Darkest Dungeon 2 is finally out in Early Access, giving fans of the series a brand new punishing adventure to slough through. Those that are just joining in on the Darkest Dungeon series are in for an absolute knock-out in terms of difficulty as even some players who are extra-familiar with the series are struggling to get past some of the difficult battles in the latest release. There have been unique changes to the original formula (some better, some worse) and there is a lot for players to unpack once they start their journey.

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To give newbies and returning veterans a fighting chance, we've compiled a list of some stout beginner tips to keep in mind when starting an adventure through Darkest Dungeon 2. The following helpful hints should give gamers some guidance in overcoming some of the more difficult obstacles that present themselves but it's important to note that Darkest Dungeon 2 is a difficult game, made even moreso by Early Access gameplay, which will surely be tweaked as time goes on.

10 Don't Be Afraid To Flee From Battles

Darkest Dungeon 2 Leaves Fall Stagecoach Path

Players will have to contend with a variety of encounters on their journey through Darkest Dungeon 2. Some fights, like road battles, are completely unavoidable. When the stagecoach runs into an obstacle blocking the entire road it will trigger a battle sequence, forcing players to defeat the enemies before them (or outlast their attacks) to proceed.

But other battle-based opportunities will present themselves as players try to survive trips between inns. It is possible to run from these encounters and avoid combat, although players will usually take a "relationship penalty," of some kind unless they're exceedingly lucky. During some runs, when players are close to an inn or struggling to survive, it's a better call just to take the penalty and avoid the scuffle.

9 Be Prepared To Die

Darkest Dungeon 2 Dying

This seems pretty silly to be a tip but it's the absolute truth when looking at Darkest Dungeon 2 from the outside, especially in its current Early Access state. As developers look for ways to balance some of the mechanics introduced in the latest release, players may find themselves facing surmountable odds.

Those that are new to the series may be unfamiliar with just how punishing and "unfair" Darkest Dungeon can be, but Darkest Dungeon 2 is an entirely different beast in its own right. Players that are just starting out should be prepared to fail time and time again before gaining enough strength and resources to start making solid progress through each run.

8 Always Take The Plague Doctor Paracelsus With You

Darkest Dungeon 2 Plague Doctor Noxious Blast

At the start, players will be given access to four different characters, with more becoming unlocked as the player progresses farther and farther. In the beginning, new Darkest Dungeon 2 gamers will be rewarded with some "familiar" and "traditional" RPG roles.

Players will have access to two characters capable of ranged attacks and DPS, one character that acts as a "tank," and one that stands in as a healer. As time goes on, players are free to mix and match characters to create parties that match their playstyle but they should always take Paracelsus, especially in the early game. The Plague Doctor acts as the only character capable of healing others via a skill, making them an invaluable asset to those just starting their journey.

7 Make Sure Characters Are In The Right Order

Darkest Dungeon 2Dismast Character Sheet

Although Darkest Dungeon 2 players like a traditional turn-based game, it does so in a "line" format. Positioning is vitally important to combat in Darkest Dungeon 2 and players will want to make sure that their characters are in the sweet spot to maximize their efficiency.

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Thankfully, the game does offer some guidance to new players via the Character Detail screen. This area will show players where in the "order" that characters excel the best. It is possible to use characters in a slot that isn't as favorable (for unique strategies) but the guide is a great baseline for those just starting out.

6 Some Skills Only Work In Certain Positions

Darkest Dungeon 2 Hellion If It Bleeds Skill

There are a lot of unique skills for players to unlock in Darkest Dungeon 2. Each character has a variety of useful abilities that can turn the tide of battle but these skills all come with a range and a position requirement.

For example, The Hellion's "If It Bleeds" skill is powerful and adds a bleed modifier to the enemy but can only be used from the center two positions on a team. This means the character will need to be in that position during the start of her turn to be able to use the ability. It's important that players read through all of a character's abilities to better learn how to utilize them best.

5 Prioritize Learning New Skills

Darkest Dungeon 2 Echos Of the Past

During the journey, players will come across specialized shrines that allow them to get a better look at each character's backstory. Each time a shrine is visited, players can choose one of the characters in their party and then watch a little cutscene offering up some details on who they were prior to the events of Darkest Dungeon 2.

It's great for lore building but it serves a much deeper purpose. Visiting these shrines and completing any applicable tasks will reward players with new skills for the character of the choice, skills that remain unlocked even if a new run begins. It's important to note that some of these stories require gamers to "complete a unique battle" (and they won't be rewarded a skill and must try again if they fail) but it's vital in the early game to always seek out these shrines when possible to gain new abilities.

4 Take The Right Resistances For The Right Areas

Darkest Dungeon 2 Scorched Enemies

Resistances are a big part of Darkest Dungeon 2, much moreso than the original game. The new zones that players will enter will usually contain a bevy of themed enemies that all revolve around a particulate ailment or debuff. The Foetor, for example, is filled with cannibalistic enemies that apply Blight, while The Sprawl features hot-headed foes that will scorch characters and apply burns.

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Since players are allowed to choose what path they wish to go down when leaving an Inn, it's important to add any items and resistances to characters that are appropriate for the zone they're entering. This includes buying anything applicable at the Inn from the Provisioner.

3 Balance Conditions And Goals When Choosing Areas

Darkest Dungeon 2 Resistances

Conditions and Goals are tied to each area that players can choose from. On the Route Selection screen, gamers will notice blue text and gold text. The blue text pertains to the "condition" of a specific area and can be positive or negative depending on what players are currently dealing with. Some conditions will "reward" players with an increase in positive interactions like additional Field Hospitals, while others will increase the number of Cultist battles or other negative things.

Goals are mini-missions that can be completed to amass rewards. By hovering over the gold word, players will see what the mission is and the available rewards are always listed at the very bottom of a route choice window. Players should always consider "what lies ahead" when choosing a route by balancing out rewards and goals accordingly.

2 Avoid Meltdowns At All Costs

Darkest Dungeon 2 Hurt

In the original Darkest Dungeon, seeing a player lose their sanity usually rewarded them with a poor status ailment but the evolution of the mechanic in Darkest Dungeon 2 is punishingly worse. When a character loses their sanity (by their stress meter hitting 10/10) they enter a state called Meltdown. During this state, the character is hit with a randomized affliction while simultaneously losing a massive chunk of their health and seeing their relationships crumble (or worse, enter a state of disarray). A character experiencing a Meltdown in the middle of battle immediately becomes a liability and an easy target for enemies.

Players should prioritize keeping their characters sane, but using stress-relieving items and skills whenever possible. It's quite easy to amass stress in the Early Access version of Darkest Dungeon 2, making it one of the biggest problems players will face on a given run.

1 Plan And Strategize Accordingly At The Inn And On The Road

Darkest Dungeon 2 The Inn

The Inn isn't just a moment of respite for players on the long journey through each location in Darkest Dungeon 2. These "rest areas" are much more important to the success of the journey than the Estate was in the previous title. Since a lot of the condition removal and healing is done on the road via the Field Hospital, the Inn marks the only place that characters can rest, relieve stress, and heal up.

Most importantly, players will amass items that can only be used at an Inn, giving characters unique buffs, depleting their stress, or mending their relationships. Using these items, resistance boosts, and strategizing where to travel next, is the key to progressing as far as possible into each run.

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