Risk of Rain offers a deep roster of Survivors, each with distinct playstyles, so learning how to unlock characters becomes a core part of the loop. Understanding the systems behind character acquisition helps you plan runs and manage unlocks more efficiently.
Use this quick reference to track how characters are unlocked, where to find their items, and how to fit them into your long-term progression plan.
| Character | Unlock Method | Required Item | Difficulty Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commando | Start | None | Beginner |
| Huntress | Reward | Lunar Shell | Medium |
| Bandit | Shop | 35 Gold | Easy |
| Croco | Boss Reward | Croco Souvenir | Medium |
| Loader | Teleporter Boss | Tarot Drop | Hard |
| Railgunner | Elite Enemy | Railgun | Hard |
| Artificer | Teleporter Event | Boiler Blast | Medium-Hard |
| MUL-T | Multiplayer Drops | Random Item | Medium |
Understanding the Character Unlock System
The core mechanic of how to unlock characters in Risk of Rain revolves around progression, risk, and item-based gates. Instead of a simple menu, each Survivor is locked behind specific conditions, most commonly tied to a named drop you must obtain and bring to the Teleporter.
These unlock paths scale in difficulty, pushing you to explore dangerous biomes, defeat bosses, or survive encounters with elite enemies. Grasping this system lets you prioritize targets and plan runs around the characters you want to add to your collection.
Item-Based Unlocks and Boss Rewards
Most characters are unlocked by carrying a specific item to the Teleporter, so knowing where to farm those drops is essential for efficient progression.
Key Boss and Elite Drops
Several characters require items dropped by major encounters, which means you must deliberately seek out those bosses instead of relying on random chance.
- Lunar Shell for Huntress, dropped by the Hermit Crab boss in Earthen Peak or Sirens.
- Croco Souvenir from defeating Captain Crocodile in Flooded Temple.
- Tarot Drop from the Hydra and other Teleporter boss variations in Abyssal Depths.
- Railgun from elite Railgunner enemies in Sirens and other high-tier zones.
Shop and Event Unlocks
Some characters in Risk of Rain can be unlocked through direct purchase or via special Teleporter events, giving you flexible options depending on your in-game resources.
Managing Gold and Opportunities
The Bandit is available for a fixed price if you can safely reach and hold the shop terminal, while the Artificer requires surviving a Teleporter portal event that can grant powerful unlocks alongside hazards.
MUL-T is unique, typically obtained as a random multiplayer drop, which means you rely on co-op drops rather than a deterministic path, adding variability to team composition planning.
Progression Planning and Repeat Unlocks
Once you know how to unlock characters, you can structure runs to efficiently collect multiple Survivors without wasting runs on inefficient searches. Item control becomes a priority, especially on higher difficulties where every drop matters.
On subsequent playthroughs, you can chase specific biomes or bosses to complete your roster, turning the process into a strategic meta layer rather than pure luck.
Optimizing Your Unlock Strategy
- Track which items you still need to complete your character roster.
- Prioritize stages where the target boss or elite enemy has a high spawn chance.
- Balance risk and reward by deciding whether to commit resources to a risky Teleporter event for Artificer or gold farming for Bandit.
- Plan multi-run sessions focused on a single missing character to reduce wasted progress.
- Use in-game logs or community tools to remember spawn locations and drop sources for each unlock condition.
FAQ
Reader questions
How do I unlock Huntress efficiently in each run?
Defeat the Hermit Crab boss in Earthen Peak or a Siren in the Flooded Temple to obtain Lunar Shell, then safely carry it to the Teleporter to unlock Huntress.
Can I unlock Bandit without relying on shop RNG?
Yes, Bandit is unlocked by purchasing from the shop terminal for 35 Gold, so reaching a shop safely and surviving long enough to buy him will unlock the character.
What is the best way to farm Croco Souvenir consistently? Head to the Flooded Temple stage and prioritize defeating Captain Crocodile, ensuring you collect the Croco Souvenir and bring it to the Teleporter to unlock Croco. Is MUL-T obtainable in single-player, or does it require multiplayer?
MUL-T is usually a random drop in multiplayer, so you cannot guarantee his unlock in solo runs; joining public runs or coordinating with friends improves your chances of receiving him.