fight
• Feel No Pain (Ironclad): gain Block when Blue Candle Exhausts Writhe
• Darkstone Periapt: +6 HP whenever you gain a curse. Writhe itself does no damage so the trade is clean