KEY POINTS

  • The Bandit specializes in high-damage hit-and-run tactics
  • The Backstab passive is essential to dealing maximum damage on the Bandit
  • Movement speed items help compensate for the character's low mobility

The Bandit in “Risk of Rain 2” is arguably the most technically demanding out of all the playable characters. While his skillset isn’t terribly complicated, using all of his abilities to fullest requires a high degree of skill, making this character the perfect choice for players who want to push themselves.

Unlocking the Bandit is rather easy; simply complete three Teleporter Events without dying to get the Warrior achievement, which unlocks the character. Despite being unlocked early in the game, the Bandit’s high skill ceiling may turn newer players off at first.

Here’s a quick rundown on how to use the Bandit and a few tips on how to get better with him.

Abilities and Playstyle

The Bandit trades consistent DPS for high burst damage, making this character ideal for taking out priority targets like elites and bosses. However, their low sustained damage means that the Bandit needs to rely on hit-and-run tactics, quickly getting their damage in before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

The Bandit focuses on stealth and strong backstab burst damange
The Bandit focuses on stealth and strong backstab burst damange Risk of Rain 2

At first, players need to stay close to enemies to make full use of the Bandit’s rapid-fire shotgun and Serrated Knife ability, which can cause heavy damage and bleeding. The basic combo is to use Smoke Bomb to stun enemies, move behind them, tap them with Serrated Knife then unload four shotgun blasts.

The Lights Out ability will reset all cooldowns if it lands the killing blow on a target. This is what makes the Bandit so hard to use, as players should always be keeping tabs on enemy health and targets that can be executed with this ability.

Ideal Items

While making a proper build is nearly impossible without the Command Artifact, keep an eye out for these items when playing as the Bandit to fill in for some of the character’s weaknesses while capitalizing on their strengths:

  • Armor Piercing Rounds
  • Crowbar
  • Soldier’s Syringe
  • Lens-Maker’s Glasses
  • Hopoo Feather
  • Any movement speed item

Stacking Crowbars can help boost the one-tap potential of Lights Out against weak enemies like Lesser Wisps and Lemurians. Meanwhile, movement items like Hopoo Feathers, Red Whips and Goat Hooves will make up for the Bandit’s lack of dodge rolls.

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