Quick Links

Hero Paths in Darkest Dungeon 2 are part of a new progression system introduced during the game's beta. This system is far different from what players are used to from the previous game, Darkest Dungeon, and bears some explaining, but helps increase the replayability of the game.

Related: Darkest Dungeon 2: How To Change Party Order

Each Hero (except the Bounty Hunter) has three paths to choose from, and a default path called The Wanderer. To unlock and use hero paths, players will need to collect Candles of Hope. For more information about the Hero Paths available in Darkest Dungeon 2, unlocking them, and using them, keep reading.

Hero Paths

A screenshot of The Jester from Darkest Dungeon 2 next to his three Hero Paths

Each Hero has the Wanderer Path as a default. This path provides no drawbacks or benefits. Instead, it awards a few Candles of Hope when the second Inn is reached.

In addition to the Wanderer Path, Heroes have three unique paths. These paths often give one or more buffs and a drawback, effectively changing the play style of the Hero.

The Plague Doctor

Surgeon

Decrease Blight Increase Healing & Melee damage

Alchemist

Decrease HP Increase Blight damage

Physician

Decrease Damage Increase Buffing

The Grave Robber

Deadeye

Decrease Melee damage Increase Ranged damage & Crit

Venomdrop

Decrease on-hit damage Increase Blight damage

Nightswarm

Decrease HP Increase Stealth damage

The Highwayman

Rogue

Increase Rank 1 damage +Riposte Decrease Rank 3 & 4 damage

Sharpshot

Increase Ranged damage and speed Decrease Melee damage

Yellowhand

Increase HP and steal tokens Decrease Ranged damage

The Man-at-Arms

Sergeant

Increase Buff power and Move Resistance Decrease damage

Bulwark

Increase damage and stun chance on Shield skills (adds Taunt to Stand Fast) Decrease Riposte and Mace damage

Vanguard

Increase Health and Riposte and Mace damage Decrease DoT Resistance

The Hellion

Ravager

Increase Rank 1 damage and HP Decrease Bleed Resistance

Berserker

Increase Bleed chance and Death Blow Resistance Decrease HP

Carcass

Increase Taunt and Armor Penetration effectiveness Decrease damage output

The Runaway

Arsonist

Increase Burn damage Decrease on-hit damage

Survivor

Increase Healing and Regen given Decrease Burn chance

Orphan

Increase either Burn or on-hit damage (depending on Rank) Decrease either Burn or on-hit damage (depending on Rank)

The Jester

Virtuoso

Increase Speed and HP Decrease DoT Resistance

Soloist

Increase Damage and Bleed chance Decrease HP and Speed

Intermezzo

Increase party stress resistance and generate Crit, Dodge, and Block tokens Chance to inflict bleed on party members

The Leper

Tempest

Increase damage Decrease Resistance and Speed

Poet

Increase Self-healing and Resistance Decrease damage

Monarch

Increase HP, Speed, and damage when fighting Cosmic enemies Decrease HP, Speed, and damage when fighting other factions

The Occultist

Ritualist

Increase Healing given and Debuffs chance Decrease durability (chance to be vulnerable on turn start)

Warlock

Increase Ranged damage and generate Unchecked Power tokens Decrease max HP

Aspirant

Increase max HP and melee damage Decrease curse chance and Debuffs Resistance

The Vestal

Confessor

Generate Conviction on turn start Conviction Increases the chance to Debuff enemies

Chaplain

Generate Conviction when hit Conviction increases Stun and Move Resistance

Seraph

Gain Conviction when Consecration is cast Consecration lasts five rounds

The Flagellant

Maniac

Increase Debuff and Disruption Decrease Blight damage

Exanimate

Increase Debuff and Blight Power at low HP

Scourge

Steal DoTs from enemies for on-hit damage

Related: Darkest Dungeon 2: How To Increase Flame

Unlocking Hero Paths

The Living city screen inside the Altar of Hope from videogame Darkest Dungeon 2

Hero paths must be unlocked by upgrading the Hero through the game's persistent progression system. This system functions based on Candles of Hope spent in The Living City.

The Living City

The Living City is a page in The Altar of Hope. It can be visited to spend Candles of Hope to upgrade heroes. These upgrades, in addition to the abilities unlocked through The Shrine of Reflection, are the only improvements that persist between runs.

Fully upgrading each Hero costs 64 Candles of Hope. In order to see what each upgrade unlocks, hover over the node. Common upgrades include:

  • Hero Paths
  • Exclusive Trinkets
  • Death Blow Resistance

Related: Darkest Dungeon 2: How To Equip Pets

How To Use Hero Paths

The Hellion Hero Paths Page in the Crossroads from Darkest Dungeon 2

Hero paths are chosen while making your expedition party at The Crossroads. To choose a Hero path:

  1. Click on the character's portrait.
  2. From the Menu on the far right-hand side of the screen, select the fourth option (it looks like an award ribbon).
  3. Click on the path you want to choose for your run.

You can review what each path does by hovering over it. You can see a more detailed breakdown of the affected Hero abilities by hovering over the skill (on the tab with the sword) while the path is selected.

Changing Hero Paths

Once you've started an expedition, the Hero path chosen is set in stone. You will need to begin a new run in order to change a Hero's path, as paths can only be selected at The Crossroads.

Checking Which Hero Path Is Selected

If you've stepped away from the game for a little while, you may not remember all the details of your party. To check which path was selected for a Hero you can:

  1. Right-click the Hero's Portrait (at the bottom of the screen on the Stagecoach or where they sit at the Inn).
  2. Hover over the wax seal next to the Hero's name.

The color and hover text of the seal will you the current path used.

Next: Darkest Dungeon 2: How To Beat The Dreaming General