Absolum blends beat-’em-up action with roguelike progression, giving players multiple ways to tackle its punishing arenas. While you’ll begin with a limited roster, the game eventually opens up, letting you unlock new heroes with their own abilities and combat styles. This guide covers every playable character in Absolum, how to unlock them, and what makes each one unique.
Full Character List in Absolum
There are four playable characters in Absolum, each with a distinct playstyle and set of Arcanas. Two are available right from the start, while the other two must be unlocked by progressing through the story.
| Character | How to Unlock | Combat Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Galandra | Available from the start | Balanced melee fighter with powerful Necrotic abilities |
| Karl | Available from the start | Explosive ranged brawler using grenades and bullets |
| Cider | Defeat the first boss Gazorg, then assist her in battle at the Goblin Village | Agile mid-range fighter with gadgets and traps |
| Brome | Beat the Underking and rescue him during the Jordoa questline | Magic-based character with long-range spells |
Galandra – The Dark Knight of Talamh
Galandra is one of your starting characters and a great pick for both newcomers and veterans. She excels in close combat and can absorb enemy attacks through her Arcana abilities.
Key Arcanas:
- Necrotic Wave – Sends an advancing shockwave that hits multiple enemies.
- Phantom Impale – Dashes forward, piercing foes in your path.
- Revenge Claw – Reflects incoming attacks and deals counter-damage.
- Burial Smash – Extends her run attack into a devastating grab-and-slam combo.
Playstyle Tips: Galandra’s moveset rewards precision and timing. Her “Revenge Claw” offers great defensive potential in boss fights, while her “Burial Smash” gives her solid crowd-control utility.
Karl – The Explosive Engineer
Karl joins Galandra as the second starting character. He uses firearms and explosives to keep enemies at bay, making him the best pick for players who prefer mid-range combat.
Key Arcanas:
- Grenade Bullet – Launches an explosive grenade in an arc.
- Firestorm Bullet – Rains down fiery projectiles across a wide area.
- Rifle Bullet – Fires multiple rapid shots at high speed.
Playstyle Tips: Karl’s toolkit shines when you maintain spacing. Chain Firestorm Bullet and Grenade Bullet for excellent area control, especially against swarms of weaker enemies.
Cider – The Mechanical Tactician
Cider is the first unlockable character and brings a more technical approach to combat. She’s equipped with gadgets, mines, and blades that reward quick reflexes and positional awareness.
How to Unlock Cider:
- Defeat Gazorg, the first major boss of Absolum.
- After the fight, travel to the Goblin Village.
- Assist Cider in a battle against enemies there.
- Once the encounter ends, she joins your roster permanently.
Key Arcanas:
- Spider Mine – Deploys a trap that detonates when enemies step near it.
- Tinker Blade – Fires spinning blades in a wide arc.
Playstyle Tips: Cider has one of the best grapple attacks in the game and can juggle enemies mid-air. Her mines make her a strong hybrid between melee and trap-based tactics, ideal for aggressive players who like mobility and setup attacks.
Brome – The Arcane Protector
Brome is the final unlockable character in Absolum and represents the sorcerer archetype. His mastery of magic gives him both strong crowd control and powerful defense.
How to Unlock Brome:
- Defeat The Underking in the Grandery.
- Travel to Jordoa (also referred to as Jaroba in some runs).
- Progress until you find and rescue Brome from captivity after a short combat sequence.
- Once freed, he will return to the Sanctuary as a playable hero.
Key Arcanas:
- Doom Orb – Summons an expanding orb that explodes after a delay.
- Sigil of Hate – Places a magic circle that erupts into a torrent.
- Wall of Contempt – Creates a barrier that blocks attacks and reflects enemies.
Playstyle Tips: Brome’s range and AoE control make him one of the most powerful late-game characters. His “Wall of Contempt” also allows tactical defense, perfect for players who prefer a deliberate, spell-focused rhythm.
Do Characters Share Upgrades in Absolum?
All characters in Absolum share the same Soul Tree progression. Any upgrades you buy benefit the entire roster. However, each hero has individual Arcanas, which can be unlocked by interacting with Ederig the Stalwart before each run.
This shared system encourages experimentation—switching characters won’t reset your progress or power level. You can freely try different heroes to see which one complements your playstyle.
Best Absolum Character for Beginners
While all four characters are viable, Galandra is widely considered the most beginner-friendly. Her balanced stats, defensive capabilities, and forgiving melee range make her an excellent first choice.
- Karl offers easier ranged play.
- Cider rewards mobility and timing.
- Brome suits players who prefer strategic spellcasting.
Once you’ve mastered Galandra, switching to Karl or Brome will give you a smoother transition into more advanced playstyles.
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Unlocking all characters in Absolum isn’t just about expanding your roster—it’s about finding your rhythm within the game’s roguelike structure. Each hero brings unique mechanics, from Galandra’s Necrotic wave to Brome’s magical defense, allowing players to adapt their strategy across multiple runs.Whether you’re testing new Arcanas or perfecting your combos, Absolum ensures every unlocked character adds a fresh layer of depth and replayability to its world of chaos and Radiance. Play Now!
