There are six playable characters in Dead Island 2, also known as slayers. Each one has a set of unique abilities, which allow them not only to survive hordes of aggressive zombies but also to eliminate them. In this guide, we'll cover all six slayers in a tier list fashion, so you know which ones to choose for your particular campaign.
S-Tier Characters in Dead Island 2
Amy is the best slayer character
If you're looking to actively destroy zombies in Dead Island 2, then picking Amy would be a smart choice. We suggest using throwable weapons, as in that case, her stamina will automatically restore itself. Also, try to search for zombies that are isolated from the rest of the horde, as in that case her power is increased by 15%.
Another important thing to mention with Amy is the frequent use of a dodge mechanic. If done in quick succession, her strength and agility will get a boost. But her best attack is the Flying Kick, which guarantees critical damage.
Dani is a solid alternative slayer
Players who prefer impact over speed may choose Dani as their slayer character. Her heavy attack is really something, creating a powerful explosion at the end. However, if you manage to kill multiple zombies at once or in quick succession, she'll be able to restore some health and stamina.
This would be a great fit for players who have a hard time checking their stamina, although her HP regain ability isn't as reliable, so don't count on it that much. It's also possible to slightly increase her speed of movement by using the Hack and Dash skill.
A-Tier Characters in Dead Island 2
Ryan is one tough slayer
Although Ryan is a slayer character, he's got resilience akin to most survivors in Dead Island 2. But he's also one of the more sluggish characters in the game, even slower than Dani. But all that lack of agility is well compensated by his HP regain skill, which triggers every time you knock down a zombie.
If you can effectively block and dodge with Ryan, then you'll get plenty of stamina and force boosts. You can even afford to take some damage, which in turn increases the damage power of his own. Although he needs some time to get mastered, once you get a grip on Ryan's skills, it'll be hard to choose anyone else but him.
Carla is good against hordes
This slayer is another example of high resilience but low damage, although her agility is higher than that of Ryan. You can pick either Carla or Ryan if survival means more to you than, say, critical damage.
However, Carla is very good at dealing with multiple zombies, as she can block multiple attacks and get a nice damage boost when doing so. This effect stacks many times over, so use it generously. Lastly, if you find yourself surrounded by zombies, use the Drop Kick attack to trigger an explosion, which should allow you to escape the entrapment.
B-Tier Characters in Dead Island 2
Jacob is decent but risky
The only reason to pick Jacob is a greater concern for stamina loss, as slaying zombies automatically restores his stamina. Unfortunately, there's not much else this character can do while being one of the most vulnerable slayers in the game.
Most of his skills give only a very moderate boost to your attacks and speed of movement, so it's really not the best option for Dead Island 2. Many players see his high HP pool and think he's got to be a tough character, but in reality, zombies can easily overpower him if you're not careful.
Bruno is way too risky
The final slayer on the list is a high-risk, high-reward type of character. But, to be honest, the risks overtake the reward in this case, as his HP is way too low to have any chances of survival. However, Bruno has the highest critical damage rate of all other slayers, so it's your decision to bet on him.
More experienced players may want to choose Bruno for a re-run of the game, but most beginners and casual players should avoid picking Bruno, for sure. The only really workable strategy with Bruno is to attack zombies from behind, using the Flying Kick.
Hopefully, this guide helped you make the right decision on which character to choose. For more guides, check out How to change your character's outfits and How to unlock The One Legendary Sword.