Another foray into madness awaits for those who want to play Darkest Dungeon 2. For some, what awaited them below the manor in the first game was just the beginning.

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If the promise of loot and adventure is enough to make you want to travel the shadowed lands of the world, then you're in luck, because there's a host of adventurers eager for the journey. But, which one of them is best suited to reap the spoils of the darkness, and which one is instead on a trip to madness?

11 Occultist

Alhazred in Darkest Dungeon 2.

The Occultist and his peculiar spells are back in Darkest Dungeon 2, and whatever beings he has accords with have made him more powerful. Sadly, it isn't enough to make him stand out more in the game's roster.

He still focuses on debuffs and buffs, with a smattering of healing and damage-inducing options at his disposal, but sadly everything in his arsenal is better performed by some of the other cast. He is a good choice for bolstering your ranks, but he just doesn't carve his own path.

10 Grave Robber

Graverobber closeup in Darkest Dungeon 2.

Having not learned from her previous forays, the Grave Robber is still out there looting corpses for whatever baubles she may find.

She is a solid medium-range choice that is good for when you need to do some damage at a distance. Unfortunately, she is quickly shadowed by characters like the Highwayman.

If you are fighting a boss that needs plenty of ranged damage options then look no further, but she doesn't have much of a place in later parts of the game.

9 Bounty Hunter

darkest dungeon 2 bounty hunter pointing at monster

There are plenty of heads to still collect, so the Bounty Hunter can't rest just yet. Returning are the skills that carried him through the first game, so not much has changed.

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He still is a solid attacker, with ways to mark and debuff the enemy for critical hits from him or his companions. It can be a good choice to add him to a roster in lower levels to make your stronger fighters' attacks hit home, but sadly he lacks the oomph to be a go-to in medium to late engagements.

8 Runaway

Close-up of Bonnie, the Runaway in Darkest Dungeon 2

A new addition to the roster, and one that brings their own special talents into the mix. Her pension for flame makes a solid damage-dealing addition to your party.

She is a good choice to learn how to use when you first find her in the game as her flame-based attacks can eat at the target easily. Sadly, she lacks the health or resistance to stand firm in longer or later engagements.

7 Vestal

Vestal hefting club in Darkest Dungeon 2.

The healing heavyweight is back, but she's still got her club if anyone gets in her or her team's way. The Vestal was a crowd-favorite support character from the first Darkest Dungeon.

She still fits into this role admirably and is arguably the best main healing character to choose from. She has a few attack and buff options that can help even the laying field, but her focus is definitely healing.

While she won't be the leader of any group, she will make sure your team survives far longer than it would have otherwise.

6 Flagellant

Flagellant pulling in blight energy in Darkest Dungeon 2.

The DLC addition to the crew of the first game is back. The Flagellant's abuse of their body has caused their health to take a turn though.

Now instead of bleeding status effects, the Flagellant focuses on spreading the blight that courses through their veins, and they're good at it. Reflavored attacks from the first game are available, and they can be devastating if you use them right.

The fluctuating health and potential for enemies to be less affected by blight are all certain issues, but they can be worked around with clever planning.

5 Jester

Jester in Darkest Dungeon 2.

There's a big need for laughs in the bleak world of Darkest Dungeon 2. Unfortunately, the Jester has a pretty dark sense of humor.

The Jester balances some pretty good attacks with some fair debuffs and buffs as well. What makes this character stand out from the others that can do the same is that the Jester can de-stress your team as well.

This is incredibly important for long engagements and fights where the enemies cause extra stress.

4 Plague Doctor

Darkest Dungeon 2 Plague Doctor
Darkest Dungeon 2 Plague Doctor

Perhaps the tinctures the Plague Doctor peddles work after all. How else can you explain them coming back for another round of adventures?

The Plague Doctor does a bit of everything, and does it quite well. The main focus is blight damage and healing, of which he has multiple options to choose from.

You can specialize him further to be a designated healer or overtime damage dealer as you see fit. If specialized and upgraded to fill in the holes of your team then you'll find yourself using the Doctor well into the late game.

3 Man-At-Arms

Darkest Dungeon 2 Man At Arms
Art of the Man At Arms from Darkest Dungeon 2

It seems life in the military did the Man-At-Arms some good when it comes to surviving the monstrosities of The Darkest Dungeon. The Man-At-Arms is a tank, pure and simple, and he is best suited for front-line work thanks to his time leading his fellow troops.

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He boasts a fair amount of resistance to anything that might get thrown at him, and his skills dole out lots of damage and make his well-armored form the focus of incoming attacks. If you want someone to take a lot of punishment and give it back, then this is the team member to have.

2 Highwayman

Art of the Highwayman from Darkest Dungeon 2

Pistol and dagger by his side, he is ready to take on whatever horrors come his way. That's the hope anyway.

It can be difficult to find someone to put into the mid-range slots in your party's makeup, but the Highwayman should always be one of your first choices for those spots. The pistol attacks the Highwayman uses are great for focusing on frustrating targets farther back in line that your melee frontline fighters can't hit.

He also has a few tricks up his sleeve to help him aim better when things get a little too close for comfort.

1 Leper

Leper Shrine in Darkest Dungeon 2.

The leprosy that has eaten away at this character hasn't taken him down yet. In fact, he is just as heavy a hitter as he has always been.

Whatever code or internal drive propels this character does so with incredible force. If you have the option of putting a Leper in either of the first two slots in your team then you should.

He is a powerhouse that can take the most grueling hits and deal incredible amounts of damage on his turn as well. Even at a base level, the Leper does more than pull his weight.

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