Welcome to a guide on playing every single character in Risk of Rain 2 as of the release of the Survivors of the Void DLC. Quick disclaimer play whoever you want to play and use what abilities you like you can still get good runs on any characters or any abilities you choose, it is just some characters and abilities have a higher consistency than others.

Most of the information in this guide is from Woolie’s video Guide to Playing ALL Survivors in Risk of Rain 2 (Void DLC) – [youtu.be]

General Tips

1. Always stay on the move

Get in the habit of continually circling or strafing back and forth while keeping enemies directly in front of you. Sprinting and jumping are both huge components in dodging enemies so make sure you are doing both on a regular basis.

2. Prioritise who you target

You need to focus down the biggest threats to your run first otherwise you’re going to get overwhelmed and die. Usually you should prioritise stone golems, lesser wisps, blind pests, elder lumerians and as well as any boss or elite enemies.

3. Watch the game timer

Watch the game for how many minutes you spend on each stage. Usually you should spend between 5 to 7 minutes per stage that should give you enough time to get loot and proceed without the difficulty ramping too much for you.

4. Looting everything on the map is not always worth it

You do not need every item on a stage especially if doing so would add another couple minutes onto the game timer.

Here are some items that standout regardless to who you play

Delicate Watch

Increase damage by 20% (+20% per stack). Taking damage to below 25% health breaks this item.

Paul’s Goat Hoof

Increases movement speed by 14% (+14% per stack).

AtG Missile Mk. 1

10% chance to fire a missile that deals 300% (+300% per stack) TOTAL damage.

Kjaro’s Band

Hits that deal more than 400% damage also blasts enemies with a runic flame tornado, dealing 300% (+300% per stack) TOTAL damage over time. Recharges every 10 seconds.

Runald’s Band

Hits that deal more than 400% damage also blasts enemies with a runic ice blast, slowing them by 80% for 3s (+3s per stack) and dealing 250% (+250% per stack) TOTAL damage. Recharges every 10 seconds.

Ukulele

25% chance to fire chain lightning for 80% TOTAL damage on up to 3 (+2 per stack) targets within 20m (+2m per stack).

Hopoo Feather

Gain +1 (+1 per stack) maximum jump count.

Wax Quail

Jumping while sprinting boosts you forward by 10m (+10m per stack).

Acrid

A macabre, poison-spewing ex-prisoner, Acrid fights with a potent array of damage-over-time effects and self-sustaining melee ability, as well as a mix of long-range and crowd control options for any situation. It also sports the highest base damage stat of any Survivor barring the Heretic, allowing for even greater damage potential.

Loadout Option 　　　　　　　Playstyle Tips

　　• Focus on grabbing early movement speed as the majority of your 　　run will be spent running in circles waiting for poison to kill

• Poison, Poison, Poison SPAM Neurotoxin

• You are a “ranged” survivor (only use melee in the first few stages)

• Leap into and enemy to briefly disrupt them

• Get Visions of Heresy for a more active primary ability

• Use Acrid’s leap ability to negate any fall damage

Standout items on Acrid

Energy Drink

Sprint speed is improved by 25% (+25% per stack).

Shuriken

Activating your Primary skill also throws a shuriken that deals 400% (+100% per stack) base damage. You can hold up to 3 (+1 per stack) shurikens which all reload over 10 seconds.

Visions of Heresy

Replace your Primary Skill with Hungering Gaze.

Fire a flurry of tracking shards that detonate after a delay, dealing 120% base damage. Hold up to 12 charges (+12 per stack) that reload after 2 seconds (+2 per stack).

Artificer

Wielding a diverse armament of destructive skills, Artificer’s strength lies in her devastating offense that can break through even the bulkiest of enemies, aided by the versatile Snapfreeze. However, her power comes at the cost of survivability, as she has no defensive or movement skills aside from her high-flying Ion Surge, so the player must be adept at dodging and especially aware of their surroundings.

Loadout Option 　　　　　　　Playstyle Tips

　　• Charge your secondary while sprinting

• Instantly cast ice-wall by pressing the sprint key

• Hover after using ion surge to keep enemies away but be aware of 　　enemies such as wisps and stone golems

•Sprinting cancels Flamethrower

Standout items on Artificer

Ignition Tank

Ignite effects deal +300% (+300% per stack) more damage over time.

Bandit

A swift and sneaky fighter, the Bandit focuses on keeping on the move to catch enemies off guard and deal ruinous damage, before finishing the job with Lights Out. Between his daggers, smoke bombs, and gun attacks, the Bandit emphasises mobility and versatility but also requires some skill to bring out his true potential.

Loadout Option 　　　　　　　Playstyle Tips

　　• Backstab, backstab, backstab (Always be behind enemies)

• Use Smoke-Bomb while airborne for extra height and cancel early 　　for even more height

• Double-Tap, Pause, Double-Tap Primary at medium to far ranges for 　　better accuracy

• Grab some early movement speed items to make getting behind 　　enemies much easier

Standout items on Bandit

Energy Drink

Sprint speed is improved by 25% (+25% per stack).

Laser Scope

Critical Strikes deal an additional 100% damage (+100% per stack).

Captain

Commander of the UES Safe Travels, the Captain’s strength is his ability to call down a variety of tactical drops from orbit, from a humble healing beacon to the spectacularly haphazard OGM-72 ‘DIABLO’ Strike.

Loadout Option 　　　　　　　Playstyle Tips

　　• Primary-Attack-Machine

• Primary > Secondary > Primary for Burst Damage

• Use Hacking Beacons early into each stage (Chance shrines are the 　　best)

Standout items on Captain

Mocha

Increases attack speed by 7.5% (+7.5 per stack) and movement speed by 7% (+7% per stack).

Soldier’s Syringe

Increases attack speed by 15% (+15% per stack).

Tri-Tip Dagger

10% (+10% per stack) chance to bleed an enemy for 240% base damage.

Shuriken

Activating your Primary skill also throws a shuriken that deals 400% (+100% per stack) base damage. You can hold up to 3 (+1 per stack) shurikens which all reload over 10 seconds.

Symbiotic Scorpion

100% chance on hit to reduce armor by 2 (+2 per stack) permanently.

Commando

Unlocked by default, Commando is intended as a well-rounded and easily-understood character with no particular weaknesses or strengths, combining mobility and offense in his tactics. However, that doesn’t mean he can’t be one of the strongest characters for benefiting from the effects of item stacking, given the speed and high proc coefficient of many of his skills.

Loadout Option 　　　　　　　Playstyle Tips

　　• Primary-Attack-Machine

• Use Phase-Blast immediately after Suppressive-Fire to resume 　　 attacking without delay

• Stay CLOSE to enemies to prevent damage fall-off

Standout items on Commando

Mocha

Increases attack speed by 7.5% (+7.5 per stack) and movement speed by 7% (+7% per stack).

Soldier’s Syringe

Increases attack speed by 15% (+15% per stack).

Tri-Tip Dagger

10% (+10% per stack) chance to bleed an enemy for 240% base damage.

Shuriken

Activating your Primary skill also throws a shuriken that deals 400% (+100% per stack) base damage. You can hold up to 3 (+1 per stack) shurikens which all reload over 10 seconds.

Symbiotic Scorpion

100% chance on hit to reduce armor by 2 (+2 per stack) permanently.

Engineer

With an assortment of deployable gadgets, the Engineer’s strength comes not from him alone, but rather his ability to set up a variety of defensive measures. The Engineer’s signature ability is his deployable turrets, which gain the same Items that Engineer himself has. This makes him unique, as item selection doesn’t necessarily come down to what benefits himself, but also what can benefit his turrets.

Loadout Option 　　　　　　　Playstyle Tips

　　• Don’t rely on your Turrets for EVERYTHING

• “Wiggle” your reticle On/Off enemies to quickly fire all Thermal 　　 Harpoons

• Charge your Primary while sprinting

Standout items on Engineer

Bustling Fungus (Bungus)(Use with TR12 Gauss Auto-Turret)

After standing still for 1 second, create a zone that heals for 4.5% (+2.25% per stack) of your health every second to all allies within 3m (+1.5m per stack).

Huntress

With homing attacks and extremely high mobility, but low health and damage, the Huntress is a fragile but mobile character focused on evasion. She is unlocked by default as an alternative to Commando.

Loadout Option 　　　　　　　Playstyle Tips

　　• Continually circle around enemies and let your auto-aim do all the 　　work

• Phase Blink whenever it’s off-cooldown to be as nimble as possible

• Balista is your main source of damage (Don’t waste it on small 　　 enemies)

Standout items on Huntress

Lens-Maker’s Glasses

Your attacks have a 10% (+10% per stack) chance to ‘Critically Strike’, dealing double damage.

Predatory Instincts

Gain 5% critical chance. Critical strikes increase attack speed by 12%. Maximum cap of 36% (+24% per stack) attack speed.

Harvester’s Scythe

Gain 5% critical chance. Critical strikes heal for 8 (+4 per stack) health.

Loader

An incredibly mobile and heavy cargo loader, the Loader is capable of delivering some of the hardest-hitting attacks in the game. When utilizing velocity to her advantage, she is able to topple many powerful monsters in just a single punch.

Loadout Option 　　　　　　　Playstyle Tips

　　• Look in the direction you wish to travel when Grappling

• Speed is King

• Did a dangerous enemy just spawn just punch it

• Get Visions of Heresy for a more useful primary

Standout items on Loader

Backup Magazine

Add +1 (+1 per stack) charge of your Secondary skill.

Energy Drink

Sprint speed is improved by 25% (+25% per stack).

Focus Crystal

Increase damage to enemies within 13m by 20% (+20% per stack).

Visions of Heresy

Replace your Primary Skill with Hungering Gaze.

Fire a flurry of tracking shards that detonate after a delay, dealing 120% base damage. Hold up to 12 charges (+12 per stack) that reload after 2 seconds (+2 per stack).

Mercenary

A highly mobile and maneuverable fighter, the Mercenary strikes swiftly and rapidly to devastate enemies, gaining both invincibility and mobility with his various attacks. Due to his skills’ low cooldowns (which are further reduced by his signature Status Expose debuff), his playstyle focuses on repeatedly chaining together attacks to stay on the offensive whenever possible, taking full advantage of the invulnerability afforded by his skills.

Loadout Option #1 　　　Loadout Option #2

Playstyle Tips

• Expose, expose, expose

• Use the last charge of Blinding Assault to EXIT combat and wait for cooldowns

• You are a “Melee” character, if running Blinding Assault and Eviscerate (Melee Loadout)

• You are a “Ranged” character, if running Focused Assault and Slicing Winds (Ranged Loadout)

Standout items on Mercenary

Focus Crystal(Use if using Melee Loadout)

Increase damage to enemies within 13m by 20% (+20% per stack).

Visions of Heresy(Use if using Ranged Loadout)

Replace your Primary Skill with Hungering Gaze.

Fire a flurry of tracking shards that detonate after a delay, dealing 120% base damage. Hold up to 12 charges (+12 per stack) that reload after 2 seconds (+2 per stack).

MUL-T

A modified multi-purpose robot, MUL-T lives up to its designation through its sheer versatility. Highly durable in terms of both high health and armor, it possesses the unique ability to select two of four primary weapons and utilize them in two different configurations: either swapping between two weapons and equipment via Retool, or utilizing two primary weapons at once in the armored Power Mode.

Loadout Option #1 　　　Loadout Option #2

Playstyle Tips

• Primary-Attack-Machine

• Use Blaster Canister and Transport Mode to interrupt enemies

• Don’t worry about low-damage enemies just focus on the high-damage ones

Standout items on MUL-T

Mocha

Increases attack speed by 7.5% (+7.5 per stack) and movement speed by 7% (+7% per stack).

Soldier’s Syringe

Increases attack speed by 15% (+15% per stack).

Tri-Tip Dagger(Use with Auto-Nailgun)

10% (+10% per stack) chance to bleed an enemy for 240% base damage.

Symbiotic Scorpion

100% chance on hit to reduce armor by 2 (+2 per stack) permanently.

REX

Rex’s attacks are powerful and strike from a great distance, but in exchange, some require REX’s health as a resource. To counteract this, their skills also focus on Status Weak.png weakening opponents to help REX deal more damage and take less, and others drain health from enemies to recoup HP costs. As a result, REX’s health may change rapidly during combat, but they will always be relatively safe with enough skill.

Loadout Option 　　　　　　　Playstyle Tips

　　• Expect your HP bar to be constantly be moving up and down

• Use your Tangling Growth followed by your Bramble Volley to 　　 fully-heal off only a few enemies

• Primary > Secondary > Primary for optimal damage

Standout items on REX

Weeping Fungus (Wungus)

Heals for 2% (+2% per stack) of your health every second while sprinting. Corrupts all Bustling Fungi.

Railgunner

A lethal and skillful markswoman, the Railgunner fights with her eponymous railgun, using smart homing rounds in combination with powerful piercing shots that give her incredible long-range damage output and decent crowd control options, as well as the incredibly powerful all-or-nothing Supercharge.

Loadout Option #1 　　　Loadout Option #2

Playstyle Tips

• Have good aim

• Use Primary backwards after using Concussion Device to gain extra momentum

• Memorize enemy weakpoint locations

Standout items on Railgunner

Lens-Maker’s Glasses

Your attacks have a 10% (+10% per stack) chance to ‘Critically Strike’, dealing double damage.

Crowbar

Deal +75% (+75% per stack) damage to enemies above 90% health.

Harvester’s Scythe

Gain 5% critical chance. Critical strikes heal for 8 (+4 per stack) health.

Predatory Instincts

Gain 5% critical chance. Critical strikes increase attack speed by 12%. Maximum cap of 36% (+24% per stack) attack speed.

Brilliant Behemoth

All your attacks explode in a 4m (+2.5m per stack) radius for a bonus 60% TOTAL damage to nearby enemies.

Void Fiend

Void Fiend is an eldritch, void-mutated monstrosity capable of harnessing the Void as a lethal weapon. In battle, its corrupted energy builds up until it reaches a critical point, unleashing its full power and transforming it and its abilities into more aggressive versions.

Loadout Option 　　　　　　　Playstyle Tips

　　• Stay in base-form unless fighting tough enemies (spam Suppress)

• Primary >Secondary (TAP) > Primary for burst damage

• Don’t take healing items as they get rid of Corruption

Standout items on Void Fiend

Shuriken

Activating your Primary skill also throws a shuriken that deals 400% (+100% per stack) base damage. You can hold up to 3 (+1 per stack) shurikens which all reload over 10 seconds.

END

If you know any tips and tricks not listed here comment them below.

I hope you enjoy the Guide we share about Risk of Rain 2 – How to play all survivors in Risk of Rain 2 (SOTV DLC); if you think we forget to add or we should add more information, please let us know via commenting below! See you soon!