Best Starting Character and Unlock Order
If you are choosing a first main, this guide explains which character teaches the game best and when to move on to the more technical rosters.
Ironclad is still the best classroom
Across recent beginner roundups, Ironclad is the most recommended first character because his post-combat healing makes mistakes recoverable and his game plan is legible from the first floor.
He teaches the fundamentals that carry into every other class: valuing front-load, spending HP for map tempo, and understanding when simple damage is better than speculative setup.
Silent is the best second step
Once you understand the basic combat loop, Silent is the best next character because she introduces discard, hand management, and timing-based free plays without requiring you to learn a second resource like Stars.
Defect is powerful but more systems-heavy, Regent asks for longer-term sequencing, and Necrobinder punishes bad execution much harder.
- Recommended order for new players: Ironclad -> Silent -> Defect -> Regent -> Necrobinder.
- If you enjoy engine-building more than raw aggression, move Defect ahead of Regent.
- If you want the highest ceiling after basics click, graduate into Necrobinder last.