What is Monsoon in Risk of Rain 2 ?

Risk of Rain 2 is a third-person action shooter with rogue-like elements, serving as the sequel to the classic multiplayer roguelike platformer, Risk of Rain. Crucially, the game successfully inherits many design philosophies from its predecessor, such as permadeath, stackable items, and replayable procedurally generated levels. Moreover, it incorporates a plethora of rain-related imagery, including the naming of its three difficulty levels: “Drizzle,” “Rainstorm,” and “Monsoon.”

What is Monsoon Difficulty?

Essentially, Monsoon represents the highest initial difficulty setting in Risk of Rain 2, designed for players seeking the ultimate challenge. This difficulty level is tailored for hardcore gamers, making every step on the planet Mercury a harrowing experience filled with pain and fear. To outline, here are some key aspects of Monsoon difficulty:

• Increased Game Speed: The game progresses at 150% of the normal speed, significantly ramping up the difficulty and requiring quicker reflexes and decision-making.
• Reduced Health Regeneration: Players’ health regeneration is reduced to 0.6 times the normal rate, making survival more challenging. This necessitates a careful balance between offensive and defensive strategies.
• Exclusive Challenges: Certain achievements, such as “Deicide” and “Calm,” can only be completed on Monsoon difficulty. This adds an extra layer of incentive for players looking to fully complete the game.
• Mastery Challenges: Unlocking alternative skins for Survivors through mastery challenges is only possible on this difficulty. This provides a visual reward for players who can overcome the game’s toughest challenges.

Recommended Duo for Monsoon Difficulty: Huntress and Mercenary

Interestingly, for those brave enough to tackle Monsoon difficulty in a duo setup, the combination of Huntress and Mercenary is highly recommended. Specifically, here’s why:

• Mercenary: The Mercenary serves as a robust tank and doesn’t rely heavily on equipment. He excels in handling miscellaneous tasks and isn’t picky about recovery items. His high mobility and invincibility frames make him ideal for dodging the increased damage and attacks from enemies.
• Huntress: When the Mercenary shares resources, the Huntress can amass enough clay bombs and orange items to become the strongest carry in the current version. Her attack patterns and mechanics are designed for high damage output and mobility. The Huntress’s ability to attack while sprinting allows her to maintain constant pressure on enemies while avoiding damage.

Tips and Strategies for Surviving Monsoon Difficulty

• Utilize Character Skills and Equipment: Firstly, in combat, make the most of your character’s abilities and equipment to minimize damage taken. Efficient use of skills can turn the tide of battle in your favor. For instance, the Mercenary’s “Eviscerate” skill can make him invulnerable for a short duration, allowing him to avoid lethal attacks.
• Seek Cover During Exploration: Additionally, while exploring the wilderness, always look for cover to avoid getting swept away by strong winds. Staying under cover can save you from unnecessary damage and death. Importantly, environmental awareness is crucial, as certain maps have hazards that can be deadly if not navigated properly.
• Find Hidden Fortresses: Furthermore, discover hidden fortresses, solve puzzles, and obtain treasures to enhance your strength. These hidden areas often contain valuable loot that can give you an edge in combat. Look for secret buttons, hidden paths, and other clues that might lead to these fortresses.
• Boss Battles: Similarly, when facing the final boss, focus on dodging attacks and targeting its weak points. Successfully defeating the boss will allow you to complete the level and progress further. Understanding the boss’s attack patterns and phases is key to surviving these encounters.
• Item Synergies: Lastly, pay attention to item synergies that can enhance your survivability and damage output. For example, combining “Tougher Times” (which gives a chance to block incoming damage) with “Rejuvenation Rack” (which doubles the effectiveness of healing) can significantly improve your chances of survival.
• Team Coordination: Also, if playing in multiplayer, communication and coordination with your teammates are vital. Share resources and items strategically to ensure that all team members are well-equipped to handle the challenges of Monsoon difficulty.

Conclusion

In summary, Monsoon difficulty in Risk of Rain 2 is not for the faint of heart. It offers a grueling challenge that tests the limits of even the most seasoned players. By understanding the mechanics, utilizing effective strategies, and choosing the right character combinations, you can conquer this formidable difficulty level.