The Oracle
Death Sentence
Rattler
Manager's Tasking Hat
Dead Man's Jacket
Wham-Bam!
Thunderstruck
Prototype N-Radiated Scythe
Bowlzerker
Acquiescence
The Simplifier
Murder's Best Friend
Monocular Target-Finder
Native Species
Kaur's Korroder
Malpractice
Patient Step
Matron's Mauler
Scoundrel's Aegis
This survey will take about 1 minute.
Your answers will help us to improve our website.
Outer Worlds 2
Best Builds Tier List
✧ Best Builds: Science | Stealth | Gunslinger
✦ Best Background | Best Traits | Best Skills
✧ Missables and Points of No Return
✦ Best Weapons | Best Armor
✧ Unique Weapons | Unique Armor
✦ Best Flaws | Best Perks
The best builds in Outer Worlds 2 are the Gunslinger and Melee builds. Learn more about the best character builds, the background builds, and how to use each build.
List of Contents
Best Builds Tier List
| Tier | Character Builds | |
|---|---|---|
 S Tier |
 Gunslinger |
 Melee |
 A Tier |
 Stealth |
 Science |
 B Tier |
 Leadership |
|
The Gunslinger and Melee builds are the best thanks to their flexibility, giving you the ability to change the build as you play the game.
Gunslinger Build
| Gunslinger Build | |
|---|---|
| Background |  Lawbringer Renegade |
| Traits |
 Nimble Nimble You're quick and dexterous, able to move quickly while stealthing and in combat.
 Resilient Resilient You can power through even the deadliest of injuries. It requires more than usual to take you down in combat.
 Dumb Dumb You weren't recruited for your ability to plan or solve problems. You just can't learn some things.
|
| Skills |
 Engineering Engineering The Engineering skill increases the effectiveness of all armor, granting inherent Damage Reduction. In conversations and while exploring, Engineering aids in the ability to act on the knowledge of mechanical systems. Investing in Engineering allows you to select perks that further increase your defenses and benefits from weapon, helmet and armor mods.
Guns Guns The Guns skill increases damage dealt with all types of guns, including ballistic, shock, plasma and bio guns. Investing in the Guns skill allows you to select perks that further improve your ability to use guns of various types.
 Hack Hack The Hack skill allows unauthorized access to various mechanical systems such as terminals, automechanicals and vending machines. Investing in the Hack skill allows you to select perks that let you disable automechs directly, hack into bounty terminals, and access the restricted inventory of vending machines.
Leadership Leadership The Leadership skill increases the damage and survivability of your companons. Investing in Leadership allows you to select perks that let you use companion abilities more and improve the overall effectiveness of your companions.
 Lockpick Lockpick The Lockpick skills allows you to unlock locked containers and doors. Investing in the Lockpick skill allows you to select perks that grant the ability to pickpocket humans and preview the contents of locked containers.
 Medical Medical The Medical skill increases maximum Toxicity, allowing more uses of the Medical Inhaler at a time and increased resistance to Zyranium poisoning. Investing in the Medical skill allows you to select perks that further improve your inhaler, temporarily tame creatures, and make better use of corrosive weapons.
 Observation Observation The Observation skill reveals hidden objects inthe world and the subtle behaviors in conversations. Investing in the Observation skill allows you to select perks that lets you find more loot, track enemies, and more effectively use enemy weakpoints.
|
| Weapons | |
| Armor | |
| Pros and Cons | |
 Can deal a lot of damage Has decent survivability Great for short-to-medium range engagements No melee capabilities Can burn through ammunition quickly |
|
The Gunslinger build revolves around going in loud and gunning down everything in your way using a variety of weaponry, including revolvers, marksman rifles, and more.
Melee Build
| Melee Build | |
|---|---|
| Background |  Ex-Convict |
| Traits |
Nimble Nimble You're quick and dexterous, able to move quickly while stealthing and in combat.
 Brawny Brawny You're able to perform great feats of strength. In combat, you're an unstoppable force.
Dumb Dumb You weren't recruited for your ability to plan or solve problems. You just can't learn some things.
|
| Skill |
Engineering Engineering The Engineering skill increases the effectiveness of all armor, granting inherent Damage Reduction. In conversations and while exploring, Engineering aids in the ability to act on the knowledge of mechanical systems. Investing in Engineering allows you to select perks that further increase your defenses and benefits from weapon, helmet and armor mods.
Leadership Leadership The Leadership skill increases the damage and survivability of your companons. Investing in Leadership allows you to select perks that let you use companion abilities more and improve the overall effectiveness of your companions.
Lockpick Lockpick The Lockpick skills allows you to unlock locked containers and doors. Investing in the Lockpick skill allows you to select perks that grant the ability to pickpocket humans and preview the contents of locked containers.
Melee Melee The Melee skill increases damage dealt with Melee weapons. Investing in the Melee skill allows you to select perks that further improve your ability to use melee weapons of various types.
Medical Medical The Medical skill increases maximum Toxicity, allowing more uses of the Medical Inhaler at a time and increased resistance to Zyranium poisoning. Investing in the Medical skill allows you to select perks that further improve your inhaler, temporarily tame creatures, and make better use of corrosive weapons.
|
| Weapons | |
| Armor | |
| Pros and Cons | |
|
High Melee Damage Great Survivability and Buffs Takes a lot of damage No ranged capabilities |
|
The Melee Build allows you to quickly close the distance between you and enemies, before dealing devastating damage with your melee weapon.
Stealth Build
| Stealth Build | |
|---|---|
| Background | Any Background |
| Traits |
Nimble Nimble You're quick and dexterous, able to move quickly while stealthing and in combat.
 Brilliant Brilliant You're intelligent, able to easily solve problems and pick up new skills.
 Sickly Sickly Your body is weak, prone to breaks, scrapes, and illness. Injuries and crashing from primers are more likely.
|
| Skill |
Guns Guns The Guns skill increases damage dealt with all types of guns, including ballistic, shock, plasma and bio guns. Investing in the Guns skill allows you to select perks that further improve your ability to use guns of various types.
Hack Hack The Hack skill allows unauthorized access to various mechanical systems such as terminals, automechanicals and vending machines. Investing in the Hack skill allows you to select perks that let you disable automechs directly, hack into bounty terminals, and access the restricted inventory of vending machines.
Lockpick Lockpick The Lockpick skills allows you to unlock locked containers and doors. Investing in the Lockpick skill allows you to select perks that grant the ability to pickpocket humans and preview the contents of locked containers.
Melee Melee The Melee skill increases damage dealt with Melee weapons. Investing in the Melee skill allows you to select perks that further improve your ability to use melee weapons of various types.
Observation Observation The Observation skill reveals hidden objects inthe world and the subtle behaviors in conversations. Investing in the Observation skill allows you to select perks that lets you find more loot, track enemies, and more effectively use enemy weakpoints.
Sneak Sneak The sneak skill makes it harder for enemies to detect you while crouched. Investing in the Sneak skill allows you to select perks that avoid traps and perform sneak attacks.
 Speech Speech The speech skill allows you to better influence others in conversations. Investing in the Speech skill allows you to select perks that let you get discounts a vendors, intimidate others, and gain more reputation with factions.
|
| Weapons | |
| Armor | |
| Pros and Cons | |
|
High Sneak Damage Good at Sniping and quietly killing nearby enemies Low survivability |
|
The Stealth Build prioritizes concealment and assassination above all, taking enemies down quietly by either sniping them from afar or with a well-placed knife to the back.
Science Build
| Science Build | |
|---|---|
| Background |  Professor |
| Traits |
 Innovative Innovative You are inventive and crafty, always able to find unique solutiions to complex problems. You've found numerous ways to be more efficient when crafting.
Brilliant Brilliant You're intelligent, able to easily solve problems and pick up new skills.
Dumb Dumb You weren't recruited for your ability to plan or solve problems. You just can't learn some things.
|
| Skill |
Guns Guns The Guns skill increases damage dealt with all types of guns, including ballistic, shock, plasma and bio guns. Investing in the Guns skill allows you to select perks that further improve your ability to use guns of various types.
Hack Hack The Hack skill allows unauthorized access to various mechanical systems such as terminals, automechanicals and vending machines. Investing in the Hack skill allows you to select perks that let you disable automechs directly, hack into bounty terminals, and access the restricted inventory of vending machines.
Leadership Leadership The Leadership skill increases the damage and survivability of your companons. Investing in Leadership allows you to select perks that let you use companion abilities more and improve the overall effectiveness of your companions.
Lockpick Lockpick The Lockpick skills allows you to unlock locked containers and doors. Investing in the Lockpick skill allows you to select perks that grant the ability to pickpocket humans and preview the contents of locked containers.
Medical Medical The Medical skill increases maximum Toxicity, allowing more uses of the Medical Inhaler at a time and increased resistance to Zyranium poisoning. Investing in the Medical skill allows you to select perks that further improve your inhaler, temporarily tame creatures, and make better use of corrosive weapons.
Science! Science! The Science skill increases your maximum Gadget Energy, allowing you to use gadgets like Tactical Time Dilation. Investing in the Science! skill allows you to select perks that further improve your gadgets and potency with shock weapons.
Speech Speech The speech skill allows you to better influence others in conversations. Investing in the Speech skill allows you to select perks that let you get discounts a vendors, intimidate others, and gain more reputation with factions.
|
| Weapons |
|
| Armor | |
| Pros and Cons | |
|
Able to spam gadget Gets buffed while Crashing Can easily apply debufs and DoTs Limited damage mitigation Lacks range |
|
The Science Build allows you to continuously use your gadgets and apply various debuffs and DoTs, all while getting buffed while Crashing.
Leadership Build
| Leadership Build | |
|---|---|
| Background | Lawbringer |
| Traits |
Brilliant Brilliant You're intelligent, able to easily solve problems and pick up new skills.
 Heroic Heroic Others tend to naturally follow and look up to you.
Sickly Sickly Your body is weak, prone to breaks, scrapes, and illness. Injuries and crashing from primers are more likely.
|
| Skill |
Engineering Engineering The Engineering skill increases the effectiveness of all armor, granting inherent Damage Reduction. In conversations and while exploring, Engineering aids in the ability to act on the knowledge of mechanical systems. Investing in Engineering allows you to select perks that further increase your defenses and benefits from weapon, helmet and armor mods.
Guns Guns The Guns skill increases damage dealt with all types of guns, including ballistic, shock, plasma and bio guns. Investing in the Guns skill allows you to select perks that further improve your ability to use guns of various types.
Leadership Leadership The Leadership skill increases the damage and survivability of your companons. Investing in Leadership allows you to select perks that let you use companion abilities more and improve the overall effectiveness of your companions.
Medical Medical The Medical skill increases maximum Toxicity, allowing more uses of the Medical Inhaler at a time and increased resistance to Zyranium poisoning. Investing in the Medical skill allows you to select perks that further improve your inhaler, temporarily tame creatures, and make better use of corrosive weapons.
Observation Observation The Observation skill reveals hidden objects inthe world and the subtle behaviors in conversations. Investing in the Observation skill allows you to select perks that lets you find more loot, track enemies, and more effectively use enemy weakpoints.
Speech Speech The speech skill allows you to better influence others in conversations. Investing in the Speech skill allows you to select perks that let you get discounts a vendors, intimidate others, and gain more reputation with factions.
|
| Weapons | |
| Armor | |
| Pros and Cons | |
|
Improved Companion stats Decent survivability and damage Reliant on Companions for damage Build effectivity goes down with each downed companion |
|
The Leadership Build empowers your Companions, allowing them to deal and tank more damage and giving you the ability to safely attack enemies without worry of counterattack.
Best Background Builds
| All Background Builds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ex-Convict |
 Gambler |
 Lawbringer |
 Professor |
 Renegade |
 Roustabout |
Ex-Convict Build
| Traits | ・Brawny ・Resilient ・Abrasive |
|---|---|
| Skills | ・Melee ・Lockpick ・Observation ・Sneak |
| Perks | ・Heavy Handed ・Bulletshield ・Pickpocket ・Psychopath |
The Ex-Convict Build relies on skills learned while in prison to deal as much pain as possible, hide from the authorities, and get into locations they are not supposed to.
Gambler Build
| Traits | ・Lucky ・Suave ・Sickly |
|---|---|
| Skills | ・Observation ・Speech ・Guns ・Hack |
| Perks | ・Charlatan ・Face Reader ・Treasure Hunter ・Lucky Strikes |
With luck on your side, the Gambler build allows you to find more treasure, read your opponents, and critically hit enemies to take them down quickly.
Lawbringer Build
| Traits | ・Heroic ・Brawny ・Dumb |
|---|---|
| Skills | ・Leadership ・Guns ・Engineering ・Speech |
| Perks | ・Bulletshield ・Crabble Rancher ・Space Ranger ・Inspiring Commander |
Bring law and order to the colonies with both your weapons and words, all while leading your party on a crusade throughout the land against chaos.
Professor build
| Traits | ・Brilliant ・Innovative ・Sickly |
|---|---|
| Skills | ・Science! ・Medical ・Explosives ・Observation ・Hack |
| Perks | ・Rapid Recharge ・Pharm-Thusiast ・Electro-Therapist |
Become an archaologist armed with numerous skills learned on the field while securing artifacts and preventing others from taking them .
Renegade Build
| Traits | ・Nimble ・Suave ・Abrasive |
|---|---|
| Skills | ・Guns ・Observation ・Sneak ・Lockpick ・Speech |
| Perks | ・Crabble Rancher ・Commando ・Serendipitous Slayer ・Trick Shot |
Become a gunslinger that does not mind breaking the law to get things done, doing anything necessary to accomplish your mission.
Roustabout Build
| Traits | ・Lucky ・Witty ・Dumb |
|---|---|
| Skills | ・Sneak ・Speech ・Observation ・Leadership |
| Perks | ・Ghost ・Charlatan ・Face Reader |
Do your best to survive as one of the most feared, yet perhaps the most unqualified, Earth Directorate agent who just wanted to become a cashier.
Outer Worlds 2 Related Guides
The Outer Worlds 2 Guides
| Outer Worlds 2 Wiki Contents | |
|---|---|
 Main Quests |
 Side Quests |
 Collectible Quests |
 Tasks |
 Companion Quests |
 Companions |
 Puzzles |
 Choices |
 Weapons |
 Mods |
 Armor |
 Helmets |
 Builds |
 Resources |
 Gadgets |
 Inhalers |
 Skills |
 Perks |
 Traits |
 Flaws |
 Maps |
 Tips and Tricks |
 Factions |
 Faction Quests |
 Items |
 Ship Pets |
 Trophies |
 News and Game Info |
Recommended Guides
Comment
Author
Best Builds Tier List
Please participate in our site
improvement survey
12/2025
improvement survey
12/2025
Would you assist in
improving Game8's site?
improving Game8's site?
×
We are listening to our users' valuable opinions and discussing how to act on them.
The information collected through this survey will be used for the purpose of improving our services. In addition, the information will only be disclosed a part of a statistic in a format that will not allow identification of personal information.
Begin Survey
Not Now
×
Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Advertisements.
Amount of Ads
Very Dissatisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Fine
Somewhat Satisfied
Highly Satisfied
Placement of Ads
Timing of Ad Display
Ad Loading Speed
Safeness of Ads
Content of Ads
×
Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Quality of Articles.
Amount of information
Very Dissatisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Fine
Somewhat Satisfied
Highly Satisfied
Frequency of updates
Speed of new information
Accuracy of articles
Understandibility of articles
Readability of sentences
×
Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Usability of the Site.
Ease of finding information
Very Dissatisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Fine
Somewhat Satisfied
Highly Satisfied
Loading Speed
Use of Color
Font Size
Visibility of Images
Easy to Understand Layout
×
Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Message Boards, Comments.
Ease of Writing
Very Dissatisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Fine
Somewhat Satisfied
Highly Satisfied
Readability
Ease in Finding Information
Comment Quality
Comment Quantity
Admin Response
×
Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Site's new design.
Please rate our site's new design
Very Dissatisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Fine
Somewhat Satisfied
Highly Satisfied
Do you think that the website's design change makes the site easier to use?
Has the new design made it easier for you to find information on the site?
Has the new design improved the overall visual appeal of the site?
How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the new design of the site?
×
How likely are you to recommend Game8 to someone you know?
Very Unlikely
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very Likely
If you have other opinions regarding potential improvement to the website, please share them with us. We would appreciate your honest opinion.
Note: This is a free response section, so you can proceed without entering anything.
Note: Please be sure not to enter any kind of personal information into your response.
Note: Please be sure not to enter any kind of personal information into your response.
×
Thank You
×
Thank you for participating in our survey! Your answers will help us to improve the quality of our website and services.
We hope you continue to make use of Game8.
We hope you continue to make use of Game8.
Close
Rankings
- We could not find the message board you were looking for.
Gaming News
![Octopath Traveler 0 Review [In Progress] | Familiar, But Better](https://img.game8.co/4357336/fcaf07d58cc243e6b7319ca9b118ba16.png/thumb)
Popular Games
Genshin Impact Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Umamusume: Pretty Derby Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Where Winds Meet Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Honkai: Star Rail Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Digimon Story: Time Stranger Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Wuthering Waves Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Chaos Zero Nightmare Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon TCG Pocket (PTCGP) Strategies & Guides Wiki
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Elden Ring Nightreign Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Recommended Games
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Fire Emblem Heroes (FEH) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Monster Hunter World Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Persona 3 Reload Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
All rights reserved
© 2025 Obsidian Entertainment, Inc. Obsidian Entertainment, the Obsidian Entertainment logo, The Outer Worlds 2, and The Outer Worlds 2 logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Obsidian Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.
The copyrights of videos of games used in our content and other intellectual property rights belong to the provider of the game.
The contents we provide on this site were created personally by members of the Game8 editorial department.
We refuse the right to reuse or repost content taken without our permission such as data or images to other sites.