Darkest Dungeon 2 is famous for being a punishing roguelike RPG that takes careful planning and team building. Here are the best team compositions in Darkest Dungeon 2 that will keep you alive.
7 best team compositions in Darkest Dungeon 2
I admit, 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 synergizes with each other. That's especially true with the additions of Crusader and Duelist characters via The Binding Blade DLC.
7. Early game team build in Darkest Dungeon 2
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! |
Early game team build in Darkest Dungeon 2 includes the heroes you get from the beginning: Man-at-Arms, Highwayman, Graverobber, and Plague Doctor. This composition even has a name in DD2 - The Unusual Suspects! We set up a solid battle formation that can hold its own, listing all the basic skills you will need initially, or at least until you get some new characters or unlock additional abilities.
6. Versatile mixed team build in Darkest Dungeon 2
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 |
There are many different enemy types in Darkest Dungeon 2, and this composition is excellent as a jack of all trades. It works okay for encountering just about any threat without any glaring weaknesses. 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.
Related: All characters in Darkest Dungeon 2
5. Stationary team build for Darkest Dungeon 2
4. Occultist (Warlock) | 3. Highwayman (Sharpshot) | 2. Flagellant (Scourge) | 1. Leper (Poet) |
---|---|---|---|
Abyssal Artillery | Pistol Shot | Punish | Chop |
Daemon's Pull | Double Tap | Endure | Hew |
Vulnerability Hex | Grapeshot Blast | Acid Rain | Ruin |
The Burning Stars | Highway Robbery | Suffer | Break |
Wyrd Reconstruction | Take Aim | More! MORE! | Bash |
This team composition relies on heroes holding their ground firmly during combat, so no movement skills are included; it excels in the Tangle, where the boss likes to prevent position switching. Leper and Flagellant should be able to provide a solid frontline while the Highwayman executes bosses and strong enemies. Ever since the Infernal Pursuit patch, Highwayman can use Double Tap to trigger a Second Shot against an enemy if he failed to kill him on the first try.
4. Burn Crusader team comp in Darkest Dungeon 2
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 |
Crusader is still a fan favorite, as he's more or less the same as in the first game. What's new is that he can deal burn damage with more efficiency. That would not be enough on his own, but combined with fire master Runaway, 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
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 |
Unlike the stationary build for Darkest Dungeon 2, this dynamic build relies on frequent changes in allied ranks. 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 in Darkest Dungeon 2
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 |
Duelist is one of the more complex characters in Darkest Dungeon 2, as her attacks depend on her sword stances. While she can move forward and backward, it's the use of defensive and offensive stances that make her so deadly and hard to play with. Because she needs time to prepare (I usually use Preparation skill to buff her), having other characters ready to attack and debuff enemies is crucial. Hellion and Plague Doctor will attack, while Occultist will debuff or pull opponents.
1. Late-game team build in Darkest Dungeon 2
4. Grave Robber (Nightsworn) | 3. Plague Doctor (Alchemist) | 2. Crusader (Banneret) | 1. Man-at-Arms (Vanguard) |
---|---|---|---|
Poison Dart | Noxious Blast | Inspiring Cry | Crush |
Absinthe | Battlefield Medicine | Battle Heal | Bolster |
Lunge | Plague Grenade | Bulwark of Faith | Stand Fast |
Repartee | Indiscriminate Science | Holy Lance | Strategic Withdrawal |
Shadow Fade | Magnesium Rain | Reap | Retribution |
With the Infernal Pursuits update, the Nightsworn subclass of the Grave Robber hits harder than ever while she is in stealth. Her new Repartee skill can place a taunt token on an ally (for this team you'll want to target the Man-at-arms) and as long as she is in stealth, her Lunge skill hits 50% harder. Use the Plague Doctor as a healer and blight damage dealer, and the Crusader as a Stress healer. Finally, Man-at-arms acts as a tank and can self heal by using the combo Strategic Withdrawal + Crush.
Looking for more Darkest Dungeon 2 guides? You're in the right place; check out How to unlock all Flagellant Skills in Darkest Dungeon 2 and Should you hit the rubble in the road in Darkest Dungeon 2.
Published: Feb 16, 2024 12:09 pm