Enter the Gungeon is a bullet hell dungeon crawler by Dodge Roll, published by Devolver Digital and released on 5 April 2016. Four misfits descend through a gun shaped fortress looking for a weapon that can kill their own past, and the run gives them over 200 guns and hundreds of items to find on the way down. Every room is a bullet pattern puzzle solved with a dodge roll that grants brief invulnerability and a blank that wipes projectiles off the screen. Runs last roughly 30 to 60 minutes, nothing carries over except permanent unlocks bought with Hegemony Credits, and the difficulty curve is famously steep.
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Marine | A | Balanced | Marine Sidearm | Yes |
| The Pilot | A | Balanced | A.W.P. | Yes |
| The Convict | A | Balanced | Patriot | Yes |
| The Hunter | A | Balanced | Vulcan Cannon | Yes |
| The Robot | A | Balanced | Black Hole Gun | Yes |
New player? Start with The Pilot. See our beginner's guide for why.
The Marine
The Marine is a strong option in Enter the Gungeon.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Marine Sidearm |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Dodge roll invulnerability and blanks |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Marine Sidearm
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Keep of the Lead Lord to learn The Marine-specific mechanics
- Focus on Dodge roll invulnerability and blanks. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Marine Sidearm as your first major upgrade
- See our full The Marine build guide for the optimal gear progression
The Pilot
The Pilot is a strong option in Enter the Gungeon.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | A.W.P. |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Item combinations the game highlights in blue |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with A.W.P.
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Keep of the Lead Lord to learn The Pilot-specific mechanics
- Focus on Item combinations the game highlights in blue. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize A.W.P. as your first major upgrade
- See our full The Pilot build guide for the optimal gear progression
The Convict
The Convict is a strong option in Enter the Gungeon.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Patriot |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Curse and Coolness hidden stats |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Patriot
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Keep of the Lead Lord to learn The Convict-specific mechanics
- Focus on Curse and Coolness hidden stats. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Patriot as your first major upgrade
- See our full The Convict build guide for the optimal gear progression
The Hunter
The Hunter is a strong option in Enter the Gungeon.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Vulcan Cannon |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Keys, chests and chest quality |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Vulcan Cannon
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Keep of the Lead Lord to learn The Hunter-specific mechanics
- Focus on Keys, chests and chest quality. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Vulcan Cannon as your first major upgrade
- See our full The Hunter build guide for the optimal gear progression
The Robot
The Robot is a strong option in Enter the Gungeon.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Black Hole Gun |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Master Rounds for flawless boss kills |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Black Hole Gun
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Keep of the Lead Lord to learn The Robot-specific mechanics
- Focus on Master Rounds for flawless boss kills. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Black Hole Gun as your first major upgrade
- See our full The Robot build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
The Pilot 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
The Marine is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Marine Sidearm for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
The Robot 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
The Hunter shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Enter the Gungeon Guides
- Enter the Gungeon Enter the Gungeon Overview
- Enter the Gungeon Best Builds
- Enter the Gungeon Tier List
- Enter the Gungeon Walkthrough
- Enter the Gungeon Beginner's Guide
- Enter the Gungeon Tips & Tricks
- Enter the Gungeon Weapons Guide
- Enter the Gungeon Combat Guide
- Enter the Gungeon Boss Guide
- Enter the Gungeon Maps & Locations
- Enter the Gungeon Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Enter the Gungeon, 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
