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.
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
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 |
Unlocking Hero Paths
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
How To Use Hero Paths
Hero paths are chosen while making your expedition party at The Crossroads. To choose a Hero path:
- Click on the character's portrait.
- From the Menu on the far right-hand side of the screen, select the fourth option (it looks like an award ribbon).
- 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:
- Right-click the Hero's Portrait (at the bottom of the screen on the Stagecoach or where they sit at the Inn).
- 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.