The Comprehensive Halls of Torment Class and Unlock Guide

In Halls of Torment, your choice of character is the most significant factor in your survival and progression. Each of the game’s distinct classes offers a unique base weapon, specific stat growth patterns, and playstyle requirements that dictate your success against the endless hordes. Whether you are struggling to survive your first 30 minutes in the Haunted Caverns or attempting to optimize late-game damage for high-tier runs, understanding how to unlock and effectively build these characters is essential.

How to Unlock Every Class in Halls of Torment

Unlocking the full roster is a core part of the Halls of Torment progression loop. Most classes are tied to specific achievement milestones, such as defeating a certain number of enemies, surviving for a specific duration, or locating unique items.

• Swordsman: Available by default.
• Archer: Defeat 1,000 enemies in a single run.
• Cleric: Survive for 20 minutes in the Haunted Caverns.
• Exterminator: Defeat 10,000 enemies total across all runs.
• Warlock: Defeat the Wraith Horseman in the Ember Grounds.
• Norseman: Survive 20 minutes in the Ember Grounds.
• Sorceress: Defeat the Lich in the Forgotten Viaduct.
• Shieldmaiden: Survive 20 minutes in the Forgotten Viaduct.

Pro-Tip: Always check the "Quests" menu before starting a run. Identifying which class you are closest to unlocking allows you to tailor your run objectives specifically to those requirements, making your progression much faster.

Mastering Archetypes: Melee vs. Ranged Combat

The gameplay loop in Halls of Torment is fundamentally split between melee-centric brawlers and ranged projectile specialists. Your choice here determines your positioning strategy.

Melee Classes (Swordsman, Shieldmaiden, Norseman)

Melee characters require you to manage "the dance"—the constant movement required to weave between enemies while dealing damage.

• Strategy: Focus on Defense and Block Strength. Because you are forced to be in proximity to enemies, you will inevitably take chip damage. Investing in recovery traits like "Regeneration" is more valuable on these units than on ranged units.
• Positioning: Use your high health pool to "tank" through thin lines of enemies, creating pockets of space to heal or reposition.

Ranged Classes (Archer, Exterminator, Warlock, Sorceress)

Ranged characters excel at "kiting," or running away while firing backward to clear a path.

• Strategy: Prioritize Movement Speed and Projectile Speed. If you cannot outrun the horde, you will be overwhelmed.
• Positioning: Avoid being pushed into walls. Ranged classes are "glass cannons"; if you lose your ability to retreat, your DPS will plummet as you are forced to dodge rather than attack.

Essential Trait Synergies and Build Philosophy

Trait selection is where you define the power of your run. In Halls of Torment, you should aim to build "tall" rather than "wide." This means focusing on a few core stats rather than spreading points across everything.

The "Core Three" for Every Build

1. Attack Speed/Frequency: Almost every class benefits from firing more often. This scales your damage exponentially.
2. Movement Speed: This is the most important defensive stat in the game. It allows you to dodge boss mechanics and reposition for better item collection.
3. Damage Multipliers: Focus on either Physical or Magical damage depending on your class weapon. Never mix these unless you have specific gear pieces that benefit from both.

How to Handle Scaling

As the run progresses, enemy health pools grow significantly. If you haven't invested in Critical Hit Chance and Multi-Hit by the 20-minute mark, your damage will fall off. Always pick up "Crit" traits when they appear, as they are the primary way to break through the massive health bars of mid-game elite enemies.

Strategic Comparison: Choosing Your Main

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Gear Synergy: Don't just pick the highest rarity item. Check if the item provides a flat bonus to your current damage type. For example, wearing gear that buffs "Physical Damage" on a Warlock is a wasted slot.
2. Underestimating the "Circle": The pickup radius for experience orbs is vital. If you find yourself having to move deep into enemy clusters to grab XP, you are likely to take damage. Prioritize "Pickup Range" early if you feel your positioning is sloppy.
3. Forgetting to Spend Gold: Permanent upgrades (the "Blessings" menu) significantly increase your base stats. If you are struggling, stop trying to win the run and focus on farming gold. Upgrading your base health and damage via permanent blessings will make future runs drastically easier.

Advanced Tactics: Managing the Late Game

Once you reach the 25-minute mark, the game transforms into a boss-rush scenario. At this point, your movement is more important than your attack. You will encounter bosses with telegraphed attacks—patterns that repeat. Learn these animations.

• Circle Strafe: When facing a stationary boss, move in a wide circle around them. This forces their projectiles to miss while keeping you in range to deal damage.
• Prioritize Elite Targets: When elites spawn, identify them immediately. Their presence often buffs nearby enemies or creates hazardous zones. Using your ultimate ability to quickly burst down an elite is usually worth the cooldown, as it thins the screen and makes movement safer.

By selecting a class that matches your preferred playstyle and focusing your trait selections on scaling your core damage type, you can master the challenges of Halls of Torment. Focus on the "Core Three" traits, prioritize movement speed, and always play to your character's specific strengths to survive until the final tick of the clock.