Dead Island 2’s pump-in system is designed so players can switch up their playstyle on the fly. Different heroes demand different approaches, and the card system can feel tricky at first. This guide explains which skill cards fit each hero best and what to watch for to optimize play.
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How to get skill cards
Unlike many games with a traditional skill tree, Dead Island 2 rewards exploration and story progress with collectible cards. Cards come in four categories as you advance through the world and complete missions.
- Possibilities;
- Survival;
- Fighter;
- Numen.
Within each category, players can equip four skills, with no rigid restrictions. Hidden cards exist beyond what a casual run reveals, and with so many options, some skills will be far more useful than others.
What are the best skills in the Skills category
The Abilities group contains several of the most practical skills:
Cleverness – this skill is key because it allows dodging and blocking to be used together. It’s flexible, but dodge shines when facing large mobs.
Push with the feet (Drop Kick) – Players can choose Flying Kick or Kick, but not both at once. Flying Kick deals higher damage, while Kick Kick sends zombies flying back, creating a moment to breathe.
Dash Strike – Three special options exist, and while all are useful, Dash pairs well with other cards. Don’t overlook War Cry, which can be highly effective in cooperative play.
Blood fever – Although it has drawbacks, pairing this with Evasion yields a strong, high-damage combo.
Headbutt (overhead smash) – A practical skill that lets a player mimic a zombie type, such as a crusher or screamer. It’s worth choosing Tremors for a strong finisher as rage builds.
What are the best skills in the Survivalist category
The Prepper group offers 17 cards, each of which can fill four slots. Here are the strongest picks:
Hungry – This card increases rage gain per zombie killed in rage mode, helping to sustain the rampage longer.
Vivisection – Best paired with Dash, it offers a health boost when used, a reliable way to restore health and clear nearby foes during crowded encounters.
Clean up (safe space) – An early option that creates an area blast when a medkit is used, knocking zombies back and buying a moment to regroup.
Short fuse (short fuse) – Arguably the best card, letting rage mode trigger when the rage meter is only halfway full. It’s a life saver against tougher enemies later in the game.
What are the best skills in the Fighter category
While most skills focus on zombie elimination, those in the Fighter deck offer exceptional power in close-range combat:
Skull Skewers – Adds an explosive effect to any thrown weapon.
Corpse bomb – Enemies killed in rage mode explode, creating a chain of damage that can clear a crowd.
Dead Eye – Speeds up reloading for thrown weapons like grenades, keeping the pressure on foes.
The Limb Reaper – Restores health by healing severed limbs, a frequent need in extended battles and a strong sustain option.
What are the best skills in the Numen category
The Numen category governs many status effects. It has fewer clearly dominant picks, but some cards excel in specific scenarios:
Corpse Blossom – Any zombie killed under a status effect explodes with the same effect, helping control crowds with precision.
Born Survivor – A last-resort card. Instead of a lethal finishing blow, the character loses rage and then heals, offering a lifeline in tight spots.
The most essential usable cards have been covered. Now the focus shifts to the characters and their traits.
The best cards for Amy
Amy’s speed makes agility a priority. Cards that boost mobility and quick reactions work well, such as evasion and swift strikes, to keep her ahead of the pack.
For quick attacks, select Tire Shrapnel and Breakdancer. The first increases damage from glide attacks and can knock back enemies, while the latter enhances speed and maneuverability after successful glide assaults.
The best cards for Bruno
Bruno plays as a tough frontline fighter. Cards like Bob and Weave increase evasion and mobility, while Insatiable extends rage time, turning Bruno into a formidable machine in close combat.
To manage crowds and amplify damage, use Corpse Flower to cause explosions after rage kills, and couple it with Skull Stump and Seismic Stump to debilitate nearby adversaries.
The best cards for Carla
Carla excels at breaking into zombie mobs and creating chaos. A trio that works well together includes Battle Cry, Rallying Cry, and Voltaic Scream. Using them at the start of battles boosts damage, lowers zombie defenses, and electrifies enemies.
Additionally, Wrecking Ball weakens enemies after each successful aerial attack, making it a strong finisher when a fight is about to begin or turn the tide.
The best cards for Dany
Dany benefits from a focus on raw strength, attack speed, stamina, and evasion. Group Therapy and Evading help sustain and dodge, while her unique healing ability shines when supported by Cut Off and Vivisection, making her remarkably hard to kill in prolonged fights.
The best cards for Jacob
Jacob’s sturdy health pool allows investing in offensive options and elemental damage. Lightning Strike adds electrical pressure with each sprint attack, even if it costs some health to unleash. The goal is to maximize their damage output while maintaining survivability.
Corpse Bomb and No Mercy prove valuable for explosions in rage mode and amplified damage against status-effected enemies. Janus Fury provides a small damage boost when the rage gauge isn’t full, adding a safety net for less-than-ideal builds.
The best cards for Ryan
Ryan’s strength lies in defense. Block is a reliable option that, when timed well, enables steady stamina recovery and the ability to stun nearby zombies. Offense-wise, Earthquake, Broken Head, and Earth Pound keep enemies off the ground and vulnerable, ensuring safer follow-up attacks.