Remnant 2 Archetypes Guide

Remnant 2 offers a diverse array of archetypes that define your playstyle in its procedurally generated worlds. These classes provide unique skills, perks, and traits, allowing for endless build customization. Starting with six core options, players can unlock over a dozen more through exploration, boss defeats, and specific item collections. This guide details every archetype, precise unlocking paths, and strategic insights to help you thrive in both solo runs and co-op sessions.

Understanding Archetypes in Remnant 2

Archetypes function as character classes, granting access to three active skills, multiple passive perks, and trait slots that enhance combat effectiveness. You begin with one primary archetype but can unlock a secondary after earning 10 Trait Points from bosses and quests. Swapping classes at Wallace in Ward 13 is free, though new ones start at level 1—previous progress remains intact. Dual archetypes combine strengths, like pairing ranged firepower with melee resilience.

• Primary Role: Defines your core skills and starting gear.
• Secondary Role: Adds one prime perk and extra trait points without resetting levels.
• Unlock Variety: Ranges from vendor purchases to hidden secrets in hazardous zones.

Core Archetypes: Easy Access from Ward 13

These foundational classes are available immediately via vendors like Mudtooth or Dwell. They’re ideal for beginners building toward advanced unlocks.

Handler

The Handler excels in summoning AI companions for distraction and damage. Skills include drone deployment for turret fire and a faithful dog for melee support. Perks boost minion survivability and reload speed.

• Unlock: Purchase from Mudtooth in Ward 13 for 750 Scrap.
• Best For: Players preferring indirect combat.

Hunter

A precision marksman class with bullet-ricochet skills and tracking bullets. High mobility via dodge roll enhancements makes it great for kiting enemies.

• Unlock: Buy from Dwell in Ward 13 for 1,000 Scrap.
• Key Perk: Hunter’s Mark reveals weak points.

Medic

Support-focused with healing bursts, shield generation, and team revives. Essential for co-op healing while dealing modest damage.

• Unlock: Purchase from Wallace after basic progression.
• Pro Tip: Pair with tanky secondaries for frontline sustain.

Post-Game and Exploration Unlocks

Beating the campaign or venturing into biomes reveals hidden classes. These reward dedicated explorers.

Explorer

Unlocked after any difficulty completion, this class emphasizes relic usage with speed boosts and fortune-hunting skills that highlight loot.

• Steps:
  1. Finish the main story.
  2. Receive Broken Compass reward.
  3. Trade with Wallace for Golden Compass Engram.
• Strengths: Relic efficiency and traversal perks.

Engineer

A turret master with deployable drones, minefields, and heavy armor support. Found in Ne’ud on a toxic ledge path.

• Location: Enter lethal gas areas, jump to hidden ledges for Alien Device.
• Trade: Wallace crafts Drzyr Caliper Engram.
• Ideal Pairing: With Handler for minion overload.

Gunslinger

High-mobility gunslinger with dual-wield pistol skills and evasion dashes. Involves collecting a Tome of Weapons in Losomn.

• Steps: Gather pages from Morrow Parish, trade for engram.

Summoner

Dark magic summoner pulling roots and spectral allies. Requires Yaesha exploration.

• Path: Farm Bloodmoon Essence at Bloodmoon Altar post-Root Nexus.
• Acquire: Faded Grimoire, trade for Tome of the Bringer.

Secret Archetypes: High-Risk Rewards

These demand specific gear setups or boss challenges, testing build optimization.

Invader

Melee infiltrator with root manipulation and portal jumps. Starts with Dreamcatcher weapon hunt.

• Process:
  1. Grab Dreamcatcher in Morrow Parish, Losomn.
  2. Extract Walker’s Dream from Root Earth pod.
  3. Defeat Bane boss for Wooden Shiv.
  4. Convert to Root Blade Engram.

Archon

Electricity-wielding powerhouse needing a precise loadout to access Labyrinth’s corrupted portal.

• Outcome: Enter portal, grab Strange Box, trade for Hexahedron.

Alchemist

Mutagen bomber with status effects and self-buffs. Involves challenging platforming or puzzles in specific biomes.

DLC Archetypes: Expanded Roster

The Awakened King, Forgotten Kingdom, and Dark Horizon DLCs introduce ritualistic, ancient, and guardian classes.

Ritualist (Awakened King)

Cursed doll manipulator with bleed and decay skills. Exclusive to DLC owners.

• Location: Forsaken Coast, Drowned Wen canals—jump boats to cave, defeat elite for Ragged Poppet.
• Unlock: Buy Cursed Effigy from Wallace.

Invoker (Forgotten Kingdom)

Yaesha spirit caller using flutes for buffs and summons.

• Steps: From Glittering Grotto to Ancient Canopy secret room for Old Flute.

Warden (Dark Horizon)

Glider expert with wind control and melee focus.

• Path: Withered Necropolis chasm—glide right along cliffs to Weathered Mechanism cave and bridge.

Building Dual Archetypes

Reach 10 Trait Points to activate secondaries. Popular combos include:

• Explorer + Archon: Mobility and elemental burst.
• Handler + Engineer: Overwhelming summons.
• Medic + Invader: Sustain with aggression.

Experiment freely—Wallace allows instant swaps.

Tips for Efficient Unlocking

• Roll worlds multiple times for rerolls.
• Use Adventure Mode for targeted farming.
• Co-op speeds up boss kills and exploration.
• Track items with in-game journals.

Archetype Comparison Table

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use multiple archetypes at once?

Yes, one primary and one secondary after 10 Trait Points.

Do archetype levels carry over?

Yes, each levels independently; swapping doesn’t reset others.

Are DLC archetypes missable?

No, reroll worlds to access maps.

What’s the strongest archetype?

Depends on build—Archon shines in endgame.

How to respec traits?

Use McCabe’s Tome of Knowledge in Ward 13.