They will take 11303 damage! lol.

Okay all jokes aside:
This was done in Endless Mode with 1x [Burst](+) and 3x [Catalyst](+),
but it's also a possible build for normal runs (tested on A20).

The enemy will actually take between 4k and 20k damage - depending on your initial poison.
But you don't even need 3 copies of [Catalyst](+). Having 3 copies is more comfortable, for sure, but even with only 2 copies of [Catalyst](+), you can still achieve absolute lethal numbers.

Read along to learn the secrets of poison overkill.

[skill] [Burst](+) plays the next 2 skill cards twice. (cost 1 energy)
[skill] [Catalyst](+) triples the current poison on an enemy. (cost 1 energy)

(+) means upgraded.

With some luck you can drop / buy these cards during your run.
You need atleast 3 campfires for mandatory upgrades. More are always convenient.

1x [Burst](+) and 2x [Catalyst](+) are enough to 1-shot a Boss, if played in one turn.
The heart is also possible to turbo kill, over 3-4 turns; (tested on Ascension 20, normal mode.)
It can also be useful to beat The Transient before it vanishes (Achievement) (tested).

This combo can be done with only 3 energy.
Picking up a second [Burst](+) can be helpful, to also double cast other poison or defensive cards.

One or two [Well Laid Plans] are highly recommended to have in the deck, to line combos up.
In a big deck (30+ cards) a third Catalyst or even fourth can be useful, to increase its drawing chances.

The 11.303 damage from the screenshot was achieved with an initial poison of around 47.

Example math to achieve around 4k damage and 12k damage in one turn:
- Lets say: initial poison done with poison cards = 50
--> [burst](+) is played [cost 1 energy]
--> [catalyst](+) number one is played [cost 1 energy]
------- initial poison gets tripled = 50*3 = 150
------- burst effect: current poison gets tripled again = 150*3 = 450
--> [catalyst](+) number two is played right after [cost 1 energy]
------- current poison gets tripled = 450*3 = 1350
------- burst effect: current poison gets tripled again = 1350*3 = 4050

--> if energy more than 3: a third (simple) [catalyst] can be played [cost 1 energy]
------- current poison gets tripled = 4050*3 = 12150 damage at the end of your turn.

(Nowhere needed, but fun to watch.)


Lets briefly do the math with only 20 initial poison
(achievable with Poison Daggers, Poison, Bouncy Flask, Crippling Cloud etc)

- initial poison = 20
--> [burst](+) played
--> 1st [catalyst](+) played
------- 20*3 = 60
------- burst effect: 60*30 = 180
--> 2nd [catalyst](+) played right after
------- 180*3 = 540
------- burst effect: 540*3 = 1620

I'd say that's a Boss one-shot.


Have fun experimenting ;-)

For the fight with the heart I recommend having a strong defense ready, in order to survive the 3-4 turns it takes for your poison to destroy the heart over time.

This might be:
- copies of [Footwork]
- other Dexterity sources like potions or artifacts (Oddly smooth stone, Kunai)
- a copy of [Piercing Wail]
- copies of [Blur], [Dodge & Roll], [Leg Sweep] or [Backflip]

The cards all don't need to be upgraded necessarily, but it helps of course.
Mandatory is to get your [Footwork] down ASAP
and, if available, to get the Kunai triggered once or twice. (Some Shivs might help here.)

[Blur] can turn you into a barricade, if played with some dex bonus and [Burst].


Use your [Well Laid Plans] ASAP to hold on to mandatory cards like [Catalyst](+) and one copy of [Piercing Wail], and if possible, to some defense cards.
Having multiple [Well Laid Plans] is really beneficial for this strategy.
High card draw is also important. A [Calculated Gamble] might be useful in the deck.


You might have to tank a huge hit of 60+ damage and not be able to block it all, so make sure your HP is as full as possible before approaching the Heart.

Then cross your fingers to draw poison early and to get your Catalysts down quickly.


11 initial poison will be enough for the Heart

If you burst the first [Catalyst](+) it will be:
11*3 = 33 and then 33*3 = 99

If your burst a second [Catalyst](+) right after that, it will bump up to:
99*3 = 297 and then 297*3 = 891

(If your second bursted [Catalyst](+) comes 1 or 2 rounds later, it will still be enough, so you don't necessarily have to pull this off within 1 turn.)


Good luck and happy hunt.