If You’re Playing Outriders Solo, Go With Trickster

TL;DR

  • Trickster excels solo with superior crowd control and mobility abilities
  • Hunt the Prey (11s cooldown) and Slow Trap (31s cooldown) provide unmatched survivability
  • Devastator works but lacks Trickster’s escape and control versatility
  • Pyromancer and Technomancer struggle with healing mechanics in tight spaces
  • Advanced positioning and ability timing separate good from great solo players

Choosing your character class in Outriders represents the most critical decision for solo adventurers, directly impacting your survival odds and combat effectiveness throughout the campaign. While all four classes offer viable gameplay experiences, their specialization in specific combat roles makes some significantly better suited for lone wolf operations than others.

The close-quarters focused Trickster and Devastator naturally align with solo play requirements, while the support-oriented Pyromancer and Technomancer create unnecessary challenges when playing alone. Understanding each class’s inherent strengths and limitations before committing dozens of hours to your playthrough can mean the difference between triumphant progression and frustrating repetition.

Among the two close-range specialists, the Trickster demonstrates clear advantages over the Devastator for independent operators. This hit-and-run expert leverages temporal manipulation to control engagement parameters in ways the tank-oriented Devastator cannot match, especially during early game when superior gear hasn’t yet been acquired.

Where the Devastator relies on gravitational powers for pure durability, the Trickster manipulates spacetime itself to teleport strategically and decelerate enemy actions. This creates superior battlefield control that transforms dangerous situations into manageable encounters while enabling massive damage output.

The class’s inherent survivability stems from its unique healing mechanic: eliminating foes within close proximity automatically restores health. This straightforward system synergizes perfectly with its close-quarters combat focus, eliminating the complex ability-marking requirements that hinder other classes.

The extraordinary value of Trickster abilities cannot be overstated when navigating Outriders alone. Hunt the Prey facilitates instantaneous battlefield teleportation, serving dual purposes as both an offensive tool for eliminating entrenched snipers and an emergency escape mechanism when overwhelmed. Its mere 11-second cooldown period provides significantly more frequent utilization compared to the Devastator’s similar Gravity Leap ability at 20 seconds.

More impressively, Slow Trap—unlocked at just level 3—ranks among the game’s most powerful abilities across all classes. Creating a temporal distortion field that dramatically slows all enemies and projectiles within its radius functions as both impenetrable defense and devastating offensive weapon simultaneously.

This temporal bubble provides complete protection by rendering nearby attackers too sluggish to land melee strikes and making sniper rounds visible and dodgeable as they crawl through the altered spacetime. Once secured within this protective field, you can safely deploy shotguns or the class’s starting Temporal Blade ability to eliminate frozen adversaries while restoring health through close-range kills.

Mastering ability sequencing represents the key to advanced Trickster play. The optimal rotation begins with Hunt the Prey to position yourself advantageously, followed immediately by Slow Trap to control the engagement, then weapon attacks or Temporal Blade for elimination. This 10-second duration ability with its 31-second recharge timer will become your most reliable combat tool.

While technically possible to complete Outriders solo with any class, the spellcasting Pyromancer and summoning Technomancer present substantial obstacles for independent players. These mid-to-long range specialists excel in supportive roles but face inherent limitations when operating alone.

The Technomancer’s sniper specialization appears initially appealing for solo campaigns, allowing distant target elimination from covered positions. However, enclosed environments featuring aggressive melee enemy rushes quickly expose this class’s vulnerabilities, as its abilities provide inadequate close-quarters defense.

Captain and boss encounters create particularly punishing difficulty spikes for Technomancers, as these resilient adversaries withstand multiple sniper rounds and force extended engagements where the class’s limitations become critically apparent.

Healing mechanics further complicate solo play for alternative classes. Pyromancers must first mark enemies with abilities before securing health restoration through eliminations—a problematic requirement when surrounded and unable to cast effectively. Technomancers heal through damage dealing but receive substantially greater restoration when engaging from distance, creating dangerous scenarios when cornered by advancing foes.

Common solo mistakes with non-Trickster classes include poor positioning in enclosed spaces, inability to adapt to rushing enemies, and mismanagement of healing mechanics during critical moments. Understanding these limitations before selection prevents frustrating gameplay experiences.

Beyond class selection, mastering specific combat techniques dramatically improves solo survival rates. Prioritize acquiring mods that reduce ability cooldowns, particularly for Hunt the Prey and Slow Trap, enabling near-constant temporal control of the battlefield.

Optimal gear selection focuses on armor with bonus firepower and close-range damage attributes, complemented by weapons featuring life leech or shield penetration capabilities. Shotguns naturally complement the Trickster’s playstyle, but don’t overlook assault rifles with time-based mods for versatility.

Positioning represents the most critical yet overlooked aspect of successful solo play. Maintain elevated positions when possible, use environmental cover during ability cooldowns, and always have an escape route planned before engaging enemy groups.

For players committed to alternative classes despite the challenges, specific strategies can mitigate their limitations. Pyromancers should focus on ability mods that increase area of effect, while Technomancers benefit from turret enhancements that provide distraction capabilities. However, these approaches require significantly greater skill and game knowledge than the naturally solo-friendly Trickster.

When transitioning to multiplayer, remember that Pyromancer and Technomancer transform into exceptionally powerful assets within coordinated teams. Their supportive capabilities and ranged damage output shine when complemented by teammates who can draw enemy attention and handle close-quarters combat.

Action Checklist

  • Select Trickster class for optimal solo campaign experience
  • Master ability rotation: Hunt the Prey → Slow Trap → Weapon/Temporal Blade
  • Prioritize gear with cooldown reduction and close-range damage modifiers
  • Practice positioning in various environments before major engagements
  • Learn enemy patterns in enclosed spaces to avoid getting surrounded

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