Risk of Rain 2: All 6 New Abilities and How to Unlock Them

Risk of Rain 2 has received a major update alongside its new Hallowed Concepts DLC, bringing fresh content and new challenges for players. One of the biggest additions is six alternate abilities for returning Survivors, giving players more ways to customize their characters and experiment with different builds.

The new abilities are not unlocked automatically. Each Survivor has a unique challenge that players must complete before equipping the corresponding skill.

Whether you prefer fast-paced combat, powerful ranged attacks, or unusual item combinations, these additions offer new ways to approach a run. Here is a breakdown of all six abilities and their reported unlock requirements.

1. Commando — Sabotage

<text>Ability slot: Special</text>

Commando's new Special ability, Sabotage, is tied to the optional Karma system introduced in the update. Unlocking it requires preparation and a difficult final encounter.

How to unlock Sabotage

1. Enable Karma before starting your run.
2. Complete objectives and collect items to build up Karma. Certain encounters and other actions can also contribute.
3. Reach eight Karma before the final confrontation.
4. Defeat Mithrix on the Moon while the required Karma level is active.

This challenge can be demanding because the Karma system makes the final fight significantly more difficult. Build a strong combination of damage, mobility, and survivability items before attempting it.

2. Huntress — Laser Cyclone

<text>Ability slot: Secondary</text>

Huntress receives a new Secondary ability called Laser Cyclone. To unlock it, players must complete an Artifact trial in Bulwark's Ambry within a time limit.

How to unlock Laser Cyclone

1. Begin a run and progress toward Stage 5.
2. Reach Sky Meadow and locate the Artifact portal computer.
3. Enter an Artifact code and activate the portal.
4. Complete the Bulwark's Ambry trial by defeating enemies and collecting Artifact Keys.
5. Defeat the Artifact Reliquary and collect the Artifact before the 25-minute limit expires.

Time management is crucial for this challenge. Prioritize movement speed and damage so you can complete the trial without spending too long fighting individual enemies.

3. Engineer — Laser Cutter

<text>Ability slot: Primary</text>

Engineer receives a new Primary ability called Laser Cutter. Its unlock challenge involves an Equipment Drone and the Fuel Array found in the Escape Pod.

How to unlock Laser Cutter

1. Start a run and obtain the Fuel Array from the Escape Pod.
2. Protect the Fuel Array while carrying it.
3. Search the stages for an Equipment Drone.
4. Use the Fuel Array to repair the drone.
5. Complete the unlock challenge when the required interaction registers.

The Fuel Array is volatile and can explode if your health falls below 50%. Avoid unnecessary damage while carrying it, and be careful during fights. A defensive build can make this challenge much easier.

4. Artificer — Tectonic Blast

<text>Ability slot: Utility</text>

Artificer's new Utility ability, Tectonic Blast, rewards players who can reach the final boss without activating the Moon's pillars.

How to unlock Tectonic Blast

1. Select Artificer and progress through the run until you reach Commencement on the Moon.
2. Avoid activating any of the pillars.
3. Use Artificer's Ion Surge ability to gain height and move toward the final boss arena.
4. Reach Mithrix without charging a pillar to complete the challenge.

Ion Surge is particularly useful because it allows Artificer to travel through the air. Focus on movement and avoid interacting with the pillars on the way to the boss.

5. REX — Proliferation

<text>Ability slot: Utility</text>

REX's new Utility ability is called Proliferation. Its unlock condition focuses on Lunar items, which can be obtained through the Bazaar Between Time and other in-game sources.

How to unlock Proliferation

1. Progress through a run and visit the Bazaar Between Time.
2. Collect at least five different Lunar items.
3. Make sure the items are unique; duplicates do not count toward the requirement.
4. Complete the game with the required five distinct Lunar items.

Lunar items can offer powerful benefits but often come with trade-offs. Consider how each item affects your build before committing to the final encounter.

6. Acrid — Cloying Breath

<text>Ability slot: Special</text>

Acrid's new Special ability, Cloying Breath, is linked to item sequencing. Players must create an item sequence using a Shrine of Order and then complete the run.

How to unlock Cloying Breath

1. Begin a run as Acrid.
2. Progress until you encounter a Shrine of Order.
3. Activate the shrine to sequence your items into organized groups.
4. Continue through the run and defeat the final boss.
5. Complete the challenge to unlock Cloying Breath.

Shrines of Order can significantly change the balance of a build by rearranging your items. Make sure you are prepared for the possibility that your usual combination of damage, defense, and mobility will change.

All New Risk of Rain 2 Abilities at a Glance

Tips for Unlocking the New Skills

Although the challenges differ, a few general strategies can help players unlock the abilities more efficiently.

Choose items that support the challenge

Movement speed can help with timed trials, while defensive items are useful when carrying the volatile Fuel Array. For boss-focused challenges, prioritize a build that can deal consistent damage without sacrificing survivability.

Learn the stage layout

Knowing where to find portals, interactables, and key objectives can save valuable time. This is particularly important for Huntress's timed Artifact challenge.

Prepare for the final boss

Several unlocks require completing a run or defeating Mithrix under specific conditions. Avoid spending all your resources on early-stage damage if your build lacks the defense needed for the final encounter.

Check the Survivor loadout menu

After completing a challenge, open the character's loadout or skill-selection menu to confirm that the new ability is available. If it has not appeared, verify that you completed the correct challenge with the intended Survivor.

What Else Is Included in Hallowed Concepts?

The new abilities are only part of the update. The Hallowed Concepts DLC also adds two Survivors, new enemies and bosses, additional stages, new items, unlockable skins, and other content.

The two new Survivors are Enforcer, who emphasizes defensive combat and tactical movement, and Acolyte, who uses a close-range glaive and powerful combinations.

The update also introduces a collection of new items and encounters designed to change how players approach their runs. Together, these additions expand the game's existing systems and provide new challenges for returning players.

The DLC is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, according to the official update announcement.

Conclusion

The Risk of Rain 2: Hallowed Concepts update gives six returning Survivors new abilities, each tied to a different unlock challenge. From Commando's Karma-based boss fight to Huntress's timed Artifact trial and REX's Lunar item requirement, these challenges encourage players to experiment with different builds and strategies.

If you want to unlock every new skill, plan your runs around the specific requirements, protect important items, and prepare carefully for the final encounters.

Sources:

• Original report on Yahoo Tech
• Official Risk of Rain 2 update notes
• Risk of Rain 2 official announcements on Steam