Dark and Darker Solo Player Guide - Dark and Darker Guide - IGN (2024)

Playing Dark and Darker solo can be quite intimidating, as you’ll be up against duos and teams of three players. However, with the right preparation and strategy, playing as a lone warrior can still be rewarding -and a lot of fun. Here’s a Dark and Darker solo player guide to help you get started.

Best Class for Solo Players

The best Dark and Darker class for solo players is arguably the Fighter. Equipped with a sword and a shield, it’s fairly easy to kill monsters with a slash-slash-block combo, allowing you to walk away without taking damage. Should you still get wounded, the Fighter has a healing skill that recovers 50% HP, called Second Wind.

Other great solo classes are the Cleric, the Ranger, and the Rogue. The Cleric has great damage buffs and allows you to heal yourself between fights. The Ranger and Rogue are particularly strong in PvP combat, as the Ranger can use traps and take down opponents from a distance, while the Rogue can become invisible and strike unexpectedly.

Best Map for Solo Players

As a solo player, it may seem obvious to pick the solo map, the Goblin Caves. However, the Forgotten Castle map is actually a bit easier, despite the presence of three-player squads. The main reasons are the enemy density (those caves really are swarming with Goblins) and the escape options.

In the Goblin Caves, portals are scarce and often hard to reach. If they spawn on a higher level while the Death Swarm is closing in, you may not be able to escape at all.

Proceed Slowly

Solo players can easily get overrun by enemies. It’s always wise to proceed carefully, taking down enemies one-by-one and scanning every room and corridor before entering. Naturally, you also want to be aware of nearby players before they’re aware of you, so don’t hesitate to use the walk input (hold the shift button) to make less noise.

Make Use of PvE Predictability

Solo PvE combat is far more challenging. Luckily, Dark and Darker monsters aren’t very smart, so their attack patterns are always the same. You’ll be able to memorize which attacks work best.

What’s more, as you're the only target, you can repeatedly lure them into traps, such as floor spikes. Hit the monster, then safely cross to the other side of the spikes, and wait for the AI to walk right into the trap. Are they not dead yet? Repeat!

Combat Tactics for PvP

If you want to fight other players, especially duos and trios, do not face them directly. Instead, try to use traps and stealth to gain the upper hand. Here are a few tactical tips for solo PvP combat:

• Let the zombies and skeletons do the work. If you spot other players who haven't seen you yet, it can be very handy to wait a while, especially if they’re near AI opponents. Wait until they’re damaged before striking.
• Use stealth. Either equip an invisibility skill or turn off torches to hide in the darkness. You can use these methods for both surprise attacks and emergency retreats.
• Use traps. Place a bear trap or use traps that are already in place, such as wall spikes. Then try to lure the opponent in that direction.
• Camp at a popular location. Perhaps not very honorable, but camping at a special site can lead to a high kill count. For example, wait until a player is reviving their teammate at an Altar of Sacrifice and strike from behind.

Prepare an Exit Route

Whether you’re fighting an AI or a person, it’s often useful to have enough room to back away. Especially when you’re playing a class such as the Rogue, it's a good strategy to stab, retreat, and stab again.

Of course, it would be bad to retreat and run into a mob, which is why you should always have an exit route ready. Clear a corridor, turn off the lights, and remember its location before leaving.

Use the Death Swarm

If you’re not that confident in your ability to take down other players, it’s sometimes better to take Death Swarm damage over certain death. A skilled player, and especially a group, can take you down in a few hits, but Death Swarm damage is slow.

So, if other players are chasing you, consider hiding in the red zone, as they will likely turn around and move to the middle of the map. Get out of the zone once the danger has passed, and heal yourself if necessary.