Titanfall 2 is Respawn Entertainment's 2016 shooter, published by Electronic Arts and added to Steam on 18 June 2020 after years as an Origin exclusive. It runs on two layers at once: a Pilot who wall runs, slides and double jumps through the level, and a Titan, a forty foot mech that drops from orbit when your meter fills. The nine mission campaign puts rifleman Jack Cooper with a Vanguard class Titan called BT-7274 and runs roughly six to seven hours, including Effect and Cause, a mission that hands you a device for switching between two time periods mid firefight. Multiplayer is six versus six across modes such as Attrition, Bounty Hunt and Amped Hardpoint.
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
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ion | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Scorch | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Northstar | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Ronin | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Tone | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Titanfall 2 tier list.
A-Tier: Ion
Ion is a top-performing option in Titanfall 2.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | R-201 Carbine | The standard issue assault rifle and the most forgiving Pilot weapon in the game, with controllable recoil and enough damage at every range to never feel wrong. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Wall running and slide hopping | A Pilot can run along any wall for a few seconds, double jump, and slide downhill to gain speed that carries into the next jump. |
How to Play Ion
Ion focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: R-201 Carbine does the damage and Wall running and slide hopping keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons 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: Scorch
Scorch is a strong option in Titanfall 2.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Volt SMG | A high rate energy submachine gun with almost no recoil, which makes it brutal in the hands of a Pilot who is already moving fast. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Titan meter and the orbital drop | Your Titan builds on a timer that damage, kills and objective work all accelerate, then drops from orbit onto a spot you mark. |
How to Play Scorch
Scorch focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Pair Volt SMG with Titan meter and the orbital drop and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons 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: Northstar
Northstar is a strong option in Titanfall 2.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | CAR SMG | Hits harder per shot than the Volt with more recoil, and holds up at medium range better than most submachine guns. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Titan cores and dash meters | Each Titan has a core ability that charges through combat and changes the fight when it fires: Ion has Laser Core, Scorch has Flame Core, Northstar has Flight Core, Ronin has Sword Core, Tone has Salvo Core and Legion has Smart Core. |
How to Play Northstar
Northstar focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Titan cores and dash meters covers the gap CAR SMG leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons 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: Ronin
Ronin is a specialized option in Titanfall 2.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Kraber AP Sniper | A bolt action anti-personnel rifle that kills a Pilot in one hit almost anywhere on the body, with a slow projectile that must be led at range. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Rodeo and battery swapping | A Pilot can jump onto an enemy Titan, tear out a battery and jump off, which damages that Titan and leaves you carrying a battery. |
How to Play Ronin
Ronin focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: This one leans on Rodeo and battery swapping rather than raw numbers, and Kraber AP Sniper is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Tone
Tone is a specialized option in Titanfall 2.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | EVA-8 Auto | A semi-automatic shotgun with a fast follow up shot, built for interior fights and rooftop ambushes. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Pilot tacticals and kits | Every Pilot picks one tactical: Grapple for movement and pulling enemies, Cloak for approaches, Pulse Blade for a thrown sonar ping, Stim for a speed and healing burst, A-Wall for a forward firing shield, Phase Shift for stepping briefly out of reality, or Holo Pilot for a decoy. |
How to Play Tone
Tone focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: EVA-8 Auto and Pilot tacticals and kits pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed weapons 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 Scorch: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Ion once you understand core mechanics and have access to R-201 Carbine
- Keep a Northstar setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Tone 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 weapon first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Speed in Titanfall 2 is preserved rather than granted, so chain a wall run into a slide into a jump and never come to a stop on flat ground.
- Call your Titan behind cover or on a rooftop rather than in an open street, because the drop itself is announced and enemy Titans will be aiming at it.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Titanfall 2 Guides
- Titanfall 2 Titanfall 2 Overview
- Titanfall 2 Tier List
- Titanfall 2 Walkthrough
- Titanfall 2 Beginner's Guide
- Titanfall 2 Tips & Tricks
- Titanfall 2 Weapons Guide
- Titanfall 2 Combat Guide
- Titanfall 2 Boss Guide
- Titanfall 2 Maps & Locations
- Titanfall 2 Crafting Guide
- Titanfall 2 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Titanfall 2, check out these related guides:
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- Apex Legends Builds: fps game with similar mechanics
- Rainbow Six Siege Builds: fps game with similar mechanics
