Icarus is a session-based survival game from RocketWerkz (DayZ creator Dean Hall) where players drop from an orbital station onto a terraformed alien planet for timed prospect missions. Each drop is a race against the clock — gather resources, complete objectives, and return to your dropship before the timer expires or lose your character permanently. Between drops, you spend earned currency on Workshop gear that persists across missions. The Open World maps added permanent bases, and the game has evolved significantly since launch with biome additions and talent rework.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Build | S | Efficient resource gathering, quick shelter setup, complete objectives methodically. | Workshop Knife, Hunting Rifle, Compound Bow, Fur Armor, Bedroll |
| Construction Spec | A | Build forward bases, set up crafting stations for the team, maintain shelter during storms. | Workshop Hammer, Textiles Bench, Machining Bench, Stone structures |
| Hunter Build | A | Track and kill wildlife for resources, provide security against predators, handle combat objectives. | Bolt Action Rifle, Compound Bow, Hunting Knife, Fur Armor, Workshop Scope |
| Agriculture Build | B | Set up farms near base, process herbs for medicines and buffs, manage team food supply. | Crop Plot, Seed pouch, Herbalism Bench, Rain Reservoir |
| Combat Medic | B | Craft and distribute healing items, handle combat when needed, keep team healthy during extended prospects. | Herbalism Bench, Bandages, Anti-Poison pills, Splints, Medium Armor |
S-Tier: Solo Build
The Solo talent tree maximizes self-sufficiency with bonuses to gathering speed, crafting efficiency, and stamina. Solo players should rush Tier 2 shelter and a Hunting Rifle, as most prospects are manageable alone with proper gear. The Solo tree's reduced food/water consumption is crucial for long prospects.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Hunting Rifle | The first firearm you can craft, requiring iron ingots and a Machining Bench. |
| Core Gear | Workshop Knife, Hunting Rifle, Compound Bow, Fur Armor, Bedroll | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Solo talents (gathering, crafting speed), then Combat (bow/rifle damage) | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | prospect missions | Prospects are timed missions lasting hours to days (real-time) with specific objectives: scan locations, hunt exotic creatures, mine rare veins, or survive extreme weather events. |
How to Play Solo Build
Efficient resource gathering, quick shelter setup, complete objectives methodically.
The Solo talent tree maximizes self-sufficiency with bonuses to gathering speed, crafting efficiency, and stamina. Solo players should rush Tier 2 shelter and a Hunting Rifle, as most prospects are manageable alone with proper gear. The Solo tree's reduced food/water consumption is crucial for long prospects.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Hunting Rifle and prospect missions creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like Workshop Knife, Hunting Rifle, Compound Bow, Fur Armor, Bedroll amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Solo talents (gathering, crafting speed), then Combat (bow/rifle damage)) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Construction Spec
Construction talents make buildings cheaper and more durable, letting you establish outposts faster during long prospects. The reduced material costs for Stone and Concrete buildings let you build storm-proof shelters sooner. Essential in group play where one player handles base logistics.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Compound Bow | Craftable at Tier 2, the Compound Bow is silent (doesn't alert nearby wildlife) and uses craftable arrows. |
| Core Gear | Workshop Hammer, Textiles Bench, Machining Bench, Stone structures | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Construction talents (cost reduction, durability), then Solo (crafting speed) | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | orbital station | Between drops, you access the Orbital Workshop where you spend Exotics and credits on persistent equipment (Workshop items). |
How to Play Construction Spec
Build forward bases, set up crafting stations for the team, maintain shelter during storms.
Construction talents make buildings cheaper and more durable, letting you establish outposts faster during long prospects. The reduced material costs for Stone and Concrete buildings let you build storm-proof shelters sooner. Essential in group play where one player handles base logistics.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Compound Bow and orbital station creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Workshop Hammer, Textiles Bench, Machining Bench, Stone structures amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Construction talents (cost reduction, durability), then Solo (crafting speed)) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Hunter Build
Focused on Combat talents for bow and rifle damage, the Hunter excels at prospect missions requiring creature kills. Hunting bears, wolves, and exotic fauna provides leather, fur, and meat for the team. Workshop firearms with scopes make this build deadly from range.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Recurve Bow | The starting ranged weapon available at Tier 1, using basic wood and leather. |
| Core Gear | Bolt Action Rifle, Compound Bow, Hunting Knife, Fur Armor, Workshop Scope | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Combat talents (rifle/bow damage, headshot bonus), then Solo (stamina) | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | talent trees | Three talent trees (Solo, Construction, Combat) provide passive bonuses that persist permanently. |
How to Play Hunter Build
Track and kill wildlife for resources, provide security against predators, handle combat objectives.
Focused on Combat talents for bow and rifle damage, the Hunter excels at prospect missions requiring creature kills. Hunting bears, wolves, and exotic fauna provides leather, fur, and meat for the team. Workshop firearms with scopes make this build deadly from range.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Recurve Bow and talent trees creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Bolt Action Rifle, Compound Bow, Hunting Knife, Fur Armor, Workshop Scope amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Combat talents (rifle/bow damage, headshot bonus), then Solo (stamina)) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
B-Tier: Agriculture Build
Farming talents reduce crop growth time and increase yield, providing reliable food for long prospects where hunting is insufficient. While slower to start than hunting, farms produce passive food income once established. Less useful on short prospects where hunting is faster.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Bolt Action Rifle | The strongest craftable firearm, requiring platinum ingots and advanced components. |
| Core Gear | Crop Plot, Seed pouch, Herbalism Bench, Rain Reservoir | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Solo talents (crop speed, yield), then Construction (farm building costs) | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | weather survival | Icarus features brutal weather systems: temperature extremes, storms with lightning that damages structures, and blizzards that reduce visibility and cause hypothermia. |
How to Play Agriculture Build
Set up farms near base, process herbs for medicines and buffs, manage team food supply.
Farming talents reduce crop growth time and increase yield, providing reliable food for long prospects where hunting is insufficient. While slower to start than hunting, farms produce passive food income once established. Less useful on short prospects where hunting is faster.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Bolt Action Rifle and weather survival creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Crop Plot, Seed pouch, Herbalism Bench, Rain Reservoir amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Solo talents (crop speed, yield), then Construction (farm building costs)) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
B-Tier: Combat Medic
Combining Combat talents with healing item crafting, the Combat Medic keeps the group alive during dangerous prospects. Anti-poison, splints, and bandages are crucial when exotic fauna inflict status effects. Less impactful solo where you can just avoid danger.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Spear | The earliest melee weapon, crafted from sticks and stone. |
| Core Gear | Herbalism Bench, Bandages, Anti-Poison pills, Splints, Medium Armor | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Combat talents (resistance), Solo talents (crafting speed for medicines) | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | resource extraction | Resources follow a tiered progression: fiber/sticks > wood/stone > iron/copper > platinum/titanium > exotic materials. |
How to Play Combat Medic
Craft and distribute healing items, handle combat when needed, keep team healthy during extended prospects.
Combining Combat talents with healing item crafting, the Combat Medic keeps the group alive during dangerous prospects. Anti-poison, splints, and bandages are crucial when exotic fauna inflict status effects. Less impactful solo where you can just avoid danger.
What makes this build work: The synergy between Spear and resource extraction creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Herbalism Bench, Bandages, Anti-Poison pills, Splints, Medium Armor amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Combat talents (resistance), Solo talents (crafting speed for medicines)) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Construction Spec — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Solo Build once you understand core mechanics and have access to Hunting Rifle
- Keep a Hunter Build setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Combat Medic for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first — it gives the biggest power spike
- Always bring Oxite on your first drop into Arctic prospects — without it, you can freeze to death before building any shelter. Oxite provides 10 minutes of cold resistance when consumed.
- Tier 2 wood houses survive storms but Tier 1 thatch does not — prioritize upgrading your shelter walls to wood within the first 20 minutes of any prospect.
- 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.
