Hey guys! Let's dive deep into the Bandit in Risk of Rain 2, specifically focusing on the Hemorrhage Build. This build is all about maximizing damage through critical hits, making the Bandit a glass cannon capable of wiping out entire hordes of enemies in the blink of an eye. So, if you're looking for a thrilling, high-risk, high-reward playstyle, then buckle up! We're gonna explore everything from the basics of the Bandit to the specific items and strategies that make the Hemorrhage build so darn effective. This guide is your ultimate companion to dominate the game. Get ready to learn how to master the Bandit and become a true force of nature in Risk of Rain 2! The Bandit is one of the most exciting survivors, known for their aggressive playstyle and the ability to obliterate enemies with rapid-fire attacks. While some builds focus on sustained damage, the Hemorrhage build aims to unleash a flurry of critical hits that can clear out any threat in seconds. So, if you like the idea of dodging bullets, landing perfect shots, and watching enemies explode, then this build is perfect for you. Ready to get started?

Understanding the Bandit and His Abilities

Before we jump into the Hemorrhage Build, let's quickly go over what makes the Bandit tick. The Bandit's primary focus revolves around dealing burst damage and quickly eliminating enemies. Their skills are designed to complement this playstyle, making them a high-risk, high-reward character. The Bandit starts with a decent kit, but it's the item synergies that truly unlock their potential, especially for the Hemorrhage build. Understanding these abilities is key to maximizing the build's effectiveness. The Bandit’s base kit is built around mobility and burst damage. His abilities encourage a fast-paced, aggressive style of play. They are designed to allow him to quickly enter and exit combat while dealing massive damage. Mastery of these abilities is crucial to surviving and thriving in Risk of Rain 2.

• Primary (Blast): The Bandit's primary attack, Blast, is a shotgun blast that deals damage in a cone. It's the bread and butter of the Bandit's damage output, allowing for quick burst damage at close range. The Bandit can quickly follow up these shots with his other skills. This makes it perfect for tearing through groups of enemies. Mastering the art of aiming with Blast will greatly improve your survivability. The Blast attack helps take down groups of smaller enemies quickly.
• Secondary (Desperado): This ability allows the Bandit to instantly kill enemies that have less than 10% health. This ability can be used multiple times if a survivor has enough enemies around. It's a great tool for finishing off wounded foes and can be a lifesaver when you're overwhelmed. This can be used to quickly clear out weak enemies.
• Utility (Lights Out): Lights Out is a powerful skill that is central to the Bandit's playstyle. After hitting an enemy with Blast, the Bandit can quickly hit them with Lights Out, which is a powerful attack that deals increased damage if the Bandit is facing the enemy. It's a key part of the Hemorrhage build's damage potential, especially when combined with critical strikes. The Bandit can use Lights Out to deal burst damage and also reset the cooldown on his Blast ability.
• Special (Dead Ringer): This ultimate ability is a unique tool that further enhances the Bandit's damage potential. When activated, the Bandit will turn invisible. During this time, the Bandit will begin firing shots. These shots will deal increased damage to enemies. This is an excellent tool for engaging enemies at close range or escaping a tough situation.

Core Items for the Hemorrhage Build

The Hemorrhage build is heavily reliant on a few core items that synergize exceptionally well with the Bandit's kit. These items will be your primary focus during your runs. They will significantly increase the Bandit's damage output and survivability. While you can adapt this build based on what you find, always prioritize these items, especially in the early stages of the game. Now, let’s go over the most important items for the Bandit Hemorrhage build:

• Predatory Instincts: This item increases attack speed after landing a critical strike. This is HUGE for the Bandit because it synergizes perfectly with the focus on critical hits. When you have Predatory Instincts, your attack speed skyrockets every time you land a critical hit, making you a damage-dealing machine. This means you will be firing Blast and Lights Out at an incredible rate, quickly melting enemies. This is a must-have for the Hemorrhage build.
• Lens Maker's Glasses: This is a crucial item that increases your critical strike chance. Stacking multiple Lens Maker's Glasses is one of the most important aspects of the Hemorrhage build. The more crit chance you have, the more often you'll trigger Predatory Instincts, leading to a constant cycle of increased attack speed and damage. This item is the cornerstone of the build, allowing you to maximize the damage potential of critical strikes. Focus on getting a high number of these early in the run.
• Scythe: Another key item, Scythe, provides a chance to heal on critical strike. Since the Hemorrhage build relies heavily on crits, Scythe will give you consistent healing. This helps you survive longer and stay in the fight. Scythe is essential for sustain, allowing the Bandit to stay in the fight, even when taking heavy damage. Healing is critical to mitigating the Bandit's inherent fragility. Scythe also has a good synergy with the attack speed increase you will be getting.
• Soldier's Syringe: This item increases attack speed. Even though Predatory Instincts is the main way to increase attack speed, Soldier's Syringe helps to get the ball rolling and enhances the effects of Predatory Instincts. It's an important item to increase the Bandit's damage output. More attack speed means more Blasts and Lights Outs, and more opportunities for crits. This, in turn, fuels the Predatory Instincts cycle.
• Brilliant Behemoth: This item causes your attacks to deal area-of-effect (AOE) damage. It synergizes well with the Bandit's shotgun blast. This turns the Bandit into a potent crowd-control character. This AOE damage helps you to clear large groups of enemies that might otherwise overwhelm you. This greatly increases the Bandit's effectiveness against hordes of enemies. This is a great addition, especially during the later stages of the game.
• Other Items: While the items above are the core of the build, there are other items you should be on the lookout for, such as: Ukulele (chain lightning), Gasoline (AOE damage on kill), and Death Mark (increases damage taken by enemies). These items are not as essential as the core items, but they provide a significant boost to your overall damage output and survivability.

Gameplay Strategy and Tactics

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks: how do you actually play the Hemorrhage build? The strategy is all about positioning, maximizing critical hits, and managing your cooldowns. You need to be aggressive but also smart. This build focuses on dealing burst damage and quickly eliminating enemies. Being able to adapt and react to any situation is key to surviving and thriving in Risk of Rain 2. Play smart, and you'll be able to clear stages quickly and efficiently. Let's go over some crucial tactics.

• Prioritize Critical Strike Chance: As mentioned, Lens Maker's Glasses are your best friend. Get as many as you can early on. This will increase your crit chance to the point where Predatory Instincts is constantly active. Aim for at least a 60-80% crit chance for maximum effectiveness.
• Positioning is Key: The Bandit is a close-range character. You need to be in the thick of the fight to deal maximum damage with Blast and Lights Out. But, don’t be reckless. Use cover and your mobility to avoid enemy attacks. Staying alive is as important as dealing damage.
• Manage Cooldowns: Lights Out is a powerful ability, but it has a cooldown. Use it strategically. Try to weave Lights Out into your attacks to maximize damage output. Use your utility skill to get out of danger. This combination makes for a devastating combo. This will help you manage your positioning effectively.
• Target Prioritization: Focus on eliminating high-threat enemies first, such as Overloading Worms or Stone Golems. Once the dangerous enemies are down, it’s easier to manage the rest. Identify and eliminate threats quickly to minimize incoming damage. This will give you the upper hand.
• Movement is Your Friend: The Bandit has good mobility, so use it! Constantly move around the battlefield to avoid enemy attacks. Jump, sprint, and use your utility skill to stay alive. Dodging incoming attacks is as important as landing critical hits.
• Item Prioritization: While looting, prioritize the core items and the items that synergize well with your build. Other items can be useful, but you want to focus on maximizing your damage potential first and foremost. Focus on the core items early to get the build going.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Now, for some extra tips to really elevate your Hemorrhage game. These are some advanced strategies to help you get the most out of this build. With enough practice and knowledge, you will become a master of the Bandit. Let’s dive into some of the more advanced techniques.

• Learn Enemy Attack Patterns: Knowing the attack patterns of enemies allows you to predict their movements and position yourself accordingly. This way, you can avoid damage while still dealing damage. Knowing the attack patterns of enemies is crucial for surviving and thriving. Understanding when and where enemies will attack allows you to take advantage of openings.
• Combine Items for Maximum Synergy: The true power of Risk of Rain 2 lies in item synergy. Experiment to discover which items work best together. For example, Ukulele amplifies the damage of critical strikes and will make your Lights Out even more effective.
• Adapt to Different Stages: The Hemorrhage build is powerful, but it’s not invincible. Adapt your playstyle based on the stage and the enemies you face. For instance, if you're facing a boss, focus on dodging and landing critical hits. The ability to adapt your playstyle can make the difference between victory and defeat.
• Use the Environment: Use the terrain to your advantage. Use cover to protect yourself from enemy attacks. Jumping and using the environment is also a great way to move around the map.
• Practice and Experiment: The best way to master any build is to practice and experiment. Play around with different item combinations, and find what works best for you. The more you play, the better you’ll get. Experimenting with different strategies is a good way to find out what works best for you.
• Consider Alternate Builds: While Hemorrhage is an effective build, there are other builds for the Bandit that can be just as fun and rewarding. Consider experimenting with other builds, like the Glass Cannon or the Crit Build, to keep things fresh. These builds can offer you different playstyles.

Conclusion: Become the Ultimate Bandit

So there you have it, guys! The Hemorrhage Build is one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to play the Bandit in Risk of Rain 2. It's a high-risk, high-reward build that allows you to deal massive damage. It can eliminate enemies with devastating speed. With a bit of practice, you’ll be wiping out entire stages in no time. By understanding the Bandit's abilities, focusing on the right items, and implementing the strategies, you can become a true master of this build. Remember, it's all about maximizing your critical strike chance and attack speed to unleash a torrent of damage. Good luck, have fun, and get ready to dominate Risk of Rain 2 as the ultimate Bandit!