Fast answer
The answer before the background
God of weapons characters are organized as classes and aspects rather than interchangeable skins. A class supplies a model and family, while an aspect changes perks, starting gear, restrictions or special rules. The community roster currently describes 37 base-era characters with five unlocked by default, but that page predates later content. Eternal Nightmare separately advertises Treasure Hunter, Necromancer and Plague Doctor, so any total must include a date and DLC boundary.
Roster structure
Compare the rule before comparing the name
| Layer | Examples | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Class family | Knight, Raven, Hunter, Wizard | Shared visual or thematic family. |
| Aspect | Weapon Master, Eldritch Knight, Assassin, Adept | Perks, restrictions, starting weapons and unlock condition. |
| Specialist | Crusader, Juggernaut, King, Warlock | A focused stat, economy or defensive language. |
| Eternal Nightmare | Treasure Hunter, Necromancer, Plague Doctor | DLC systems including sockets, summons and disease mechanics. |
| Community total | 37 on the dated character page | Useful base reference, not a permanent post-DLC promise. |
Unlock route
Achievements form dependency chains
The community achievement table ties named aspects to challenges. Weapon Master follows a kill milestone, Eldritch Knight follows a difficulty clear, and other aspects require stat, inventory or combat conditions. Open the current achievement description before starting because platform lists and later patches can change counts or prerequisite presentation.
Build the challenge into the character choice. Much to Learn asks for floors without leveling, while a normal progression run wants experience. A no-weapon Crusader challenge needs survival and class mechanics that do not resemble a standard weapon build. Attempting both goals in one run usually produces a weak compromise.
DLC boundary
Do not publish base unlock steps for DLC characters
Steam's Eternal Nightmare page gives each added character a distinct system: Treasure Hunter uses weapon sockets and gems, Necromancer uses summons, and Plague Doctor uses disease effects. Ownership of the paid expansion is the first gate. An old base-game wiki cannot prove that one of these characters unlocks through a pre-DLC achievement.
For a current roster answer, record platform, installed content and visible class screen. Console editions may package achievements or DLC differently from Steam. If a name such as Artificer, Occultist, Summoner or Vile appears in search, confirm whether it is a class, aspect, community translation or current selectable entry before giving a route.
FAQ
Common questions
How many characters are there?
A dated community page lists 37 base-era characters, while Eternal Nightmare adds named DLC characters. Use the current platform roster rather than one permanent total.
How do I unlock Necromancer?
First verify Eternal Nightmare ownership and use the current DLC interface; do not follow a base-game character table that predates the expansion.
What is an aspect?
It is a playable ruleset within a class family, with its own perks, starting equipment, restrictions or effects.
Which characters are unlocked by default?
The dated community roster says five base characters begin unlocked, but the live version and platform should control the current answer.
Sources
What we checked
Official listings establish current availability and product facts. Community pages are used for mechanics and build history, then labeled separately.
- OfficialOfficial Steam listing
- OfficialOfficial Steam announcements
- OfficialOfficial Eternal Nightmare DLC
- CommunityCommunity classes table
- CommunityCommunity character roster
- CommunityCommunity achievement dependencies