Tundra's debut roguelike takes FTL's paused ship combat and drops it into a techno-gothic future where the Solar Empire worships the Immortal God King Hyperion and three Ruinous Cults want the same prize you do. A run crosses exactly six sectors and the sixth is always the Imperial Coreworlds, whose final node is the Vault of Souls. Every playable hull carries 30 hull points and room for at most nine installed systems, and the only ship unlocked when you start is Imperial Cruiser A, the Triumph of Heaven. Crew come from seven human factions with more than seventy distinct types between them, so boarding parties are built rather than drafted.
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Empire | A | Balanced | Cannons | Yes |
| Raider Clans | A | Balanced | Beam Armaments | Yes |
| War Cult | A | Balanced | Lances | Yes |
| Death Cult | A | Balanced | Ion Armaments | Yes |
| Technocult | A | Balanced | Missile Bays | Yes |
New player? Start with Raider Clans. See our beginner's guide for why.
The Empire
The Empire is a strong option in Void War.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Cannons |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Reactor power across nine system slots |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Cannons
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Protostar Wastes to learn The Empire-specific mechanics
- Focus on Reactor power across nine system slots. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Cannons as your first major upgrade
- See our full The Empire build guide for the optimal gear progression
Raider Clans
Raider Clans is a strong option in Void War.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Beam Armaments |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Cannons, beams, lances and missile templates |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Beam Armaments
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Protostar Wastes to learn Raider Clans-specific mechanics
- Focus on Cannons, beams, lances and missile templates. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Beam Armaments as your first major upgrade
- See our full Raider Clans build guide for the optimal gear progression
War Cult
War Cult is a strong option in Void War.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Lances |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Boarding actions with faction crew and wargear |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Lances
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Protostar Wastes to learn War Cult-specific mechanics
- Focus on Boarding actions with faction crew and wargear. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Lances as your first major upgrade
- See our full War Cult build guide for the optimal gear progression
Death Cult
Death Cult is a strong option in Void War.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Ion Armaments |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | A six sector run to the Vault of Souls |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Ion Armaments
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Protostar Wastes to learn Death Cult-specific mechanics
- Focus on A six sector run to the Vault of Souls. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Ion Armaments as your first major upgrade
- See our full Death Cult build guide for the optimal gear progression
Technocult
Technocult is a strong option in Void War.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Missile Bays |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Resonance unlocks between runs |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Missile Bays
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Protostar Wastes to learn Technocult-specific mechanics
- Focus on Resonance unlocks between runs. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Missile Bays as your first major upgrade
- See our full Technocult build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Raider Clans 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
The Empire is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Cannons for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Technocult 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
Death Cult shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Void War Guides
- Void War Void War Overview
- Void War Best Builds
- Void War Tier List
- Void War Walkthrough
- Void War Beginner's Guide
- Void War Tips & Tricks
- Void War Weapons Guide
- Void War Combat Guide
- Void War Boss Guide
- Void War Maps & Locations
- Void War Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Void War, check out these related guides:
- Risk of Rain 2 Classes Guide: roguelike game with similar mechanics
- Hades Classes Guide: roguelike game with similar mechanics
- Darkest Dungeon Classes Guide: roguelike game with similar mechanics
