The importance of party composition and synergy in Darkest Dungeon 2 cannot be overstated. Choosing the right heroes and arranging them in a way that maximizes their abilities is crucial for success in the game. In this guide, we will explore some of the best team compositions that can carry you through to victory.
The ol’ reliable
This team composition is a tried and true strategy that is highly effective in Darkest Dungeon 2. It consists of the Plague Doctor, Jester, Highwayman, and Man-at-Arms. The best part is that all four heroes are available by default, showing the developers’ consideration for the players.
Plague Doctor
- Noxious Blast
- Battlefield Medicine
- Plague Grenade
- Emboldening Vapours
- Indiscriminate Science
The Plague Doctor serves as a healer and support unit in this composition. Her two healing skills, Battlefield Medicine and Indiscriminate Science, are invaluable in different situations. Noxious Blast and Plague Grenade inflict Blight on enemies, making them ideal for large targets. Emboldening Vapours can boost the strength of either the Highwayman or the Jester, setting them up for massive damage in the next turn.
Jester
- Razor’s Wit
- Fade to Black
- Harvest
- Finale
- Encore
The Jester fulfills multiple roles in this party. He can apply Combo tokens with Razor’s Wit, Blind enemies with Fade to Black, Bleed enemies with Harvest, and deal significant damage with Finale. Encore allows him to grant an extra turn to another party member, enabling critical hits or crucial heals.
Highwayman
- Pistol Shot
- Take Aim
- Grapeshot Blast
- Double Tap
- Highway Robbery
The Highwayman is the primary damage dealer in this lineup. Focusing on the Sharpshot path, all of his ranged attacks receive a significant damage boost. Take Aim guarantees critical hits, while Grapeshot Blast hits the front ranks and maintains a Strength and Crit token. Double Tap is the most damaging attack, especially against low health enemies. Highway Robbery can remove or steal positive tokens from enemies, which is particularly useful in boss fights.
Man-at-Arms
- Crush
- Defender
- Bolster
- Hold the Line
- Bellow
The Man-at-Arms takes on the role of a frontline leader and support for the team. Defender allows him to protect other heroes from attacks, making it essential for damage mitigation. Bolster provides stress healing and incidental Block gain. Hold the Line helps recover from rank disruption moves, while Bellow slows down enemies and prevents devastating critical hits. Crush is a solid attacking move that can also provide healing when needed.
The combo meal
For those who prefer a more aggressive strategy, this team composition focuses on high damage output in the fewest number of turns. It consists of the Runaway, Jester, Leper, and Hellion, all of whom excel at dealing damage and utilizing Combo tokens.
Runaway
- Firefly
- Smokescreen
- Hearthlight
- Cauterize
- Firestarter
The Runaway serves as a versatile damage dealer in this composition. Firefly and Hearthlight inflict damage, while Smokescreen and Cauterize provide support and healing. Firestarter can deal significant damage to multiple enemies, making it an excellent choice in large battles.
Jester (same as previous comp)
- Razor’s Wit
- Fade to Black
- Battle Ballad
- Finale
- Encore
Leper
- Chop
- Withstand
- Solemnity
- Reflection
- Bash
The Leper is a powerhouse in this composition, capable of dealing massive damage. Chop and Wicked Hack are his main attacking moves, while Withstand provides defensive capabilities. Solemnity and Reflection offer healing and stress reduction, respectively. Bash is a highly damaging move that can also stun enemies.
Hellion
- Wicked Hack
- Iron Swan
- Adrenaline Rush
- Raucous Revelry
- Howling End
The Hellion is the frontline fighter and primary damage dealer in this team. Her attacking moves, Wicked Hack and Iron Swan, deal significant damage, especially when Combo tokens are present. Adrenaline Rush provides extra damage and healing, while Raucous Revelry removes stress from the party. Howling End is a powerful move that should be used as a last resort to finish off enemies.
These team compositions are just a starting point, and experimentation is encouraged. Finding the right combination of heroes and abilities that suits your playstyle can make all the difference in the treacherous world of Darkest Dungeon 2.