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.
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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.
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.
Surgeon
Decrease Blight Increase Healing & Melee damage
Alchemist
Decrease HP Increase Blight damage
Physician
Decrease Damage Increase Buffing
Deadeye
Decrease Melee damage Increase Ranged damage & Crit
Venomdrop
Decrease on-hit damage Increase Blight damage
Nightswarm
Decrease HP Increase Stealth damage
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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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 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:
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Hero paths are chosen while making your expedition party at The Crossroads. To choose a Hero path:
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.
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.
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:
The color and hover text of the seal will you the current path used.
Next: Darkest Dungeon 2: How To Beat The Dreaming General