The Crusader was a beloved hero in Darkest Dungeon, and it's great to see him back in Darkest Dungeon 2. His ability to fit many roles make him a great addition to most parties, so here is a build guide to find the best loadouts for each situation.
Best Crusader Build in Darkest Dungeon 2
Contrary to other heroes like the Duelist, who need a party built around them, The Crusader is made to fit any party. His paths can change him from a tank, to a healer, to a damage dealer, or full support.
He is pretty much a jack of all trades since he has skills to do damage, heal HP and stress, tank, and debuff enemies. However, trying to do too much — or trying to do everything — is the first common downfall players encounter when using him.
It is best to specialize in a single role, and I found the most effectiveness in his Aggressor path. It is a self-sufficient build which can heal himself and also Execute enemies. For this, you will want to put him in Rank 1 and give him the Fieldstone trinket which applies burn on a melee hit (66% chance).
Other Trinkets that go well with the Aggressor Crusader:
- Enlightening Element has a 25% chance of applying Burn 3.
- Sacred Scribblings Increases the duration of Burn by 2.
- Snappy Swig +1 Burn dealt.
Best skills for Crusader in Darkest Dungeon 2
For this Aggressor path, you are going to need attacks which can apply burn or benefit from it. These are the skills you would want to pick:
Holy Lance
This is the signature move of the Crusader, a ranged skill that can hit the back ranks and inflict burn. It is also a key move in dancing teams since it pushes him forward. It works with companions such as the Duelist and the Grave Robber that will move the Crusader back when they Flèche or Lunge (respectively). These companions would also benefit from The Crusader using Holy Lance to come back forward, because that would give them another chance at "Flèching" or Lunging.
- From rank 3 or 4, it hits rank 2, 3, 4.
- DMG 4-7 CRIT 10%.
- Self: Forward 1.
- Target: Burn 2.
- On upgraded version inflicts combo 100% chance.
Zealous Accusation
A ranged attack that can cleave, burn and apply combo. Since it hits two targets and can apply DOT, it is useful to finish off two weakened enemies and break through their Death's Door Armor. This skill becomes especially useful in his Aggressor path, since he can deal extra damage to burning targets.
- From rank 1 or 2, hits rank 1 and 2.
- DMG 1-2 CRIT 5% (increased to DMG 2-3 with upgrade).
- Target: Burn 2, 25% chance of combo (increased to Burn 3, 33% chance of combo with upgrade).
Stunning Blow
A hit that can stun enemies with combo. It can also remove Strength and CRIT on its upgraded form, which is useful against enemies like the Evangelist Cultists. What is best about this skill is the Crusader has other moves which can apply combo, like the Holy Lance. So Stunning Blow works well as a follow up to that other move.
- From rank 1 or 2, hits rank 1 and 2.
- DMG 3-5 CRIT 5% (increased to DMG 4-6, CRIT 10% with upgrade).
- Target: Stun when Combo (improved to remove Strength and CRIT with no need of combo).
Tenacity
A self sufficient skill to trigger self healing.
- From ranks 1, 2, 3.
- Melee skills Heal 15% on hit when target has Burn (it also increases 20% debuff RES on upgraded version).
- Cooldown 4.
Reap
A cleaving attack that can Debuff the enemy and Execute when there are burn tokens.
- From ranks 1, 2.
- Hits enemy ranks 1 and 2 simultaneously.
- DMG 4-5 CRIT 5% (increased DMG to 5-7 with upgrade).
- Execution 1 when target has Burn.
- Target receives -20% healing for 3 turns (increased to 33% with upgrade).
- Gain Strength on killing blow (with upgrade only).
Related: All characters in Darkest Dungeon 2
Best team comp for Crusader in Darkest Dungeon 2
The Aggressor path Crusader thrives when he has a partner who can inflict burn on enemies. For this reason, these are his best teammates:
Plague Doctor
She can play Rank 4 with her Surgeon path to maximize healing. Her skills should be as follows:
- Battlefield Medicine
- Indiscriminate Science
- Magnesium Rain
- Disorienting Blast
- Plague Grenade
Jester
He can take Rank 3 and play the Soloist path. With a healer such as Plague Doctor, you won't suffer the health debuff as much, and in exchange you will get a great damage dealer.
- Inspiring Tune
- Solo
- Finale
- Encore
- Harvest
Runaway
She can play her Arsonist path to increase Burn chance and start in Rank 2, leaving the front rank to the Crusader.
- Searing Strike
- Firefly
- Firestarter
- Controlled Burn
- Dragonfly
That was the optimized build; however, if you want to make use of his Holy Lance skill and you don't want to take the Banneret back-rank path, there is an alternative build where you can put him in a dancing party with the Duelist or the Grave Robber. These two glass cannons —which have a similar play style — benefit from his taunting skills to avoid getting hit, and they can also push him backward to where he can come back to the front with his Holy Lance.
For more information on Darkest Dungeon II, check Darkest Dungeon 2 Best Team Comps on Pro Game Guides.
