Brotato is a top-down auto-shooter roguelike where a potato-shaped alien defends against waves of enemies using up to 6 weapons simultaneously. Runs last 20 waves (~25 minutes) with a shop between each wave for weapons, items, and stat upgrades. The stat-stacking system is wildly satisfying — by wave 15, your character might have +300% ranged damage with six SMGs firing simultaneously, filling the screen with projectiles. 40+ unlockable characters each have unique starting stats and restrictions that fundamentally change strategy. At $5, it's one of the best value propositions in gaming.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option — what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Well Rounded | A | Pick one damage type early (ranged or melee), commit to stacking that stat, and adapt weapon choices to match. | SMG | Yes |
| Brawler | S | Walk into enemies. Literally. Six melee weapons with +300% melee damage kills everything instantly on touch. Lifesteal keeps you alive. | Shuriken | Moderate |
| Crazy | A | Kill everything before it touches you. Crazy's damage bonus means you clear waves in seconds, but a single hit takes a large chunk of HP. | Lightning Shiv | Yes |
| Lucky | A | Invest in Harvesting early for gold, then buy the highest-rarity items each wave. Lucky's shop advantage compounds over 20 waves. | Flaming Brass Knuckles | Yes |
| Mage | S | Equip all elemental weapons and stack elemental damage. Each weapon applies status effects independently, meaning 6 elemental weapons apply 6 simultaneous burn/shock/freeze procs. | Laser Gun | Moderate |
New player? Start with Brawler — see our beginner's guide for why.
Well Rounded
The starting character with no bonuses or penalties. Well Rounded teaches the game's basics without restrictions. Stack any damage type based on shop offerings. A good character for learning what stat combos work.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Pick one damage type early (ranged or melee), commit to stacking that stat, and adapt weapon choices to match. |
| Best Equipment | SMG |
| Stat Priority | One damage type focus, dodge, HP regen |
| Core Gear | Whatever the shop offers — adapt to the run |
| Key Mechanic | 6-weapon slots |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Pick one damage type early (ranged or melee), commit to stacking that stat, and adapt weapon choices to match.
- Pairs well with SMG
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Wave Arena to learn Well Rounded-specific mechanics
- Focus on 6-weapon slots — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize SMG as your first major upgrade
- See our full Well Rounded build guide for the optimal gear progression
Brawler
Brawler starts with melee bonuses and restrictions on ranged weapons. Stack 6 melee weapons (swords, knuckles, clubs) with melee damage and attack speed. At max stack, you're a spinning death vortex that kills everything on contact.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Walk into enemies. Literally. Six melee weapons with +300% melee damage kills everything instantly on touch. Lifesteal keeps you alive. |
| Best Equipment | Shuriken |
| Stat Priority | Melee damage, attack speed, lifesteal, dodge |
| Core Gear | 6x melee weapons (Lightning Shiv, Flaming Knuckles), melee damage items |
| Key Mechanic | stat stacking |
Strengths
- Most versatile — adapts to any situation
- Walk into enemies. Literally. Six melee weapons with +300% melee damage kills everything instantly on touch. Lifesteal keeps you alive.
- Pairs well with Shuriken
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Wave Arena to learn Brawler-specific mechanics
- Focus on stat stacking — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Shuriken as your first major upgrade
- See our full Brawler build guide for the optimal gear progression
Crazy
Crazy has +50% damage dealt but takes +25% more damage. The glass cannon character. Stack maximum damage with minimal defensive investment. Runs are fast and violent — you either steamroll or die instantly.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Kill everything before it touches you. Crazy's damage bonus means you clear waves in seconds, but a single hit takes a large chunk of HP. |
| Best Equipment | Lightning Shiv |
| Stat Priority | Maximum damage, attack speed, some dodge for survivability |
| Core Gear | Highest DPS weapons available, glass cannon items |
| Key Mechanic | wave survival |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Kill everything before it touches you. Crazy's damage bonus means you clear waves in seconds, but a single hit takes a large chunk of HP.
- Pairs well with Lightning Shiv
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Wave Arena to learn Crazy-specific mechanics
- Focus on wave survival — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Lightning Shiv as your first major upgrade
- See our full Crazy build guide for the optimal gear progression
Lucky
Lucky has increased item quality in the shop — more blue, purple, and red items appear. Higher quality items have better stat rolls. Lucky's advantage is economic — better items per gold spent. Stack whatever the premium items offer.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Invest in Harvesting early for gold, then buy the highest-rarity items each wave. Lucky's shop advantage compounds over 20 waves. |
| Best Equipment | Flaming Brass Knuckles |
| Stat Priority | Harvesting (more gold), then whatever stat the best items offer |
| Core Gear | Whatever high-rarity items the shop provides |
| Key Mechanic | shop economy |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Invest in Harvesting early for gold, then buy the highest-rarity items each wave. Lucky's shop advantage compounds over 20 waves.
- Pairs well with Flaming Brass Knuckles
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Wave Arena to learn Lucky-specific mechanics
- Focus on shop economy — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Flaming Brass Knuckles as your first major upgrade
- See our full Lucky build guide for the optimal gear progression
Mage
Mage starts with elemental weapon bonuses. Stack 6 elemental weapons (Lightning Shiv, Wand, Torch) with elemental damage. Elemental damage applies status effects (burn, shock, freeze) that stack devastatingly at high weapon counts.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Equip all elemental weapons and stack elemental damage. Each weapon applies status effects independently, meaning 6 elemental weapons apply 6 simultaneous burn/shock/freeze procs. |
| Best Equipment | Laser Gun |
| Stat Priority | Elemental damage, attack speed, status effect chance |
| Core Gear | 6x elemental weapons, elemental damage items |
| Key Mechanic | character unlocks |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Equip all elemental weapons and stack elemental damage. Each weapon applies status effects independently, meaning 6 elemental weapons apply 6 simultaneous burn/shock/freeze procs.
- Pairs well with Laser Gun
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Wave Arena to learn Mage-specific mechanics
- Focus on character unlocks — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Laser Gun as your first major upgrade
- See our full Mage build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Brawler is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Well Rounded is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with SMG for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Mage offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Lucky shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Brotato Guides
- Brotato Brotato Overview
- Brotato Best Builds
- Brotato Tier List
- Brotato Walkthrough
- Brotato Beginner's Guide
- Brotato Tips & Tricks
- Brotato Weapons Guide
- Brotato Combat Guide
- Brotato Boss Guide
- Brotato Maps & Locations
- Brotato Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Brotato, check out these related guides:
- Risk of Rain 2 Classes Guide — roguelike game with similar mechanics
- Hades Classes Guide — roguelike game with similar mechanics
- Darkest Dungeon Classes Guide — roguelike game with similar mechanics
