Optimal Team Composition for Kingdoms in Darkest Dungeon 2

The Kingdoms mode in Darkest Dungeon 2 raises the stakes even higher than the initial Confessions mode. Players will quickly realize that starting fresh, without the usual upgrades, brings a unique set of challenges to the gameplay experience. The absence of traditional Stress and HP healing at Inns means that strategic team composition becomes vital for surviving this intense journey through the Kingdoms.

When assembling your team, self-sufficiency takes precedence. Heroes like Runaway and Crusader are excellent choices due to their ability to sustain themselves and adapt through various challenges. This aspect becomes particularly crucial, given the long treks players must endure.

Optimal Team Composition for Kingdoms in Darkest Dungeon 2

The Importance of Self-Sufficiency and Early Skill Strength

The team in battle against Cultists in Darkest Dungeon 2

In Kingdoms mode, healing is more critical than ever. Players will notice that heroes start with a limited skill selection, and progressing through Paths requires significant investment. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize heroes with robust healing abilities and those who are capable of performing well from the start. Any additional perks they obtain should be viewed as bonuses rather than necessities.

Leper (Rank 1): Often seen as an unconventional choice, the Leper offers significant damage, defense, healing, and corpse-clearing capabilities. While susceptible to being shuffled, pairing him with a Man-at-Arms or Runaway can mitigate this risk.
Man-at-Arms (Rank 2): A versatile warrior, the Man-at-Arms provides stress healing, self-healing abilities, disruption, and defensive skills. His movement capabilities make him resistant to shuffle, making him an invaluable asset from the outset.

Plague Doctor (Rank 3): With a unique no-cooldown healing skill combined with damage-over-time effects, the Plague Doctor excels against unwary foes. As you progress, aim to adopt the Surgeon path to enhance her potential.
Runaway (Rank 4): Like the Man-at-Arms, she presents a strong starting kit. Her self-heals, group damage, and skills to counter enemy dodge and Stealth tokens make her a prime candidate for your team. When feasible, consider progressing to the Arsonist path.

Hero	Path	Skills
Leper	Wanderer	Chop, Purge, Withstand, Hew*, Solemnity
Man-at-Arms	Wanderer	Crush, Bolster*, Hold the Line, Bellow, Command
Plague Doctor	Surgeon	Incision, Battlefield Medicine, Indiscriminate Science, Blinding Gas, Disorienting Blast
Runaway	Arsonist	Firefly, Smokescreen, Run and Hide, Hearthlight, Cauterize

Skills marked with an asterisk (*) should be prioritized for upgrades.

Flexibility is a crucial aspect of maneuvering through the game’s difficulties. For instance, Man-at-Arms may benefit from switching out skills based on the enemy types you encounter. Consider replacing Hold the Line if shrouded foes are not present, or Bellow if dealing with heavy crits is unnecessary. However, keep in mind that opting to remove Command may reduce the Leper’s reliability.

While Plague Doctor can consider swapping Disorienting Blast for Cause of Death, which offers potent single-target damage, you should weigh the importance of control versus offensive capability. The Tempest upgrade for Leper may enhance Chop damage but also increase Fatigue, making it a less appealing option in such a challenging mode.

Notably, this team’s composition struggles against backline foes. While corpses typically prevent issues, boss encounters such as the Dreaming General in The Tangle and The Librarian in The Sprawl could pose a significant challenge. Thus, it’s wise to steer clear of these adversaries whenever possible.

For those willing to take calculated risks, a more aggressive team comp could involve replacing Runaway with Occultist and adding Crusader in place of the Leper. Though this creates a trade-off, the added combo potential may yield intriguing results. However, especially at the beginning of your Darkest Dungeon 2 Kingdoms adventure, it’s recommended to prioritize a stable foundation with the suggested team composition above.

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