People Can Fly's exhilarating sci-fi shooter is back with a new expansion – Outriders Worldslayer. Worldslayer brings players back to the world of Enoch, which has now been ravaged by the Anomaly, vastly changing the landscape to a frozen wasteland. There's a whole new campaign to play through, which – like the original campaign – can be experienced solo or with up to two friends.
In true Outriders fashion, there are masses of fearsome enemies and formidable bosses to take on in Worldslayer, and how you fare against them will depend on how you set up your character. There are lots of variations in how you can set up your Outrider, allowing you to use different abilities and powers to defeat your enemies. How your character progresses will depend on the class you choose – this is also one of the first choices you'll have to make in Outriders, so be sure you're happy with your selection before you get too deep into the game.
Unlike some other loot shooters, Outriders offers clear and distinctive playstyles for each of its classes, with a level of depth available for players who wish to dive deep into speccing their characters in a certain direction. And you get four main classes to pick from, so you don't have to tie your destiny to just one of three classes, and you'll be in the right frame of mind for warring without having to choose between a million different options. Players who want to casually enjoy the game can also choose to simply continue down a predetermined path, so they can focus on the action without getting overwhelmed by choice.
There are four main classes, known as 'paths', for you to choose from, with each specialising in a particular combat style. Each path also has three subclasses to choose from, which will spec your character in slightly different directions. In Worldslayer, these paths will be added to with two new PAX skill trees – essentially two new subclasses for you to play with. Your path will also have an effect on which pieces of gear you can equip. Let's break down what you can expect from each path, to help you decide which is right for you.
Pyromancer
This class is fire, literally. Performing best at medium range, the Pyromancer can spit flames at enemies from a distance, setting them alight and immobilising them. Pyromancer's base subclasses are the Ash Breaker, Firestorm, and Tempest. The new subclasses you can use in Worldslayer are the Gunblazer and Pyromaniac.
This path is perfect for players who prefer to keep their distance from enemies and typically play mage characters. If you're teaming up with friends it's a good idea to have at least one Pyromancer character in play, as they can hang back and conserve health while more melee-focused characters get stuck in. Pyromancers are also great for controlling larger crowds of enemies and preventing your team from becoming overwhelmed.
Trickster
For players who prefer to get up close and personal with their foes, this speed-based class is for you. The Trickster uses teleportation powers to get the drop on enemies, darting around the battlefield and dealing rapid burst damage. Tricksters can restore their health by killing enemies close to them, so these fighters can be remarkably self-sufficient, despite being on the frontlines of battle.
Tricksters have previously come in three flavours – Assassin, Harbinger, and Reaver. The two new subclasses Spectre and Exploiter will add even more space-bending powers to the Tricksters' arsenal. This class works best for gamers who like to play things fast and loose, playing agile, highly mobile characters.
Devastator
The Devastator is Outriders' take on the tank character. Devastators are slower than some of the other classes, but they excel at soaking up damage and slowing down enemies, freeing up other players on your squad to go on the offensive.
With that being said, the Devastator's base subclasses – the Vanquisher, Warden, and Seismic Shifter – offer plenty of opportunities to damage and disrupt enemies. The new subclasses Wrecker and Tectonic Shifter add even more options to Devastator's arsenal.
Technomancer
Last but not least, we have a highly unique Technomancer class. This long-range character class specialises in healing, while dealing out elemental damage and decay effects to enemies. As the name suggests, Technomancers use a lot of machinery and gadgets to get the job done.
The three subclasses for the Technomancer are Pestilence, Tech Shaman, and Demolisher, which will be added to with the Desolator and Overseer skill trees in Worldslayer. Outriders' enemies don't play around, so healing is essential for success whether you're playing solo or with a group.
We hope that this breakdown has shed some light on the pros and cons of each of Outriders' paths. In Worldslayer, you'll be able to take your chosen path to new heights as you attempt to stop the new villain Ereshkigal. Start your journey in the world of Enoch right now in Outriders Worldslayer, available on PC via Steam, Epic Games, and the Windows Store.