In Risk of Rain 2 (commonly abbreviated as ROR2), unlocking new characters is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of progression. One such character is Acrid, a melee-ranged hybrid that brings unique gameplay with his poisonous attacks and high mobility. Acrid is a favorite for players who enjoy hit-and-run tactics and damaging over time mechanics. However, unlike some survivors who are unlocked through straightforward achievements or stage progression, unlocking Acrid requires you to complete a hidden challenge located in the secret area of the game called the Void Fields. Understanding how to get Acrid in ROR2 involves preparing properly, navigating dangerous terrain, and surviving a sequence of escalating combat trials.
Requirements Before Attempting to Unlock Acrid
Choose the Right Survivor
Before diving into the steps, it’s important to consider which survivor you want to use for your run to unlock Acrid. Survivors with good survivability and mobility like Engineer, Loader, or Huntress are ideal choices. You’ll need to survive several tough rounds in the Void Fields, so a character that can avoid damage or sustain through it will improve your odds.
Understand the Void Fields
The Void Fields is a hidden area located underneath the Bazaar Between Time. Accessing this place is the key step to unlocking Acrid. To get there, you must enter a special blue portal and perform a dangerous drop into the depths below the bazaar. This isn’t an ordinary place; the environment will constantly drain your health until you activate safe zones, and enemies will become increasingly difficult with each round.
How to Reach the Void Fields
Step 1: Enter the Bazaar Between Time
To unlock Acrid, you first need to access the Bazaar Between Time. This is done by using a Newt Altar during your run and then entering the blue portal that appears at the end of a teleporter event. Here’s how you can do that:
- Explore the map for a glowing blue Newt Altar, which usually costs one Lunar Coin to activate.
- Once activated, complete the teleporter event like usual. At the end, a blue portal will appear next to the regular teleporter.
- Enter the blue portal to travel to the Bazaar Between Time.
If you’re playing on a higher difficulty or in multiplayer, it might be smart to coordinate with other players to make this part smoother.
Step 2: Locate the Void Fields Entrance
When you arrive at the Bazaar Between Time, instead of shopping or proceeding forward, turn around and head behind the floating platform. Carefully make your way down the cliffside using platforms or mobility skills. At the bottom is a portal surrounded by purple mist this is the entrance to the Void Fields. Entering this portal will begin the challenge needed to unlock Acrid.
Surviving the Void Fields
Constant Damage Over Time
Once inside the Void Fields, you’ll notice your health starts draining immediately. This damage persists until you activate and stay inside special bubbles known as Null Safe Zones. The objective is to activate these zones one at a time and survive each round of enemy waves inside them.
Void Cell Activation Sequence
To unlock Acrid, you must complete nine Void Cell activations. Each cell represents a stage in the challenge and spawns increasingly difficult enemies. You must:
- Find the next Void Cell by looking for the glowing bubble in the dark purple void.
- Activate the cell and stand inside the zone until it fully charges while fighting off enemies.
- Once charged, find and activate the next one. Repeat this process nine times.
If you leave the safe zone, the health drain resumes, so it’s critical to stay inside and manage your position while dealing with enemy threats. Managing crowd control and dodging is essential here.
Recommended Items for Survival
While entering Void Fields early is possible, it becomes easier if you come prepared. Some items that help with survivability and success in the Void Fields include:
- Topaz Brooch Gives a temporary barrier when killing enemies, helping you survive damage.
- Tougher Times Gives a chance to block incoming damage.
- Leeching Seed Restores health on hit, useful if you’re using a fast-attacking survivor.
- Medkit Provides healing after taking damage, especially helpful between cell activations.
Combat Tips
During the nine rounds, pace yourself and focus on staying in the zone as much as possible. Use the environment to your advantage, retreat when necessary, and take out ranged enemies quickly. The enemies scale with difficulty, so each wave becomes more challenging. If you’re solo, kiting and timing your cooldowns correctly can be the difference between success and failure.
Unlocking Acrid
Final Step: Completion of Void Fields
Once all nine Void Cells are activated and fully charged, the challenge is considered complete. Acrid will automatically be unlocked and available as a playable survivor in your next run. There is no need to return to the bazaar or finish your current run; the unlock is instant upon completion.
Notification and Confirmation
You’ll see a message indicating that Acrid has been unlocked. This confirmation appears at the top of the screen, letting you know that you can now select Acrid from the survivor selection menu in the lobby before your next run.
Why Unlock Acrid?
Unique Playstyle
Acrid stands out in Risk of Rain 2 thanks to his hybrid style. He can leap into enemies with devastating melee attacks and inflict poison, allowing for high burst damage and effective crowd control. His abilities are ideal for both solo and team play, especially when dealing with tanky or clustered foes.
Abilities Overview
Once unlocked, Acrid brings a new level of strategy to gameplay. His core abilities include:
- Vicious Wounds: A melee combo attack that finishes with extra poison damage.
- Neurotoxin: A ranged spit that poisons enemies from afar.
- Frenzied Leap: A powerful jump attack that stuns enemies upon landing.
- Epidemic: An ultimate ability that spreads poison to multiple enemies.
These skills make Acrid especially effective in situations where DoT (damage over time) is beneficial. If used correctly, he can whittle down even the toughest bosses while dancing around the battlefield with agility.
Getting Acrid in ROR2 requires more than just reaching a specific stage it challenges your ability to adapt, survive, and plan ahead. From reaching the Bazaar Between Time to navigating the hazardous Void Fields, every step tests your game knowledge and execution. However, the reward is well worth it. Acrid is a versatile and powerful survivor who adds variety and depth to your runs. By understanding the requirements, preparing properly, and staying focused during the Void Fields challenge, you’ll secure this deadly creature and expand your arsenal of survivors in Risk of Rain 2.