Silent [Knife Deck] Card Tier List
This is a card strength ranking (Tier list) specifically for the Knife (Shiv) deck of the Slay the Spire playable character “Silent”.
For Silent’s general-purpose tier list, please see Silent | Full Card Tier List.
Card Strength Ranking Overview
This is an overview of the card strength rankings.
How to Read the Rankings ▼
Tier S: God-tier cards. Instant pick, no hesitation.
Tier A: Very nice to have.
Tier B: Has situations where it shines.
Tier C: Take it or leave it.
Tier D: Often more of a hindrance.
Card Explanations by Tier
Detailed explanations of the [Knife Deck] card strength rankings.
This section covers Tier S and Tier A cards.
Tier S
Attack
Neutralize
Despite being a starter card, this one remains relevant all the way into the late game.
By applying Weak, it reduces the Energy you need to spend on Block and creates opportunities to play Footwork or Accuracy.
Knife decks tend to be slow to come online, so you want to upgrade this early to keep enemies consistently weakened.
Silent’s starter cards being this good is always a nice bonus.
Skill
Adrenaline
A 0-cost card that gives you Energy and draws cards. Extremely generous.
In Knife decks, creating room to play Footwork and Accuracy is critical, so gaining extra Energy is incredibly valuable.
Cloak and Dagger
A key card for Knife decks.
It provides Block while also dealing attack damage.
With Footwork and Accuracy in play, its performance far exceeds what you would expect from a common card.
Power
Footwork
Always reliable—praise be to Footwork.
It is also a key card in Knife decks.
Even a single copy greatly improves overall stability.
Even if you already have Kunai, picking this card often makes your deck more consistent.
※ Reference: Kunai (Gain 1 Dexterity after playing 3 Attacks) ▼
Accuracy
Boosts the damage of your Knives. When you have Shuriken, you may choose not to pick a second copy.
※ Reference: Shuriken (Gain 1 Strength after playing 3 Attacks) ▼
Next, we move on to the Tier A explanations.
Tier A
Attack
Sucker Punch
Primarily a card for applying Weak, but it can also serve as a main attack when your Knives lack damage.
Skill
Leg Sweep
A card that creates the breathing room needed to play Accuracy. Also excellent as a Block card.
Nice legs.
Deflect
In Knife decks, you may end up taking Wrist Blade as a boss relic, which often leads to Energy shortages.
Having a 0-cost defensive card is a huge help.
Blur
Carry Block into the next turn, then use Accuracy or Footwork.
Dodge and Roll
Like Blur, it lets you preserve Block into the next turn so you can play Accuracy or Footwork.
Backflip
A Block card that also functions as a draw source.
Blade Dance
The core damage card of Knife decks.
If not upgraded, it becomes a strictly weaker version of an upgraded Cloak and Dagger.
This card truly shines when you obtain relics such as Shuriken, Kunai, or Ornamental Fan (gain Strength, Dexterity, or 4 Block after playing 3 Attacks).
Upgrading Blade Dance allows a single copy to fully meet the relic activation condition.
Watching your Strength and Dexterity skyrocket is incredibly addictive—once you experience it, it’s hard to stop.
Terror
Used when you can’t sufficiently scale damage with Accuracy. Weakness-based debuffs often become the solution.
If this face were on Defect, it would be terrifying.
Power
Well-Laid Plans
Allows you to retain key cards.
Typically used to hold onto Wraith Form or Piercing Wail as insurance when your Block falls short.
After Image
Knife decks play many cards, making this a natural fit.
However, because Footwork and Accuracy usually take priority, this Power often gets delayed.
Still, once active, it contributes plenty of value.
Wraith Form
Usually run in combination with Well-Laid Plans.
Infinite Blades
With upgraded Accuracy active, this deals 9 damage every turn to a target of your choice. Subtle, but very useful.
Related Articles ▼
[Knife Deck] Strategy & Build Guide
Knife | Card Overview, Combos, and Build Guide
Silent | Character Overview & Core Decks
◆Beginner Articles (Spoiler Warning)◆
Is Slay the Spire Hard? A Beginner’s Guide for Those Struggling to Win
List of Unlockable Cards and Relics [Spoilers]
How Many Acts Are in Slay the Spire? Act Unlock Guide
◆Character-Specific Strategy Guides◆
Ironclad Tips for Your First Win
Ironclad | Strategy Tips & Core Decks
Silent | Strategy Tips & Core Decks
Defect | Strategy Tips & Core Decks
Watcher | Strategy Tips & Core Decks
◆Card Tier Lists◆
Ironclad | Full Card Tier List (In Progress)
◆Potion Guides◆
Potion Ratings & Pick Priorities (All Characters)
◆Ascension Mode Guides◆
Why You Should Play Ascension Mode
◆Achievement Guides◆
Tips for Completing All Achievements (With Deck Examples)
◆Boss Guides◆
Boss Relic Evaluations & Pick Priorities (All Characters)
Slay the Spire Beginner Guide: Act 1 Boss Strategies
◆High-Difficulty & Endgame Guides (Spoilers)◆
First Time Heart Guide (Ironclad)
First Time Heart Guide (Silent)
First Time Heart Guide (Defect)
First Time Heart Guide (Watcher)
◆For Hardcore Slay the Spire Fans◆
8 Games Every Slay the Spire Fan Should Play
Slay the Spire 2 Announced! Latest Information
Play as New Characters! Downfall Mod Setup & Japanese Localization
Challenge Run Rules for Players Who’ve Done It All
