Winning, Grand Slams, and You | Darkest Dungeon 2 Guide

In this video I go through my thought process on how to make a team that can win a Grand Slam. As more people attempt these challenges, it feels like the right time to talk about it since I get several questions on the topic weekly.
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0:00 Intro
1:36 What's a Grand Slam?
5:36 Example Team
11:24 Stuff for Each Run

[@level100derp7]

Shuffle why would you spoil in the thumbnail that Hellion is the only way to win? And I don't just mean beating the confessions, or even the silly "Grand Slam." I'm talking about winning on a spiritual level. Finding that one piece that you always thought was missing, seeing beauty where you never could before, and learning the truth behind love and happiness. All can be found with Hellion. Along with some sexy muscles, of course

[@ShuffleFM]

This almost felt like the Madara Uchiha pasta for a sec

[@blackomega34]

I've considered/tried a few grand slam ideas and I also can't imagine not bringing Hellion. Too valuable in a2+5, and carcass is fun for 3.

[@genericname8749]

Also she's best girl. Strong, vigorous, critting machine, tanks, and can party with the best of them, everything you want in a girl who carries you bridal style.

[@nessesaryschoolthing]

You're talking about taking her on a different kind of "Grand Slam"

[@DanielFalca0]

@@blackomega34 same with PD, MaA and Jester

[@danielquintana6045]

How to win every run, dont fight levi.

[@b.assmaster1504]

Levi's issue is you need someone with move resist to tank undertow, and that one trophy harms you more than it helps, and is extremely niche, the 2nd trophy is the best in the game, and the third is decent, but not very useful (move trophy). And the cleave attacks with blind and bleed and stress As for trinkets, there's barely any in the region that are worth it, except maybe the one that gives you bleed/move resistance + heal health/stress for resisting them

[@danielquintana6045]

@@b.assmaster1504 levi is gonna be a hell of a lot more annoying once they rework classes and take away leper and maa move res paths.

[@wereblossoms]

@@b.assmaster1504honestly my most reliable method of taking on levi is high speed burst damage (graverobber + highwayman is great). if you can reliably kill the hand before it gets any actions you only need to worry about the aoe every other round from levi

[@Ly..]

​@@danielquintana6045what? Why 😭

[@danielquintana6045]

@@Ly.. Cus there is no way in hell they gonna leave the move res on the reworked paths also kiss goodbye to dot pierce on pd and runaway those are gonna be gone too.

[@gallicus00]

Glimmer of hope is also a flammable item and this can be overlooked, it's cheap and a good way to use some of the fire based trinkets (the ones that don't rely on fire casting abilities)

[@blackomega34]

Wtf I never noticed that, that's huge.

[@Kypyxo]

Well off i go to grand slam my entire team into a mass grave. Thanks shuff!

[@tvardary6276]

I ran into Collector, Collector, Death, Collector as my road battles in a single region. Before someone asks, completely unmodded. Yeah that ended my my grand slam on the fifth run.

[@bryceschneider4872]

I had nearly the exact same run that won purely off of equally ridiculous death's door rng 😂 the game giveth and the game taketh away

[@fitzviandraduivenab2790]

Nah, collector make sense showing up again and again. Try killing Antiquarian thrice in a single run

[@brasstacks7398]

The 4 that I got the achievo with were -Tempest Leper -Scourge Flagellant -(Pre Rework) Deadeye Grave Robber -Orphan Runaway Lots of self-sustain carried the day, along with smokescreen to help the leper obliterate ranks 1 & 2, and Acid Rain to literally melt 3 & 4

[@Legal_OwO]

Instruction unclear ambushed by collector and died

[@ShuffleFM]

Join us at the crossroads, where all lost souls sent by collector try and find their way.

[@wolfMetall]

Just recently managed to get the Grand Slam with the Red Hook team comp. One thing you didn't mention is that you can now use candles to re-roll heroes without memories at the start. It might get expensive but also super lucky.

[@nessesaryschoolthing]

I'm glad to hear they let you do something repeatable with the candles now (I haven't played in a bit)

[@soupsandwich5598]

I just got through the obsession because of your videos. Your videos got me through darkest dungeon and now darkest dungeon 2. Thanks shuff. ( meme team build?)

[@ShuffleFM]

Thank you! I can try and make a vid on a spicy meme team. Immediate ideas are double dodge tank or some encore anamnesis crap lol

[@mayabladewing]

I almost ended up getting a Grand Slam run with a BONK Vestak of all things, not even mentioning the melee PD that was on the team too. It was surprisingly effective until I lost one hero in the journey to my 3rd boss and a party wipe on the 4th actual boss, was super fun though!

[@riemaennchen]

Talking about famished characters and Harvest Child. The last time I fought it my Crusader got one single attack off the entire fight.

[@Despresso-ht6ce]

I got mentioned lol and thanks i'm currently 3/5 for the acts with PD/OCC/MAA/Hellion, and it's working really well! Paths are alchemist, Ritualist, Bulwark and Ravager, really consistent with Malediction for bosses and howling ends for normal fights to end them quicker

[@ShuffleFM]

Nice! Probably a stronger team than what I posted :)

[@user-fl1qu5cv5o]

This was truly a how to win every run moment.

[@caleb1]

Amazing video, love this content!! Any thoughts on a grand slam team with Duelist and Crusader? Knock out 4 achievements at once. But I’ve struggled finding a good mix and end up lacking in one of the fundamentals.

[@ShuffleFM]

It's a bit tough to run those 2 together I found. Best bet would be to run PD in 4, warlock / sharpshot / deadeye in 3, and have rey be the stress healer.

[@caleb1]

@@ShuffleFM thanks for the input! it is a little challenging running both. i've resigned to just trying to beat all 5 with the duo and switch out the other two ranks based on confession. 3 of 5 done so far.

[@bryceschneider4872]

​@caleb1 Shuff definently knows more than me but I did them all first try with banneret crusader and alchemist PD as the backline. I forget who I paired with the duelist but it was likely HWM

[@caleb1]

@bryceschneider4872 awesome! Thanks for the suggestion! That definitely sounds reasonable, I'll have to try that. I've gravitated towards Banneret anyway.

[@bryceschneider4872]

@@caleb1 It is extremely impressive how well he can shred through backlines with Alch, the duelist was pretty much just dancing back and forth with fleche and helping tear up bruisers. Your boss of choice is the dream general as the dual backline cleave is an instant win

[@juanbelio2057]

Now that you mention it, how do you go about deciding when it's a good time to do lair boss stage 1? I often think I'm readying myself properly for it and end up getting pummeled.

[@ShuffleFM]

Comes down to combat items usually. The lair being near the end also helps a lot. I think people really sleep on early combat items since they're really good to help make up the lack of power

[@Big_Plastic]

Now I want to know how to lose every run to strike a balance

[@ShuffleFM]

Bring survivor runaway, problem solved!

[@Shrike_Hyperion]

@@ShuffleFM ummmmmm shuff, :nerd: i'll have you know that survivor runaway has like approximately ONE team composition she works really well in :nerd: . You should ACTUALLY be taking vestal :nerd:

[@katrinecondukta7447]

Wow you really nailed it brother, (TO ME) the best team in the game rn is Alchemist, Warlock, Vanguard and Wanderer Flag. Nice job tho! (BUT I THINK) Yall need flag's healings and taunt tank and frontline hero with backline cleave and dots for 100% consistency. The team has just about everything you (the player) need to win. Spam backline cleaves, taunts, big damage skills, and make use of tools such as pulls on the regions its good, as well as ounce of prevention, and hold the line to fix positioning disruption. Death is not a problem with this team, just be aware you can find her at any region enemy fight that ins't a lair, so its easy to be ready. I did bastard's beacon grandslam with this team consistently. Just get some practice (with the team) and you will conquer the game. Nice video shuff, surprised me how knowledgeable you are tbh~ Not to trash on you but i think the team you made is a bit too squishy for bastard's beacon. To have a similarity with it i would change maa for ravager and hwm for banneret. Although even the team i said has its weakness, as the worst it has is positioning disruption, although maa has hold the line to solve it, beware the shambler!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shambino best pet tho ♥

[@ShuffleFM]

I really don't appreciate your comments. Saying things like I need practice and explaining fundamentals to me when I have a proven track record of doing things much tougher than beacon is pretty insulting. You take Vestal and nerfed GR through old stygian and FF on a grand slam then come talk to me about what's good and what isn't. Beacon is not the hardest thing the game has seen, not even close.

[@katrinecondukta7447]

@@ShuffleFM Noo i didn't say you require practice nor explaining stuff for you, i was saying that for those who want to try the team! please don't take what i said as if i'm trashing you or something ;( Thanks for expressing how you felt tho, i would never have seen it. Sorry mate, your video was awesome and i think you are the best~! and i said that from how much i relied on your knowledge in dd1 ^^ yea my comment really was like i was trying to teach you now that i try and read that way, i'm not a native english speaker and that was totally not what i meant! the only thing that i meant for you is the part that the team sounded kinda squishy for bastard's beacon.

[@ShuffleFM]

It's all good, sorry for being combative. Thank you for being kind in response :)

[@kabloszc4rpapl886]

I know Shuffle that u may be a little tired of DD2 lately and that's why I even more appreciate your materials about this game 🥰😁 Thank you

[@ShuffleFM]

I just needed a break and the game hasn't had much to talk about. I'll get back to it soon though :)

[@superspencebros832]

I used Alchemist PB - Deadeye GR - Scourge Flag - Vanguard MaA. I did that awhile ago and Act 3 and 4 were brute forced.

[@richielau131]

how to deal with act 2 boss with this comp? just pistol shot on hwm?

[@HeaDii101]

Good video shuff, but you didn’t cover how to deal with getting crit twice at round start into failling the first bleed check immediately after

[@ShuffleFM]

You uninstall 🤫

[@LuisAngelGamer]

just hit the 50/50 every time, alternatively, just resolute every time

[@rcdt6653]

3rd confession is by far the hardest Its ridiculous

[@Roberta-yf4ge]

I did it on stydian flame with warlock surgeon sharpshooter/yellow and templar

[@dragutciprian7358]

Could you make a guide for act three or good comps for each act

[@Dreamcore_fan]

the problem with this 'roguelite' is that i feel like im going for a grandslam everytime i play because i am just using the same characters over and over. it gets old fast. the most excitement i get is when i lose a hero, sometimes 2, and just slog my way to the next inn to improvise a new team

[@ShuffleFM]

You're not required to use the same team each time :P

[@hanzolos1852]

How to not lose: dont fight the baby on first region I finally did a bb grandslam all lairs with the cookie cutter team. Alchemist plague doctor, deadeye graverobber, Intrepide duelist and poet leper with the baby shambler. Min max or death

[@nessesaryschoolthing]

Do you normally not buy food? I usually feed at least half of my team as a priority.

[@ShuffleFM]

I figured it was a given :P

[@glucio441]

NICE!

[@SynthLove]

I keep on getting screwed by the death boss and occultist getting targeted. Got to act 5 and act 4 a few times but I always get ended by something out of my hands.

[@SynthLove]

Maybe I need to do less resistance encounters because I always get collector and death especially right after the lair boss.

[@blackomega34]

@@SynthLove Collector spawns on road fights not resistance encounters; resistance encounters are great because -loathing and +mastery.

[@peanutpeanutpeanutpeanut]

Are ya planning on making a foetor and you guide?

[@ShuffleFM]

Yes, it's on the list.

[@peanutpeanutpeanutpeanut]

@@ShuffleFM yes!! Cant wait to see my favorite teethy boys

[@SusloNick]

Coming back since ea and Im already put off by how much unnecessary complexity and reliance on planning there is, I have to spend 1hr checking every skill and thinking of a good composition before I even start playing, on top of learning new heroes... And if you don't know what the bosses are doing - you are set up to lose pretty much. Ive had 200+ hrs in ea 90% altar unlocked and still all the preparation is a headache choice paralysis and not fun, but without that the first lair boss or exemplar will screw you, no to mention the final act bosses needing specific skills/items/positions to beat. Tho overall it seems the game is a bit easier now (at least so far) I cant imagine how new players - even those with DD1 experience - are dealing with all this. (For contrast roguelites like StS give you super basic stuff and one-two upgrades at a time so you learn on the go and spend all the time in combat, not scratching your head on pre-planning with 50 variables)

[@SovietSnake89]

How long did you spend in the Hamlet, thinking comps and associated Trinkets? If you hate planning, tactical games may not be for you.

[@SusloNick]

@@SovietSnake89 one thing is strategy another thing when the initial preparation is THE most crucial thing and you autofail if you dont even know what to expect (like most new players couldn't get past exemplar or people lose to Lib when hes trivial with correct comp and items) and it takes too much time it sucks the fun out of the actual gameplay - the complexity in DD2 is the wrong place, not in combat but all in pre-planing

[@ShuffleFM]

To me, the reason the planning in dd2 is so frontloaded is because the runs are much longer than the first game. For dd1 the checklist is shorter because each run is 15 minutes. It gets faster with experience like anything else. Neither game is new player friendly. Part of the reason why people watch me 😅

[@bourhinorc1421]

can't wait for mod support, one day.... maybe.... Because tbh the reason why DD1 is still so active today is also because of amazing mods like the additional classes, Japan-like new zone, the mountain, Black reliquary, etc. So I also hope modding will be somewhat accessible so that ppl don't get discouraged by the quality of the 3D and animations.

[@nazmmetin1862]

wo

[@ourdailymeat]

*git gud

[@ShuffleFM]

This auto translates to "given god"

[@vietnamneko611]

I find Surgeon pd + Deadeye gr + Virtuoso jester + Tempest leper to be very good, I easily grand slammed with that team

[@ShuffleFM]

Surgeon seems pretty fun despite being a little straight forward

[@MrTsukihami]

Any advice on skill pickup?

[@blackomega34]

That comp seems immensely squish, I'd go wanderer leper personally so you can tank AND still chop.

[@vietnamneko611]

​@@MrTsukihami on pd: blinding, incision(on the first regions, replace with ind. science later), cause of death, magnesium rain, d. blast(replace with cause of death for bosses) on on gr: poison dart, thrown dagger, absinthe/dead of night, pirouette, flashing daggers on jester: razor's wit, fade, battle ballad, inspiring tune, finale on leper: chop, solemnity, intimidate, ruin, break

[@vietnamneko611]

@@blackomega34 they are quite solid actually, everyone but jester has some healing, tempest leper is still hard af, gr has dodge, jester and pd blind. the only run ending moment I had was gr going from full hp to 0 and dying to the first bleed tick

[@charliebotterell2204]

0 views in 20 seconds? Shuffle really fell off, damn.

[@ShuffleFM]

Remember me as I was, not for what I became.

[@germanyballwork5301]

DD1 better 😊😊

[@ShuffleFM]

Please keep saying it. My videos become stronger with comments 🙏

[@germanyballwork5301]

@@ShuffleFM bro took the rage bait hook line and sinker 💀💀💀