Slay the Spire 2 Lays Notorious 'Doormaker' Boss to Rest with a Humorous In-Game Grave

The second major update for the highly anticipated roguelike deckbuilder Slay the Spire 2 has been released, bringing a permanent end to one of its most notorious enemies. The "Doormaker," a formidable Act 3 boss that has long plagued players, has been completely removed from all versions of the game. In a humorous twist, the developers have commemorated its departure by placing a "Doormaker’s Grave" within the game, sparking widespread amusement and discussion across social media.

While the Doormaker's replacement by a new boss, the "Aeon Hourglass," had already begun during the beta phases, this latest official update sees the controversial figure vanish entirely from the main branch. Following repeated tweaks and rebalances that ultimately led to its "layoff," fans online have bid farewell with a mix of solemnity and sarcasm, posting comments like "Rest in peace" and "He's finally gone."

Player reactions to the removal are a complex mix of love and hate. The Doormaker was notorious for ruthlessly shutting down "infinite" or fast-cycling deck builds. Consequently, many players expressed immense relief: "He was the ultimate counter to fun, fast deck-cycling," and "Dealing with him was such a chore, I hope he never comes back."

Conversely, some hardcore players are mourning the loss of the unique tactical challenge. "I loved how he forced you to stare at your draw and discard piles and really think. He felt like the most 'card game' boss of them all," one player shared. Others admitted, "I absolutely hated him, but I'll miss him now that he's gone." Meanwhile, many are already growing wary of his successor, the Aeon Hourglass, with some warning, "The Hourglass might actually be even more annoying and difficult to deal with than the Doormaker."

The development team's witty approach—boldly removing an unpopular element while giving it a proper "funeral" in-game—has brought both laughter and a touch of nostalgia to the community. As the game environment enters a new era, players are eagerly looking forward to what future updates for Slay the Spire 2 will bring.

The context

Slay the Spire 2 is the upcoming sequel to the critically acclaimed 2017 roguelike deckbuilder Slay the Spire, developed by Mega Crit. Currently in active development and conducting public playtests and beta updates ahead of its planned Early Access release in 2025, the game has been highly anticipated by fans worldwide. Mega Crit is well-known for its close relationship with the community and its willingness to experiment with mechanics, often adjusting or entirely replacing bosses and cards based on player feedback. The removal of the Doormaker and the inclusion of a literal gravestone in-game is a testament to the developers' signature humor and their interactive approach to game development.