Dead Island 2 offers players the choice of six unique characters, each bringing their own skills, personalities, and playstyles to the fight against the undead. Whether you prefer a swift and agile approach, a tanky melee fighter, or a balanced strategy, this guide will help you make an informed decision. We’ll break down each character’s innate abilities, optimal playstyles, and tips for mastering them.

Does Your Character Choice Matter?

Interestingly, while each character has unique dialogue and innate abilities, the game allows flexibility through a skill card system. Unlike the first Dead Island, which featured character-specific skill trees, Dead Island 2 uses skill cards that can be freely assigned to suit your preferred playstyle. However, each character has two innate skills that cannot be changed, providing a distinct flavor to their combat abilities.

Additionally, each character’s dialogue is unique, having been written by different authors, adding depth and replayability. While you can switch characters between save files, the core experience and progression largely remain consistent across all six.

Understanding the Skill Card System

The skill card system in Dead Island 2 is divided into four types:

• Ability Cards: Grant new abilities such as dodging or ground slams.
• Survivor Cards: Provide passive buffs to enhance your abilities.
• Slayer Cards: Modify abilities with additional effects, making your attacks more potent.
• Newman Cards: Though not fully revealed, these seem to offer powerful attacks.

Your choice of skill cards allows for a high degree of customization. However, it’s important to note that you cannot equip both dodge and block abilities simultaneously, forcing you to commit to a particular defensive style.

Character Breakdown

1. Amy: The Agile Assassin

A Paralympian with a focus on speed and precision, Amy’s abilities are:

• Relief Pitcher: Regains stamina by hitting zombies with thrown weapons.
• Divide and Conquer: Deals increased damage to isolated zombies.

Playstyle Tips: Amy excels at kiting enemies and focusing on isolated targets. Opt for dodge over block to maximize her mobility and use thrown weapons to manage crowds effectively.

2. Bruno: The Cunning Rogue

A hustler with a flair for backstabbing, Bruno’s skills are:

• Rapid Reprisal: Boosts agility and heavy attacks after a dodge or block.
• Backstab: Increased damage when attacking from behind.

Playstyle Tips: Best suited for co-op where distractions allow for backstabs. In solo play, mastering stealth and flanking is key.

3. Carla: The Unbreakable Tank

A stunt rider who thrives in chaos, Carla’s abilities are:

• Dig Deep: Gains toughness at critical health.
• Mosh Pit: Increased damage when surrounded by zombies.

Playstyle Tips: Focus on blocking and melee combat. Being at the center of hordes is advantageous with her skill set.

4. Danny: The Relentless Brawler

A punk brawler with high risk, high reward abilities:

• Bloodlust: Restores health when slaying multiple zombies quickly.
• Thunderstruck: Heavy attacks trigger explosions.

Playstyle Tips: Similar to Carla but with a focus on aggressive crowd control.

5. Jacob: The Adrenaline Junkie

An anti-hero with a rockstar persona, Jacob’s skills are:

• Feral: Stackable damage boost for quick attacks.
• Critical Gains: Critical hits regain stamina.

Playstyle Tips: Best used with fast weapons and a dodge-based approach.

6. Ryan: The Immovable Wall

A dancer turned zombie-slayer, Ryan’s skills are:

• Retaliation: Force boost after blocking or dodging.
• Seesaw: Restores health by knocking down enemies.

Playstyle Tips: A classic tank role, focusing on blocking and crowd control.

Choosing Your Playstyle

Consider whether you prefer dodging or blocking. Blockers thrive with Carla, Danny, and Ryan, while dodgers will feel at home with Amy, Bruno, and Jacob.

Conclusion

Your character choice in Dead Island 2 impacts dialogue and the early game experience but doesn’t lock you into a rigid playstyle thanks to the flexible skill card system. Understanding each character’s strengths and building around them is key to mastering the game.

Let us know which character you’ll be choosing and why!