Darkest Dungeon 2 beginner tips - Where to start

Darkest Dungeon 2 beginner tips are absolutely necessary if you want to avoid dying too early. Given the previous game has such a reputation for being tough, it makes sense that Darkest Dungeon 2 cranks that up in some specific areas.

Darkest Dungeon 2 cares a little less about dungeons and puts you on the open road, giving the opportunity to explore new sights and find new enemies.

Darkest Dungeon 2 beginner tips

Darkest Dungeon 2 is a game that you will bash your head against for the first 10 or so hours, until you start unlocking the full roster and learning mechanics.

For this reason, our beginner guide will try and give you all the information you need to know going into it. You can read and understand this before even playing the game. Just keep the concepts in your mind as you learn everything.

Failure is part of the game

You are supposed to fail in Darkest Dungeon 2. It has its own mechanics and is a fundamental part of the experience. If you die, you just have to carry on playing. Though dying is unfortunate, it gives you the chance to try out new heroes and dynamics.

Fundamentally status effects, relationships, and history mean that your characters are often supposed to leave your party at some point.

Pay attention to the Stagecoach

The Stagecoach is an incredibly important part of the game. You need to make sure it is healthy, but you should also upgrade it as soon as possible. It can have positive effects like a greater inventory and better resource generation.

As well as this, you can swerve it into obstacles in the road to find items for the future. Movement isn't just passive in Darkest Dungeon 2.

Watch your stress

Higher stress levels can result in poor outcomes. It will negatively affect relationships and can even lead you to hit worse attacks and miss more often.

For the most part, stress is even more important than your health, as it's harder to fully understand.

Plan out your trips

As you take off in your coach, you will spot multiple paths to take before the next inn. Don't just pick the best option for right now - make sure you understand the paths you take as you take them.

As you get more familiar with the game, you will benefit from fully learning the opportunities that await in each path.

Don't hoard items

Though they are depleted when used, battle items should be used frequently. You get them quite often and they can fully turn around a battle if you know what you're doing.

Unlike other games, you will need to use these to get past the hardest sections of Darkest Dungeon 2. Don't worry too much about using them.

Manage your relationships

Relationships are at the core of Darkest Dungeon 2. Good relationships result in better hits, more dynamic gameplay, and an easier game. If your characters don't get on, they will get debuffs, won't help each other, and may directly antagonise others.

You should pick diplomatic options when members don't agree, whilst keeping everyone stress-free and healthy. The worse characters are doing, the more likely they are to fight.

If you're looking for more information on the game, here's what we know about the Darkest Dungeon 2 Steam release, as well as the best team composition to use. If you want something a little different, here's how to start the Dead Cells Return to Castlevania DLC.