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The Maw is an Act 3 encounter. Its scaling over time both through buffing and its attacks increasing in intensity combined with its massive health pool make it a very strong enemy, even in act 3. Thus, it is one of the strongest normal combats in the game, and it ends many runs that lack enough scaling to overcome it.

Pattern

Always starts with Debuff. Has an equal chance of using Buff, Attack 1 or Attack 2 next turn.

After buffing, the Maw has a 50/50 chance of using each attack its next turn.

After using Attack 1, the Maw has an equal chance of being the Buff or Attack 2.

After using Attack 2, the Maw will always buff.

Name Intent Effect Asc 2+ Asc 17+
Debuff
Debuff2
Applies 3 Weak and 3 Frail. Applies 3 Weak and 3 Frail. Applies 5 Weak and 5 Frail.
Buff
Intent - Buff
Gains 3 Strength. Gains 3 Strength. Gains 5 Strength.
Attack 1
Attack intent 5
Deals 25 damage. Deals 30 damage. Deals 30 damage.
Attack 2 Attack intent 1 Deals 5 x T* damage. Deals 5 x T* damage. Deals 5 x T* damage.

*T is equal to the total number of turns the combat has lasted, divided by 2 and rounded up.

Tips

  • While large damage cards such as Bludgeon may seem useful for whittling on its large health pool, forms of scaling like Demon Form or Creative AI work just as well, if not better than, large amounts of damage.
  • Poison decks supported by a card like Catalyst or that dish out high amounts of poison quickly are also effective. However, Noxious Fumes alone is probably not enough to overcome the Maw's scaling attacks.
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