Suggestions for Ironclad

[jcbvickers]

I lterally make it to the first boss and die 90 percent of the time with the Iron Clad. How the heck do I build him to not be a bunch of random cards that are way too expensive for him?

[Zu]

Sounds like the fundamentals are lacking.

This'll get you started.

Feel free to watch overexplained Ironchad runs afterward.

[jcbvickers]

Originally posted by Zu:

Sounds like the fundamentals are lacking.

This'll get you started.

Feel free to watch overexplained Ironchad runs afterward.

No I get the fundamentals of the game, I've won as the defect before. I just don't understand how to build an effective deck as the Iron Clad because all his cards are so expensive and he's got such low energy

[Zols]

From what ive seen/read from other posts, some have said that if you dont have an energy production relic by the end of the first act, you will have issues regardless. A large part of me agrees with that. An energy relic is honestly key to a solid win at the end of the day or getting lucky with that wombo combo.

Personally, i find that as ironclad, if you dont get the block wombo combo cards, your best bet is rampage+headbut+offerings+whirlwind+flex+limit break. Also the card that creates a random atk card that costs 0 for the turn is a top tier card as well if you can upgrade it so it costs 0. With the ironclads best card being offering. If you can upgrade it, it gives both card draw and energy.

Also the card that allows u to draw 3 cards but no others for the rest of the match. The only 2+ dmg cards you should invest in is immolate and heavy strike if u stack str. If going for perf strike, only pick that as ur 2 cost atk. Pummel strike/hit what ever its called, is also a great card to help you cycle your deck. Deck cycling is key to getting a good starting hand, if its possible.

Also, bludgeon is not entirely bad if upgraded. The card that allows your atks to hit twice is amazing if you can get it. That + necronomicon+heavy strike can equal BIG dmg. if u can get the necro.

[redthay]

Zu is showing you the right direction. if you're dying to the first boss with any sort of frequency you're missing something in your core gameplay. all characters can beat the base game (no ascension) with over 90% winrate.

[Sampstra Games]

I think that when you are playing as the Ironclad you have to be flexible on what kind of deck you are willing to build. There are a lot of solid options, but you can't just pick from the start, you have to wait for what the game let's you pick. Some basic builds are:
Barricade (this + a lot of defensive cards and few high damage cards like bludgeon or carnage)
Demon Form build (basically this card + few high attacking cards and a lot of good defense cards like ghostly armour or shrug it off)
Anger build (2 or 3 anger cards in the deck and then keep your deck small don't take any more cards unless they are good defensive cards like flame barrier or ghostly armour and try to remove your basic strikes and defenses. Also great combo with anger is upgraded rage card, which gives you great defense.)
Intanigble build (wraith form + apparition) This is hard to build on act I, usually you don't get these cards that fast, but it's a very satysfying build (And also my favorite).
If you are dying on act I there might be the problem that you are not properly utilizing your enemy's weaknesses. Do you make sure that you split the big slime boss or force the guardian to shift it's mode when they do those big attacks? Do you forfeit some defense some turns before that to make sure you can do that?
I find that helps a lot. If the player doesn't just react towards what the enemies do on that one turn but prepare for what will happen next. If you are more interested in this approach I have started a guide on how to fight different elite monsters on bosses here. It's not quite done ye,t but it might help.
If none of these help, the only thing I can think of is that you are picking the wrong route. I usually pick elite monsters (sorta conterproductive advice, but if you can beat them it might help) so that I can get some nice relics by the time I fight the first boss and I never have a problem with him (on no ascension). Do you always heal to full health before fighting the first boss?