Risk of Rain Returns is a remastered cult roguelike that preserves the core atmosphere and gameplay while introducing a host of fresh ideas. The game now features twelve base characters from the original, three new ones, and one secret fighter. This guide covers all the heroes and explains how each one is unlocked.
How to open Commando
A versatile starting character who helps players learn the ropes. His abilities are well balanced, allowing for convenient artifact collection and adaptable play. He is available from the very beginning of the game.
How to unlock the Huntress
A reliable fighter who can eliminate targets one by one or clear an entire area with a single successful ability. The Huntress is easier to play than some others thanks to an automatic companion system. She is available at the start of the game.
How to unlock Defender
A slow but tenacious character wielding a shotgun and a shield. Defender shines in co-op where many enemies are invincible in solo runs. Players should prioritize extra health, shields and bonus damage from nearby foes.
To unlock Defender, players must defeat three bosses:
- Magma Worm.
- A wandering vagabond.
- Colossus.
This achievement does not have to be completed in a single session.
How to open Bandit
This fighter’s attack speed scales with clicking speed. The gameplay becomes fast, and with the right build, location clears can set records. The Bandit excels with attack speed and reduced cooldowns. To unlock them, players must reach the third level.
How to unlock Pilot
A new character who specializes in vertical combat. Pilot can hop between platforms and even call in an airstrike. There are no universal builds, but emphasis on movement speed and attack rate is beneficial. To unlock, players must collect 15 monster records, which drop randomly when enemies are defeated.
How to open Charger
A melee fighter who uses a running glove to pull in oncoming foes instead of dodging. This character suits builds that focus on attack speed or passive damage, for example through automation droids. Unlock requires collecting 30 items found in chests or dropped by bosses.
How to unlock Mechanic
A defensive, uptime-focused character whose turrets and mines do the heavy lifting. Artifacts that reward staying in one place or area are especially valuable. To unlock Mechanic, players must purchase a total of 40 drones.
How to unlock Chef
An attacker who improves basic strikes and synergizes with artifact sets that reduce skill cooldowns. To unlock Chef, players must collect a meat item, a wild mushroom, a sprouting egg, a bitter root and a strange fruit all at once.
How to unlock Akrid
A close-range fighter who also poisons enemies on the map. Increasing base damage boosts all damage dealt, and stamina should be raised as well. Akrid becomes available when the location Sunken Tombs No. 3 reveals an iron chest in the map’s top-right corner and the mini-boss is defeated.
How to open Miner
A melee character with an energy storage mechanism. In combat, Miner grows stronger the longer he fights. A successful run benefits from extra attack speed, artifacts granting debuffs and the Sky Piercer weapon.
If Shakhtar becomes available, players must traverse lava at Burning Barracks No. 1 in the map’s lower-right corner and defeat the mini-boss. A recording of the environment is also found in this cave. Through careful movement, players can guide the Huntress into using a double jump and basic sprint.
How to unlock the Inventor
The second new character to appear in Risk of Rain 2, Inventor is a mid-range fighter with fairly intricate controls. To maximize damage, players should increase movement speed and employ slows and stuns. Unlocking the Inventor requires visiting 10 unique levels.
How to open Vagabond
The final new character adds a scrap-based crafting mechanic. Vagabond shines in co-op but can be strong solo as well. Players should focus on increasing mobility and attack speed; everything else can be obtained from scrap. To unlock, players must deploy six drones at once.
How to unlock MAST-3R
MAST-3R, also known as HAN-D in the English version, is a versatile fighter. He cannot block or dodge, so keeping a stock of healing drones is wise. While the final build varies, the key is to boost attack speed. The character is hidden in the second cargo bay of the last level, behind a dilapidated door that must be activated.
How to open Sniper
A hunter armed with a single-shot rifle. Precision timing lets him deal increasing damage, making him excellent against single targets though less effective against crowds. Artifacts that boost damage can let him kill bosses with a single shot. Unlock requires completing the final level.
How to unlock a Mercenary
The Mercenary trades solid base damage for a constant invulnerability buff. The faster skills recharge, the longer survival lasts. Unlocking this character requires finishing the game five times on a difficulty higher than Rain.
How to unlock the secret character Robomando
Robomando is a quirky, weaker fighter whose discovery is a notable achievement. It is usually best to unlock him later, once players are comfortable with the game pace and have a preferred character. The steps to unlock Robomando include the following:
- Obtain the Strange battery at the Temple of the Ancients location, tucked behind a wall. Keep it until the end and never activate it.
- Activate the teleport to reach the final location.
- Find the key and open the living area in the lower-right corner.
- Jump into a cave with dancing golems via a double jump or other vertical skill.
- A wall passage on the left requires a double jump or vertical ability to access.
- At the end, a chest awaits that preserves the Strange battery for the next run.
- Start a new run by lowering the difficulty to Shower.
- In the first location, locate a box with red diodes; the battery is inside.
- Return to the teleport and clear the next location. Wait until the 22-minute mark before moving to the third level.
- Find a secret locale where a robot hidden with a green arrow above it activates, takes some items, and must win.
- If the player dies, the secret character remains unlocked permanently.