As an avid Remnant 2 player with over 50 hours logged, I‘ve experimented extensively with the Challenger archetype to discover the perfect build. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through the ideal weapon selection, armor pieces, accessories, traits, and more to construct an unstoppable tank.
Understanding the Challenger Archetype
The Challenger archetype specializes in melee combat and excels at crowd control. With the highest base armor in the game and skills that boost damage resistance, this build can withstand endless enemy assaults. The playstyle revolves around getting up close to deliver devastating melee blows while shrugging off attacks.
However, the Challenger does suffer penalties to dodging from its heavy armor. You‘ll need to pick your moments wisely rather than rely on mobility. Some key strengths and weaknesses include:
Pros:
- Extremely high armor rating – can face-tank most enemies
- AOE melee attacks hit all surrounding targets
- Skills provide damage resistance and health regeneration
- Trait improves encumbrance to offset armor penalties
Cons:
- Restricted dodging capability
- Vulnerable to enemies with armor piercing or bleed
- Relies heavily on melee range
Overall, the Challenger makes an exceptional frontline warrior that can wade into the thick of combat. You‘ll attract the most enemy aggro, so teammates can assist with long range support.
Unlocking the Challenger Archetype
You have two options to gain access to the Challenger class:
1. Select it as your starting archetype
When first creating your character, Challenger will be one of the five archetype choices.
2. Purchase the unlock from Reggie in Ward 13
If you didn‘t choose Challenger originally, you can acquire the armor crafting recipe from Reggie for 1500 scrap. Take it to Ace to craft the unlock engram.
Either way, slotting Challenger as your primary archetype will grant faster progression and more trait points.
Weapons – Balancing Melee and Ranged
Despite the focus on melee combat, you‘ll still need solid guns to handle enemies at a distance. I recommend equipping:
- Long Gun: Blackmaw AR-47
- Handgun: Enigma
- Melee: Stonebreaker
This loadout provides a mix of automatic fire, shock damage, and heavyweight melee swing. All weapons have useful mods and high critical hit multipliers to quickly shred foes.
The Blackmaw assaults mid range targets with a blistering hail of lead. Its large magazine and nimble handling are perfect for slaying lesser mobs.
Up close, the Enigma handgun unleashes devastating charged shock blasts. Any survivors will be finished off with mighty slams from your sledgehammer.
Recommended Mods and Mutators
I suggest the following mods and mutators to enhance your weapons:
Blackmaw: Hot Shot, Corrosive Rounds – Momentum
Enigma: Chaos Driver – Battery Slayer
Stonebreaker: Faultline – Shieldbreaker
The additional fire, acid, and shock damage over time from these mods add substantial punch. Paired with weak point and armor piercing mutators, no target can withstand your barrage for long.
Armor – Heaviest Protection Available
As the heaviest armor set in Remnant 2, the Void armor perfectly complements the Challenger build. While your dodges suffer, the incredible defense and hazard resistance provide unprecedented sustainability.
Equip the full Void collection:
- Void Carapace (Body)
- Void Wraps (Hands)
- Void Skull (Head)
- Void Greaves (Legs)
With over 1300 armor rating when fully upgraded, you can soak tremendous punishment without breaking stride. Enemies will need to completely surround and overwhelm you to pose any real threat.
The Void set does carry vulnerabilities to bleed and blight damage however. Bring antidotes and coagulants to overcome these weaknesses.
Amulet & Rings
To further amplify damage output, equip rings and amulets boosting critical hits and weak point bonuses. My top accessories include:
Amulet: Ankh of Power – improves all damage by 25%
Rings:
- Ring of Flawed Beauty – 20% weak point damage
- Zania‘s Malice – 30% bonus weak point damage over time
- Berserker‘s Crest – quicker melee swings
The Ankh provides a hefty damage boost to supplement your already formidable attacks.
Meanwhile, the rings expand bonuses specifically from precision hits and meaty melee slams. Together, they let you rapidly crush foes through sheer force.
Traits – Strong Back is Vital
As part of the base Challenger progression path, the Strong Back trait is mandatory for improving mobility in heavy armor. It cuts down encumbrance penalties with each rank, allowing normal dodges in the bulky Void suit.
Make investing in Strong Back a top priority. The extra agility goes a long way when trying to avoid lethal enemy blows. You‘ll retain most of the high defense without sacrificing critical evasion capability.
Skills – Juggernaut for Melee Domination
All Challenger skills focus on buffing defenses and close combat power. However, Juggernaut offers the greatest synergy for quickly decimating groups once within melee range.
Activating Juggernaut provides the following massive bonuses for 25 seconds:
- +50% melee damage
- +15% movement and attack speed
This skill essentially turns you into an unstoppable whirlwind of death – relentlessly pursuing targets while one-shotting them with your powered up sledgehammer. Use it judiciously to demolish the most threatening packs of foes.
Perks – Well-Rounded Mix of Offense and Defense
Choosing perks that bolster both attack and mitigation is key for the Challenger. I recommend focusing on the following:
Die Hard (Prime): Restores health and grants temporary invulnerability when taking continuous damage. Allows you to regain footing after huge enemy onslaughts.
Close Quarters (Damage): Flat damage bonus to all attacks within 10 meters. Great for buffing melee carnage.
Intimidating Presence (Team): Nearby enemies deal less damage, helping allies survive your aggro hijinks.
Powerlifter (Utility): Faster stamina recovery between dodges and combos.
Together these provide the ideal balance of strength and resilience expected from a juggernaut character.
Complementary Archetypes
While dominating solo, the Challenger truly shines with teammates able take advantage of its formidable presence. Ranged classes make natural companions to supply covering fire and whittle down enemies from afar.
Some top archetype pairings include:
Devastator – Also specializes in melee brutality. Your combined devastation will quickly overwhelm adversaries.
Hunter – Unloads endless sniper rounds into targets you gather and control.
Ex-Cultist – Alternates between mid-range gunfire and close quarters magic missiles.
Engineer – Constructed turrets continue assaulting enemies while you brawl up close.
Experiment to discover your perfect battle brother. Whoever you align with, few opponents can withstand your coordinated fury!
