Hero Unlocks & Recruitment
Unlike the first Darkest Dungeon, where heroes arrived randomly via the Stage Coach, Darkest Dungeon II features a more structured and narrative-driven hero recruitment system. You'll begin each expedition with a set roster, but unlocking new heroes and expanding your available pool is crucial for tackling the escalating challenges of the Sprawl, Foetor, Shroud, and Sluice.
Unlocking New Heroes
New heroes are not simply purchased or randomly generated. Instead, they are unlocked by progressing through the game's meta-progression system, specifically by spending Hope at the Altar of Hope between expeditions. Hope is a persistent currency earned by completing objectives, defeating enemies, and reaching various milestones during your runs.
- Earn Hope: Focus on completing region objectives, defeating Lair bosses, overcoming Road Encounters, and reaching the end of each act. Even failed runs contribute some Hope, so every journey has value.
- Altar of Hope: After a run concludes (either successfully or in failure), you will return to the Altar of Hope. Here, you can spend your accumulated Hope to unlock various permanent upgrades, including new heroes.
- Hero Shrines: While not directly unlocking new heroes, completing Hero Shrines during an expedition is vital for unlocking new skills and backstories for the heroes you already possess. Each hero has five shrines, and completing them all fully develops their potential and unlocks their full skill set. Prioritize these when you encounter them on the road.
Recruiting Heroes for an Expedition
At the start of each new expedition from the Valley, you will be presented with a selection of available heroes to form your initial party of four. Your starting roster will always include the Man-at-Arms, but the other three slots will be filled from your pool of unlocked heroes.
- Initial Roster: The game will offer a randomized selection of three additional heroes from your unlocked pool. You cannot directly choose any hero you wish at this stage; you must pick from the presented options.
- The Inn: After completing the first region, you will arrive at an Inn. Here, you have a chance to recruit a new hero to replace an existing one, or simply add a fifth hero to your roster if you have the capacity (though you can only take four into combat). The Inn offers a limited selection, often two or three heroes, from your unlocked pool. This is a strategic decision, as swapping heroes can change your party composition significantly.
- Consider Synergies: When recruiting at the Inn, always consider how the new hero will synergize with your existing party. Look at their combat roles, stress-healing capabilities, and potential for strong relationships with current members.
- Relationship Management: Be mindful that swapping heroes can impact existing relationships within your party. A newly recruited hero will start with neutral relationships, and this can sometimes disrupt carefully cultivated positive bonds.
Strategic Recruitment Tips
Effective hero recruitment goes beyond simply filling slots; it's about building a cohesive team capable of facing the horrors ahead.
- Balanced Party: Aim for a balanced party composition. This typically includes a tank (e.g., Man-at-Arms, Leper), a damage dealer (e.g., Highwayman, Hellion), a support/healer (e.g., Plague Doctor, Vestal), and a utility character (e.g., Jester, Runaway).
- Adapt to the Region: Some regions favor certain hero types or damage outputs. For instance, the Foetor often benefits from blight-focused heroes, while the Shroud might require more stress-healing.
- Experiment: Don't be afraid to try new hero combinations. Unlocking all heroes and understanding their strengths and weaknesses is key to mastering Darkest Dungeon II.