In Risk of Rain Returns, there are 15 characters in total. Out of these, 12 are characters that veteran Risk of Rain fans will recall from the original game released in 2013.
- There are 15 characters in Risk of Rain Returns, with 12 returning from the original game.
- Characters in Risk of Rain Returns are ranked based on their abilities and playstyle, with distinct strengths and weaknesses.
- Having the best characters can increase team synergy, which is crucial for survival and progression in Risk of Rain Returns.
- If the character doesn’t match your playstyle, you may struggle to deal with increasingly difficult enemies and challenges.
- Why Trust Us: Arham has spent over 13 hours playing Risk of Rain Returns, so you can easily trust him to list character information and their ranking accurately.
Best Characters In Risk of Rain Returns Compared
Here is the summary of the top four Characters in Risk of Rain Returns:
| RANK | Characters | Playstyle | Difficulty | BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loader | Close-range fighter, high damage output | Moderate | Balanced Abilities |
| 2 | Pilot | Aerial combatant, long-range fighter | Easy | Aerial Combat |
| 3 | Enforcer | Powerful but slow, ranged attack | Challenging | Damage Output |
| 4 | Miner | Close-range fighter, berserker-style | Moderate | Crowd Control |
4. Miner – Berserker-Style Brawler
- Why I Chose This: This character is exceptionally effective at clearing out hordes of enemies rather than dealing with them one by one.
The Miner is a close-range fighter with a berserker-style approach. He can increase his damage output with the ability to fire himself. However, you need to manage the heat generated by your primary ability along with your skill usage to ensure you spend more time in a scorching state, which is crucial for survival.
The Miner specializes in crowd control. While his attacks can be used against individual targets, they truly shine when facing large groups of enemies because they deal damage equally to all foes within their range. This makes
- Berserker playstyle.
- Crowd control expertise.
- Heat management is required.
3. Enforcer – Tactical Guardian
- Why I Chose This: If all you’re looking for is impressive damage output and an offense-encouraging playstyle, I believe this is the ideal character for you.
The Enforcer is a powerful yet relatively slow character in Risk of Returns. By using Shield Slam or Shield Tackle, you can effectively push back and keep enemies at a safe distance. It’s important to employ Protect and Serve near walls to block any attempts by enemies to flank you.
Staying alive as an Enforcer can be challenging because of his limited mobility. The primary method for the Enforcer to inflict damage is through the use of the Riot Shotgun. Although this attack is slow, it’s a ranged ability capable of hitting multiple enemies simultaneously.
- Powerful attacks.
- Crowd control capabilities.
- Limited mobility.
- Relies on slow-paced Riot Shotgun.
2. Pilot – Best Ranger
- Why I Chose This: Aerial combat can be a key aspect in most boss battles, which is an aspect where this character shines.
The Pilot is an aerial combatant who specializes in delivering damage from the skies. His weapons have a powerful recoil, and his ability to quickly deploy a parachute allows him to ascend high into the air, preparing for a precise Airstrike.
The Pilot in Risk of Rain Returns brings a fresh twist with a knack for aerial combat. His primary move, Clusterfire, is a fire weapon, which, with every third hit, deals significant damage to the enemy.
- Aerial combat specialization.
- Precision Airstrike with Clusterfire.
- Recoil from powerful weapons.
1. Loader – Best DPS and Tank
- Why I Chose This: For players that want a strong balance between mobility, damage, and defense, I feel like the Loader offers the strongest tools.
This is a close-range fighter who inflicts significant damage and possesses a distinct ability. The Hydraulic Gauntlet serves for swift repositioning to separate yourself or get close to your enemy over a distance.
Moreover, the Debris Shield skill offers 2 seconds of invincibility, which means you won’t take any damage during that brief period of time. However, the speed boost it provides is quite short and only occurs for a very brief moment at the beginning of those 2 seconds.
- High DPS and Tank.
- Swift repositioning with Hydraulic Gauntlet.
- Brief invincibility with Debris Shield.
- Reliable and versatile.
- Great for close-range encounters
- Short-lived speed boost.
Alternative Picks
Here are additional viable characters in Risk of Rain Returns that you can select to improve your survival and progression.
- Huntress: A swift and lethal Survivor who can shoot while moving at a standard pace.
- Mercenary: A melee-focused survivor with potent damage output, albeit with limited range.
- Chef: Utilizes a primary attack with rapid attack speed, dealing significant damage across an impressive range.
My Take On The Best Characters
Having spent over 13+ hours and 55+ hours on its predecessor, Risk of Rain 2, I believe the loader is an OP character to pick if you want your run to go smoothly.
With high damage, mobility, and being a tank, the Loader is one of the best options to choose from. However, it still comes down to personal preference and playstyle for a fun run to complete.
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