Dead Island 2: Slayers Galore – How Many Can You Play As?

Dead Island 2 throws you into the zombie-infested streets of Los Angeles (or “Hell-A,” as it’s affectionately called) with a choice of six playable characters, known as Slayers. Each Slayer offers a unique experience thanks to individualized stats and innate skills. Let’s delve into the details of these characters and answer some frequently asked questions about them.

Meet the Slayers: A Deep Dive into the Playable Cast

The six Slayers in Dead Island 2 offer a diverse range of playstyles and personalities, ensuring there’s a character to suit every player’s preferences. Here’s a closer look at each of them:

1. Bruno: The Stealthy Gambler

Bruno is a smooth-talking hustler with a penchant for stealth. His strengths lie in agility and critical hits. If you enjoy a fast-paced, strategic playstyle that relies on dodging and landing precise blows, Bruno is an excellent choice.

2. Dani: The Rockabilly Brawler

Dani is an Irish punk rocker who thrives in the thick of combat. She boasts high stamina and recovery, allowing her to unleash relentless attacks. If you prefer a head-on, aggressive approach, Dani is your Slayer.

3. Amy: The Agile Runner

Amy is a Paralympian runner who excels at evasion and solo combat. Her innate skills boost her damage when attacking isolated zombies and grant her stamina when throwing weapons. If you enjoy kiting enemies and exploiting their weaknesses, Amy is a strong pick. Amy lost her right leg in an unspecified accident when she was younger.

4. Jacob: The Well-Rounded Survivor

Jacob is a Londoner with a knack for survival. He possesses balanced stats and perks focused on critical hits and stamina. He’s the poster boy for Dead Island 2, appearing on the game’s cover. Jacob is an excellent choice for beginners due to his high peak health. He provides a comfortable starting point for learning the game’s mechanics.

5. Ryan: The Tanky Firefighter

Ryan is a muscular firefighter who excels at absorbing damage and retaliating with powerful blows. His innate skills reward him for blocking and knocking down zombies. If you prefer a tank-like playstyle where you can withstand hordes of enemies, Ryan is the perfect choice. He is great for solo players due to his defensive stats.

6. Carla: The Resilient Mechanic

Carla is a skilled mechanic with a knack for surviving harsh conditions. She boasts high resilience and toughness, making her resistant to environmental hazards and status effects. If you prefer a steady, reliable playstyle focused on enduring damage and overcoming challenges, Carla is a solid pick. Choosing Carla is a good option due to her Resilience.

Choosing Your Slayer: Factors to Consider

While the Skill Deck system allows you to customize your character’s abilities and playstyle, each Slayer’s innate skills and stats provide a unique foundation. Consider the following factors when choosing your Slayer:

• Playstyle: Do you prefer a fast-paced, stealthy approach or a more aggressive, head-on style?
• Stats: Which stats are most important to you? Do you prioritize damage, health, stamina, or resilience?
• Innate Skills: Which Slayer’s innate skills align best with your preferred playstyle and build?

Ultimately, the best Slayer for you depends on your individual preferences. Experiment with different characters to find the one that feels most comfortable and enjoyable.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Dead Island 2’s Slayers

1. Can I change my Slayer mid-game?

No, the Slayer you choose at the beginning of the game is permanent. You cannot change your character once you’ve started your playthrough. So, choose carefully!

2. Are any of the characters from the original Dead Island in Dead Island 2?

Yes, Sam B, the former rapper, makes a return as a non-playable character. You’ll encounter him relatively early in the game. The fates of the other original characters remain unknown.

3. Does the choice of Slayer affect the story?

While the core story remains the same regardless of which Slayer you choose, each character has unique dialogue and interactions with other characters. This adds a layer of personality and perspective to the narrative.

4. Which Slayer is the best for beginners?

Jacob is generally considered the best Slayer for beginners due to his balanced stats and high peak health. He provides a comfortable learning curve for new players.

5. Which Slayer is the best for solo play?

Ryan is a strong contender for the best solo Slayer due to his high defensive stats and complementary innate skills. His ability to absorb damage and retaliate makes him well-suited for tackling hordes of zombies alone.

6. Will Dead Island 2 get DLC with new Slayers?

While the developers haven’t ruled it out entirely, it seems unlikely that future DLC will introduce new playable characters. Focus is expected on adding new weapons, enemies, and story content.

7. What is the Skill Deck system, and how does it affect character customization?

The Skill Deck system allows you to customize your Slayer’s abilities and playstyle by equipping different skill cards. These cards modify your stats, grant you new abilities, and alter the way you play the game. This feature allows you to play any slayer in a different style that you would not usually pick.

8. How long is Dead Island 2’s story?

A typical playthrough of Dead Island 2’s story will take you around 15-20 hours. Completionists looking to explore every nook and cranny can expect to spend around 36 hours.

9. What is the best weapon in Dead Island 2?

Many players consider the Bodycount Legendary Rifle to be the best weapon in Dead Island 2. Its rapid-fire capabilities and impressive power make it effective against both individual zombies and hordes.

10. Is the main character in Dead Island 2 immune to the zombie virus?

Yes, all six Slayers are immune to the zombie virus. However, they still experience symptoms and possess the potential to transform into a unique type of undead creature.

11. How does Dead Island 2 end?

The ending sees the Slayer saving Sam B’s life and choosing to stay behind in Hell-A to search for Tisha, rather than escaping with the others. This open-ended conclusion sets the stage for a potential Dead Island 3.

12. Why is Sam B in Dead Island 2?

Sam B returns to Hell-A to rescue his ex-girlfriend, Emma Jaunt, who is also providing shelter for the Slayers and other survivors.

13. Is the whole world infected in Dead Island 2?

The story reveals that everyone on the planet is already infected with the Autophage, a dormant virus that can potentially turn them into zombies.

14. Are there different difficulty levels in Dead Island 2?

Yes, Dead Island 2 offers multiple difficulty levels.

15. What is Hell-A?

Hell-A is the nickname given to Los Angeles in the game because it is in a state of living hell.

Conclusion: Embrace the Zombie Apocalypse with Your Chosen Slayer

Dead Island 2 offers a diverse and engaging cast of playable characters, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and playstyles. Whether you prefer the stealthy approach of Bruno, the tank-like resilience of Ryan, or the balanced versatility of Jacob, there’s a Slayer to suit your preferences. Dive into the zombie-infested streets of Hell-A and experience the thrill of survival with your chosen champion. Learn more about the impact of games on learning and society at the Games Learning Society website, or at GamesLearningSociety.org.