Antewise

Enter the Gungeon Best Characters — Who to Pick

Updated 2 Nov 2026 Source Per-character perks cross-checked from enterthegungeon.wiki.gg Gungeoneers page and community rankings (TheGamer, GamerJournalist, FandomSpot), November 2026 By Antewise Editorial
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.

Seven Gungeoneers, ranked by opener

Enter the Gungeon has seven playable characters — four starters (Marine, Pilot, Hunter, Convict) and three unlockables (Bullet, Cultist, Robot). This is a ranking of how each one opens a run, built from their documented perks. It is a judgement, not a fixed ladder: the order below reflects what each character gives you before you have looted a thing.

TierCharacterWhy it lands here
SThe MarineStarts with an extra armor hit, a free ammo drop, and Military Training (better accuracy and reload). The safest way to learn the floors.
AThe RobotRuns on armor instead of hearts and gains damage from junk; pairs with electrified-bullet items for a high ceiling. Glassy until you protect the armor.
AThe BulletBlasphemy is a close-range sword that destroys bullets on reload, and Live Ammo buffs his dodge. Huge payoff, but you live in melee.
BThe PilotDisarming Personality discounts shops, Trusty Lockpicks open ~half of locked chests free, and Hidden Compartment gives an extra item slot. An economy character.
BThe HunterThe Crossbow clears weak enemies on floor one and her dog digs up items. Strong open, but the dog’s finds are random.
CThe ConvictThe Budget Revolver fires fast and the Enraging Photo doubles damage after a hit, but she is fragile and the Molotov is situational.
CThe CultistA co-op-only wingman: the Friendship Cookie revives a partner, and the Number 2 headband boosts him when Player 1 is down. Useless solo.

Who to pick

  • Learning the game → The Marine. Extra armor and free ammo forgive early mistakes more than any other kit.
  • Chasing a high ceiling → The Robot or The Bullet. Both scale hard with the right items but punish sloppy rolling.
  • Playing co-op → The Cultist is built to carry a partner; pair him with any starter.
  • Playing the economy → The Pilot turns shops and chests into a second loot stream.

Because you only control the opener, let the ranking guide your first character and revisit the others once the Gungeon is readable.

Frequently asked questions

Is there one best character?

No. The best pick depends on what you want to learn. The Marine is the safest teacher; The Robot and The Bullet have the highest ceilings but demand skill; The Pilot and Hunter reward a specific plan.

Should a beginner start with The Convict?

Generally not. Her kit is aggressive and frail — strong once you can dodge, punishing while you learn. Start with The Marine and move to her later.

More Enter the Gungeon 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.