Quantic Dream's branching drama puts you in control of three androids, Kara, Connor and Markus, in a Detroit set in 2038. There is no combat build and no gear here: scenes are decided by timed dialogue, quick-time inputs and a flowchart that records every branch you did not open. The PlayStation 4 version arrived on 25 May 2018 and the Steam release followed on 18 June 2020.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connor | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Kara | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Markus | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Machine and mission first play | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Deviant and empathy first play | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Detroit: Become Human tier list.
A-Tier: Connor
Connor is a top-performing option in Detroit: Become Human.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Scene reconstruction | Connor tags clues at a crime scene, then scrubs a blue hologram back and forth to replay events. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Per chapter flowchart with locked branches | Every chapter ends on a flowchart showing the path you took, the branches you never opened, and the percentage of other players who made each call. |
How to Play Connor
Connor focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Scene reconstruction does the damage and Per chapter flowchart with locked branches keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Kara
Kara is a strong option in Detroit: Become Human.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Preconstruction preview | The blue path overlay that shows an action before Connor or Markus commits to it. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Timed dialogue and quick-time inputs | Dialogue sits on a ring with a countdown, and letting it run out is itself a choice the game records. |
How to Play Kara
Kara focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair Preconstruction preview with Timed dialogue and quick-time inputs and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Markus
Markus is a strong option in Detroit: Become Human.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Stress percentage management | Some scenes show a live stress number, and the wrong line pushes it up several points at once. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Connor's reconstruction and preconstruction | Connor scans a crime scene, tags clues, then scrubs a reconstructed hologram backwards and forwards to work out what happened. |
How to Play Markus
Markus focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Connor's reconstruction and preconstruction covers the gap Stress percentage management leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Machine and mission first play
Machine and mission first play is a specialized option in Detroit: Become Human.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Timed dialogue ring | Options sit on a countdown ring, and letting it expire counts as a recorded choice rather than a failure. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Stress percentages in tense scenes | Several scenes put a live stress number on a character, the clearest being Daniel on the rooftop in The Hostage. |
How to Play Machine and mission first play
Machine and mission first play focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Stress percentages in tense scenes rather than raw numbers, and Timed dialogue ring is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Deviant and empathy first play
Deviant and empathy first play is a specialized option in Detroit: Become Human.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Relationship and public opinion meters | Connor tracks a relationship with Hank, Kara with Alice and Luther, and Markus moves a citywide public opinion bar. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Chapter select creates a new timeline | Replaying from chapter select branches your save into a new timeline rather than overwriting the old one. |
How to Play Deviant and empathy first play
Deviant and empathy first play focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Relationship and public opinion meters and Chapter select creates a new timeline pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Kara: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Connor once you understand core mechanics and have access to Scene reconstruction
- Keep a Markus setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Deviant and empathy first play for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Finish one full playthrough without a guide before touching chapter select. The flowchart is far more interesting when you can see which branches you personally closed.
- Scan every object Connor can highlight before starting a conversation. Clue count feeds the mission success probability, and that probability gates dialogue later in the chapter.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Detroit: Become Human Guides
- Detroit: Become Human Detroit: Become Human Overview
- Detroit: Become Human Tier List
- Detroit: Become Human Walkthrough
- Detroit: Become Human Beginner's Guide
- Detroit: Become Human Tips & Tricks
- Detroit: Become Human Weapons Guide
- Detroit: Become Human Combat Guide
- Detroit: Become Human Boss Guide
- Detroit: Become Human Maps & Locations
- Detroit: Become Human Crafting Guide
- Detroit: Become Human Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Detroit: Become Human, check out these related guides:
- Red Dead Redemption 2 Builds: adventure game with similar mechanics
- Sea of Thieves Builds: adventure game with similar mechanics
- Dredge Builds: adventure game with similar mechanics
