As an experienced Remnant 2 player with over 50 hours across multiple archetypes, I‘ve developed some strong opinions on which class excels for various playstyles. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll be ranking and analyzing each archetype to help you pick the right one to survive the intense battles ahead.
Archetype Rankings
Based on overall survivability, damage output, and ease-of-use, here is how I would rank the archetypes available in Remnant 2:
- Medic
- Handler
- Hunter
- Challenger
- Gunslinger
- Explorer
- Alchemist
- Summoner
Keep in mind this ranking focuses on versatility and beginner-friendliness. If played well, certain archetypes like Gunslinger can out-damage Medic. But they require more skill to maximize that potential.
Let‘s break down each class and see why I‘ve ordered them this way:
#1 Medic
The Medic‘s unmatched healing and revive abilities cement it as the best support class in Remnant 2. A good Medic acts as the backbone that keeps the team alive, while providing solid damage themselves.
Wellspring‘s healing pools can regenerate the entire party‘s health rapidly during intense encounters. And Redemption serves as a crucial safety net, reviving allies and saving wipes.
These powers make Medic by far the most beginner friendly archetype. You can learn combat mechanics while keeping the team afloat with your lifesaving abilities.
Key Abilities
Wellspring: Creates a healing pool that regenerates up to 15 health per second for allies standing in its radius. Lasts 15 seconds.
Redemption: Sends out a shockwave that revives any downed allies within 8 meters and heals living ones for 15% max health.
#2 Handler
The Handler differentiation comes from their loyal canine companion. This pet provides damage assistance, distractions, and even revives to bolster the Handler‘s support capabilities.
Solo Handlers may struggle with lower personal firepower. But in co-op, their pet‘s abilities shine by controlling crowds and tanking hits so allies can deal heavy damage.
Key Abilities
Support Dog: Signals pet to rush an enemy target, dealing electric damage over time if commanded again while biting.
Attack Dog: Companion deals 50% increased damage and generates healing motes while active.
#3 Hunter
Boasting the highest weapon damage output, the Hunter dominates at long range combat when played well. Weapons like the Hunting Rifle will destroy foes before they can even approach.
High skill cap holds the Hunter back from being beginner friendly though. You‘ll need great aim and positioning to not get overwhelmed up close.
But the expert vision and damage buffs from abilities give master Hunters unmatched carrying potential. They can easily clear rooms that would down entire teams.
Key Abilities
Hunter‘s Mark: Marks enemies through walls to you and allies within 15 meters. Increases damage against marked targets by 20%. Lasts 20 seconds.
Hunter‘s Focus: Enters a focus state for 15 seconds, granting 20% increased fire rate, 30% recoil reduction and increased aim assist.
#4 Challenger
If you love tanking hits while unleashing devastating melee combos, Challenger is the archetype for you. Their heavy armor and insane close quarters damage makes them an unstoppable berserker.
While ranged capabilities are limited, Challenger is extremely beginner friendly. You can survive tons of mistakes thanks to their self healing and built-in damage reduction.
Just beware getting swarmed by agile enemies. Challenger works best with teammates who can thin out crowds at a distance before you charge in.
Key Abilities
Juggernaut: Gain 60% melee damage, CC immunity and 60% damage reduction for 8 seconds.
Die Hard: Automatically revive with 50% health when taking lethal damage. 90 second cooldown.
#5 Gunslinger
If spraying endless bullets and grenades is your style, Gunslinger is unmatched. They specialize in overwhelming firefights – shredding even tough Elites before reloading.
High skill requirement holds them back from topping these rankings. You‘ll burn through ammo quickly if you can‘t land shots. And their mobility focus leaves Gunslinger more fragile than other classes.
But in capable hands, Gunslinger speeds through content with acrobatic flair. If you enjoy mastering high risk, high reward run-and-gun styles, this is the archetype for you!
Key Abilities
Bulletstorm: Increases fire rate by 50% and reload speed by 100% for 10 seconds. All damage inflicts Burn status.
Quickdraw: Hip fire 6 shots instantly in a cone. Shots seek targets within 10 meters and deal 75% of base damage. 5 second cooldown.
#6 Explorer
The Explorer provides great scouting and loot detection to reward thorough players. Their abilities comb through the environment for hidden chests and items your team may otherwise miss.
They lack combat abilities however, making Explorer better as a secondary archetype for boosting farming runs. Their support builds reliance on better geared teammates to handle enemies while they fetch gear.
Key Abilities
Fortune Hunter: Highlights interactable objects like chests, enemies and resources through walls within 60 meters. Lasts 30 seconds.
Lucky: Defeating Elites has a 10% chance to spawn a random equipment piece.
#7 Alchemist
Alchemists provide a unique elixir-crafting combat experience. By mixing reagents they unlock potent party-buffing tonics to turn the tide of battle.
Sadly, the RNG nature of brewing makes this a frustrating archetype for newer players. You‘re better off using a different primary class until you unlock more recipes and traits to improve the Alchemist‘s consistency.
Their potential in coordinated groups is excellent. But Solo Alchemists will find themselves caught in unlucky droughts of potion procs that leave them vulnerable.
Key Abilities
Spirited: Creates 3 random elixirs that provide bonus effects like +50% fire rate or +35% melee damage when used by yourself or allies. 45 second cooldown.
Frenzy Dust: Throw an elixir that grants +25% movespeed and fire rate to allies for 15 seconds. 45 second cooldown.
#8 Summoner
If you enjoy commanding armies of minions, Summoner offers the most unique Remnant 2 playstyle. Their spectral soldiers provide plenty of damage soaking and distraction.
Sadly, the summon focus leaves little room for self defense. And the minions unreliable AI can waste precious skill windows chasing lone enemies.
Overall the micromanagement overhead doesn‘t justify Summoner‘s output for inexperienced players. Their highly technical playstyle suits veteran gamers who enjoy mastering complex pet classes above all else.
Key Abilities
Hollow: Summons 2 cannonball minions that launch at enemies and deal area damage where they land. Lasts 16 seconds.
Reaver: Summons a sword wielding minion with 600% base health and damage to fight at your side for 16 seconds.
Archetype Ability Comparison
To help summarize each class‘ powers, here is an overview table with their iconic skills:
| Archetype | Main Support Ability | Main Damage Ability |
| Medic | Wellspring (Party Heal) | Redemption (Revive + Heal) |
| Handler | Support Dog (Electric DOT) | Attack Dog (DPS Buff) |
| Hunter | Hunter‘s Mark (Wallhack) | Hunter‘s Focus (DPS Buff) |
| Challenger | Juggernaut (Tank Buff) | Rampage (DPS Steroid) |
| Gunslinger | None | Bulletstorm (DPS Steroid) |
| Explorer | Lucky (Drop Buff) | None |
| Alchemist | Spirited (Random Buffs) | None |
| Summoner | Hollow (Minion DOT) | Reaver (Minion DPS) |
As we can see, Medic and Handler offer the most invaluable team support effects. While Hunter, Challenger and Gunslinger specialize in dishing out big personal damage.
The other classes fill more niche secondary roles – whether increasing loot drops (Explorer) or providing unpredictable buffs (Alchemist).
Now let‘s discuss how archetype selection changes when playing co-op…
Co-Op Synergies
While these rankings factor in versatility for solo and group play, your archetype choices should change based on if you plan to play alone or with friends.
Certain classes like Medic and Handler provide effects that multiply a coordinated team‘s strength beyond just personal performance.
Meanwhile, Lone Wolf archetypes like Hunter and Gunslinger can clear content quickly but lack the reliability of support defensive abilities.
Here are some examples of excellent archetype synergies to try with groups:
Medic + Challenger/Gunslinger
Medics patching up a heavy damage class makes an excellent core to any team. The Medic keeps the DPS alive to dish out destruction and build mod power for healing.
Handler + Medic
Double support and revives gives your team incredible sustainability. The Medic‘s AoE healing covers the Handler‘s weaker personal defense.
Hunter + Challenger
With the Challenger tanking hits up close, the Hunter can snipe safely from the rear. Their long range damage buffs also enhance the berserker rampages.
Gunslinger + Explorer
The Explorer supplies the ammo-hungry Gunslinger with extra drops so they can shoot nonstop. Their loot bonus also increases rare gear to min-max builds.
As you can see, pairing archetypes that cover each other‘s weaknesses makes a stronger combo than doubling up on similar ones.
For example, two Challengers or Hunters may struggle compared to a more balanced composition. So discuss with your team to cover all grounds!
My Personal Recommendation
For new players seeking the most reliable solo experience, I highly recommend starting with the Medic archetype. Their healing abilities give you great survivability even as you learn combat mechanics.
If playing co-op, the Handler and Medic both provide excellent team support. Having a Medic to quickly revive players during bosses will make progression much smoother.
For veterans seeking high damage challenges, Hunter and Challenger are extremely potent when mastered. I personally find melting bosses with a precision Hunting Rifle incredibly satisfying.
And regardless of skill level, experiment with all archetypes to find one that suits your playstyle! Their wildly varied abilities keep combat exciting through multiple runs.
The Ideal Medic Build
Since I recommend Medic for new players, let‘s break down an effective Medic build to get started:
Weapons:
Hunting Pistol – Good damage and weakpoint accuracy at all ranges
Beam Rifle – Great sustained damage especially when empowered
Armor:
Osseus Set – Crit heals buff fuels Redemption spam. Tanky.
Twisted or Elder sets work too for raw healing boost.
Amulet:
- Gunslinger‘s Charm – 18% crit to trigger Osseus crit heal synergy. Good damage boost.
Rings:
Razorwire Necklace – Shred armor on crit so your beams hit harder.
Spirit Stone – 20% healing buff to push your aid efficiency higher.
This setup maximizes your healing output so your team is extremely hard to kill. The Osseus critical heal chance gives great sustain too on top of Wellspring and Redemption.
I prefer Hunting Pistol over shotguns or SMGs as landing precise shots procs your crit heal to stay healthy while doing solid damage. It takes more skill than spray-and-heal weapons but pays off hugely when mastered!
Alternative Weapon Choices
If you want easier ammo sustain and don‘t mind losing crit heals, Devastator, Sporebloom, or Chicago Typewriter are great. Breath of the Desert is also strong for spreading Corrosive to amplify allies’ damage against melted armor bars!
Let me know in the comments if you have any other suggestions for powerful Medic loadouts! I‘m always experimenting with new ability synergies.
In Summary
Hopefully this deep dive helps summarize each Remnant 2 archetype‘s strengths to pick your perfect class fit!
While Medic and Handler make excellent starters for their seamless team support, don‘t be afraid to experiment with unorthodox powers like Alchemist and Summoner in the endgame.
Part of Remnant‘s fun comes from testing crazy builds enabled by game-changing item synergies and abilities!
Let me know which archetype you choose to start your adventures in Ward 13! I‘m happy to provide additional tips to master any class.
