Revision 6

Streets of Rogue 2 lets players pick from a roster of character classes, each with its own traits and playstyle, or build a custom character via the trait system. Classes shape how a run plays out, from combat-focused fighters to stealthy infiltrators to crafters and talkers. The developer has confirmed that not every class will be available the moment the game enters Early Access; playable characters are intended to be added gradually throughout the Early Access development phase.

Profession Specialization

Compared to the original game, classes in the sequel are more specialized. In the first game, characters like the Hacker could put up a decent fight even without ranged skills; in the sequel, picking a fight while playing as a weaker class is intended to be much less viable. To compensate, the developer has added more varied ways to improve a character's skills, including augmentation booths and skill upgrades acquired during play, so that committing to a class still rewards role-playing.

Class Roster

The official classes-overview trailer spotlighted four classes by name: the Soldier, Cultist, Farmer, and Gorilla. A broader roster of around 27 classes has since been reported, with brief descriptions available for several of them, though not all have been officially confirmed. The reported roster is below.

Classes and Professions

In the developer's public design roadmap, the character system combines two separate axes: a Class (the character's physical makeup) and a Profession (the character's function or role). Every non-custom character archetype begins with a specific Class and, in most cases, a specific Profession. Because the two are independent, combinations are possible, for example a Vampire Cop or a Gorilla Farmer. The roster spotlighted in the 2024 classes-overview trailer above is the public character roster; the current taxonomy formally separates the physical Class from the Profession.

Classes describe the physical character type and include Human, Vampire, Werewolf, Zombie, Alien, Cannibal, Robot, RogueBot, ShapeShifter, and Gorilla. Note that gorillas are treated as a character Class rather than as part of Animals and Wildlife.

Professions describe the character's function and number around three dozen. Named examples include the Worker, Wrestler, Soldier, Hacker, Doctor, Scientist, Farmer, Comedian, Thief, Assassin, Investment Banker, Gangster (with two rival gangs), Bouncer, Mobster, Shopkeeper, Bartender, Chef, Cop, Cultist, Detective, Politician, Courier, Athlete, Nomad, Mechanic, Firefighter, Ranger, Goon, Drug Dealer, Journalist, and a Resistance member.

Skills and Skill Trees

Each Profession carries a major skill category and a minor skill category, and the game suggests a second minor category that players can swap out for another. Classes carry skill categories too, with the exception of Humans. Every skill category is represented by its own Skill Tree, where Traits and Special Abilities are unlocked by spending Skill Points. Parts of a tree can be gated behind prerequisites such as a level requirement, a number of points already invested, or a specific earlier skill.

Professions and Classes can also come with negative traits, which are grouped as Quirks. Terminology has shifted from the original game: the resource earned through play is now called XP, while Skill Points refer to the points spent inside a Skill Tree. Characters also move past the original game's single special ability, with a dedicated button for a second Special Ability and the option to switch abilities in and out during a run.

Body Tier

Body Tier (a working name that may change before release) is a progression layer that reduces the amount of damage a character takes. It is roughly tied to the World Tier of the region the player is in and is purchased at in-world augmentation stations. The developer has described it as serving a similar role to armor in the original game.

Basic Stats

Each character also has a set of Basic Stats: Endurance, Speed, Strength, and Accuracy, carried over in spirit from the original game. These are set primarily by the character's major skill category and can be adjusted by eating certain foods. The developer has noted that a fifth stat tied to stamina may be added if a stamina system is introduced. They sit alongside the trait-driven customization handled through Custom Characters.

Recommended Starters

For newcomers, the Soldier, Farmer, and Thief have been highlighted as accessible classic archetypes that vary significantly in playstyle and help cover the major game mechanics: direct combat, peaceful building and crafting, and stealthy infiltration.

Early Access Launch Roster

Not every class will be present at the Early Access launch. The developer has framed the class roster as something that will grow steadily through Early Access, with more characters added in content updates. Players who want every class on day one will need to wait for the gradual rollout.