Playing Acrid in Risk of Rain 2 offers a unique and challenging experience that combines poison damage, close-range combat, and strong crowd control. Acrid is a melee-focused survivor who excels at spreading damage over time, making him excellent for clearing groups of enemies while surviving through regenerative effects and status ailments. Understanding his abilities, movement, and item synergy is crucial for mastering this versatile character. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to play Acrid effectively, including his skills, strategies, and optimal builds.
Getting to Know Acrid’s Abilities
Acrid’s kit is centered around poison damage and area denial. His abilities allow him to quickly close distances and inflict poison to wear down enemies gradually. Learning how to use his skills in tandem will make him a powerful asset on the battlefield.
Primary Attack: Vicious Wounds
Acrid’s basic attack consists of three quick melee hits. The third hit applies a strong poison effect that deals damage over time. This makes his primary attack great for engaging enemies up close and starting the damage-over-time effect early. Keeping enemies poisoned allows Acrid to control fights effectively.
Secondary Ability: Caustic Leap
Caustic Leap lets Acrid leap into the air and slam down, dealing area damage and poisoning enemies near the landing spot. This is useful for initiating fights, escaping danger, or hitting multiple targets at once. Use it to engage or reposition yourself quickly while applying poison over a wide area.
Utility Ability: Spitting Cobra
This ranged attack spits a projectile that poisons enemies on impact. It’s Acrid’s only ranged ability and great for softening enemies before closing in. Use Spitting Cobra to apply poison safely or finish off fleeing enemies. It adds versatility by allowing you to attack from a distance when necessary.
Special Ability: Epidemic
Epidemic is Acrid’s ultimate move, releasing a spreading poison cloud around him. It infects enemies within range, dealing massive poison damage over time. This ability shines in crowded fights and boss encounters, amplifying his role as a damage-over-time specialist. Use Epidemic when surrounded or to burst down tough enemies efficiently.
Movement and Positioning Tips
Playing Acrid well involves smart positioning and movement to maximize his melee damage while minimizing risk. Here are some important tips:
- Stay mobile: Use Caustic Leap to close gaps or escape sticky situations quickly.
- Engage carefully: Avoid charging headfirst into groups; instead, poison from a distance with Spitting Cobra before moving in.
- Keep enemies poisoned: Maintain your poison stacks by chaining basic attacks and abilities for sustained damage.
- Utilize terrain: Use high ground and obstacles to your advantage, reducing incoming damage while you spread poison.
- Manage crowd control: Use Epidemic to create zones of control that force enemies to move or take heavy damage.
Item Synergy for Acrid
Choosing the right items greatly enhances Acrid’s effectiveness. Focus on items that boost his damage over time, survivability, and mobility.
Damage and Poison Enhancement
- Ukulele: Chains lightning to multiple enemies, complementing Acrid’s AoE poison damage.
- Will-o’-the-wisp: Causes enemies to explode on death, spreading damage in groups.
- Gasoline: Adds fire damage over time, stacking well with poison effects.
- Leeching Seed: Restores health on hit, increasing survivability during aggressive plays.
Survivability Items
- Harvester’s Scythe: Provides critical strike healing, useful due to Acrid’s attack speed.
- Tougher Times: Reduces incoming damage, key for staying alive in melee combat.
- Infusion: Increases maximum health as you defeat enemies.
- Personal Shield Generator: Adds a shield to absorb incoming damage, perfect for aggressive positioning.
Mobility and Utility
- Hopoo Feather: Additional jumps help Acrid stay mobile and avoid damage.
- Energy Drink: Increases sprint speed to chase or escape foes effectively.
- Paul’s Goat Hoof: Boosts movement speed, synergizing with hit-and-run tactics.
Combat Strategy and Playstyle
Acrid excels at sustained poison damage rather than burst damage. Your main goal is to apply poison quickly, then keep it active while avoiding heavy hits.
Early Game
Start by using Spitting Cobra to safely poison enemies from a distance. Approach carefully and use basic attacks to stack poison. Use Caustic Leap to escape or close in when necessary. Focus on farming items that increase survivability and damage over time.
Mid Game
At this point, your poison stacks should be strong enough to whittle down enemy groups quickly. Use Epidemic aggressively in crowded areas. Prioritize picking up area damage items and healing items to sustain longer fights. Mobility items become important for avoiding damage while staying on top of targets.
Late Game
In the late game, Acrid can handle bosses and large mobs by continuously poisoning and controlling space. Use Caustic Leap to reposition and Epidemic to apply heavy AoE damage. Keep your health and shields topped up with healing and survivability items. Patience is key; allow poison damage to do its work rather than rushing into risky engagements.
Team Play and Multiplayer Tips
Acrid’s poison damage is excellent for supporting teammates by softening enemies and creating area denial. Coordinate with allies to focus targets you poison and keep enemies at bay using Epidemic.
- Communicate timing of Epidemic for maximum team damage
- Use Caustic Leap to initiate fights when teammates are ready to follow up
- Stick close to tank characters who can draw enemy fire while you deal damage
- Share item drops that boost poison and survivability to strengthen the whole team
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Engaging enemies without applying poison first, reducing damage potential
- Overcommitting in melee without proper defensive items or positioning
- Ignoring mobility and crowd control, leading to being overwhelmed
- Neglecting resource and cooldown management, especially for Epidemic and Caustic Leap
- Failing to adapt item builds to the current level and enemy types
Playing Acrid in Risk of Rain 2 rewards patience, strategy, and an understanding of poison mechanics. By mastering his abilities, choosing the right items, and positioning yourself smartly in combat, you can become a formidable force capable of controlling battles and outlasting enemies. Whether solo or in multiplayer, Acrid’s unique playstyle offers a fresh and exciting challenge. Take time to practice his combos, manage resources, and work with your team for the best results. With these tips and strategies, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Acrid and dominating the battlefield.