Mastering Remnant 2 Engrams for Elite Builds

As an avid Remnant 2 gamer with over 200 hours played, I‘ve become obsessed with experimenting to create overpowered character builds. While the base classes provide a solid foundation, the true game-breaking potential lies with Remnant 2‘s engrams.

What Makes Engrams So Powerful

Engrams are rare items that unlock specialized archetypes. Each archetype functions similarly to a "subclass" in other games, providing access to unique skills and build-defining perks.

You can equip 2 engrams simultaneously to combine archetypes for exponentially more build variety. This fusion of complementary powers is where the real game-breaking potential lies!

For example, I utilize the Gunslinger‘s piercing shots and the Medic‘s healing wave to systematically dismantle hordes while keeping my squad indestructible.

Meanwhile my friend comboes the Challenger‘s Carnage with the Summoner‘s Seed of Renewal to lead unstoppable armies.

The sheer mix-and-match potential enables practically infinite possibilities to overwhelm Remnant 2‘s challenges with creative synergies.

Which combos are best comes down to personal preference. But the insights below aim to help you discover elite builds that resonate with your playstyle!

How to Obtain Engrams

While exciting to use, obtaining engrams first requires tracking down several rare materials:

1. Engram Base Material – Unique crafting component with special drop location
2. 1,000 Scrap – Dismantle gear or complete quests
3. 10 Lumenite Crystals – Farm lumenite nodes or break down items

I‘ll cover how to acquire each base material in detail later. Generally the rarer the power, the harder the hunt! Some have low drop chances around 3% meaning lots of grind.

For example, the reality-shaping Archon class requires navigating an ominous maze for its Strange Box material. I‘ve run the gauntlet 14 times before finally obtaining this maddening trinket!

But perseverance pays off, as mastering the darkness within the Labyrinth then unlocked authority over the Anomaly‘s mysteries…

Now let‘s shed light on all 11 engrams so your desired powers becomeobtainable!

All Engram Archetype Comparisons

I‘ve extensively tested every archetype unlocked by the engrams. Below I compare them in a detailed table for easier reference:

Take note that almost all archetypes require close attention to positioning to account for their inherent vulnerabilities.

For example, while the Hunter can one-shot elites with ease, getting cornered means certain demise. I mitigate this by combining Hunter with Summoner and letting minions occupy targets in my sniping sightlines.

Now let‘s get into the detailed specs on acquiring each engram‘s materials!

Iron Cylinder Engram (Gunslinger Archetype)

"This fusion of hot lead and proficiency catalyzes a combustion few can rival…"

Base Material: Worn Cylinder

Acquisition: Speak with gentleman scholar Mudtooth until finally convincing him to hand over this curious worn artifact. Success chance is approximately 5% per story request.

The cylinder unlocks the Gunslinger archetype, sharpening your deadliness with ranged weapons through skills like:

• Quick Hands – Increase reload and weapon swap speed
• Bullet Velocity – Raise shot speed and extend range
• Volatile Bullets – Chance to set targets ablaze

I max out reload upgrades early with the Gunslinger equipped. This enables repeatedly unloadingincendiary shotguns at breakneck speeds to vaporize charging foes.

Tome of the Bringer Engram (Summoner Archetype)

"The gates swing wide and the hordes emerge ravenous from revelry of ages past…"

Base Material: Faded Grimoire

Acquisition: In fog-shrouded Yaesha, offer 15 Blood Moon Essence to a foreboding obelisk amid the Far Woods. This catalyzes the materialization of the Faded Grimoire upon the obelisk‘s crest.

The Summoner archetype focuses on adaptive followers like:

• Seed of Renewal – Deploy healing lanterns
• Storm Caller – Conjure electric orbs
• Guardian Fighter – Summon melee protector

By combining Summoner with Medic, you gain impenetrable lines of rejuvenating defenders. Even colossal bosses eventually submit before the endless waves of strikes hammering down amid limbs regrowing as fast as the Medic‘s restorative glows can channel.

Caduceus Idol Engram (Medic Archetype)

"Like the mythical serpent‘s blessing, potent restorative energies awaken eager to balance the pain and sickness plaguing this realm."

Base Material: Medic Pin

Acquisition: Confer with technologist Norah within Ward 13 to secure this icon indicative of the medicinal arts. She may part with it in exchange for scrap offerings around 1,500.

The versatile support skills unlocked by the Medic include:

• Healing Wave – Restores large health segments
• Cleanse – Dispel debuffs
• Revive Boost – Improve ally restores

The Medic shines when paired with durable archetypes that draw enemy aggression. For example, Medic + Challenger enables a relentless juggernaut soaking colossal damage while getting continuously revived by the Medic‘s restorative bursts.

Golden Compass Engram (Explorer Archetype)

"Like a moth to flame, your inquisitive thirst towards the unknown sets forth ripples of revelation…"

Base Material: Broken Compass

Acquisition: Defeat beast beyond the void itself – Annihilation – to fracture reality and its instrumentation sufficiently to produce this anomalous compass.

The Explorer archetype enhances your dungeon delving with abilities like:

• Keen Eye – Reveal hidden caches
• Adrenalin – Gain stacking damage bonus
• Evade – Dodging slows time

I lean into boosting luck for amplified yields when combining Explorer with Hunter. This compounds riches rapidly gathered from distant sniping eliminating elites guarding hoards detected by the Explorer‘s dowsing instincts.

Steel Enswell Engram (Challenger Archetype)

"Blood runs hottest amid the rush of clashing steel. Become the eye of fury‘s storm…"

Base Material: Old Metal Tool

Acquisition: Barter with Reggie – Ward 13‘s preeminent trader in tools and mechanisms – to take this battered device off his hands for around 1,500 scraps.

The Challenger archetype transforms you into a relentless frontline bruiser with skills like:

• Carnage – Enter rage increasing damage and lifesteal
• Savagery – Melee attacks stack damage
• No Quarter – Deal bonus damage against elites/bosses

I find the Challenger shines most when paired with AoE damage. For example, combining the Challenger with the Gunslinger allows plowing through mobs firing shot after shot while each bullet heals you.

Such endless sustain breaks bosses as the ramping bonus vs elites from No Quarter compounds with endless health return amid the spray of buckshot tearing through perpetually reloading guns.

Drzyr Caliper Engram (Engineer Archetype)

"Ingenuity commands the elements, now bound by couplings and coils conduiting their conduction."

Base Material: Alien Device

Acquisition: This anomaly exists abandoned amid a fog-veiled domain saturated in an alien curse. Its acquisition requires cleansing salves to shield your passage.

The Engineer provides innovative contraptions like:

• Barrier Generator – Deploy defensive energy walls
• Automated Artillery – Construct offensive laser turret
• Repulsor Field – Create shield that reflects projectiles

I maximize skill leech bonuses when running Engineer to perpetuate a nigh-impenetrable fortress. Endless shields recharge while turrets gun down those foolish enough to wander near.

Such exponential replication of defensive layers makes you unassailable. Yet when combined with AoE attacks, wide offensive coverage catalyzes utter dominance over whole battlegrounds.

Serrated Root Blade Engram (Invader Archetype)

"Your human flesh masks something far more primal. Cast off this façade and embrace the savage within!"

Base Material: Wooden Shiv

Acquisition: Slay overlord of overgrown expanse guarded by plant abominations. Dissect remains revealing ritualistic wooden blade.

The unorthodox Invader enables partially morphing into enemies via:

• Mimic – Copy target gaining abilities
• Wildfire Shot – Fire seeking plasma bolt
• Greater Metamorph – Prolong transformations

Invading colossi to deploy their devastating attacks against former allies demonstrates immense effectiveness. I upgrade duration to maximize exploiting the hijacked assets against their own creators.

For example, morphing into a deadly claviger grants both high resistance and a spinning laser utterly decimating opposing ranks.

Hexahedron Engram (Archon Archetype)

"Your flesh is but a vessel through which higher dimensions now speak. Listen to their maddening whispers…"

Base Material: Strange Box

Acquisition: Journey beyond reality‘s fraying edges – past countless lifeless souls caught in the endless maze – deeper into the very heart of the Anomaly itself to discover this cubic container brimming with eldritch potential.

The rarest engram unlocks the volatile Archon, twisting anomalies via skills like:

• Gravity Well – Create zone slowing enemies
• Rift Device – Tear rift between space damaging nearby foes
• Anomaly Echo – Duplicate to split incoming damage

When testing the Archon, the duplicated anomalies often spread uncontrollably destroying indiscriminately. I mitigate friendly fire by applying the Medic‘s Cleanse restoration in response.

Once controlled, multiplying gravitational wells that perpetually condense while rifts shatter reality itself proves sufficient to unravel most wave-based modes with ease.

Sniper War Medal Engram (Hunter Archetype)

"Your targets may dwell in distant horizons, but your aim shall shepherd hot lead hastening their dusk."

Base Material: Rusty Medal

Acquisition: Converse with arms dealer Brabus in Ward 13 regarding this worn commendation. A scrap sum around 1,500 convinces him to part with it.

The Hunter provides long-range marksmanship via:

• Breath Control – Slowed breathing extends perfect shot duration
• Adjusted Irons – Critical damage increase
• Snap Shot – Bonus damage on quick successive hits

By upgrading reload speed, I can endlessly cycle high-powered rifle headshots every second by leveraging the Gunslinger and Hunter combo. Through Snap Shot, every other crit amplifies exponentially until even kingdom killer Shroud dissipates beneath the endless waves of multiplied projectiles relentlessly connecting.

Silent Whistle Engram (Handler Archetype)

"Beyond human senses lurks channels attuned to primordial pack vibrations awaiting an alpha bold enough to forge the link."

Base Material: Old Whistle

Acquisition: Another negotiation with savant Mudtooth, this time convincing the learned gentleman to transfer an ultrasonic relic from his collection to you in return for approximately 1,500 scraps.

The Handler empowers beast mastery with abilities like:

• Sic ‘Em – Dogs pounce target
• Pack Tactics – Empower ally pets
• Unleash the Beasts – Detonate dogs for AoE damage

I find the damage bonus from Pack Tactics compounds exponentially when combined with turrets like the Engineer‘s. Empowered pets keeps targets perpetually staggered amidst endless volleys scaling ever upwards through shared synergies between man, machine, and beast.

Philosopher‘s Stone Engram (Alchemist Archetype)

"You dabbled in forbidden lore, heeding the call of the cosmos. Now wield the secrets of the spheres against those who oppose your ascended will!"

Base Material: Mysterious Stone

Acquisition: From depths of the abyss ascends ancient oppressor Manticore. Felling this horror drops anomalous mineral brimming with untold potential…

The volatile powers unlocked by the Alchemist include:

• Arcane Bolt – Hurl elemental energy missiles
• Enfeeble – Curse enemies with various debuffs
• Transmutation Cube – Create zone randomly applying status effects

When testing the Alchemist, anarchic energies often overwhelm causing excessive friendly fire. I now carefully aim the unpredictable attacks granted while letting melee archetypes draw enemy focus.

Once mastered, replicating cubes exponentially debuff targets while elemental barrages whittle their health down, enabling efficiently toppling strongholds through the creative application of magical chaos.

Conclusion

I hope these hard-won insights into Remnant 2‘s engrams offer guidance on unlocking your desired powers! Let me know which archetype combos you find most potent. I‘m always seeking inspiration for further build experimentation!