Ravenswatch, an Early Access roguelike in which players take on the roles of fairy tale and folklore figures, already has some rankings for which heroes are the best.
There are surprisingly few multiplayer roguelike games among the hundreds that exist. Thankfully, Passtech Games, the creators of another roguelike, Curse of the Dead Gods, has created Ravenswatch to fill that hole.
In Ravenswatch, players can form alliances or go it alone as one of six different legends or literary characters. But which appear to be the most powerful, at least in the game’s Early Access state?
The Pied Piper
Some may be surprised by the choice for last place, but it is the Pied Piper. The Pied Piper is the only character who acts more like a twin-stick shooter character than a roguelike character. Players can aim the notes of his flute and keep this onslaught of music up at all times by aiming in a direction and holding down Attack (or aiming the right stick in a direction on a gamepad).
As a result, Pied Piper is one of the safest characters to play in Ravenswatch, as he never needs to get within melee range of foes. In exchange, his abilities have a somewhat lesser damage output by default. Pied Piper has a lot more value in multiplayer because he can inflict the Vulnerable Status Ailment with his Special and can usually stay safe while inflicting damage.
However, after experimenting with the other characters, Pied Piper becomes a little lacklustre in single-player, especially because his Magical Object enhancement options don’t buff his damage or change his gameplay loop in any meaningful way.
Beowulf
This next option is preferred by some, and it’s easy to see why. Beowulf, the Legendary Hero from the English Epic of the same name, can also be played in Ravenswatch. To be honest, there isn’t much of a story in the game yet, so who knows why he’s here or what his ambitions are. However, as a character archetype, Beowulf is the polar opposite of the Pied Piper. He’s a close-range damage dealer who sacrifices speed and safety in exchange for tremendous damage output and build versatility. Beowulf can increase the next Power, Special, or Defence he uses with his Trait, Last Wyrm, and each option has its own reasons for being the better choice in terms of single-target, group, or broad damage.
Overall, Beowulf is a great character for beginning players because he is fairly basic mechanically. He possesses a regular sword Attack, a straight-line Power shockwave. The classic’spin to win’ AoE Special, and a defence block option. The reason he’s so low on our list is that Beowulf must continuously be in the heart of danger to deliver maximum damage, making him one of the larger potential risks in a lobby. Furthermore, several of his Magical Object options enhance his abilities by making them attack numerous times or last longer, which is beneficial but also means Beowulf is easier to strike while these animations are playing out.
Scarlet, The Red Hood
Scarlet, often known as Little Red Riding Hood, ranks in the centre of these rankings for one reason: she may go from ridiculously powerful to completely useless in a moment, depending on who is striking her and whether or not the attack connects. At least during the day, Red is the genuine ‘glass cannon’ of this game, since she trades defence and health for critical chance and massive assaults after a bit of buildup. Scarlet has a Combo Point system in which she gains points by attacking (visible beneath her health bar as three ‘daggers’) and can then utilise those points on her Power attack (in both Human and Wolf Form) to deal massive amounts of damage in an instant.
Red also has the ‘human by day, wolf by night’ mechanism. Because to her Lycanthrope characteristic, and her powers change quite a bit as a Wolf. Scarlet is substantially more tanky and powerful in this form. The fact that most of her damage is based on low-damage buildup. And how easy she may be slain during the day puts her beneath the top three. Even on Normal Difficulty, a player who loses attention for a few seconds can take one easy hit and lose most of their health bar. Scarlet can still become ‘overpowered’ depending on the player and the Magical Objects available.
Snow Queen
The Snow Queen is a fairy tale legend that many players did not expect to witness. Over the years, this character has inspired several ice-based characters in various media, the most noticeable being Elsa from Frozen. However, she was originally from a collection of fairy tales by Danish author Hans Christian Anderson. The Snow Queen serves as a’mage’ type character in Ravenswatch, with a number of AoE attacks. A Magic Missile-esque basic projectile, and is largely built around the Chilled Status Ailment. At first glance, the Snow Queen’s abilities may appear lacklustre, as only a few of them deal significant damage, and the most damaging one (her Special) necessitates inflicting Chilled on enemies beforehand.
However, as players get acquainted to her gameplay loop, Snow Queen is by far the finest character for dealing with hordes of adversaries while still being able to thrive in a one-on-one scenario because Chilled’s slow makes avoiding damage easy. And, of all Ultimate Abilities, The Snow Queen’s Frost Ray is one of the most terrifying. As it may completely annihilate the Final Nightmare’s HP on most difficulties.
Melusine
To be honest, given its recent release (at the time of writing) and Early Access status. Not many people have discovered this surprisingly inexpensive game yet. As a result, the majority of these rankings prioritised single-player above multiplayer. Having said that, Melusine undoubtedly secures the number two place, owing to how essential she is in multiplayer. Don’t get it twisted: Melusine is likewise quite strong solo, but the appropriate Magical Objects can transform her into an unstoppable healer or a shield-granting support that makes her companions virtually unkillable in multiplayer.
The most difficult aspect of this character is getting adjusted to her Stance-based playstyle. When Melusine uses her Attack or Power, she enters Sing Stance. Which freezes her in place and generates a wide circle around her, showing the maximum range of her Wisp. Melusine is ‘locked down’ and vulnerable in this Stance, although she can shield herself with the Wisp. Force foes back with her Special, or even completely escape using her Defence. It does, however, take some getting used to.
Aladdin
Aladdin, the endearing rags-to-riches character, is another hero who was probably lacklustre when he first appeared. Furthermore, he is most likely the one whose general ‘look’ fits this Happy Wheels game’s Hades-esque art style the least. However, if players completely understand how his Trait works and how his powers interact. He suddenly becomes the most powerful character. Starting with 3 Magical Objects from the start (using his 3 Wishes) is a truly comically powerful headstart, but if players are lucky with their Magical Objects (or use his Ultimate), they can get more Traits for more Objects.
Overall, Aladdin is a well-rounded fighter with a fantastic evasive Defence option, rapid Attacks. Apotent Power move, and a unique Special that can be used in a variety of ways. So, adding the ability to manufacture stuff, heal completely. Or deal 250 damage in a large area to this character is the main reason he’s ranked first.
Ravenswatch is now available on PC in Early Access. Devs have verified that the PS4 and PS5 will be released in 2024.