The Hallowed Concepts expansion is out, and it brings two very different survivors to Risk of Rain 2: a defensive tank and a glass-cannon blood-trader. Here are their abilities, how to unlock them, and who suits which playstyle.
If you’re new to the series, Risk of Rain 2 on Wikipedia is a handy primer on the roguelike’s co-op loop.
Table of Contents
Risk of Rain 2: Overview
| Survivor | Role | How to Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcer | Defensive shield tank | Unlocked by default with the DLC |
| Acolyte | Close-range glaive fighter | Special encounter (steps below) |
Enforcer: Hold the Line
Enforcer is a returning fan favorite from the original Risk of Rain. He pairs a shield with team-protection tools and is built for the middle of a crowded fight.
| Ability | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Trenchbroom | His main weapon attack |
| Steel Protection | Blocks attacks while the shield faces danger. Reactivate at the right moment to parry projectiles back at their owners and stun nearby enemies |
| Shield Tackle | A charge with two stacks. Spend both to hit harder and cover more ground |
| Rally Point | Slams the ground and plants a Holdout Beacon that grants a barrier, which each kill partly restores |
Ability names vary slightly across previews, so check the in-game loadout screen.
Enforcer shines in co-op, where teammates can stand behind that barrier while he soaks up pressure.
Acolyte: Power at a Price
Acolyte is the new, riskier option. She fights up close with glaive combos and turns her own life force into extra damage.
| Ability | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Blade Slice | Chained melee combo attacks |
| Sacrifice | Trades health for greater power |
| Bola Throw | A ranged utility strike |
| Blade Sling | A ranged glaive attack |
Think of Acolyte as the “high risk, high reward” pick. She rewards players who stay calm and keep a melee combo going under pressure. Exact damage numbers and cooldowns weren’t published at the time of writing.
How to Unlock Acolyte
- Start a new run with Hallowed Concepts enabled.
- Obtain the N’tormat and at least one N’tormat Page.
- Activate a Shrine of Descent.
- Climb the ramps inside the new arena and use the console to begin the encounter.
- Defeat the waves of enemies.
- Approach Acolyte and give her a healing item to revive her.
Once revived, she appears on your survivor select screen for future runs.
What Else Is New?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New stages | Damp Caverns, Tenebrous Quagmire, The Lurid Basilica |
| Trials of N’Kuhana | Timed challenges in pocket realms with their own objectives and rewards |
| New enemies, bosses and items | Added alongside the survivors |
| Free update | New abilities for six existing survivors, no DLC required |
Which Survivor Should You Pick?
- Playing with friends? Start with Enforcer. His barrier and parry make team fights far more forgiving.
- Love aggressive melee? Unlock Acolyte, but be ready to manage your health carefully.
- Solo? Both can work, but Acolyte’s risk is easier to handle if you’ve already mastered dodging.
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FAQs
Q1. How do I unlock Acolyte in Hallowed Concepts?
Get the N’tormat and a page, trigger a Shrine of Descent, win the encounter, then revive her with a healing item.
Q2. Is Enforcer unlocked from the start?
Yes, Enforcer is available by default once you own the Hallowed Concepts DLC.
