Drive Beyond Horizons entered Early Access on 24 March 2025, published by Tacty Studio and Santor Games, and it asks whether you can keep a rusted car alive on an endless procedurally generated road. You start at Home with a barely running Dada, scavenge parts from 24 documented points of interest, and manage fuel, oil, radiator water, hunger and thirst at the same time. Up to four players can share the road in online co-op.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dada | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Musgoat | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Poyopa | A | Balanced | Best available |
| TriClops | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Bonphiac | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Drive Beyond Horizons tier list.
A-Tier: Dada
Dada is a top-performing option in Drive Beyond Horizons.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | I4 Petrol Engine | The Dada's stock four cylinder: 3L of oil, 110 kg, and a 105 km/h ceiling. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Part by part vehicle assembly | Every car is a stack of slots: engine, radiator, battery, wheels, lights, seats, dashboard, shifter and more, each removable and swappable. |
How to Play Dada
Dada focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: I4 Petrol Engine does the damage and Part by part vehicle assembly 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: Musgoat
Musgoat is a strong option in Drive Beyond Horizons.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | V8 Petrol Engine | The Musgoat unit: 5L of oil, 200 kg, 140 km/h stock, and the only engine in the game that takes two turbochargers at once. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Fuel and fluid upkeep | Petrol engines take the green nozzle at a gas station and diesel engines take the red one. |
How to Play Musgoat
Musgoat focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair V8 Petrol Engine with Fuel and fluid upkeep 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: Poyopa
Poyopa is a strong option in Drive Beyond Horizons.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Flat 6 Engine | TriClops power at 250 kg and 180 km/h stock, with room for a single turbo. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Procedural road and points of interest | The road generates as you drive, and 24 documented points of interest spawn on it, beside it, or slightly off to the side. |
How to Play Poyopa
Poyopa focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Procedural road and points of interest covers the gap Flat 6 Engine 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: TriClops
TriClops is a specialized option in Drive Beyond Horizons.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Turbocharger | A 5 kg part that adds 20 km/h flat. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Hunger and thirst meters | Both drain slowly for as long as you play, including while you stand in a garage sorting parts. |
How to Play TriClops
TriClops focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Hunger and thirst meters rather than raw numbers, and Turbocharger 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: Bonphiac
Bonphiac is a specialized option in Drive Beyond Horizons.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Radiator | Capacities run 6L to 24L at 5 kg to 13 kg. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Road hazards and enemies | Four hostile things exist: zombies, UFOs, landmines and gas station explosions. |
How to Play Bonphiac
Bonphiac focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Radiator and Road hazards and enemies 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 Musgoat: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Dada once you understand core mechanics and have access to I4 Petrol Engine
- Keep a Poyopa setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Bonphiac 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.
- Run the full checklist at Home before your first drive: petrol in the tank, oil in the engine, water in the radiator from the tank behind the house, handbrake released. Missing any one of those four is the most common reason a new save never leaves the driveway.
- Ignition is held W, the I key, or a click on the ignition switch itself. If nothing happens, check the battery, because lights, ignition and the car radio all need one fitted before they respond.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Drive Beyond Horizons Guides
- Drive Beyond Horizons Drive Beyond Horizons Overview
- Drive Beyond Horizons Tier List
- Drive Beyond Horizons Walkthrough
- Drive Beyond Horizons Beginner's Guide
- Drive Beyond Horizons Tips & Tricks
- Drive Beyond Horizons Weapons Guide
- Drive Beyond Horizons Combat Guide
- Drive Beyond Horizons Boss Guide
- Drive Beyond Horizons Maps & Locations
- Drive Beyond Horizons Crafting Guide
- Drive Beyond Horizons Classes & Characters
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