Tuxedo Labs put Teardown into Early Access on 29 October 2020 and shipped version 1.0 on 21 April 2022. Every wall, pipe and vehicle across its 40 mission campaign is built from destructible voxels, and the heists are designed around that fact. You get unlimited time to carve a route through a site, then 60 seconds to grab the loot and reach the escape vehicle once the alarm trips.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunnel Runner | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Plank Bridge Router | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Vehicle Extractor | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Explosive Demolisher | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Quiet Cutter | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Teardown tier list.
A-Tier: Tunnel Runner
Tunnel Runner is a top-performing option in Teardown.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Sledgehammer | The starting tool and the only one with no ammunition meter. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Unlimited preparation, 60 second escape | Most campaign missions split into two phases. |
How to Play Tunnel Runner
Tunnel Runner focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Sledgehammer does the damage and Unlimited preparation, 60 second escape 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: Plank Bridge Router
Plank Bridge Router is a strong option in Teardown.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Blowtorch | Melts through metal, which the sledgehammer simply bounces off. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Destruction that persists into the timer | Damage you cause during preparation stays on the map when the clock starts. |
How to Play Plank Bridge Router
Plank Bridge Router focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair Blowtorch with Destruction that persists into the timer 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: Vehicle Extractor
Vehicle Extractor is a strong option in Teardown.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Spray can | Draws coloured lines on any surface and destroys nothing at all. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Tool upgrades bought with heist money | Missions pay cash you spend at the computer in the Löckelle Teardown Services office. |
How to Play Vehicle Extractor
Vehicle Extractor focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Tool upgrades bought with heist money covers the gap Spray can 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: Explosive Demolisher
Explosive Demolisher is a specialized option in Teardown.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Plank | Fires planks that stick where they land and hold your weight. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Vehicles as tools and as getaway | Cars, boats, forklifts and cranes are drivable, and several missions require driving a target vehicle out rather than carrying loot. |
How to Play Explosive Demolisher
Explosive Demolisher focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Vehicles as tools and as getaway rather than raw numbers, and Plank 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: Quiet Cutter
Quiet Cutter is a specialized option in Teardown.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Pipe bomb | A thrown explosive with a short fuse and a blast wide enough to open concrete. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Level editor with Lua scripting | Teardown ships the same editor Tuxedo Labs used, with Lua scripting and direct Steam Workshop upload. |
How to Play Quiet Cutter
Quiet Cutter focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pipe bomb and Level editor with Lua scripting 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 Plank Bridge Router: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Tunnel Runner once you understand core mechanics and have access to Sledgehammer
- Keep a Vehicle Extractor setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Quiet Cutter 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.
- Trigger nothing until the route is finished. Preparation has no time limit whatsoever, and every hole you punch beforehand is still open when the 60 seconds begin.
- Spray can lines survive the alarm. Draw arrows on the floor at every corner of your route, because at full sprint you will misremember which warehouse door you opened.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Teardown Guides
- Teardown Teardown Overview
- Teardown Tier List
- Teardown Walkthrough
- Teardown Beginner's Guide
- Teardown Tips & Tricks
- Teardown Weapons Guide
- Teardown Combat Guide
- Teardown Boss Guide
- Teardown Maps & Locations
- Teardown Crafting Guide
- Teardown Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Teardown, check out these related guides:
- Terraria Builds: sandbox game with similar mechanics
- VRChat Builds: sandbox game with similar mechanics
- Garry's Mod Builds: sandbox game with similar mechanics
