Which Tanks to use?

Unsure which tank to pilot in Risk of Rain Returns? Get a breakdown of early-game options like the Buggy and Van, and late-game powerhouses like the WhiteMuu. Make the right choice!

Alright, so you're diving into Risk of Rain Returns and wondering which tank is gonna be your best buddy for blasting through enemies? It's a big decision, and honestly, the game throws a few curveballs with tank availability. Don't sweat it, though – I'll break down what you can expect and which ones are worth your hard-earned cash.

Right off the bat, you'll have access to five out of the eight tanks before you even get past the Corona Building. The really beefy ones? Yeah, those are usually saved for later. But here's a pro-tip: the Abrams shows up pretty early in Port Slum. It's a solid tank, no doubt, but it'll cost you a pretty penny. Keep an eye on your wallet!

Let's talk about the first four you might stumble upon. The Buggy and Mosquito are kinda the glass cannons of the group – they don't have the best defense and are pretty limited on weapon slots. BUT, the Buggy has a neat trick: a crew member can still use their own weapons while you're safely tucked inside the tank. Handy!

Then there's the Van. Don't underestimate this one! It's surprisingly flexible. You can swap out all its weapon slots for SE guns, meaning you could potentially rock FOUR of them. That's a lot of firepower!

The Tiger, as you might guess, has the best defense out of this early bunch. The catch? You find it buried in a cave, and it comes with four 'Lead Mushrooms' that hog half its tool space and add a ton of weight. You can't ditch these until you reach Santa Poco in the western desert, and guess what? That's the ONLY place with a car wash that can actually remove them. The Tiger also can't change its weapon slots, and it's a real heavy-hitter – great for defense, but slow and not very versatile, just like its real-life counterpart. Honestly, for the first half of the game, the Van is a surprisingly good shout, even if it doesn't sound as cool.

Once you snag the Abrams, you've got a really good tank on your hands. I used it a lot myself when I could afford it. It's a strong contender, but keep in mind, you can't customize its slots, and there are even better options down the line.

Now, for the late game, you'll find the Lav, Red Wolf, and WhiteMuu. The WhiteMuu is the absolute king – strongest defense, most weapon slots. This is the tank you want for the Hunter class for the rest of your playthrough. The Red Wolf is the next best thing; I usually give that one to my companion. After that, it's really up to your preference for the third slot. Interestingly, the Lav is still pretty versatile, even though its chassis isn't as well-defended as the Abrams or Tiger. The good news is, you can upgrade its defense if you decide to roll with the Lav.