Raft is Redbeet Interactive's oceanic survival game where you start on a tiny wooden raft in an endless ocean, collecting floating debris to expand and improve your floating home. The game features a story-driven progression through island stops, each revealing more about why the world is flooded. With a persistent shark enemy that attacks your raft, research-based crafting progression, and both survival and creative modes, Raft offers a unique take on the survival genre.
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Builder | A | Expand the raft constantly, automate resources, create a floating city. | Metal Spear | Yes |
| Explorer | S | Follow radio signals, explore every island thoroughly, progress the story. | Machete | Moderate |
| Farmer | A | Plant crops, raise animals, keep the team fed without fishing. | Bow | Yes |
| Fisher | B | Fish during raft travel time, cook catches, sell rare fish. | Net Launcher | No |
| Diver | A | Deploy Shark Bait, dive for ores and clay, surface before oxygen runs out. | Throwable Anchor | Yes |
New player? Start with Explorer — see our beginner's guide for why.
Builder
Focuses on raft expansion and aesthetics. Builders create massive multi-story rafts with dedicated rooms for storage, cooking, farming, and animal husbandry. The builder playstyle maximizes resource collection nets and automated water purifiers for self-sufficiency.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Expand the raft constantly, automate resources, create a floating city. |
| Best Equipment | Metal Spear |
| Stat Priority | Plank collection > Net placement > Foundation reinforcement |
| Core Gear | Building Hammer, Collection Nets on all edges, Sprinklers, Paint Mill |
| Key Mechanic | raft building |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Expand the raft constantly, automate resources, create a floating city.
- Pairs well with Metal Spear
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Radio Tower to learn Builder-specific mechanics
- Focus on raft building — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Metal Spear as your first major upgrade
- See our full Builder build guide for the optimal gear progression
Explorer
Prioritizes story progression by following Receiver signals to story islands. Explorers dive deep for underwater loot, explore caves, and solve environmental puzzles. The most progression-focused playstyle.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Follow radio signals, explore every island thoroughly, progress the story. |
| Best Equipment | Machete |
| Stat Priority | Receiver setup > Diving gear > Combat weapon |
| Core Gear | Receiver + Antennas, Flippers, Oxygen Bottle, Head Light, Metal Spear |
| Key Mechanic | ocean exploration |
Strengths
- Most versatile — adapts to any situation
- Follow radio signals, explore every island thoroughly, progress the story.
- Pairs well with Machete
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Radio Tower to learn Explorer-specific mechanics
- Focus on ocean exploration — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Machete as your first major upgrade
- See our full Explorer build guide for the optimal gear progression
Farmer
Focuses on food sustainability through crop farming and animal husbandry. Crop Plots grow food from seeds, and animals (Cluckers, Goats, Llamas) produce eggs, milk, and wool. Sprinklers automate watering. A well-set-up farm makes food infinite.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Plant crops, raise animals, keep the team fed without fishing. |
| Best Equipment | Bow |
| Stat Priority | Crop Plot setup > Animal pens > Sprinkler automation |
| Core Gear | Large Crop Plots, Sprinklers, Grass Plots for animals, Shears |
| Key Mechanic | island stops |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Plant crops, raise animals, keep the team fed without fishing.
- Pairs well with Bow
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Radio Tower to learn Farmer-specific mechanics
- Focus on island stops — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Bow as your first major upgrade
- See our full Farmer build guide for the optimal gear progression
Fisher
Uses fishing rods and nets for primary food source and occasional rare items. Fishing provides Raw Fish (cook for food) and occasionally rare fish that sell for Trading Post currency. Early game, fishing is the most reliable food source.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Playstyle | Fish during raft travel time, cook catches, sell rare fish. |
| Best Equipment | Net Launcher |
| Stat Priority | Fishing Rod > Bait supply > Cooking station |
| Core Gear | Fishing Rod, Bait (from Earthworms), Grill or Cooking Pot |
| Key Mechanic | research table |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Fish during raft travel time, cook catches, sell rare fish.
- Pairs well with Net Launcher
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Radio Tower to learn Fisher-specific mechanics
- Focus on research table — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Net Launcher as your first major upgrade
- See our full Fisher build guide for the optimal gear progression
Diver
Specializes in underwater resource gathering. Underwater nodes provide Metal Ore, Copper, Sand, and Clay — essential materials only available by diving. Shark management is critical — Shark Bait buys 1-2 minutes of safe diving time.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Deploy Shark Bait, dive for ores and clay, surface before oxygen runs out. |
| Best Equipment | Throwable Anchor |
| Stat Priority | Oxygen capacity > Shark Bait supply > Underwater harvesting speed |
| Core Gear | Flippers, Oxygen Bottle, Shark Bait, Head Light, Metal Hook |
| Key Mechanic | shark management |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Deploy Shark Bait, dive for ores and clay, surface before oxygen runs out.
- Pairs well with Throwable Anchor
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Radio Tower to learn Diver-specific mechanics
- Focus on shark management — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Throwable Anchor as your first major upgrade
- See our full Diver build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Explorer 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
Builder is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Metal Spear for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Diver 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
Fisher shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Raft Guides
- Raft Raft Overview
- Raft Best Builds
- Raft Tier List
- Raft Walkthrough
- Raft Beginner's Guide
- Raft Tips & Tricks
- Raft Weapons Guide
- Raft Combat Guide
- Raft Boss Guide
- Raft Maps & Locations
- Raft Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Raft, check out these related guides:
- Palworld Classes Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- Rust Classes Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- ARK: Survival Evolved Classes Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
