With the September update looming and the much-anticipated Switch release just around the corner, now is the perfect time for new players to jump into Risk of Rain 2. This guide condenses the most vital advice from in-depth beginner content into one streamlined overview, providing practical, actionable strategies to boost your survivability and enjoyment. Let’s dive in.

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1. Always Be on the Move

One of the most crucial habits you can develop early on is constant movement. In Risk of Rain 2, most enemies use projectile-based attacks, and standing still, even briefly, is almost guaranteed to get you hit—unless you’re playing Engineer and deliberately camping with Bustling Fungus (which is its own niche strategy). Make sprinting your default state. Every time you open a chest, use an ability, or interact with the environment, immediately resume sprinting. Most survivor abilities can be activated while sprinting, so there’s rarely a reason to stop.

But don’t stop at sprinting—add jumping to your routine. Jumping helps you dodge melee attacks entirely and gives you more vertical momentum to avoid projectiles. You can also look around while airborne without shifting your trajectory, which helps with situational awareness. Mastering the art of fluid movement, especially combining sprinting and jumping, will significantly boost your survivability and make dodging second nature.

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2. Respect the Clock: Time Is Difficulty

Time management is the invisible challenge in Risk of Rain 2. The longer you spend on each stage, the harder the enemies become. Learning how to balance looting with progression is key. As a rough guideline, try not to exceed five minutes per stage. This isn’t a hard rule—context matters greatly—but it’s a solid starting point for beginners.

Avoid the trap of endlessly searching for one more chest or multi-shop. If you find yourself running around without a purpose, that’s a red flag. You’re not optimizing; you’re stalling. Instead, aim to quickly gather a reasonable number of items, locate the teleporter, and move on. That extra minute spent doubling back for a chest in Stage 1 might cost you dearly in Stage 2, where enemy scaling starts to bite. Think in terms of opportunity cost—every second spent not progressing allows the difficulty meter to creep upward.

Being mindful of your pacing is what separates learning from aimless repetition. Take mental notes of how long you linger and adjust based on how each run feels. Were you overwhelmed by Stage 3? You probably overstayed your welcome earlier.

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3. Learn and Prioritize Threats

Identifying and prioritizing high-threat enemies is a survival skill you’ll hone over time. But to get a head start, here are some of the most dangerous foes you’ll encounter:

• Elite Monsters: Recognizable by their color (white for Glacial, red for Blazing, blue for Overloading, green/black for Malachite), elites are beefed-up versions of standard mobs with increased damage and defense. Malachites are especially dangerous—they negate all your healing for seven seconds on hit. You’ll know they’ve arrived by a deep bell sound. Stay alert.
• Enemies with Multi-Projectile Attacks: Shotgunning is a real threat. Enemies like Elder Lemurians and Greater Wisps can deal devastating burst damage if you’re up close or backed into a wall. Always stay mobile and avoid narrow spaces when dealing with them.
• High-Damage Single Attacks: Golem beams, for example, can chunk your health, but Risk of Rain 2 includes a hidden mechanic called One-Shot Protection. As long as you’re above 90% of your max HP (including shields), you can’t be killed by a single hit. However, this doesn’t mean you’re safe—follow-up hits can easily finish you off, especially if you’re in a damage-heavy area.

Also note: barrier (the temporary yellow health from items like Topaz Brooch) is not part of the One-Shot Protection calculation.

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4. Don’t Tunnel Vision on Damage

Yes, damage items like Soldier’s Syringe or Lens-Maker’s Glasses are appealing—and in early stages, they’re often the right call. But Risk of Rain 2 is about balance. Survivability and mobility are just as important as raw power.

Many players mistakenly stack damage at the expense of movement and defense. The truth is, you can’t kill everything fast enough to avoid being hit, especially as a new player. That’s where mobility items shine. Being able to dodge reliably is more effective than trying to tank or block hits with armor.

Items like Energy Drink, Hopoo Feather, and Wax Quail might seem less exciting, but they drastically enhance your ability to avoid damage. In the early game, prioritize damage to get momentum, but once you hit Stage 3 and beyond, start incorporating movement and utility into your build.

If you’re unsure about item choices or struggling to make the right decisions at multi-shops, it’s worth learning the strengths and trade-offs of each item category. Even one well-timed mobility item can change the outcome of a fight.

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Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Improving in Risk of Rain 2 is all about learning through experience, but applying these foundational tips will make your runs smoother and more successful. If something feels off in your progression, revisit these points and see what you can fine-tune.

And if you need real-time feedback or want to discuss strategies further, consider hopping over to the community Discord or Twitch chat—both great places to get input and meet other players.

Good luck out there, and remember: stay moving, stay sharp, and above all, keep learning. The rain never ends—but with the right mindset, neither do your runs.