How Brotato characters work
Every character changes your starting stats and often limits what you can use. Ranger, for example, increases ranged damage modifications but reduces Max HP, as seen in a popular co-op video. These trade-offs push each run toward a different build.
Characters also have tags that make matching items appear more often in the shop. Lucky sees more luck items, while Explorer starts with more trees on a bigger map. Reading the tags helps you build in the direction the character wants.
Starting characters
Several characters are unlocked by default when you first play. Well Rounded is the usual first pick because its bonuses have no harsh downsides. The other starters have clearer strengths and weaknesses that teach different playstyles.
Locked characters are shown in the selection screen with their unlock condition. Playing normally unlocks many of them over time. The rest require specific goals described on our Brotato unlocks page.
Unlockable characters
Most of the roster unlocks through total kills, total materials collected, stat challenges or special run goals. For example, Ghost unlocks by reaching 60% dodge and Speedy by reaching 50% speed. Cryptid unlocks by finishing a wave with 10 or more living trees.
Some challenges are easier with the right character. A shop guide suggests Explorer for Cryptid's tree goal because Explorer plays on a larger map with more trees. Kill and material goals simply accumulate across all your runs.
Characters with unusual mechanics
Fisherman sees a Bait in every shop for just one material. Each Bait spawns more enemies in the next wave but permanently increases damage and Harvesting. Buying too many can flood the next wave and end the run.
Beast Master, added in the free Paws & Claws update in February 2026, does not use weapons at all. It fights only with Pets, a new item type from the same update. Creators call it one of the strangest characters in the game.
Wounded: the Nightmare reward
The All Pain No Gain update in May 2026 added Wounded. It unlocks after one win on Nightmare difficulty with any character. Wounded dies in one hit and starts with a Tardigrade, which gives you one extra chance.
Health and regeneration items are removed from its shops and crates, so the run is all about damage. The official devlog calls it the ultimate glass cannon, with extra Harvesting and speed at the start. Winning a run with Wounded unlocks the Rail Gun.
DLC characters
Abyssal Terrors, the first paid DLC, added a new set of characters along with an underwater map. Its announcement promised more than ten new characters. You need the DLC to play them.
Primal Dread, released on PC on November 2, 2026, adds 10 new characters. The launch trailer names Time Shifter, who slows everything else down after taking a hit, and Veteran, built to face swarms without time to heal. Archaeologist digs up crates from dig sites and grows stronger with each crate.
- Time Shifter: take a hit to slow everything except yourself.
- Veteran: a one-potato army facing swarms.
- Archaeologist: dig crates from dig sites to scale up.
Which characters are strongest
Tier lists most often rank Well Rounded, Ranger, Brawler, One-Armed, Ghost and Knight at the top. For a first Danger 5 win, a 2026 guide recommends Knight with the Jousting Lance. Explosion characters Bull and Loud are also beginner friendly.
On Nightmare, a 2026 ranking puts Well Rounded, Crazy and Mage in S tier. Ranged characters generally have an easier time there. See best Brotato character and our Brotato tier list for details.
Glass cannons and tanks
Some characters trade defense for damage, while others trade damage for survival. Ranger boosts ranged damage but lowers Max HP. Wounded takes this to the extreme by dying in one hit.
Knight leans the other way, with damage that scales from armor. Doctor survives through life steal. Knowing where a character sits on this scale tells you what to buy first.
Economy characters
Economy characters focus on earning materials. Entrepreneur loses materials at the end of each wave, so the plan is to spend everything every shop. Paired with Sickles and Harvesting, it grows strong in the late game.
Fisherman uses Bait to boost damage and Harvesting at the cost of more enemies. Lucky turns Luck into better shops and crates. These characters reward planning more than raw aim.
Tips for playing new characters
Read the character card carefully before the first wave. Note what is boosted, what is reduced, and which weapons it starts with. Then buy weapons and items that match.
Expect a few failed runs with any unusual character. Fisherman, Beast Master and Wounded all play very differently from Well Rounded. Our Brotato build guide covers the general approach that works for every potato.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you unlock Brotato characters?
Through total kills, total materials, stat challenges such as reaching 60% dodge for Ghost, and special run goals.
Which Brotato character does not use weapons?
Beast Master, added in the Paws & Claws update, fights only with Pets.
How many characters does Primal Dread add?
Ten, according to the official launch trailer, including Time Shifter, Veteran and Archaeologist.
How do I unlock Wounded?
Win one run on Nightmare difficulty with any character.
Which Brotato character is best for beginners?
Well Rounded, because it has no harsh drawbacks and ranks well on every difficulty.