Barricade Fortress
Stack Block permanently with Barricade, then double it with Entrench. Once your Block is sky-high, Body Slam converts it into massive damage.
Synergy Chain
How the core cards connect
Barricade
Power · 3 cost
Entrench
Skill · 2 cost
How It Plays
This defensive archetype flips the script — your Block IS your damage. Barricade prevents Block from expiring at the start of your turn, letting you stack it across multiple turns. Entrench doubles your current Block, creating exponential growth. Body Slam then deals damage equal to your Block, turning your impenetrable defense into a lethal weapon. The key is surviving long enough to set up Barricade, then snowballing from there.
Core Cards
Must-have cards for this archetype
Support Cards
Good additions that strengthen the build
Key Relics
Calipers
Horn Cleat
Orichalcum
Anchor
Act-by-Act Strategy
Act 1
Prioritize Block cards — Shrug It Off and Iron Wave are excellent early. Body Slam is good even without Barricade as a cheap finisher. Don't overcommit to the archetype yet; you need good block cards regardless.
Act 2
Finding Barricade is the priority. Entrench is the second key piece. With both, your deck transforms from 'blocking well' to 'unstoppable.' Add Offering or energy relics to support the high-cost setup.
Act 3
With Barricade online, every Block card contributes to a permanent wall. Entrench doubles it each turn. Body Slam hits for 50+ damage easily. The build is nearly unkillable against single-target bosses. Double Tap on Body Slam is the dream finisher.
Boss Matchups
Strong Against
Weak Against
This build shines against bosses with predictable, heavy-hitting attacks. Stack Block on safe turns, then Body Slam on attack turns. Against bosses that strip Block or bypass it, you need alternate win conditions. Prioritize getting Barricade out turn 1.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- +Nearly unkillable once Barricade is set up
- +Entrench creates exponential Block growth
- +Body Slam turns defense into massive offense
- +Extremely safe against single-target heavy hitters
Weaknesses
- -Barricade costs 3 energy — hard to play early
- -Completely reliant on finding Barricade
- -Slow to kill, vulnerable to scaling enemies
- -Multi-attack enemies can chip through Block before you stack enough
Other Ironclad Archetypes
Strength Engine
BeginnerStack Strength to amplify every attack, then unleash devastating multi-hit or heavy attacks. The classic Ironclad power fantasy.
Exhaust Machine
IntermediateExhaust cards for value, triggering powerful effects every time a card leaves your deck. Thin your deck into a perfect engine.