Antewise

Darkest Dungeon Strategy Guide

Updated 20 Oct 2026 Source Synthesized from published Darkest Dungeon guides; rewritten in original wording on 20 October 2026 By
Data status: The facts on this page were checked against the source named above. Game values can still shift with a patch, so re-check anything that looks off.

Balance the roles

Every party needs a tank, a heal, a damage source and a utility. Missing one role shows up as a wipe.

Focus resists

Pick the dungeon’s main threat and resist it hard. A focused build survives where a general one fails.

Target priority

Kill the healer or debuffer first. Removing enemy support collapses their turns.

Adapt per dive

No single party fits every dungeon. Shift the lineup to the darkness you are entering.

Speed and stun

A fast stunner can lock the biggest threat. Build one into the party so the boss whiffs.

Read the enemy

The enemy database shows how foes act. Build the party to answer their first move.

Hold the door

Fight in a chokepoint so only one foe reaches you. Position turns a swarm into a line.

Burn the burst

Save your biggest hits for the turn the boss is stunned. A focused turn ends fights fast.

Boss turns to plan against

  • Shambler (class Eldritch, hp 77)
  • Heart of Darkness (class Cosmic, hp 252)
  • Flesh (Head) (class Eldritch, hp 100)
  • Templar Impaler (class Eldritch/Beast, hp 137)
  • Miller (class Poor Soul, hp 95)
  • Shuffling Horror (class Eldritch, hp 162)
  • Imperfect Reflection (class Eldritch/Human, hp 29)
  • Barrel O’ Bombs (class Carpentry, hp 25)
  • Siren (class Eldritch, hp 119)
  • Brigand Vvulf (class Human, hp 160)
  • Wilbur (class Beast, hp 17)
  • Mammoth Cyst (class Eldritch/Beast, hp 158)
  • Perfect Reflection (class Eldritch/Human, hp 36)
  • Viscount (class Bloodsucker, hp 127)
  • Drowned Anchorman (class Unholy, hp 14)
  • Gestating Heart (class Eldritch, hp 189)
  • Brigand Pounder (class Ironwork, hp 76)
  • The Shrieker (class Eldritch/Beast, hp 75)

Frequently asked questions

What is a good party?

A front-line, a healer, a back-line damage dealer, and a support that can stun or buff.

Where do I focus resists?

On the threat the dungeon throws most. One well-resisted class beats scattered small bonuses.

More Darkest Dungeon guides

Sources

Figures and item data on this site are read from the game’s own reference wiki before publishing. Where a value could not be confirmed there, the page says so instead of filling the gap.