Picking the right Archetype is the first step to success in Remnant 2, and that can make all the difference in multiplayer. Eleven different character classes have been discovered so far, but some of them are just better balanced for single player than they are for co-op. Some are available to all players from the beginning, but other "secret" ones have to be unlocked via often lengthy, difficult in-game quests. Switching between them, though, is as easy as can be - all players have to do is pick the right Engram.
Remnant 2 is a procedurally generated Soulslike, but a well-balanced team can mitigate some of the chaos created by that particular combination. The point of co-op is to let a group of different classes balance out each other's strengths and weaknesses - but still, certain combinations just complement each other best, while others can be a liability to the rest of the team. These are the best character classes in Remnant 2 for a co-op run.
8 Challenger
Challenger is the starting tank class in Remnant 2. It’s good to have a tank on the team; a lot of the game’s DPS classes are on the squishier side, and healing can be a lot to balance, so someone absorbing the majority of the damage is very helpful. However, a Challenger can be a bit dangerous. Remnant 2 does have friendly fire, and Challenger uses a lot of AOE abilities that can catch more than just enemies in their range. With an experienced Challenger and a decent healer, though, that’s not a big deal.
7 Summoner
Summoner is Remnant 2’s secret minion-based class, allowing players to spawn hordes of NPC Root allies to attack enemies on command. Players can also activate abilities like Ruthless to enrage their minions, increasing their damage and speed, or Outrage to sacrifice their minions and gain back some health. It’s a powerful class, but of course, there’s a tradeoff. Summoning minions takes a percentage of the player’s health. When paired with an experienced healer - with a good line of communication to the Summoner - this Archetype can wreck shop. However, it might not be advisable to play Summoner with strangers or first-timers. Players have to unlock Summoner to use it.
6 Invader
Invader is an unlockable, stealth-based Archetype that gives the Remnant 2 player the ability to spawn decoys with the Shadow perk. Those decoys have an interesting additional benefit to the rest of the team: whenever enemies are distracted by them and damaged by another player, the player gains a little bit of HP back. Invaders are incredibly powerful in solo runs of Remnant 2, but with a team to benefit from their healing abilities, they’re even better.
5 Engineer
The Engineer is a secret tank class in Remnant 2. It's preferable to the Challenger in co-op or solo, mostly due to its high damage output and wide variety of Heavy Weapons it can overclock. Engineers’ defensive skills also affect the rest of the team, granting all nearby allies a slight boost to damage reduction with the Magnetic Field team perk. Engineers can also deploy one of three automated turrets to boost their damage output. As a bit of an all-rounder, it’s one of the most powerful Archetypes in the game - and it only gets more powerful with a team to back it up.
4 Handler
Handler is a support class that Remnant 2 players start the game with. It's not the best in terms of healing, but it does have one very interesting perk: Bonded, which allows the Handler's dog companion to revive them. Handlers also have a perk, Spirit of the Wolf, that increases all allies' movement speed when they're close to the Handler - although that doesn't work for melee classes who need to rush in. The Handler's healing skill, Support Dog, is one of three equippable skills, with the other two being focused on damage dealing and Threat generation. With the right skill, the Handler can be slotted into any role.
3 Explorer
Remnant 2’s Explorer Archetype is a curious class with a truly unique perk for the rest of the team. Explorer’s prime perk, Lucky, increases the rate and quality of item drops, while also increasing the amount of ammo, currency, and metals the rest of the team finds. Leveling up classes and perks is a major part of progression in Remnant 2, but ensuring players have the best equipment possible is also vital. Explorers can help ensure a constant stream of new weapons and armor, keeping the team’s stats high. It’s not the most powerful combat class, but an Explorer is a great addition to any Remnant 2 team.
2 Medic
Medic is another starting class in Remnant 2 - it's almost totally devoted to healing and shielding the rest of the team. As a result, its damage output and defense aren't great, but on an otherwise well-balanced team, that doesn't matter as much. Medic players also gain bonuses to their relic speed use, which can help increase their healing prowess. Their team perk Benevolence also improves the efficacy of their relics, and ensures that their benefits apply to other players as well. In terms of healing, the Medic is the best Archetype - but another one outpaces it in other categories.
1 Alchemist
Alchemist is another support-focused class in Remnant 2 - unlike Medic, however, it needs to be unlocked. It also has a good suite of healing options, like the team perk Panacea, which applies all curative effects to any allies within 15 meters of the Alchemist. Like other support classes, it may not be the best defensive or damaging class, but its healing and buffing abilities can make a world of difference to a co-op team's composition.
What sets the Alchemist apart as the best supportive class in Remnant 2, however, is its versatility. The Alchemist can equip one of three Vials: Stone Mist, Frenzy Dust, or Elixir of Life. The first applies the Stoneskin effect, which reduces damage; the second applies Frenzied, which increases fire rate and movement speed; and the third grants a small amount of health regeneration. The Alchemist can choose which of these to equip each time they prepare for a mission, bringing whichever they think might help most in their particular goals. As a result, Alchemist is the most flexible and effective class for co-op play in Remnant 2.
Although each class has its own advantages and disadvantages, there's really no such thing as a bad Archetype in Remnant 2. What's more important is team composition and communication, ensuring everyone has a clear role, knows what to do, and watches out for allies in need of support. Choosing the right class or set of classes is more than vital; it can be the difference between success and failure in Remnant 2.