Monster Train 2 gives you a plethora of choices on every step, which is awesome and intimidating at the same time. That's especially true if you've never played the original, as the sequel is an upgraded version with even more mechanics. This Monster Train 2 beginner's guide will help you choose the best clan and learn more about all the new features.
What Is the Best Monster Train 2 Clan for Beginners?
The Banished Clan is the best option for beginners as they're easy to play and are available at the start. This faction is all about movement, as most units use Valor (attack and armor buff) and Shift mechanics (triggers action when unit moves). There are other great clans in Monster Train 2, but you must first unlock them by playing the game and completing runs.
What Is the Best Support Clan (Allied)?
The best allied clan is Awoken, as this plant-based faction is your source of tank units. That said, if your primary clan has good fighters, think about using a spell-oriented clan as a support (Stygian Guard or Luna Coven).
In Monster Train 2, you choose two clans for each run—one is primary (which gives you a champion unit), and the other is allied. While you can use the support faction basically as a primary clan, the main difference is the hero you're using, as he often dictates your strategy.
Best Build in Monster Train 2
The best card combo is the Underlegion Funguy build, where you spam Funguy troops. To maximize their effect, place your champion and necessary units on the third floor. This way, you'll have time to grow more Funguy mushrooms. You can use either Underlegion champion; both are great for this build. Here are the most important cards for this build:
| Card | Description |
|---|---|
| Cluster Colonel | Spawns 4 Funguy units each round. |
| Amorous Enoki | Applies Regeneration and HP to all units on the floor. |
| Grow Room | Propagate 1 at the end of the turn gives you even more units and buffs. |
| Spawn Cards | Every time you grow new Funguy units, they trigger Enoki's ability |
Best Card Upgrades in Monster Train 2
There are two types of card upgrades: for units (the Merchant of Arms shop) and spells (the Merchant of Magic shop). Here's the list of the best upgrades to buy in shops on your journey. Keep in mind that those shops are always on separate paths, so you'll have to choose one or the other.
Best Unit Upgrades
- Frenzystone - The unit gets Multistrike 1. Hitting twice is better than once, especially if it triggers units' abilities!
- Strengthstone - Upgrades units with +14 attack. Avoid it later in the game, when you unlock units for the best combos/builds. At the start, you'll need to improve your attacks.
- Shieldstone -The unit has Damage Shield 3, making it much harder to kill.
- Dualstone - Doubles Armor and Buff, while also doubles Debuff to enemies.
Best Spell Upgrades
- Twinstone - A spell gains Spellchain. You get a copy of a card to use by the end of a turn.
- Keepstone - Upgrade a spell to get Holdover (when played, that card is on top of the draw pile for the next turn).
- Freezestone - Keeps the card in your hand until you use it.
- Emberstone - A spell costs -1 Ember. Simple yet efficient, as it can make a very useful card free to use (0 Ember).
Best Artifacts in Monster Train 2
There are A LOT of artifacts in the game, so don't even try to be picky during your runs. But as you'll always have a couple of choices, knowing more about them will help you pick the best for your current session. We'll focus on neutral artifacts, as clan-based ones are specific to that faction and not very useful to others. Here are some of the best artifacts in Monster Train 2.
| Articaft | Desription |
|---|---|
| Ancient Pyretap | If you're out of Ember, you can use Pyre health to play cards. |
| Capricious Reflection | Cards come with one random upgrade. |
| Shadow's Sheath | Units gain Stealth (enemies can't attack you) and Slay (+3 per kill) |
| Breath of Heaven | Advance the back enemy unit to the front at the start of each round. |
| Sinner's Salve | Blight and Scourge (curse) cards cost 0. |
Monster Train 2 FAQ
Monster Train 2 is a strategic roguelike deckbuilding game that expands the original Monster Train experience. After protecting Hell, demons and angels now work together to rescue Heaven. You defend your train across three vertical battle levels using units, spells, and items.
Room Cards modify the rooms of your train, giving you powerful effects that alter gameplay in your favor. These might include passive buffs, traps, or utility effects that change how you approach defending each level of your train.
Equipment Cards attach directly to units, boosting their stats or granting them new abilities. This means you can fine-tune your key units with specific bonuses — an essential part of building a high-synergy deck.
Dimensional Challenges offer special runs that include unique mutators, which offer unique rewards.
Daily Challenges offer a completely different gameplay experience every day. With randomized mutators and preset conditions, they’re designed for leaderboard competition and replayability.
These random events add narrative and gameplay surprises throughout your runs. As the world of Monster Train 2 expands, you’ll encounter new visitors, strange effects, and even cameos from outside the original universe.
Yes! You can find Balatro and Cult of the Lamb units and items in the game.
Monster Train 2 has five clans from the original game, so check out the best builds in Monster Train to learn how to play those factions.
