Updated September 16, 2025
With the latest changes to heroes, this updated guide covers these new strategies and refines some of the older classics team compositions.
Darkest Dungeon 2 is famous for being a punishing roguelike RPG that takes careful planning and team building. With the game's recent updates (including Kingdoms mode), new team compositions have emerged. Here are the Darkest Dungeon 2 best team comps that will keep you alive and help you conquer the mountain and defend your kingdom.
7 Best Teams in Darkest Dungeon 2
The first time I entered Darkest Dungeon 2, I gleefully rushed headfirst into my first combat, only to get gloriously stomped. I quickly discovered that the key to winning fights is to have a functional team that works well together. That's especially true with the additions of Crusader and Duelist characters, and having played Kingdoms mode extensively.
7. Early Game Team Build
This composition, officially named "The Unusual Suspects," uses the heroes you get from the beginning. It’s a solid battle formation that can hold its own until you unlock new characters.
| 4. Plague Doctor (Wanderer) | 3. Grave Robber (Wanderer) | 2. Highwayman (Wanderer) | 1. Man-at-Arms (Wanderer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noxious Blast | Pick to the Face | Wicked Slice | Crush |
| Blinding Gas | Flashing Daggers | Pistol Shot | Rampart |
| Incision | Thrown Dagger | Duelist's Advance | Defender |
| Battlefield Medicine | Poison Dart | Tracking Shot | Bolster |
| Ounce of Prevention | Absinthe | Take Aim | Hold the Line! |
- Strategy: This team works because of its simplicity and balance. Man-at-Arms holds the front line, the Highwayman and Grave Robber deal with the middle ranks, and the Plague Doctor provides crucial healing and backline support.
6. Versatile Mixed Team Build
There are many different enemy types in Darkest Dungeon 2, and this composition is excellent as a jack of all trades. It performs adequately against most threats without any glaring weaknesses.
| 4. Jester (Virtuoso) | 3. Plague Doctor (Alchemist) | 2. Man-at-Arms (Vanguard) | 1. Hellion (Berserker) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Ballad | Incision | Crush | Wicked Hack |
| Inspiring Tune | Battlefield Medicine | Rampart | Iron Swan |
| Finale | Plague Grenade | Bolster | Toe to Toe |
| Solo | Indiscriminate Science | Retribution | Adrenaline Rush |
| Encore | Magnesium Rain | Strategic Withdrawal | Howling End |
- Strategy: Ravager Hellion provides a solid damage output with Vanguard Man-at-Arms by her side, while Plague Doctor provides the much-needed healing. Jester is a joker card in the team, able to switch positions when needed.
5. The Stationary Tank Team
This build relies on heroes holding their ground firmly during combat. It excels in regions like the Tangle, where enemies can prevent position switching, but it's a solid, reliable team for any road.
| 4. Occultist (Warlock) | 3. Highwayman (Sharpshot) | 2. Flagellant (Scourge) | 1. Leper (Poet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abyssal Artillery | Pistol Shot | Punish | Chop |
| Daemon's Pull | Double Tap | Acid Raid | Withstand |
| Vulnerability Hex | Grapeshot Blast | Sepsis | Intimidate |
| The Burning Stars | Tracking Shot | Endure | Solemnity |
| Wyrd Reconstruction | Take Aim | More! MORE! | Reflection |
- Strategy: Leper and Flagellant provide a solid front line, while the Occultist and Highwayman deal with backline enemies. This team lacks movement skills and is designed to remain stationary and engage in combat.
4. Best Burn Crusader Team
Crusader remains a fan favorite, largely unchanged from the first game. What's new is that he can deal burn damage with more efficiency.
| 4. Occultist (Ritualist) | 3. Crusader (Banneret) | 2. Runaway (Arsonist) | 1. Highwayman (Yellowhand) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abyssal Artillery | Smite | Ransack | Point Blank Shot |
| Daemon's Pull | Zealous Accusation | Run and Hide | Duelist's Advance |
| Vulnerability Hex | Inspiring Cry | Cauterize | Highway Robbery |
| Weakening Curse | Holy Lance | Controlled Burn | Wicked Slice |
| Wyrd Reconstruction | Radiance | Searing Strike | Open Vein |
- Strategy: Combine Crusader with the fire master Runaway, and you're getting a one-two fire punch that can burn enemies to the ground. Highwayman is there to provide more damage, while Occultist provides healing and debuffs.
3. Dance Team Build in Darkest Dungeon 2
Unlike the stationary build for Darkest Dungeon 2, this dynamic build relies on frequent changes in allied ranks.
| 4. Plague Doctor (Surgeon) | 3. Runaway (Survivor) | 2. Jester (Virtuoso) | 1. Highwayman (Rogue) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noxious Blast | Ransack | Harvest | Point Blank Shot |
| Battlefield Medicine | Run and Hide | Razor's Wit | Duelist's Advance |
| Ounce of Prevention | Cauterize | Fade to Black | Grapeshot Blast |
| Indiscriminate Science | Controlled Burn | Inspiring Tune | Wicked Slice |
| Magnesium Rain | Searing Strike | Finale | Take Aim |
- Strategy: Use the improved Rogue subclass of the Highwayman as a Retaliator and Executioner, Jester as a DPS applying combo and using Finale, and the Runaway and Plague Doctor as supports.
2. Dynamic Duelist Team Comp
The Duelist is one of the most complex characters in Darkest Dungeon 2. This team is built to give her the space and time she needs to set up her stances and attacks.
| 4. Occultist (Warlock) | 3. Plague Doctor (Alchemist) | 2. Duelist (Instructrice) | 1. Hellion (Ravager) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyrd Reconstruction | Incision | Touche | Wicked Hack |
| Daemon's Pull | Battlefield Medicine | Feint | Iron Swan |
| Vulnerability Hex | Plague Grenade | Fick | Toe to Toe |
| The Burning Stars | Indiscriminate Science | Preparation | Adrenaline Rush |
| Chaotic Offering | Magnesium Rain | Fleche | Howling End |
- Strategy: The Hellion and Plague Doctor provide immediate damage and debuffs, allowing the Duelist to use her Preparation and other skills to build her stances without being interrupted. The Occultist can pull enemies into range for the Hellion and Duelist to attack.
1. Best Late-Game Team Build in DD2
This late-game team comp in Darkest Dungeon 2 leverages powerful subclass skills and item synergies to dominate late-game areas. The Grave Robber, in particular, becomes a lethal assassin with her stealth-based skills.
| 4. Grave Robber (Nightsworn) | 3. Plague Doctor (Alchemist) | 2. Crusader (Banneret) | 1. Man-at-Arms (Vanguard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poison Dart | Noxious Blast | Zealous Accusation | Crush |
| Absinthe | Battlefield Medicine | Holy Lance | Defender |
| Lunge | Plague Grenade | Inspiring Cry | Bolster |
| Repartee | Indiscriminate Science | Battle Heal | Strategic Withdrawal |
| Shadow Fade | Magnesium Rain | Tenacity | Retribution |
- Strategy: The Grave Robber uses Repartee on the Man-at-Arms to give him taunt tokens, then uses Shadow Fade to go into stealth. This combo makes her Lunge hit significantly harder. The Man-at-Arms acts as a tank and stress healer, while the Plague Doctor and Crusader provide crucial support.
That's all you need to know about the Darkest Dungeon 2 best team comps. If you're looking for more guides, check out How to unlock all Flagellant Skills, here on PGG.
Nebojša Prijić is a Managing Editor at Pro Game Guides with over 25 years of experience in journalism, screenwriting, and copywriting. He previously worked as Editor-in-Chief of Maxim Serbia magazine and the IGN Adria website. Nebojša is an old-school gamer who loves real-time strategies, shooters, and RPGs, but most of all, he plays Roblox and mobile games with his son. He remembers the first Diablo, PC games on a single floppy disk, and playing Mortal Kombat on the keyboard.