Risk of Rain 2 Commando Guide: Unlocking Skills and Mastery
Learn how to unlock every Commando alternate ability, master his kit, and understand why this foundational survivor is an effective machine in Risk of Rain 2.
Published: Risk of Rain 2 Wiki Editorial Team
Table of Contents
Unlocking Commando's Alternate Abilities
Commando is the default survivor in Risk of Rain 2, and while his base kit is straightforward, his alternate skills offer significant tactical variety. You can unlock these through specific challenges, which are often easier to complete on the Drizzle difficulty.
Phase Blast (Secondary): To unlock this, you must land the killing blow on an Overloading Worm. This boss is a variant of the Magma Worm that appears during loops. Focus on reaching stage five, realign the teleporter to loop, and proceed until you encounter one.
Tactical Slide (Utility): Achieve this by completing the "Godspeed" challenge. You must fully charge the first stage teleporter before the in-game timer reaches five minutes. Prioritize speed-running to the teleporter and gathering just enough items to ensure survival.
Frag Grenade (Special): The "Incorruptible" challenge requires clearing 20 stages in a single run without collecting any lunar items. Using the Artifact of Command can make this process more manageable, but ensure you strictly avoid all lunar pods and the Lunar Bazaar to prevent accidental pick-ups.
Commando's Kit and Playstyle
Commando is frequently described by the community as a "jack-of-all-trades." While some players argue he is a weaker survivor due to his lack of flashy passives or overwhelming burst potential, others maintain that he is one of the most reliable and consistent characters in the game.
His primary strength lies in his "proc coefficient." Because he fires rapidly, he is an excellent vessel for on-hit items like the Ukulele, ATG Missile, or bleed-stacking items. When equipped with the right items, his ability to trigger these effects makes him a formidable boss-melter.
Tip
Mastering Movement and Combat: Use Tactical Slide to cancel fall damage and maintain momentum. Since Commando suffers from damage fall-off beyond 25 meters, treat him as a close-to-medium-range brawler rather than a long-range sniper.
Community Perspective on Effectiveness
Whether Commando is "good" or "bad" is a common debate in Steam community discussions. Many veteran players note that his simplicity is a double-edged sword: he lacks standout mechanics early on, which can make him feel underwhelming compared to survivors like Loader or Railgunner.
However, experienced players highlight that because all items in the game are essentially designed with a standard shooter-like character in mind, Commando often benefits more consistently from random item drops than more specialized survivors. If you enjoy a playstyle focused on item management and constant, reliable damage output, Commando remains a top-tier choice for reaching high-stage runs.
FAQ: Commando Gameplay
Why does my damage decrease at long range?
Commando’s primary weapon uses a default damage fall-off mechanic. He deals 100% damage within 25 meters, which then scales down to 50% damage at 60 meters or further. To maintain maximum DPS, stay within the medium-range window.
Which special skill is better: Suppressive Fire or Frag Grenade?
Suppressive Fire provides consistent stun and damage that scales with attack speed, making it great for looped runs. Frag Grenades offer essential AOE damage and can activate "Band" items (like Runald’s or Kjaro’s Band), but they require more practice to aim effectively.
Does he have any unique mobility tech?
Yes. Tactical Slide adds vertical momentum when used in mid-air, allowing you to jump gaps you otherwise couldn't. Both the slide and the dive can be used to negate fall damage if timed correctly right before hitting the ground.
