Darkest Dungeon Game Guide & Walkthrough

This unofficial guide to the Early Access version of the game Darkest Dungeon is perfect for those who are willing to discover the deepest secrets of the gloomy dungeons which spread under the ancient and hostile mansion. This mansion used to belong to a family of a name which is so sinister and primeval that it had been forgotten by the time and consumed by the evil forces. The first chapters of this guide are covering the basics of the mechanics which rule the world of the DD. From them you will be able to obtain the basic knowledge which will help you to survive in this hostile world. You will know how to keep your heroes alive (heroes' health bar), you will see how fragile their minds are (stress mechanics) and you will be able to understand special effects that will influence your heroes sooner or later (status effects). The second chapter of the guide focuses on the heroes' classes. There, you will find the descriptions of all the classes in the DD, along with their special abilities, flaws and merits. Additionally there are some special tips which will help you to prolong the lives of the heroes. The next chapter, which is also a bit shorter, depicts all the in-game beasts, rogues, demons, spawns and every other creature which can be encountered by your heroes. There are also detailed tips and tactics concerning the fighting with the elite bosses which command these deadly hordes.

Last two chapters are focusing on the crucial locations; The Town and the Dungeons. The Town's description focuses on its hot spots and their enhancements. The latter chapter is a bit longer. It consists of every piece of information that a hero needs to have at least the smallest chance to survive and to go back to the Town in one piece. This data is e.g. the description of the in-game missions, the dungeon exploration process, the fighting and the healing system. The Darkest Dungeon is a debut of the Red Hook Studios. It tells the story of a mansion which was once conquered by the primeval and evil forces. As the last living member of the family, which still bears the law for the ruins, you will have to discover the secret, hidden in the dungeons, thus releasing the mansion from the fiendish spells. The gameplay is based on the management of the daredevils who consider themselves brave enough to enter this forgotten land. You will have to send them on the missions where they will be fighting for treasures. They will be also trying to keep their minds sane. The retrieved gold you will have to spend on the expansion of your Town, which will unravel another sets of missions and enemies.

The Guide for the Darkest Dungeon consist of:

• Detailed in-game mechanics description
• Information on each heroes' class along with their flaws and merits
• Tactics for the boss encounters
• Tips on manoeuvring, fighting and camping in the dungeons.
• 'Trees' for each level of a building

Patryk "Irtan" Grochala ()

1. Your heroes will die, you will have to deal with it. Some of them may survive dozens of missions, others will perish on the first mission that may appear to be a walk in the park. Most of them will die sooner or later; take care of your best warriors, and for the risky missions use the maddest and weakest.

2. The very first building you should focus on should be the Stage Coach. It keeps the flow of the heroes, and you will need at least four of them to start the mission.

3. Except for the start, do not recruit all of the available heroes. Check which heroes' classes do you need in the first place, and then look at their merits and quirks. You do not want to end up with a warrior who has a quirk which decreases health by 20%.

4. Most of the classes are designed for the specific roles. These roles are: tank, damage dealer, healer and support. The tank protects the team and takes the biggest damage on himself. Damage Dealer focuses on... well, dealing the damage and killing the enemies as fast as it is possible. The Healer keeps the party alive and takes of the debuffs through his skills. Support is the only one who is less specific as he generally supports the team through his buffs, changing the hostile party's order and so on. Of course it is possible to play in a different set-up, but this one would be the most efficient and recommendable. Especially in the first missions.

5. Take care of the party's stress level. If the stress level will reach its maximum (100/100), thus, the heroes will get mad, send them to the Abbey or the Tavern for the treatment. They will be unavailable for the next mission, but it is a far better solution than letting them go on a quest whilst insane.

6. The amount of money is limited, spend it wisely. Do not level up all of the heroes and try to pick only a couple of them for each role. The same rules apply for the Sanitarium treatment. Send there only the best of your members which are the least prone to dying in the next mission. As for the quest supplies; always buy at least 12 Provisions and minimum of 8 Torches. Other things are situational and they are not always worth of spending the precious gold on them.

7. First, you should level up the Stage Coach, in order to have the space for about 13-16 heroes. It is the best to focus the Tavern and Abbey, to enhance the stress descent, Sanitarium for having more place for the operations and then the Guild and Blacksmith, where your heroes will reach the second and the third level. Other things may be expanded in whatever manner you choose, depending also on the amount of the materials you have got.

Max Crusader's Health.

Heroes' Health Bar indicates the boundaries between the full health and death. Each class has its own base HP, which increases after reaching higher levels and better equipment. The health of the heroes may be decreased through many different factors e.g. the negative status effects, traps or simply through the damage dealt by the enemy.

The only real difference between the heroes' HP is the one between 1 and 0. When the hero has at least 1 HP, his condition remains untouched. However, when he will reach the 0, he will be marked with the Death's Door State. This mode will decrease the hero's statistics, he will be dealing much less damage and every other damage dealt to him, may kill him forever. Along with that, the first DDS will result with a huge stress injection. In order to get rid of this status, the hero has to be healed (at least 1 HP). This will move the hero back to normal.

Stress may be contagious.

Stress is one of the crucial mechanics in the game. The whole title is based around this concept. Oppositely from the HP, the base stress is fixed on the 0 and it grows through time. When it reaches the 100, the hero may be given one of the quirks. They are usually negative and they influence the whole party with even more stress points. Seldom, these affliction may be positive, they are called the Heroic Bonuses. They work in the similar way to the usual afflictions, but they come with a bunch of profits which may decrease the party's stress level.

The party's stress level may be slightly lowered down through the various actions in the dungeons, or it can be lowered down to zero by sending the heroes to the Tavern or the Abbey.

Examples of the actions which increase the stress level:

• Trap activation
• Receiving critical hits during the fight
• Special enemies' attacks
• Traversing through the dungeons with a low torch's level
• Activating certain objects in the dungeons
• Fleeing from the dungeons/failing the mission
• Death of a companion

Examples of the actions which decrease the stress level:

• Using the Tavern or the Abbey
• Activating certain objects in the dungeons
• Dealing critical hits during the fight
• Using the right skill whilst camping
• Using certain abilities during the fight

Each hero has his/her afflictions

Life of the treasure hunters is not by any means easy and it is full of stress, threats and disappointments. When a hero reaches his stress limit, he gets the Affliction. The negative afflictions usually influence not only its bearer, but also other companions. Most of the effects appear during the fight, but some of them may appear also along with the exploration by increasing the stress level of other heroes, losing the treasures or activating the traps.

Oppositely to the Quirks, the Afflictions are not permanent and they usually disappear when the stress reaches the lowest rate. The 0 level of stress may be regained by using the Tavern or Abbey.

Here is the list of the negative afflictions:

• Abusive - a hero starts to be mean to other companions, thus increasing their stress level
• Fearful - it turns a hero into a coward. He may be passing his turns during the fights, or he may move back at end of the formation. He also may use abusive language.
• Hopeless - a hero gets rid of the rest of the hope he used to have. He may become pessimistic, thus increasing the party's stress ratings. Sometimes he may also deal some damage to himself or reject the healing.
• Irrational - a hero starts to mumble without any sense increasing the stress ratings in the party by doing so.
• Masochistic - a hero takes pleasure in experiencing the pain and suffering. He may move to the front of the formation. He may also reject some attempts of healing. Sometimes he may increase the stress of the party or deal some damage to himself.
• Paranoid - A very dangerous affliction which increases the suspicions of the bearer. It may lead to rejecting the healing attempts, passing the turns or rejecting the camp abilities.
• Selfish - A hero becomes more egoistic and greedy. He may reject healing the companions, or using some attacks during the fight. He may also take some of the treasure for himself.

Heroics bonuses' effects are not permanent

Heroic bonuses are also considered to count as the afflictions, but instead of harming their bearers, they are giving them profits. They can be healed in the way you would heal a negative affliction, but they disappear after using the camping or after leaving the dungeons. Additionally, these bonuses decrease the overall level of stress in your party in the moment when one of its members is rewarded with it.

Here is the list of the positive afflictions:

• Courageous -makes the hero braver and more self-confident. Randomly decreases the stress level of the party (by couple of points).
• Focused - increases the hero's focus and precision giving him +10 ACC along with +10% CRIT
• Powerful - a hero becomes more powerful. He now may increase the power of the whole party by giving them +15% DMG
• Stalwart - makes the hero unbreakable and more durable by decreasing the amount of the stress he is given by 50%
• Vigorous - increases the speed and health of the hero giving him +5 SPD and a chance to heal itself in the beginning of the turn

Some Effects may decrease the hero's stats

The Dungeons are dangerous and filthy. Heroes exploring them may catch some afflictions or diseases which will give them some negative effects of which some are permanent. All of this effects (some of them may be positive) are called the status effects. These can be; bleedings, blithes, diseases, afflictions, or the heroic bonuses. Some of them will disappear with time, and some will require sending the hero to the special facilities in town.

Here is the list of the status effects:

• Afflictions - negative status effects inflicted on heroes where their stress reaches the maximum level. They change the heroes' behaviour which hinders the fight and exploration. The mad heroes can be send for a rest in Town. There, the effects of insanity are being lowered down.
• Bleed - effect which can come mostly from the enemies' attacks. It deals some damage in the beginning each time the bleeding target comes to an action for a specified number of rounds. You can get rid of the effect by using Bandages.
• Blight - another negative status effect which deals the damage each turn. The number of health points taken from a target depends on the power of the Blight. You can get rid of the effect by using an Antidote.
• Death Door - negative effect given to a hero, when his health reaches 0. Every other damage inflicted on this hero may cause his permanent death. It also decreases the hero's statistics.
• Debuff - negative effect, which lowers some of the target's statistics. Factors which can be lowered are: ACC, CRIT, DMG and DOD
• Disease - an effect given to a hero after interacting with objects in the dungeons. It will lower the hero's statistics.
• Heroic Bonuses - positive effects, seldom given to a hero when he reaches the maximum level of stress. It may increase some statistics or increase the resistance for other effects.
• Mark - negative effect which lasts couple of rounds and is usually given to a target by an enemy. Marked hero may be given random negative effects, or it may receive more damage.
• Stun - a negative effect, which makes its target skip his next turn

The heroes are the main element in the game. Each hired hero is permanently assigned to one of the classes, which will define his role in the party. Some of the classes will do better in the front of the team while others will fit perfectly in the back. The front should be taken by the stronger fighters where they will be able to protect the, usually weaker, half in the back. The latter may not deal a hefty amount of damage but their healing abilities or buffs will definitely be of a great help to the whole team. Nevertheless, most of the classes are not strictly limited and they can be adjusted to fit to most of the positions. This can be done by shuffling their skills in a way so that they will be the best in comparison to the rest of the team. Through this way, a melee dagger based rogue can be transformed into a ranged pistol shooter.

As for today, there are 10 classes available, but there will be more in the future.

Bounty Hunter is the best when it comes to controlling the positions in the battlefield. He is the best to be positioned on the front, the second from the right from where he can use almost all of his skills. This class focuses on the damage dealing and causing the negative effects to appear within the enemies' lines. Because of that it does not make him the best tank, although he can be placed in this role when he is armed with the right skills and equipment.

Basic stats

Resistances

Max HP

25

Stun

40%

Dodge

5

Blight

30%

Protection

0%

Disease

20%

Speed

4

Deathblow

67%

Accuracy

+0

Move

40%

Critical Hit

5%

Bleed

30%

Damage

5-10

Debuff

20%

  

Trap

30%

Tips:

• The best position for him is the second from the front, where he can use almost all of his skills.
• Try not to use him as the main tank, as he has no base protection.
• Use the Come Hither, Uppercut and Flashbang, in order to change the order of the enemies. Moving ranged opponents to the front will prevent them from using the most powerful of their attacks. Some of the melee enemies won't be able to attack you at all when positioned in the back.
• Use the Mark for Death, to mark the enemies for the bounty hunter and his companions, and use the Collect Bounty, which will enable you 100% more damage to the marked enemy. The Finish Him skill, will be causing 33% more damage to the enemies with the Stun effect.

Merits

Flaws

+ Very good control of the battlefield

+ Good damage and decent vitality

+ Powerful combinations of the enemies' negative status effects

- Not as durable as other melee classes.

- No AoE skills

- Requires a good formation juggling.

Fighting skills

Name

Icon

Type

Position

Targets

Effects

Collect Bounty

Melee

ACC base: 80

CRIT mod: 5%

Self: (Monster Tagged+) +100%

Mark for Death

Ranged

ACC base: 100

DMG mod: -100%

Target: Mark Target

Come Hither

Ranged

ACC base: 90

DMG mod: -67%

Target: PULL 2

Uppercut

Melee

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -67%

Target: KNOCKBACK 2

Flashbang

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -100%

Target: Stun Base 125%

Shuffle Single

Finish Him

Melee

ACC base: 80

CRIT mod: 3%

Self: (Monster Stunned+) 33% DMG

Hook and Slice

Ranged

ACC base: 75

DMG mod: -33%

CRIT mod: 2%

Camping abilities

Name

Icon

Time cost

Target

Effect

Encourage

2

1 companion

Lowers the stress by 10

Wound Care

2

1 companion

Heals 20% HP

15% chance to remove target Bleeding

Pep Talk

2

1 companion

+25% to the stress resist

This is how

we do it

2

1 companion

+10 ACC

+5% CRIT

Tracking

2

Self

Less likely to be surprised until next camp.

More likely to surprise monsters until next camp

Planned Takedown

4

Self

(Monster size: 2) +25% DMG

Scout Ahead

3

Self

Improve scouting chance until next camp by 50%

Crusader is one of the best tanks in the game mainly because of his resistances, solid armor and a great skill set which uses the offensive attacks, healing, buffing and a bit of area of effect. Being a shield for the team is not the only role for the crusader though. He also does great on the second position from where he can buff and heal his companions. His stats make him one of the best heroes in the game.

Base statistics

Resistances

Max HP

33

Stun

50%

Dodge

5

Blight

40%

Protection

0%

Disease

40%

Speed

0

Deathblow

67%

Accuracy

+0

Move

50%

Critical Hit

5%

Bleed

40%

Damage

6-12

Debuff

40%

  

Trap

10%

Tips:

• Crusader works great as a shield for the rest of the party, thus it is the best to keep him in the front, where he can use most of his abilities.
• This class works great against 'Unholy' enemies. His Smite and Holy Lance deal 15% more damage. It is most useful in the starting missions in which this enemies appear more often.
• Although the Crusader may not be the best healer in the game, he can be used as one nevertheless. It works especially great if there is another, main healer in the party. Use the Battle Heal and Inspiring Cry, in order to retrieve some HPs to other party members and to lower down their stress.

Merits

Flaws

+ Excellent tank with many resistances and great field control.

+ He can use some pretty good buffing and healing spells.

+ He can use many abilities which will lower down the stress level in your party.

- Only one ranged skill.

- Using the Holy Lance may cause some problems.

Fighting skills

Name

Icon

Type

Position

Target

Effects

Smite

Melee

ACC base: 80

Self: (Monster Type Unholy) +15% DMG

Zealous Accusation

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -40%

Stunning Blow

Melee

ACC base: 85

DMG mod: -67%

Target: Stun base 100%

Bulward of Faith

Buff

Hero

Torch +5

Self: +20% PROT

Battle Heal

Heal

Heal 1-3

Holy Lance

Melee

Forward 1

ACC base: 75

CRIT mod: 10%

Self: (Monster Type Unholy) +15% DMG

Inspiring Cry

Heal

Heal 1-1

Torch +5

Target: Stress Heal +4

Camping abilities

Name

Icon

Time cost

Target

Effect

Encourage

2

1 companion

Reduce stress by 10

Wound Care

2

1 companion

Heal 20%

15% chance to remove target bleeding

Pep Talk

2

1 companion

+25% Stress Resist

Unshakeable Leader

4

All companions

+20% Stress Resist

Stand Tall

2

Self

+35% Stress Resist

Zealous Speech

5

All companions

Heal 10%

Reduce Stress by 10

Zealous Vigil

3

Hero

Reduce stress by 25

+10 ACC

If Afflicted Reduce Stress by 40

Grave Robber is a class of a high mobility. It is very similar to the archetype of a rogue as this class combines the very swift melee dagger attacks with ranged dagger throwing. This class can be used differently depending on the skill combination, but mostly it should be used as a damage dealer. GR can move on the battlefield without passing the turn, thus she don't have her favourite position (although the second and third from the right are the most preferable).

Base stats

Resistances

Max HP

20

Stun

20%

Dodge

10

Blight

50%

Protection

0%

Disease

30%

Speed

4

Deathblow

67%

Accuracy

+0

Move

20%

Critical Hit

5%

Bleed

30%

Damage

5-8

Debuff

30%

  

Trap

40%

Tips:

• Use this class only in the party which members do not have to keep their positions. You do not want to disable one of your members for a turn because of using a GR's attack.
• Use the Lunge and Shadow Fade, in order to stay mobile on the battlefield
• Class can be used as a "dodging tank", which is a tank, who dodges the attacks instead of taking them on itself. However it works only on the higher levels, when the GR's stats of dodge are higher.
• The best classes which combine with the GR's high mobility are: Jester, Highwayman and Bounty Hunter

Merits

Flaws

+ High damage to a single target

+ Great melee and ranged skill combination

+ Solid self-buffs

+ Can be used as a tank on the higher levels

- Necessity of moving may cause problems among some party members

- One of the weaker classes on the lower levels

Fighting skills

Name

Icon

Type

Position

Target

Effects

Pick to the Face

Melee

ACC base: 90

CRIT mod: 5%

Lunge

Melee

Forward 2

ACC base: 90

DMG mod : 40%

CRIT mod: 10%

Flashing Daggers

Ranged

ACC base: 90

DMG mod : -40%

CRIT mod: 5%

Shadow Fade

Melee

Back 1

ACC base: 90

DMG mod: -100%

Target: Stun Base 100%

Self: +20 DODGE

Thrown Dagger

Ranged

ACC base: 80

CRIT mod: 10%

Self: +5 ACC

Poison Dart

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -50%

CRIT mod: 5%

Target: Blight 2 pts/round for 3 rounds

Self: +5 ACC

Toxin Trickery

Buff/Cure

Hero

Self: +15 DODGE

Self: Cure Blight/Bleed base 70%

Camping abilities

Name

Icon

Time cost

Target

Effect

Encourage

2

1 companion

Reduce stress by 10

Wound Care

2

1 companion

Heal 20% HP

15% chance to remove target Bleeding

Pep Talk

2

1 companion

+25% Stress Resist

Forage

2

Self

Self: (50% Chance) Chance to produce Food. (Provisions)

Gallows Humor

5

All companions

Self: Reduce stress by 25

All Companions:

(75% Chance) Reduce Stress by 20,

(25% Chance) Increase Stress by 10.

Night Moves

2

Self

Increase scouting Chance until the next camp by 30%

Pilfer

2

Self

Produces a supply item.

A jagged glaive wielding Hellion stands for a barbarian class in the game. She uses very aggressive attacks, sacrificing her defensive stats in order to gain more damage. She is the best to be placed as the second from the right where she will not receive too much of a damage. There, she will also be able to get rid of the negative status effects and debuffs.

Base stats

Resistances

Max HP

26

Stun

40%

Dodge

10

Blight

40%

Protection

0%

Disease

30%

Speed

2

Deathblow

67%

Accuracy

+0

Move

40%

Critical Hit

2%

Bleed

40%

Damage

6-12

Debuff

30%

  

Trap

20%

Tips:

• Place here in the front, in the first or the second place so that she will be able to use most of her skills.
• Hellion has got a quite powerful AoE skill, Breakthrough, which can attack 3 enemies at once. Remember though, it gives the Hellion a short debuff which decreases her damage and dodge stats.
• Use the Iron Swan to attack an enemy in the back. They are usually an easy target for the Hellion as they don't have much of the resistance.
• If you want to heal your party, before the end of the fight kill every enemy but one. Then use the Barbaric YAWP! Skill, in order to Stun the last enemy whilst not inflicting too much of a damage on him. Heal your party when the enemy is stunned.

Merits

Flaws

+ Hefty amount of damage and a decent melee range.

+ Powerful AoE attack and pretty good field control

+ An excellent damage buff, Adrenaline Rush

- Her attacks gives her debuffs for a short time

- Not the best tank

Fighting skills

Name

Icon

Type

Position

Target

Effects

Wicked Hack

Melee

ACC base: 80

CRIT mod: 5%

Iron Swan

Melee

ACC base: 80

CRIT mod: 5%

Barbaric YAWP!

Melee

ACC base: 90

DMG mod: -100%

Target: Stun base: 125%

Self: -20% DMG

-15 DODGE

If It Bleeds

Melee

ACC base: 85

Target: Bleed 2 pts/round for 3 rounds

Breakthrough

Melee

ACC base: 75

DMG mod: -55%

Self: -20% DMG

-15 DODGE

Adrenaline Rush

Buff/Cure

Hero

Self: +20% DMG

+5 ACC

Cure Blight/Bleed base 100%

Bleed Out

Melee

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: 15%

CRIT mod: 5%

Target: Bleed 3 pts/round for 3 rounds

Self: -20% DMG

-15 DODGE

Camping abilities

Name

Icon

Time cost

Target

Effect

Encourage

2

1 companion

Reduce stress by10

Wound Care

2

1 companion

Heal 20% HP

15% chance to remove target Bleeding

Pep Talk

2

1 companion

+25% Stress resist

Battle Trance

3

Hero

+10 ACC

(Monster size: 2)+20% DMG

Revel

2

Hero

-10 ACC

-4 SPD

Reduce stress by20

Heal 15% HP

Reject the Gods

1

All companions

Self reduce stress by 25

Increase the stress of other companions by 5

Sharpen Spear

2

Hero

+10% CRIT

Highwayman is also a class which can be described as a rogue. He focuses on dealing the damage and inflicting some negative effects upon the enemies. He can attack both melee, with a dagger, as well as from a distance, well as with the pistol. He is very good in the offensive role, and he also has got a decent control over the battlefield. These, along with a nice resistance rates, makes him a hero which is suitable for nearly every kind of party.

Base stats

Resistances

Max HP

22

Stun

30%

Dodge

10

Blight

30%

Protection

0%

Disease

30%

Speed

4

Deathblow

67%

Accuracy

+0

Move

30%

Critical Hit

5%

Bleed

30%

Damage

5-11

Debuff

30%

  

Trap

20%

Class tips:

• Highwayman can deal great damage independently of a position. It makes him very mobile and it makes him a great companion for a Grave Robber.
• Each melee attacks can be thrown from the back, thus you can put him on the second or third position.
• The Point Blank Shot is a very powerful skill with a Knockback effect. However, it requires placing the Highwayman on the very front. This can be achieved by using his Duelist's Advance skill, which will move him there automatically whilst attacking any enemy.

Merits

Flaws

+ Solid damage and decent field control

+ Can be positioned almost anywhere

+ Pretty good mobility and resistance

- There are some better damage dealers

Fighting skills

Name

Icon

Type

Position

Target

Effect

Wicked Slice

Melee

ACC base: 85

CRIT mod: 5%

Pistol Shot

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -25%

CRIT mod: 10%

Point Blank Shot

Ranged

Back 1

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: 50%

Target: KNOCKBACK 1

Grapeshot Blast

Ranged

ACC base: 75

DMG mod: -50%

CRIT mod: -7%

Take Aim

Buff

Hero

Self: ACC +4

Self: CRIT +5%

Duelist's Advance

Melee

Forward 1

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -20%

CRIT mod: 2%

Open Vein

Melee

ACC base: 85

DMG mod: -15%

Target: Bleed 2 pts/round for 3 rounds

Camping abilities

Name

Icon

Time cost

Target

Effect

Encourage

2

1 companion

Reduce stress by10

Wound Care

2

1 companion

Heal 20% HP

15% chance to remove target Bleeding

Pep Talk

2

1 companion

+25% Stress Resist

Gallows Humor

5

All companions

Self: Reduce stress by 25

All Companions:

(75% Chance) Reduce Stress by 20,

(25% Chance) Increase Stress by 10.

Uncatchable

2

Hero

Improve scouting chance until next camp by 50%

Clean Guns

3

Hero

(Ranged) +10 ACC

(Ranged) +20% DMG

(Ranged) +5% CRIT

Bandit's Sense

2

Hero

Less likely to be surprised until next camp.

More likely to surprise monsters until next camp

True master of relaxing melodies and slicing through the enemies' flesh. His durability limits him to the rare positions and even then he can't be used as a damage dealer. However, the source of his power can be found in his tunes.

Base stats

Resistances

Max HP

19

Stun

20%

Dodge

15

Blight

40%

Protection

0%

Disease

20%

Speed

4

Deathblow

67%

Accuracy

+0

Move

20%

Critical Hit

7%

Bleed

30%

Damage

4-7

Debuff

20%

  

Trap

20%

Tips:

• Jester is best to be placed on the third position. From there, he can play his tunes and use the most of his attacks.
• His Battle Ballad skill, works best with offensive teams. The best classes for the Jester are; Highwayman, Grave Robber or Leper
• Jester is great when it comes to dealing the Critical Damage. Use Dirk Stab and Slice Off skills to boost his Critical Hit's modifier. To avoid the Heroic End's debuffs, use it only when there are big chances to finish the enemy.
• Jester is great for longer missions because of his Inspiring Tune skill which reduces the stress in the whole party.

Merits

Flaws

+ Great Critical Damage

+ Solidas a support

+ Great skill for reducing the party's stress level

- Rather low Base Damage

- Not as good within the defensive teams

Fighting skills

Name

Icon

Type

Position

Target

Effects

Dirk Stab

Melee

Forward 3

ACC base: 80

CRIT mod: 2%

Harvest

Melee

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -40%

Target: Bleed 1 pts/ round for 3 rounds

Heroic End

Melee

ACC base: 90

DMG mod: 33%

CRIT mod: 10%

Self: -20% DMG

-30 DODGE

-10 ACC

Solo

Ranged

ACC base: 90

DMG mod: -100%

Target: -10 ACC

Slice Off

Melee

ACC base: 80

CRIT mod: 8%

Target: Bleed 2 pts/round for 3 rounds

Battle Ballad

Buff

Team

Party: +2 ACC

+1% CRIT

Inspiring Tune

Heal

Team

Target: Stress Heal +3

Camping abilities

Name

Icon

Time cost

Target

Effect

Encourage

2

1 companion

Reduce stress by 10

Wound Care

2

1 companion

Heal 20% HP

15% chance to remove target Bleeding

Pep Talk

2

1 companion

+25% Stress resist

Turn Back Time

3

1 companion

Reduces stress by 30

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

3

All companions

Reduces stress by 15

Tiger's Eye

3

1 companion

+10 ACC

+25% Stress Resist

Mockery

2

All companions

All Companions:

Reduce Stress by 20,

One Companion: Increase Stress by 20

Leper is very self-sufficient. He takes the role of a tank or a damage dealer. He has got lots of HPs, a big resistance and quite good base damage. He can also use his buffs to reduce his stress, boost or heal himself. As for his flaws - he does not have any ranged attacks whatsoever, thus he cannot be placed further than on the second position. He also will not be able to attack an enemy who will be standing on the third/fourth position.

Base stats

Resistances

Max HP

35

Stun

50%

Dodge

0

Blight

40%

Protection

0%

Disease

20%

Speed

2

Deathblow

67%

Accuracy

+0

Move

50%

Critical Hit

2%

Bleed

10%

Damage

7-14

Debuff

20%

  

Trap

0%

Tips:

• Leper may be considered as the best tank in the game, thus it is best to use him specifically in this role.
• He is equipped with great self-boosting skills. Use Solemnity, in order to heal him and relieve the main healer. Use the Withstand, which will decrease the leper's stress level and will make him more resistant for a while.
• All of the Leper's attacking kills are quite low on accuracy, thus it is good to use the Focus skill before attacking an enemy.
• Beware of the position changing when having a Leper in your party. He can attack only from the first two positions and moving him to the back will make him totally useless. Try not teaming him up with a Grave Robber or Jester

Merits

Flaws

+ Very good resistance and health level.

+ Powerful melee attacks

+ Strong buffs and healing skills

+ Great class for longer missions

- Low Accuracy

- No ranged attacks

- Poor mobility

Fighting skills

Name

Icon

Type

Position

Target

Effects

Chop

Melee

ACC base: 65

CRIT mod: 2%

Hew

Melee

ACC base: 65

DMG mod: -40%

CRIT mod: 2%

Focus

Buff

Hero

Self: +15 ACC

Revenge

Buff

Hero

Self: +40% DMG

Self: -10 ACC

Self: +5% CRIT

Withstand

Buff/Heal

Hero

Self: Stress Heal +5

Self: 20% PROT

Solemnity

Heal

Hero

Self: Heal 4 HP

Intimidate

Melee

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -40%

Target: KNOCKBACK 1

-10 ACC

Camping abilities

Name

Icon

Time cost

Target

Effect

Encourage

2

1 companion

Reduce stress by10

Wound Care

2

1 companion

Heal 20% HP

15% chance to remove target Bleeding

Pep Talk

2

1 companion

+ 25% Stress Resist.

Let the Mask Down

1

All companions

Reduce stress by 25

All Companions: Increase Stress by 5

Bloody Shroud

3

Hero

Heal 40%,

Increase Stress by 20.

Reflection

3

Hero

Reduce Stress by 20,

+10 ACC.

Quarantine

3

All companions

Suffer 20% HP damage;

All Companions:

(50% Chance) Reduce Stress by 20,

(50% Chance) Reduce Stress by 15

Occultist is the Darkest Dungeon's sorceror. It is a class which is obviously based on magic and thus usually takes his position on the back of the team. He can not only deal damage to the enemies, but can also move them in various ways. He can also heal his teammates. However, it had to be paid and in his case it have emasculated in his HPs and negative effects that come with his skills.

Base stats

Resistances

Max HP

19

Stun

20%

Dodge

10

Blight

30%

Protection

0%

Disease

40%

Speed

4

Deathblow

67%

Accuracy

+0

Move

20%

Critical Hit

7%

Bleed

40%

Damage

4-7

Debuff

40%

  

Trap

10%

Tips:

• The best position for him would be the third. From there, the only skill he won't be able to use would be the Hands from the Abyss and even then all it takes is to move him one place forward.
• Use the Weakening Curse ass well as Vulnerability Hex, in order to weaken the most dangerous targets. The first skill will decrease the enemy's damage and his accuracy whilst the latter imposes a Mark on him which will decrease the target's dodge chance.
• Occultist is equipped with a powerful healing skill - Wyrd Reconstruction. It can restore up to 10 HPs, but it also may impose the Bleeding on the target, although there is a chance to resist this negative effect.
• Deamon's Pull is on of the best skill which will change the order within enemies' lines. It can pull an enemy from the third or fourth position by two positions. It is a great skill to use against the ranged enemies.

Merits

Flaws

+ High Damage.

+ Decent debuff skills.

+ One of the most powerful healing skill.

+ Ability to pull ranged enemies to the front.

- Low on HP.

- Some spells may impair the team.

Fighting skills

Name

Icon

Type

Position

Target

Effects

Sacrificial Stab

Melee

ACC base: 80

CRIT mod: 10%

Self: (Monster Type Eldritch) +15% DMG

Abyssal Artillery

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -25%

CRIT mod: 5%

Self: (Monster type Eldritch) +15% DMG

Weakening Curse

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -67%

CRIT mod: 5%

Target: -25% DMG

-10 ACC

Wyrd Reconstruction

Heal

1 companion

Heal 0-10

Target: Bleed 1 pts/round for 3 rounds

Vulnerability Hex

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -67%

CRIT mod: 5%

Target: -10 DODGE

Mark Target

Hands from the Abyss

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -50%

CRIT mod: 10%

Torch -5

Target: Stun base: 100%

Deamon's Pull

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -50%

CRIT mod: 5%

Target: PULL 2

Camping abilities

Name

Icon

Time cost

Target

Effect

Encourage

2

1 companion

Reduce stress by10

Wound Care

2

1 companion

Heal 20% HP

15% chance to remove target Bleeding

Pep Talk

2

1 companion

+25% Stress Resist.

Abandon Hope

1

All companions

Self: Reduce Stress by 25;

All Companions: Increase Stress by 5.

Dark Ritual

3

All companions

Self: Reduce Torchlight by 33;

All Companions: Heal 10%.

Dark Strength

2

Hero/1 companion

Self: Increase Stress by 15;

Companion: +20% DMG

Unspeakable Commune

3

Hero

Heal 30%,

+5 SPD.

Plague Doctor is a very interesting class without an exactly specified role. His attacks are based mostly on the negative effects such as Bleeding and Blight, which impair the enemies and slowly damage them. The PD has got also some healing and buffing skills but they are not as strong as other classes' skills. Although his offensive skills also come with some negative effects against the enemies, they're too weak to kill them within a short time. Because of that, the PD works best as a support, also because of his ability of removing the negative effects from his teammates.

Base stats

Resistances

Max HP

22

Stun

20%

Dodge

5

Blight

40%

Protection

0%

Disease

40%

Speed

3

Deathblow

67%

Accuracy

+0

Move

20%

Critical Hit

2%

Bleed

20%

Damage

4-7

Debuff

40%

  

Trap

15%

Tips:

• The best position for him would be the third. From there, he can use the Incision skill, which is his only ability which does not have any negative modifiers to damage.
• Although the Noxious Blast, Plague Grenade and Blinding Gas inflict low damage, they may impair the target with one of the negative effects. The best targets for these skills are the bosses and tougher enemies.
• Plague Doctor has got one of the best skills for crowd control- Disorienting Blast. It can move the enemy from the 2nd, 3rd or 4th position to the other, random one.
• His only healing skill, the Battlefield Medicine, may not restore many HPs but it may remove some negative effects (Bleed or Blight) from your party member. It may be useful in the longer battles.

Merits

Flaws

+ Abilities to inflict and to remove the negative effects.

+ Decent crowd control.

- Poor base damage.

- Doesn't do to well in any role.

Fighting skills

Name

Icon

Type

Position

Target

Effects

Noxious Blast

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -33%

Target: Blight 3 pts/round for 3 rounds

Plague Grenade

Ranged

ACC base: 75

DMG mod: -75%

Target: Blight 3 pts/round for 3 rounds

Blinding Gas

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -100%

Target: Stun base 100%

Incision

Melee

ACC base: 75

CRIT mod: +5%

Target: Bleed 1 pts/round for 3 rounds

Battlefield Medicine

Heal/Cure

Team

Heal 1-1

Self: Cure Blight/Bleed base 70%

Target: Cure Blight/Bleed base 70%

Emboldening Vapours

Buff

1 companion

Target: +15% DMG

Disorienting Blast

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -100%

Target: Shuffle Single

Camping abilities

Name

Icon

Time cost

Target

Effect

Encourage

2

1 companion

Reduce stress by10

Wound Care

2

1 companion

Heal 20% HP

15% chance to remove target Bleeding

Pep Talk

2

1 companion

+25% Stress Resist.

Experimental Vapors

4

1 companion

75% chance to heal 50% HP

Leeches

3

1 companion

Heal 15% HP

Remove Blight

33% Chance to remove Disease

Preventative Medicine

2

1 companion

+25% Blight resist

+25% Bleed resist

+25% Disease resist

Self-Medicate

3

Hero

Decrease stress level by 10

Heal 20% HP

Remove Blight

Remove Bleed

50% Chance to remove Disease

Vestal is simply a priest, which works great against the undead. Vestal can also heal and buff the party which is her main purpose on the battlefield. She may heal one target as well as the whole party a tonce. As a healer, she works great in nearly every combination of classes.

Base stats

Resistances

Max HP

29

Stun

30%

Dodge

0

Blight

30%

Protection

0%

Disease

30%

Speed

3

Deathblow

67%

Accuracy

+0

Move

30%

Critical Hit

3%

Bleed

30%

Damage

4-6

Debuff

30%

  

Trap

0%

Tips:

• The third position works best. From there, Vestal can use most of her attacks and spells.
• Vestal can use two strong healing skills. The first is Divine Grace, which heals for more HPs but it can be used on a single target. The latter is Divine Comfort which heals for less, but it affects the whole party. It is a great skill in the situation I which more than one of your teammates is impaired with the Death's Door.
• The Judgement is one of the best offensive skills which attacks an enemy and restores the Vestal's HPs.
• Vestal is equipped with the skills which will restore the torch light. The Dazzling Light and Illumination, can do that whilst inflicting damage upon an enemy. Use it for the longer quests to conserve your torches.

Merits

Flaws

+ High durability and decent offensive skills.

+ One of the best healers in the game.

+ Good crowd control.

+ Can restore the torch light.

- Low mobility.

- No buffs for the party.

Fighting skills

Name

Icon

Type

Position

Target

Effects

Mace Bash

Melee

ACC base: 75

Judgement

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -20%

CRIT mod: 5%

Self: Heal 3 HP

Dazzling Light

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -50%

Torch +5

Target: Stun base 100%

Divine Grace

Heal

1 companion

Heal 3-5

Divine Comfort

Heal

Team

Heal 1-2

Illumination

Ranged

ACC base: 80

DMG mod: -40%

CRIT mod: 5%

Torch +5

Target: -20 DODGE

Hand of Light

Ranged

ACC base: 75

DMG mod: -33%

CRIT mod: 3%

Target: -25% DMG, -10 ACC

Self: (Monster Type Unholy) +15% DMG

Camping abilities

Name

Icon

Time cost

Target

Effect

Encourage

2

1 companion

Reduce stress by 10

Wound Care

2

1 companion

Heal 20% HP

15% chance to remove target Bleeding

Pep Talk

2

1 companion

+25% Stress Resist

Bless

2

1 companion

+10 ACC

+10 DODGE

Chant

2

1 companion

If religious heal: 15% HP

If not religious: 5% HP

If religious: decrease stress level by 15

If not religious: decrease stress level by 5

Pray

4

All companions

If religious: decrease stress level by 15

If not religious: decrease stress level by 5

Sanctuary

5

Hero

If religious: Lower chance of attack while camping

Necromancer with his animated skeletons

Necromancer is a ranged sorceror who can bring to 'life' the undead. All of his skills are AoE attacks, (Area of Effect) which will either attack two, or all party members. Each skill of the Necromancer's summons one undead (up to three) in front of him. The last thing to take care of is his Six Feet Under skill. It doesn't inflict much of a damage, but it highly increases the stress level of the whole party. It is best to start this fight with very low stress levels.

Recommended formation: Vestal/Occultist, Highwayman, Bounty Hunter/Lepper, Crusader

Name

Description

Six Feet Under

Attack influences the whole party. It deals low physical damage, but it is of hefty mental (stress) damage.

The Clawing Dead

Deals fair damage to the last two heroes. It may inflict some negative effects.

The Flesh is Willing

Deals fair damage to the first two heroes. It has a high CRIT chance.

It is vital to take two classes for this fight: Crusader and Bounty Hunter/Occultist. The first will do great as a tank and also he will deal additional damage to the undead (and there will be quite a lot of them). The latters will be necessary because of their Pull abilities which will enable you to bring the Necromancer to the front. Let the Crusader deal with the minions whilst the rest of the team will be attacking the Necromancer. Keep your heroes' life on a high level. The Flesh is Willing has got quite a big Chance of dealing the critical damage which may take most of the Hp's from your party.

Swine is the second boss which dwells in the Warrens. It is a big, hideous and undead swine with a rusty crown on its head and the massive cleaver in its hand. The swine is based on an interesting system of Marking. Its little companion Wilbur (who always stands behind the boss) is equipped with a skill of marking your party members. Two out of three boss's attacks can be activated only when its target is marked whilst the last one has a little chance of hitting the target. This mechanics will tell you which one of your teammates will be attacked next turn, thus it will make it easier for you to prepare for the attack. It is worth mentioning that the attempt of killing Wilbur before the main boss may not be the best idea. After his death, the boss goes on a rampage through which he unlocks another attack - Enraged Destruction. This skill attacks the whole party at once and also it may Stun them. This is the main reason to leave the Wilbur alive and to focus the main boss instead.

Recommended Formation: Vestal/Occultist, Highwayman/Grave Robber, Bounty Hunter, Leper

Name

Description

Enraged Destruction

Powerful attack that comes with high damage to the whole party. It comes with a great chance of Stun. Available after the Wilbur's death.

Obliterate Masses

Deals hefty amount of damage to two targets with the Mark. A big chance of dealing critical damage (CRIT). Can be used only on the Marked targets.

Obliterate Body

Deals hefty amount of damage to one target with the Mark. A big chance of dealing critical damage (CRIT). Can be used only on the Marked target.

Wild Flailing

Deals fair damage to one target. It comes with a high chance of Missing.

Mark This One! [Wilbur]

Inflicts low damage and impairs one target with Mark.

Mark These Two! [Wilbur]

Inflicts low damage and impairs two targets with Mark.

Squeel [Wilbur]

Deals low damage to the whole party but comes with the chance of Stun.

The Swine is probably the easiest boss to deal with in the game. Just leave the Wilbur alone and focus the main enemy. Fortunately he stands in the front, thus it enables your party to attack him independently of their class. Keep up with your heroes' status and watch out on the marked ones. If these are low on Hps, heal them. Order the Bounty Hunter or Occultist to Mark the Swine and then focus all of your attacks on him. After his death you can deal with Wilbur which also has a quite irritating skill which deals a small amount of damage but it as a quite a big chance of Stun. Usually though it will be resisted. Finish the Wilbur to end the mission.

Hag is the third, and for now the last, boss in the Darkest Dungeon which dwells in the Werald. It looks like an old and fat witch uses a massive kettle. This kettle is a part of one of a highly irritating mechanics and by the game it is also considered as an enemy. It works in a simple way. Every turn a random party member of yours is brought into the kettle where some damage is being dealt to him each turn. There are two ways of bringing the hero back to the battlefield. The first is attacking the kettle to decrease its HPs to zero. Then, the kettle will revive. The latter is to wait until the hero's life is decreased to 0. Then he is automatically brought back with a Death's Door inflicted upon him. In both cases the hero will come back to the front. It is also worth mentioning that the Hag's first attack will bring the hero to the kettle if it is empty (Into the Stew). Another thing: When there is a hero in the kettle, the Hag will attack twice each turn which ends up with a great damage being dealt to the party.

Recommended formation: Vestal/Occultist, Occultist/Bounty Hunter, Bounty Hunter, Hellion

Name

Description

Into the Pot

Deals a bit of damage and puts a hero into the kettle where from now on he will be given damage every turn up to the point when his life decreases to zero. After that he/she is being brought back to the front.

Taste the Stew

Deals low damage to the whole party and increases their stress levels.

Season to Perfection

Deals fair amount of damage to one target with a chance of Debuffing him/her (-25% DMG and - 10 ACC).

The very first thing to take care of is to assure that all of your heroes are able to attack the third and/or fourth position. Don't take a Crusader or a Leper as their attacks focuses the first two positions. Instead take a Vestal or an Occultists which will be able not only to attack the Hag, but also they will be able to heal your party. A Hellion and a Bounty Hunter work great along with the mark inflicted by an Occultist. Ignore the kettle and focus on the main boss instead. When a hero is brought back, heal him or her as fast as you can and go back to attacking the Hag. In most cases it will be fighting on the brink of the death but with a bit of luck it can be done on the first attempt.

Dark Sweet Home

This nameless town is the only safe place in the whole game which will work as a shelter for your heroes. Here, you will be able to hire new heroes, healing their afflictions or upgrading their equipment and their skills. From here you will be also able to embark on a new quest and bury those who were not able to retreat alive.

All of the buildings (except for the Graveyard and Town Square) can be upgraded by using the so called Heirlooms which can be found in the dungeons. Most of the buildings have got 2 to 4 upgrade trees which will represent each 'room' of the building. Enhancing these rooms will result with increase the qualities of its services or it will decrease the costs of its usage. E.g. the Tavern. Has got three trees which correspond to the Bar, Gambling and Brothel. Each next upgrade requires more Heirlooms. For now, the buildings can be upgraded up to the sixth level.

The only buildings that are passive are the, Graveyard and Town Square. The first works only as a piece of information which gives you details on your late party members and on their death circumstances. The latter building is present on the Town screen but for now is blocked.

Abbey's upgrade tree

The Abbey is primarily used to relieve the stress of your characters. There are currently 3 different types of activities you can do: Cloister, Transept, and Penance Hall. Occasionally, there will be an NPC that takes up one of these activities and the player cannot access said activity until the next week or until the NPC leaves. Upgrades require Busts and Crests. Some non-religious characters may refuse healing in the Abbey.

Cloister

Upgrading increases stress recovery and number of slots as also reduces treatment costs.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Description

Increases Stress Recovery

Reduces treatment cost by 15%

Increases number of slots to 2.

Increases Stress Recovery

Reduces treatment cost by o 15%

Increases number of slots to 3.

Cost

4x Bust 4x Crest

6x Bust 6x Crest

8x Bust 8x Crest

10x Bust 10x Crest

12x Bust 12x Crest

13x Bust 13x Crest

Transept

Upgrading increases stress recovery and number of slots as also reduces treatment costs.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Description

Increases Stress Recovery

Reduces treatment cost by 16%

Increases number of slots to 2.

Increases Stress Recovery

Reduces treatment cost by 12%

Increases number of slots to 3.

Cost

4x Bust 4x Crest

6x Bust 6x Crest

8x Bust 8x Crest

10x Bust 10x Crest

12x Bust 12x Crest

13x Bust 13x Crest

Penance Hall

Upgrading increases stress recovery and number of slots as also reduces treatment costs.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Description

Increases Stress Recovery

Reduces treatment cost by 13%

Increases number of slots to 2.

Increases Stress Recovery

Reduces treatment cost by 13%

Increases number of slots to 3.

Cost

4x Bust 4x Crest

6x Bust 6x Crest

8x Bust 8x Crest

10x Bust 10x Crest

12x Bust 12x Crest

13x Bust 13x Crest

Blacksmith's upgrade tree

The Blacksmith allows you to upgrade the weapons and armor of each individual character that you have. Upgrading the blacksmith reduces the costs of weapon/armor upgrades and allows you upgrading them to the higher ranks.

Weaponsmithing

Increases the heroes' weapon's speed, damage and Chance for critical damage.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Description

Allows weapon upgrades to rank 2.

Allows weapon upgrades to rank 3

Allows weapon upgrades to rank 4

Allows weapon upgrades to rank 5

Cost

11x Deed 8x Crest

19x Deed 13x Crest

26x Deed 18x Crest

34x Deed 23x Crest

Armorsmithing

Increases the heroes' dodge Chance as well as their armor HPs.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Description

Allows armor upgrades to rank 2

Allows armor upgrades to rank 3

Allows armor upgrades to rank

Allows armor upgrades to rank 5

Cost

11x Deed 8x Crest

19x Deed 13x Crest

26x Deed 18x Crest

34x Deed 23x Crest

Furnace

Reduces the cost of upgrading weapons and armor.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Description

Reduces cost of weapon and armor upgrades by 10%

Reduces cost of weapon and armor upgrades by 10%

Reduces cost of weapon and armor upgrades by 10%

Reduces cost of weapon and armor upgrades by 10%

Reduces cost of weapon and armor upgrades by 10%

Cost

6x Deed 4x Crest

9x Deed 6x Crest

12x Deed 8x Crest

15x Deed 10x Crest

18x Deed 12x Crest

Guild's upgrade tree

The Guild is where you upgrade the skills of your characters (up to level 5) or teach them new ones. Upgrading requires Portraits and Crests. Each level enhances the skills by increasing their factors (higher damage stronger buffs or effects).

Instructor Mastery

Allows upgrades to higher ranks.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Description

Allows upgrades to rank 2

Allows upgrades to rank 3

Allows upgrades to rank 4

Allows upgrades to rank 5

Cost

7x Painting 13x Crest

11x Painting 22x Crest

15x Painting 30x Crest

20x Painting 39x Crest

Training Regimen

Upgrading reduces cost of skill upgrades.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Description

Reduces cost of skill upgrades by 10%

Reduces cost of skill upgrades by 10%

Reduces cost of skill upgrades by 10%

Reduces cost of skill upgrades by 10%

Reduces cost of skill upgrades by 10%

Cost

3x Painting 6x Crest

4x Painting 8x Crest

6x Painting 11x Crest

7x Painting 14x Crest

8x Painting 17x Crest

Nomad Wagon upgrade tree

The Nomad Wagon is where you can purchase trinkets for various amounts of gold. Upgrading requires Crests. Trinkets grant its bearer some positive and negative effects and they can be also found in the dungeons. Visit the Nomad Wagon for a bigger choice.

Wagon Size

Increases the number of trinkets sold at the Nomad Wagon.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Description

Increases the number of available trinkets to 4

Increases the number of available trinkets to 6

Increases the number of available trinkets to 8

Increases the number of available trinkets to 10

Cost

20x Crest

33x Crest

47x Crest

60x Crest

Merchant Network

Reduces the cost of trinket purchases.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Description

Reduces trinket cost by 10%

Reduces trinket cost by 10%

Reduces trinket cost by 10%

Reduces trinket cost by 10%

Reduces trinket cost by 10%

Cost

16x Crest

24x Crest

32x Crest

40x Crest

48x Crest

Sanitarium upgrade tree

Sanitarium The Sanitarium is the only location in town where you can remove individual character quirks for a price. Upgrading requires Busts and Crests. It works in the same way as if the hero would rest for a stress relief.

Treatment Library

Lowers the costs of healing.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Description

Lowers the costs of treatment by 10%

Lowers the costs of treatment by 10%

Lowers the costs of treatment by 10%

Lowers the costs of treatment by 10%

Lowers the costs of treatment by 10%

Cost

6x Bust 3x Crest

10x Bust 5x Crest

13x Bust 6x Crest

16x Bust 8x Crest

19x Bust 10x Crest

Infirmary

Increases the number of infirmary treatment slots.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Description

Increases number of slots to 2

Increases number of slots to 3

Cost

24x Bust 12x Crest

72x Bust 36x Crest

Stage Coach upgrade tree

This inconspicuous stagecoach is one of the most important objects in the game. Through this cart, you can hire new heroes in order to replace those who have died. Hiring up new heroes is free of charge, but their number is limited. Available heroes change every week.

Stage Coach Network

Increases the number of heroes for hire each week.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Description

Increases number of available heroes to 3

Increases number of available heroes to 4

Increases number of available heroes to 5

Increases number of available heroes to 6

Increases number of available heroes to 7

Cost

4x Deed 4x Crest

6x Deed 6x Crest

8x Deed 8x Crest

10x Deed 10x Crest

12x Deed 12x Crest

Hero Barracks

Increases the size of your current hero roster, the amount of characters you can have at any one time.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Description

Increases number of available heroes to 11

Increases number of available heroes to 13

Increases number of available heroes to 15

Increases number of available heroes to 17

Increases number of available heroes to 19

Cost

4x Deed 4x Crest

6x Deed 6x Crest

8x Deed 8x Crest

10x Deed 10x Crest

12x Deed 12x Crest

Survivalist upgrade tree

Survivalist, is similar to the Guild, but here you can upgrade or unlock character camping skills. These have only one level each, thus they can't be enhanced.

Bonfire

Lowers the costs of camping upgrades.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Description

Lowers the costs by 10%

Lowers the costs by 10%

Lowers the costs by 10%

Lowers the costs by 10%

Lowers the costs by 10%

Cost

32x Crest

48x Crest

60x Crest

80x Crest

96x Crest

Tavern upgrade tree

Tavern is a location in town where you can relieve the stress of your characters. Similar to the Abbey it consists of 3 segments: Bar, Gambling and Brothel. Tavern is more neutral than the Abbey, although still some heroes may be blocked from using some of its services.

Bar

Upgrading increases stress recovery and number of slots as also reduces treatment costs.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Description

Increases stress recovery.

Reduces treatment cost by 15%

Increases number of slots to 2

Increases stress recovery.

Reduces treatment cost by 15%

Increases number of slots to 3

Cost

2x Painting 4x Crest

3x Painting 6x Crest

4x Painting 8x Crest

5x Painting 10x Crest

6x Painting 12x Crest

7x Painting 13x Crest

Gambling

Upgrading increases stress recovery and number of slots as also reduces treatment costs.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Description

Increases stress recovery.

Reduces treatment cost by 16%

Increases number of slots to 2

Increases stress recovery.

Reduces treatment cost by 12%

Increases number of slots to 3

Cost

2x Painting 4x Crest

3x Painting 6x Crest

4x Painting 8x Crest

5x Painting 10x Crest

6x Painting 12x Crest

7x Painting 13x Crest

Brothel

Upgrading increases stress recovery and number of slots and reduces treatment costs.

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Description

Increases stress recovery.

Reduces treatment cost by 13%

Increases number of slots to 2

Increases stress recovery.

Reduces treatment cost by 12%

Increases number of slots to 3

Cost

2x Painting 4x Crest

3x Painting 6x Crest

4x Painting 8x Crest

5x Painting 10x Crest

6x Painting 12x Crest

7x Painting 13x Crest

Every embarking begins from picking up a mission. These will define your object. Each mission has a different difficulty level, rewards and enemy types. All of them are generated randomly by the game thus, you will never get stuck on too hard missions.

All of the missions consist of three basic factors. These are: Mission type, required hero level and length. Mission types difine its target. It can be either killing an exact percentage of enemies or a specific enemy. It can also be an activation of some specific objects or collection of some relicts. Required level refers to the levels of your heroes as the enemies and the stress modifier will be of the same levels. The last factor corresponds to the number of camps which you will be able to partake in. The shortest missions will not let you to camp at all whilst the longest missions will enable you to camp twice a mission.

In theory, finishing a mission is not required in order to progress in the game. However, finishing one will give you rewards, heirlooms and, sometimes, trinkets which will make it easier for you. If all of your heroes die or if the player give up and retreat from a quest it will be considered as unfinished. Even though all of the find items and gold will be brought back to the town as long as there is at least one hero left alive.

Here is the list of the mission types in the Darkest Dungeon:

• Cleanse/Skirmish - Win 100% of the fights in the dungeon
• Scout/Explore - Explore 90% of the dungeon
• Kill the (Boss) - Kill X
• Purify the Altars - Activate 3 altars
• Reclaim Relics of the Light - Collect 3 relicts

The very, very basics you will have to learn are the basics of moving around the dungeons. The main object of the mission is pointless if you will not be able to reach it.

Despite all of the threats, moving isn't really that hard in the DD. Entire games is 2D, thus your team can move either left or right (A/D buttons and LPM). This is it for a single sections as the rooms. These however, are connected with each other with corridors. In order to reach another room you will have to go through the entire corridor which may be guarded by some randomly generated enemies or traps. Choose the room to which you want to move by clicking it on the minimap in the bottom right corner of the screen.

It is worth mentioning that once visited, the corridors and rooms don't change. Thus, there won't be no new enemies, traps, objects etc.

The fighting is another basic and also an inseparable part of the DD. Every mission is granted to have at least some monsters inside. In order to survive those encounters you will have to, again, learn the basics. Fortunately, they aren't too complicated...at least at a first glance.

The battle starts when you encounter any enemy. Your team will go into the fighting mode and will always be on the left side of the enemy. Usually it is the player who throws the first punch but in the case in which your team is surprised it may prolong for up to one turn (same rules apply in the case in which it is the enemy who has been surprised). The maximum number of the characters in the line is 4 and they are always placed in a way in which the front is filled. It is of high importance as because of this you can move the enemies from the back to the front where they won't be able to use most of their abilities and also they will be an easy target for your party.

During your turn you can do one of three things: attack, position change, using an item from equipment (Changing position swaps two adjacent heroes' and item using enables using cures and bandages). Turns of your team and the team of the enemy are interchangeable.

The fight ends when all of the enemies/heroes are dead or when you will command a retreat order (flag on the minimap).

Every hero needs some rest eventually. And the camping does a great job in that matter. The camping is available only during longer missions. You can start a camp by using a Firewood. That you will be given for free before the quest. The camp can be only set up in the empty rooms.

The very first phase of the camping consists of eating Provisions. The more they eat, the more HPs they will get. Here is the table with detailed stats:

0 Provisions

2 Provisions

4 Provisions

8 Provisions

-20% HP

+15 to Stress Level

+0% HP

+0 to Stress Level

+10% HP

+0 to Stress Level

+25% HP

-10 to Stress Level

After eating some super by the heroes, you will receive 12 Respite Points, which can be used for activating some of the heroes' skills. Most often they will heal some HPs, decrease the stress level or give a hero some buffs. After that part, where you won't be able to do anything more, the dream phase begins. After this phase, the team will come back to the exploration, although it may happen that the party will be attacked by the enemies during this phase.