Why a tier list matters ⚙️
Every survivor in Risk of Rain 2 has unique strengths, weaknesses, and playstyles. The right pick can mean a smooth run, or a painful early death on stage one.
This 2025 tier list is based on the latest balance patches and community testing. We’ll break down which survivors shine in solo play, who thrives in co-op, and which ones need a little more love.
🥇 S-Tier: Consistent power and versatility
Railgunner
The queen of precision. Her single-target damage is unmatched, and her scope-based crits melt bosses before they can react.
💡 Best for: Players who can aim under pressure.
🎯 Strengths: Insane burst, long-range safety, excellent scaling.
Bandit
Fast, fun, and flexible. Bandit’s burst combos and invisibility make him deadly in solo and team play alike.
💡 Best for: Aggressive players who love mobility and quick kills.
🎯 Strengths: High burst, strong survivability, great reset potential.
Captain
Utility and raw firepower in one. His orbital strikes and supply beacons dominate late-game arenas, giving the entire team support and control.
💡 Best for: Tactical players who plan ahead.
🎯 Strengths: Team utility, elite crowd control, flexible builds.
🥈 A-Tier: Strong, reliable, and scalable
Huntress
Still one of the smoothest survivors. Her homing attacks make her beginner-friendly, while her mobility shines at high difficulty.
💡 Best for: Players who value safety and fluid movement.
🎯 Strengths: Great DPS uptime, mobility, and ease of use.
Loader
A fan-favourite brawler who turns movement into destruction. Once you master her grapples and momentum, you can clear entire maps in seconds.
💡 Best for: Skilled players who like risk-reward play.
🎯 Strengths: Burst potential, invulnerability windows, mobility.
Engineer
The turret master. Perfect for defence-heavy teams, though his playstyle can feel slow compared to others.
💡 Best for: Players who enjoy strategic, base-building gameplay.
🎯 Strengths: Consistent DPS through turrets, safe playstyle, great synergy with items.
🥉 B-Tier: Balanced but situational
Acrid
Deadly over time, but struggles against bosses without strong items. Excellent in crowd control and corrosion damage.
💡 Best for: Players who like “hit and run” tactics.
🎯 Strengths: AoE damage, debuffs, solid health pool.
Artificer
Glass cannon at heart. Can annihilate enemies with powerful spells but struggles with mobility and cooldowns early on.
💡 Best for: Players comfortable with positioning.
🎯 Strengths: Burst potential, elemental control, top-tier visuals.
Mercenary
High skill ceiling melee master. If you can chain dashes and manage cooldowns, he’s phenomenal - otherwise, expect punishment.
💡 Best for: Advanced players who love speed and timing.
🎯 Strengths: Infinite combos, high mobility, rewarding gameplay.
🪨 C-Tier: Niche, underpowered, or inconsistent
Commando
The original survivor - simple, reliable, but heavily outclassed. Still fun, but lacks scaling and crowd control.
💡 Best for: New players or nostalgic runs.
🎯 Strengths: Easy to play, consistent early-game DPS.
MUL-T
Tanky and versatile, but struggles in late-game scaling compared to newer survivors. Still great for hybrid builds.
💡 Best for: Utility players who prefer adaptable loadouts.
🎯 Strengths: Weapon variety, durability, solid early-game.
REX
Unique self-healing, self-damaging gameplay that’s fun but punishing. Great potential, but unforgiving without proper item luck.
💡 Best for: Risk-takers and advanced micro-managers.
🎯 Strengths: Hybrid damage, strong crowd control, interesting mechanics.
🔮 D-Tier: High effort, low reward
Void Fiend
A stylish concept held back by clunky management and inconsistent sustain. Potential is there, execution isn’t.
💡 Best for: Fans of risk management and transformation mechanics.
🎯 Strengths: Unique design, burst windows, aesthetic flair.
Final thoughts 💭
No survivor in Risk of Rain 2 is truly weak, the game rewards skill, adaptability, and item luck above all. Still, picking a powerhouse like Railgunner or Captain makes the climb to Mithrix smoother and more forgiving.
Experiment, mix builds, and find your rhythm. The best survivor is always the one that suits your playstyle but it doesn’t hurt if they delete bosses in three seconds. ⚙️💥
