Gunfire Reborn is a co-op roguelite FPS with RPG elements where you play as one of several animal-themed heroes fighting through procedurally generated levels. The game's hook is its elemental combo system — fire, lightning, corrosion, and other elements interact to create devastating chain reactions. Each run offers random weapon drops with randomized inscriptions (modifiers) and scroll buffs that stack to create overpowered builds. With 8 playable heroes, 100+ weapons, and up to 4-player co-op, Gunfire Reborn delivers short, punchy roguelite sessions with satisfying build diversity.
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.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Prince | S | Apply two different elements for combo reactions, use Smoke Grenade to escape, Energy Orb for burst AoE. | Crimson Firescale (fire weapon) + Corrosion weapon for Decay combos, Smoke Grenade, Energy Orb |
| Ao Bai | S | Build up ultimate charge, activate Dual Wield, unload both weapons simultaneously for insane DPS. | Two high-DPS weapons with matching element, Grenade, Dual Wield ultimate |
| Qing Yan | A | Dash into enemy groups, absorb damage with shield, shotgun at close range, tank for the team. | Shotgun or close-range weapon, Shield, Grenade, Armor-boosting scrolls |
| Lei Luo | A | Snipe priority targets for massive critical hits, chain lightning clears adds, stay at range. | Sniper Rifle with lightning inscriptions, Lightning abilities, Critical damage scrolls |
| Tao | A | Close to melee range, deflect projectiles, rapid sword combos, lifesteal sustain. | Legendary sword drops, Deflect ability, Melee damage scrolls |
S-Tier: Crown Prince
The starter hero and one of the strongest. His Smoke Grenade provides emergency escape and his Energy Orb deals AoE damage. Crown Prince's ascension perks boost elemental damage universally, making him the best hero for elemental combo builds. His crit chance passive synergizes with any weapon type.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Crimson Firescale | A fire-element assault rifle that shoots bouncing fireballs with splash damage. |
| Core Gear | Crimson Firescale (fire weapon) + Corrosion weapon for Decay combos, Smoke Grenade, Energy Orb | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Elemental damage, Critical chance, Weapon damage | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | hero abilities | Each hero has a primary ability, a secondary ability, and a passive that defines their playstyle. |
How to Play Crown Prince
Apply two different elements for combo reactions, use Smoke Grenade to escape, Energy Orb for burst AoE.
The starter hero and one of the strongest. His Smoke Grenade provides emergency escape and his Energy Orb deals AoE damage. Crown Prince's ascension perks boost elemental damage universally, making him the best hero for elemental combo builds. His crit chance passive synergizes with any weapon type.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Crimson Firescale and hero abilities creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like Crimson Firescale (fire weapon) + Corrosion weapon for Decay combos, Smoke Grenade, Energy Orb amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Elemental damage, Critical chance, Weapon damage) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
S-Tier: Ao Bai
The dual-wield berserker who activates his ultimate to fire two weapons simultaneously. Ao Bai's DPS ceiling is the highest in the game when dual-wielding two inscribed weapons during his Dual Wield ultimate. His grenade deals AoE damage for clearing trash mobs.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Demonlore | A corrosion-element weapon that fires homing projectiles. |
| Core Gear | Two high-DPS weapons with matching element, Grenade, Dual Wield ultimate | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Weapon damage, Fire rate, Ultimate duration perks | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | weapon inscriptions | Every weapon drops with randomized inscriptions — passive bonuses like '+30% fire damage,' 'shots pierce enemies,' or 'critical hits cause explosions. |
How to Play Ao Bai
Build up ultimate charge, activate Dual Wield, unload both weapons simultaneously for insane DPS.
The dual-wield berserker who activates his ultimate to fire two weapons simultaneously. Ao Bai's DPS ceiling is the highest in the game when dual-wielding two inscribed weapons during his Dual Wield ultimate. His grenade deals AoE damage for clearing trash mobs.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Demonlore and weapon inscriptions creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Two high-DPS weapons with matching element, Grenade, Dual Wield ultimate amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Weapon damage, Fire rate, Ultimate duration perks) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Qing Yan
The tank hero with a shield bash and grenade abilities. Qing Yan's shield absorbs damage and his dash knocks back enemies. His ascension perks boost armor and damage reduction, making him the most survivable hero for harder difficulties. Lower damage ceiling but almost impossible to kill.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Argus | A legendary sniper rifle with extreme single-shot damage. |
| Core Gear | Shotgun or close-range weapon, Shield, Grenade, Armor-boosting scrolls | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Armor, HP, Shield capacity, Close-range damage | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | ascension perks | Between levels, you choose from randomized ascension perks that modify your abilities and stats. |
How to Play Qing Yan
Dash into enemy groups, absorb damage with shield, shotgun at close range, tank for the team.
The tank hero with a shield bash and grenade abilities. Qing Yan's shield absorbs damage and his dash knocks back enemies. His ascension perks boost armor and damage reduction, making him the most survivable hero for harder difficulties. Lower damage ceiling but almost impossible to kill.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Argus and ascension perks creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Shotgun or close-range weapon, Shield, Grenade, Armor-boosting scrolls amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Armor, HP, Shield capacity, Close-range damage) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Lei Luo
The lightning specialist with chain lightning abilities and sniper affinity. Lei Luo's Fatal Current ability strikes enemies with chain lightning that bounces between targets. His perks boost lightning damage and critical hit multipliers, making him the best boss-killer with sniper rifles.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Tiger Cannon | A fire-element launcher that shoots explosive rounds. |
| Core Gear | Sniper Rifle with lightning inscriptions, Lightning abilities, Critical damage scrolls | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Lightning damage, Critical damage multiplier, Weapon accuracy | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | co-op scaling | Enemy HP scales with player count (roughly +50% per additional player) but their damage stays the same. |
How to Play Lei Luo
Snipe priority targets for massive critical hits, chain lightning clears adds, stay at range.
The lightning specialist with chain lightning abilities and sniper affinity. Lei Luo's Fatal Current ability strikes enemies with chain lightning that bounces between targets. His perks boost lightning damage and critical hit multipliers, making him the best boss-killer with sniper rifles.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Tiger Cannon and co-op scaling creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Sniper Rifle with lightning inscriptions, Lightning abilities, Critical damage scrolls amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Lightning damage, Critical damage multiplier, Weapon accuracy) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Tao
The sword-wielding melee hero with a deflect ability. Tao plays completely differently from other heroes — she uses swords instead of guns and can parry enemy projectiles. Her ascension perks boost melee damage and sword swing speed. High skill ceiling but incredibly powerful when mastered.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Flowing Light | A lightning-element SMG with extremely high fire rate. |
| Core Gear | Legendary sword drops, Deflect ability, Melee damage scrolls | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Melee damage, Swing speed, Life steal, Deflect timing | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | elemental combos | Elements interact: Fire + Corrosion = Decay (massive explosion), Lightning + Corrosion = Miasma (AoE poison cloud), Fire + Lightning = Manipulation (spread damage). |
How to Play Tao
Close to melee range, deflect projectiles, rapid sword combos, lifesteal sustain.
The sword-wielding melee hero with a deflect ability. Tao plays completely differently from other heroes — she uses swords instead of guns and can parry enemy projectiles. Her ascension perks boost melee damage and sword swing speed. High skill ceiling but incredibly powerful when mastered.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Flowing Light and elemental combos creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Legendary sword drops, Deflect ability, Melee damage scrolls amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Melee damage, Swing speed, Life steal, Deflect timing) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Ao Bai — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Crown Prince once you understand core mechanics and have access to Crimson Firescale
- Keep a Qing Yan setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Tao for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first — it gives the biggest power spike
- Elemental combos (Fire + Corrosion = Decay explosion, Lightning + Corrosion = Miasma cloud) multiply your damage by 3-5x. Always carry two weapons with different elements and alternate between them.
- Goblets (permanent buff items found in levels) stack infinitely — never skip a goblet room. Even seemingly weak goblets compound over a full run into significant power increases.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
See our tier list for current meta rankings, or the beginner's guide if you're just getting started.
