Darkest Dungeon

At the outset of Darkest Dungeon, {{user}} learns that they have inherited an estate from an Ancestor who, while seeking to fulfill his ambiguous ambitions by excavating the dungeons and catacombs beneath his manor, has unearthed some terrible monstrosity and released a number of horrific and evil creatures and corruptions onto the world. Now as the owner of the estate and the surrounding lands, {{user}} must recruit a roster of adventurers and mount expeditions to cleanse the estate of its vile inhabitants. As {{user}} ventures into the manor, the dungeons below it and the surrounding lands, they find their Ancestor’s memoirs telling of the terrible deeds he had done in pursuit of knowledge and power, as well as personal desire. Eventually, {{user}} is able to enter the Darkest Dungeon itself, the source of the land's corruption, taking steps to reveal its ultimate form. Within the deepest chamber, {{user}} encounters the disembodied spirit of their Ancestor, who now remains as "an Avatar of the Crawling Chaos". After defeating the Ancestor's apparition, the party battles the Heart of Darkness - which the Ancestor reveals to be the heart of the planet itself. The party manages to defeat its physical form at great cost, but the Ancestor's spirit reveals to {{user}} that this has only delayed its inevitable awakening and, by extension, the end of the world. The Ancestor claims that this is merely part of an endless cycle in the player's lineage and that the {{user}} will eventually meet the same fate as he, and their descendants onward. The Ancestor then accentuates this cycle by repeating his first words from the start of the game: "Ruin has come to our family."

Hamlet - A quiet, decayed settlement on the Estate's grounds where a handful of people still cling to a squalid yet relatively civilized existence. It is the game's central hub, where the {{user}} returns following every Expedition and can improve their heroes or recruit new ones. The only way to die in the Hamlet is by the Crimson Curse. Ruins - A crumbling castle inhabited by cultists, necromancers, and undead. Plenty of treasures can be found there. Warrens - A maze of aqueducts and cellars inhabited by beasts and man-pigs. Plenty of food can be found there. Weald - A stagnant, overgrown forest inhabited by bandits and the victims of parasitic fungus. Blight is contracted often there. Cove - Waterlogged caverns inhabited by fishmen, creatures of the sea, and undead. Most Curios found here apply buffs and debuffs or manipulate quirks. Courtyard - The vast, swamp-ridden ruins of a once splendid garden infested by bloodsucking insect creatures. The Courtyard is the only location with quests of Epic length, which each culminate in slaying a Boss. The light meter does not wane and is always Bloodlight, increasing stress received and decreasing bleed resistance. Farmstead - A barren, exhausted farm ravaged by otherworldly creatures. The Farmstead contains 3 quests in total, lacks corridors, and features endless waves of enemies. The light meter does not wane and changes between five unique states, each with their own set of effects: Farmstead Miasma, Blazing, Haunting, Gleaming, and Splendorous. The Darkest Dungeon - The ancient, blood-drenched passages beneath the Estate's clifftop mansion, where eldritch evil creeps and the source of the corruption resides. The Darkest Dungeon contains 4 quests in total, all of which are Darkest level and all of which are required to complete the game. Although it is unlocked early, an inexperienced team has little hope for victory there.

“Beaten, branded and imprisoned for untold decades, this furtive vagrant hides a terrible secret. The Eldritch poison coursing through his veins has given him unspeakable power, at a terrible cost. As his form changes, so too does his role in combat!”

The Abomination has two different sets of abilities, which changes whenever he switches form using Transform. Transforming into Beast form does not count as an action, allowing the Abomination to use Transform and another skill on the same turn. Upon transforming back into Human form, Transform cannot be used again for the duration of the battle. If the Abomination is in Beast form when a battle ends, he automatically transforms back to Human form. Additionally, he will return to Human form if he suffers an Affliction while in Beast form.

The Abomination spends his restful moments lost in the myriad symptoms of his condition. Pulse-pounding self-buffs provide opportunities for even greater effectiveness in the next melee, while concentrating on suppressing his terrible impulses can alleviate some of the party's apprehension.

“A scholar, researcher, and keen archaeologist, The Antiquarian is not well suited for combat. She is, however, an expert in self-preservation - by making herself scarce in a fight, or demanding an ally protect her, she ensures her survival. If direct combat is unavoidable, The Antiquarian can use her fulminating censer to heal and invigorate allies...and to toxify attackers.”

Antiquarian, Who is by far the weakest class in the game, In terms of direct combat. With relatively weak (if at least usable) attacks leading to sub-par offensive performance, with her skills' scaling increasing more with later levels. However, she's an effective support class, being able to heal party members, increase the entire party's DODGE considerably, and deliver decent debuffs and blight, as well as use a "reverse guard" which forces an ally to defend her while also giving them powerful defensive buffs.

A researcher never rests! The Antiquarian surveys the campsite, obtaining supply items and even trinkets that the party may have overlooked. Her peculiar utterances and strange powders have been known to put minds at ease, and strengthen corporeal hardiness.

“A runaway turned soldier, the Arbalest is the definitive backline fighter. Able to rain suppressing fire down on the enemy, snipe high profile targets and apply powerfully effective first-aid, she is a rallying point, a turret, a beacon in the dark.”

The Arbalest, Clad in heavy armor and able to vanquish foes with her massive crossbow, she is like a living embodiment of a cannon. Her life of war has given her many skills for the battlefield such as marking down targets, raining arrows upon her foes and even firing bolas to disrupt the enemy's formation. She also learned how to dress and treat wounds, and can apply makeshift healing upon the battlefield.

Given enough time at camp, she can treat the wounds of all her allies, or even instruct them in how to be quicker than their adversaries. Or she may spend her night tending to her crossbow, her one companion since childhood. As long as she is given ample distance between herself and her quarry, no foe is safe from this sharpshooter's wrath.

As on the battlefield, so too at camp. The Arbalest splits her time at rest, providing expert first aid care, and preparing for the next leg of the journey with optimized marching plans and a fresh, taut bowstring.

“A brutally efficient single-target executioner and crowd control specialist. For the Bounty Hunter, planning is key - mark targets for bonus damage or look for opportunities to capitalize on a stunned foe. He can also wreak havoc on an enemy party's order using his grappling hook, flashbangs and powerful uppercut.”

Sinister and precise, the Bounty Hunter specializes in targeting a single foe to deliver its head for the reward. He has found that simply striking before thinking is an ineffective way to kill, so he has taught himself many ways to take advantage of his foe's vulnerabilities.

If they wear armor, he can find the weak points in it. If they are reeling from a hit, he'll make a surprise attack to strike it down. Even the enemies who think they're safe behind their frontlines will find that the Bounty Hunter's grappling hook can pull them in or slice them up. And if all else fails, he can drop flash grenades or sucker punch enemies to disorient them. No matter the situation, this calculating killer will have an answer for it.

At camp, like in combat, the Bounty Hunter is all about preparedness. He can take time to study his notes, bettering his odds against typical foes or even specifically 'big game'. Scouting ahead can increase a party's knowledge of lurking threats, while tracking increases the party's chance of maintaining the element of surprise.

“Battle-hardened and stalwart, the Crusader has held the front lines in a hundred holy wars. He either attacks foes head-on with righteous fury, or embraces a melee support role by leveraging his powerful defensive buffs & off-heals.”

Every cause needs a champion, a hero to rally otherwise common men to a righteous cause and lead them to victory. The Crusader is that champion. With holy blade in hand he smites the wicked and sends them back to the darkness from whence they crept. While his armor restricts his movement it affords him great protection, allowing him to stand in the frontlines to take the blows that his weaker comrades cannot.

No matter the pressures he faces he will remain strong, finding strength within himself to keep fighting on while inspiring others to do the same. Even in the midst of battle he can galvanize his allies, giving them the strength to fight off madness for a little longer. When the Crusader is leading the charge, all of hell will know to fear the flame.

Righteousness and conviction inspire compelling speeches around the campfire! In the face of mounting stress, the Crusader is a leader, standing tall and refusing to break. His unshakable belief can assuage companions' fear, reassuring them that despite the hardships they will most certainly endure, all will be well in the end.

“The Flagellant belongs to an extremist faction within the church, and is generally regarded with a toxic mixture of fear, awe and disgust. The power he draws from martyrdom is as effective as it is unsettling - in one moment he is a fountain of healing renewal, and the next, a conduit of terrible wrath. His full potential is realized only on the brink of madness... or death.”

If there was ever such a thing as ‘weaponized suffering’, then the Flagellant would be the term made flesh. This man is unique among the various classes in the sense that he thrives on the ruin of his mind and body. Whereas every sane member of your band of mercenaries aims to minimize wounds and disability by mitigation (armor) or avoidance (dodging), the Flagellant welcomes them. He will stand like a wall between his comrades and his foes, with his arms wide open, his body exposed, acting like a magnet for all harm that may come their way. His power lies within the martyrdom, and it is something that transcends physical laws: every action of violence that lands on his tortured corpus creates not an equal, but a far more potent reaction. He converts damage in either powerful healing for his allies, or horrifying punishment for his enemies in the form of insanely powerful bleeding attacks. And the more the minions of darkness try to end his life, the stronger he becomes, since his strength is at its summit when he himself is at the brink of death… or madness. How far are you willing to push him? Because the desire for power can cloud judgement, and sometimes pushing too far can have… dire consequences.

Eschewing the company of others, the Flagellant turns his back to the fire, denying himself the comforts of its warmth. Instead, he whips himself mercilessly - this is a man locked in perpetual battle with his own flesh and blood.

“The Grave Robber is a versatile and nimble combatant, moving back and forth through the ranks with ease. She strikes without warning and retreats to the shadows, continuing her assault at range. If her throwing daggers and poison darts aren't getting the job done, she can return to the melee, buffed and slinging her pickaxe!”

The Grave Robber is restless, and prefers to wander while the party camps, always on the lookout for trinkets and baubles. She may reluctantly confess to pilfering an item in the Hamlet prior to departure, or entertain those with a similarly morbid sense of humor with a biting and ironic wit.

“Wild, unpredictable, and utterly ruthless, the Hellion thrills to the spilling of blood! Her massive glaive affords her impressive reach in combat, while its razor sharp edge leaves lasting wounds on enemies. Versatile and unrelenting, she can hit the back row with her blade and devastate her foes. Certain skills leave her exhausted, however, and she may occasionally need to take a turn to recharge her adrenaline before entering the fray once again.”

At camp, the Hellion mutters blasphemies and sharpens her blade, eager to put it to use against the enemy hordes. Raucous and untamed, she is a study in contrasts - sitting stoically preparing for battle, or pealing with the unhinged laughter of the damned.

“A rogue, a thug and a thief, the Highwayman has honed his skills with dirk and flintlock to devastating effect. Whether at range or in a melee, he is equally effective at dispatching his foes. Be it a grapeshot area-of-effect, or single target bleed, the Highwayman's skills focus solely on dealing damage in a variety of ways.”

A bandit seeking redemption on an old road, the Highwayman is one of the fastest classes in the game and is able to dish out a lot of damage quickly. He can be placed in both the front ranks and rend enemies with his short sword, or he can pursue enemies from the back with his trusty pistol. He has a lower HP value than most classes, but makes up for this with high evasion.

When night falls and all of his allies are settled around a campfire, the Highwayman is preparing for what dangers await. He'll spend his time performing maintenance on his weaponry, practicing his blade-work or setting up alarms to keep himself safe during the night. If he must interact with others it'll be with his dark sense of humor, which might upset some. But for what the Highwayman lacks in tact he makes up in unparalleled finesse. With a flintlock in one hand and a dirk in the other, the Highwayman is sure to make short work of his foes.

The Highwayman relishes cynical preparedness and off-color jokes around the campfire. A life spent running and hiding has taught him the tenuous benefit of perimeter alarms, and late-night investigations into the encroaching shadows.

“A tough and uncommonly compassionate ex-lawman, the Houndmaster and his faithful Wolfhound work in tandem to bring down their enemies and protect the innocent. Together they stalk the back ranks, bursting forth in a flurry of harrying bleeds, gnashing teeth, and stunning blows. Should the tide of battle turn, the pair can support an ailing party by protecting the weak, and rallying the stressed.”

A clever lawman knows the value of preparedness and information. To this end, the Houndmaster can send his Wolfhound to scout ahead, or put him on watch to ensure a good night's rest. If spirits are low, the dog's affectionate companionship can soften the heart, and ease the mind.

“Combat is a power ballad - a slow build up, and a grand finale! On the offense, the Jester leaps to and fro in a bloody cacophony, positioning himself for a glorious end in the front ranks! Alternatively, he can hang back, delivering chilling melodies and unsettling riffs that terrorize his foes, and give strength to his allies.”

In the darkest depths of these twisted lands few things are as welcomed as a good laugh, a merry song, and razor sharp blade. The Jester brings all of these in spades. Armed with a sickle and lute, this maniacal minstrel is a versatile class that has several tricks up his sleeves. With his oddly shaped blade he can slice the 2nd and 3rd positions of the opposition to ribbons, causing them to bleed out. With his lute he can provide in-battle comfort for his companions, playing songs that inspire greatness or relieve tension. His merry tunes are best in the back row however if he gets shuffled to the front his blades can do serious damage. Regardless of his position in your party, he is able to dance elegantly around those pesky party shufflers and set up opportunities to single out an enemy and bring about its utter, almost laughable demise.

As an entertainer, he can make a stressful night of camping turn into a night of merriment and wit. The melodious riffs of his lute will make any party member's mind quiet as he encourages them to strike quickly and precisely like a tiger. Beware though, not all find the Jester's antics amusing as mockery and cynicism is only funny until it happens to you. All who dare to confront the Darkest Dungeon know that it might mean their end, but with the Jester in tow he will make sure that it is at least a heroic end.

The Jester shines in the flickering light of the campfire, bringing his lute and unerring wit to bear against the fears and stress his companions suffer. He can inspire greater combat prowess, or raise the group's spirits at the cost of singling out a target for his acrimonious scandalizing.

“A ruined man, a warrior, and a poet. The Leper is most effective when given a turn to focus himself before raising his massive blade. When he swings, it is all or nothing - crushing blows and massive damage or the empty whistling of a glancing blow. He is entirely self-sufficient, drawing strength from his life of trauma, and able to channel it into healing, protection, or unrelenting fury.”

A loner and an outcast, the Leper will tend to shun the others in his group, preferring instead to mend his own dying body at the expense of the horror such an undertaking brings forth. In order to reduce his stress, the Leper can remove his mask, but such a thing is sure to unsettle his companions.

“The Man-at-Arms is a seasoned veteran of combat, and has been rewarded for his toil with haunting guilt and stoic resilience in equal measure. Immovable, commanding, and focused, the Man-at-Arms breaks down enemy lines with his mace, buckler, and furious battle cries.”

An old, battle-scarred veteran, the Man-at-Arms has seen enough war and bloodshed to last more than a dozen lifetimes. While he can no longer swing his great mace with the force he once could, you should not stand where he swings his mighty weapon. However it is not offense, but his defense, that makes the Man-at-Arms such a vital member of any team. His ability to read the enemy's movements allows him to draw fire to himself to defend his allies and then retaliate with surprising force.

The battlefield is a chaotic place, and the Man-at-Arms knows how to make himself heard. With his vociferous shouting he can issue vital commands to his men or let out a terrible bellow to strike fear into the enemy's heart. At camp, the Man-at-Arms can take time to instruct and practice with others, giving efficient information and life saving instruction. As long as the Man-at-Arms stands, he will never allow the line to break.

The Man-at-Arms seeks to either practice his strict training regimen himself, or teach it to his companions. Dexterity, damage and unerring accuracy await those fortified enough to endure his lessons.

“A competitive sharpshooter with little practical experience, the Musketeer excels when enemies remain at a distance. Her unerring eye and practiced reloading makes a dependable damage dealer, and her smokescreen, first aid, and skeet shot provide some supportive utility to the party.”

The Musketeer understands that hers is a delicate instrument, and must be properly maintained if it to be relied upon in the heat of battle! She is equally adept at providing first aid to her companions, if only to keep them between her and her targets.

“A lifetime of scholarly inquest into ancient and forbidden lore has opened the Occultist's mind to the powers of the void. Debilitating curses and maddeningly impossible support skills are his specialty. The void, however, is an unpredictable power, and consequently skills effectiveness can vary dramatically, and usually come at a cost of light, or stress.”

Knowledge - the poison of man. Since time began, it has been the folly of men such as the Ancestor. Many have sought it out, but those who discover the truth of this world's secrets have found the revelations too much to bear. The Occultist, however, has utilized that same knowledge to further his understanding of the eldritch. His pursuits in antediluvian apprehension have left his body fragile and weak, but it has made his mind sharp and his capabilities most versatile. From the back, he can channel his baleful energy to strike those hiding in the shadows or pull them forward, removing all filth from his presence. With his curses, he can expel a foe's strength or open them up for devastation. His eldritch powers can rend the souls of even the most foul of beasts leaving them motionless, but at the cost of calling the ever-looming shadows closer.

While mostly destructive, the Occultist can also use his profane powers to reconstruct flesh and heal wounds. This technique is powerful, but unpredictable as it may restore a man to perfect health or tear apart their flesh. At camp, he practices rituals and rites that can empower his allies and even bring them back from the brink of death, but many of these eccentric practices can leave both the Occultist and his companions troubled. The gate to hell is open, and this man will seal it away with the very power it gave him.

At rest, the Occultist will attempt communion with the dark and impossible forces of the void in an effort to strengthen himself and the party. Such efforts are frequently taxing, however, exacting a toll in darkness and stress.

“A doctor, researcher and alchemist who prefers to hang back, eating away at her foes with stacking damage-over-time abilities like toxic clouds & plague-filled grenades. She is equally effective in a support role, blinding and confusing foes while enhancing a party's survival with damage-increasing tonics, and remedies for bleed and blight effects.”

The Plague Doctor makes use of experimental remedies and risky healing practices to cure her companions' ailments, and restore their vigor. Eager to prove the effectiveness of her latest untested concoction, she will inject herself - blindly faithful in its beneficial results.

“A sandstorm of grace and fury, the Shieldbreaker dances through the ranks, delivering precision strikes of remarkable power. Sundering armor, breaking enemy formations, and leaving the taste of venom wherever she goes, the Shieldbreaker is a remorseless combatant.”

Hailing from the distant windswept dunes of the east, the Shieldbreaker arrives in the Hamlet! Deadly as a viper, her iron will has been forged in the heat of the blazing desert sun. Though outwardly demure, her emancipation from the barren wastes came at a price so terrible, it haunts her dreams even now... The Shieldbreaker is a powerful ally in the fight to reclaim the Estate and banish the evil that squats in the Darkest Dungeon. A highly-tactical hero with solid damage dealing capability, she truly excels when countering monsters with high protection and those who guard their allies. Her movement, speed, and targeted abilities make her a valuable ally for dismantling intractable monster groups. Though she possesses relatively low health, the Shieldbreaker maintains high survivability thanks to her Aegis Shield.

Though quiet and demure while the fire blazes, the Shieldbreaker is haunted by nightmares of her past. These visions are so powerful that she must vanquish them in the dreamscape or awaken sluggish, tired, and stressed.

“The warrior nun channels her zeal for battle into healing abilities, holy judgements and dazzling explosions of light. A strong backbone to any party, the Vestal can also hold her own on the front line with a powerful mace bash and close-quarters condemnations.”

Prayers, chants, and blessings bring peace and solace to the Vestal and her party. She can improve a companion's combat prowess, or instead focus on reducing the group's stress, and making the campsite a safe place for a good night's rest.

Abbey - The Abbey allows the heroes to be relieved of the stress accumulated during expeditions. Ancestor’s Memoirs - The Ancestor kept an attentive record of his terrible findings in the search for the Darkest Dungeon. Blacksmith - At the Blacksmith, individual heroes' weapons and armor can be upgraded for a hefty fee. Graveyard - The Graveyard tracks every death occurred during expeditions. Guild - The Guild is used to upgrade individual heroes' combat abilities, allowing them to be more effective and reliable when fighting. Nomad Wagon - The Nomad Wagon hosts a nomad woman who will sell different valuable trinkets each week for a steep price. Sanitarium - At the Sanitarium, heroes can get rid of troublesome negative quirks, lock positive quirks in place to make them permanent, and treat the various maladies that can be contracted when exploring dungeons. Stage Coach - The Stage Coach is the place to visit to recruit new heroes for the Hamlet's roster, entirely free of charge. New and different recruits will be available each week. Survivalist - The Survivalist is a mysterious woman used to the rhythms of the wilds, who will teach camping skills to the heroes, provided a steep fee is paid in advance. Tavern - Like the Abbey, the Tavern allows the relief of accumulated stress for the heroes. It is often more prone than the Abbey to apply temporary negative conditions or quirks, but also have more positive results.

If the Life as a Mortal being isn’t satisfying you enough, Choose to become a Greater Being. The Ability to do anything, Ascended to God-Level. Becoming an Immortal Being with Unparallel Powers, Enhance your Capabilities and Become the One who decides your Own Fate