Risk of Rain 2 offers a thrilling blend of rogue-like gameplay and dynamic character progression, keeping players constantly engaged as they explore hostile worlds. One of the most unique and intriguing survivors in the game is Acrid a poisonous, melee-based monster that delivers both burst and damage-over-time attacks. Unlocking Acrid requires players to dive into the hidden areas of the game and conquer a specific challenge. Knowing how to unlock Acrid in Risk of Rain 2 can give you access to a powerful new playstyle and expand your strategic options on every run.
Who Is Acrid in Risk of Rain 2?
A Unique Hybrid Survivor
Acrid is a hybrid survivor in Risk of Rain 2, combining melee and ranged abilities that revolve around poison and crowd control. Unlike other characters who focus primarily on sustained DPS or mobility, Acrid brings a mix of raw damage and lingering effects that wear enemies down over time.
Strengths of Acrid
- High damage-over-time through poison effects
- Excellent at crowd control in close quarters
- Can sustain through passive healing abilities
- Effective against elites and bosses when used strategically
Weaknesses of Acrid
- Relatively low mobility compared to some other survivors
- Needs timing and positioning to avoid damage
- Poison cannot directly kill enemies brings them to 1 HP
How to Unlock Acrid in Risk of Rain 2
Step-by-Step Overview
Unlocking Acrid involves completing a specific challenge called..To Be Left Alone. This challenge requires players to access the hidden area known as theVoid Fieldsand survive long enough to complete several dangerous zones. The reward at the end of this area is the unlock of Acrid.
1. Start a Run and Progress to Stage 3
The first requirement is to get to the third stage of a run. Acrid cannot be unlocked before this point. Make sure you’re playing on the standard difficulty or higher and have a capable build to survive upcoming encounters.
2. Access the Bazaar Between Time
To reach the Void Fields, you must first enter the Bazaar Between Time. There are two main ways to access this secret shop:
- Use aLunar Portalthat appears randomly after activating a Newt Altar and spending a Lunar Coin.
- Complete a stage while having aLunar Coinand use the blue portal at the end of the Teleporter event.
3. Find the Portal to the Void Fields
Once inside the Bazaar Between Time, do not exit through the front. Instead, look around the back of the shop. There’s a hidden cave that leads downward follow it to discover a purple portal at the bottom. This portal transports you to theVoid Fields.
Surviving the Void Fields
What Are the Void Fields?
The Void Fields is a secret zone located beneath the Bazaar Between Time. It contains multiple challenge zones known asCell Vents. Activating and surviving these vents is the only way to unlock Acrid.
Survival Mechanics
When you arrive in the Void Fields, you will immediately start taking damage from the void unless you are standing in the radius of an active Cell Vent. Once a vent is activated, enemies will spawn, and you must survive and kill them while staying inside the safe zone.
How Many Cell Vents to Complete
You must survive and completenine Cell Ventsin total to finish the challenge. Each vent gets progressively harder, with stronger enemy spawns and increased environmental hazards. Your health, positioning, and timing all become critical during this sequence.
Tips for Completing the Void Fields
- Bring healing items: Regenerating health is essential as you’ll be constantly damaged outside of vents.
- Use ranged weapons: Survivors like Huntress, Engineer, or Commando may have an easier time surviving from a distance.
- Use movement skills wisely: Dash or blink to safety if overwhelmed.
- Prioritize enemy threats: Kill high-damage enemies first to avoid being overwhelmed.
After Completing the Void Fields
Unlocking Acrid
After surviving all nine Cell Vents, you’ll receive a notification that the challenge..To Be Left Alone is complete. At this point, Acrid will be automatically unlocked as a playable survivor in Risk of Rain 2.
Returning to the Main Game
Once you’ve finished the Void Fields, you will be transported back to the main progression path, continuing the run from the next standard stage. From this point forward, you can select Acrid from the character selection screen before any new run.
How to Use Acrid Effectively
Core Abilities
- Vicious Wounds: Acrid’s primary attack melee-based and good for stacking poison quickly.
- Neurotoxin: Ranged poison spit, great for applying damage-over-time from a distance.
- Caustic Leap: Leap forward and release poison in an area. Excellent for engaging groups.
- Epidemic: Poison that spreads between enemies, effective in large mobs.
Best Items for Acrid
Acrid synergizes well with items that boost survivability and spread his poison more efficiently:
- Infusion: Boosts maximum health vital for melee combatants.
- Will-o’-the-wisp: Devastates groups of enemies after kills.
- Ukulele: Applies additional AoE damage when attacking multiple enemies.
- Harvester’s Scythe: Grants critical healing for sustainability.
- Gasoline: Burns enemies near a corpse for crowd control.
Playstyle Tips
- Engage and retreat Acrid excels in hit-and-run tactics.
- Stack poison quickly to debilitate strong enemies, then focus on dodging.
- Use Caustic Leap to reposition or escape dangerous fights.
Why Unlock Acrid?
Strategic Variety
Unlocking Acrid adds a refreshing option to your roster, especially if you enjoy unique mechanics and aggressive playstyles. Acrid’s poison-based damage provides a balance between crowd control and survivability, allowing you to master both melee and mid-range combat strategies.
Achievement and Progression
Completing the Void Fields also earns you an achievement, adding to your total accomplishments within Risk of Rain 2. If you’re aiming for 100% completion or just want to explore everything the game has to offer, Acrid is a must-have survivor.
Acrid is one of the most distinctive characters inRisk of Rain 2, and unlocking him through the Void Fields challenge adds a fun layer of exploration and danger to your runs. From poison-laced combat to crowd-clearing leaps, Acrid offers a high-risk, high-reward gameplay style that complements the game’s chaotic pace. With the right strategy and preparation, unlocking and mastering Acrid can become a defining moment in your Risk of Rain 2 journey.