Darkest Dungeon 2 Best Pets Ranking Guide

There are a number of ways to boost the effectiveness of your party in Darkest Dungeon 2, one of them being pets. When added to the Stagecoach, pets offer a variety of buffs, healing after leaving a location, and more. Here’s how useful each pet is in game.

Best Pets in Darkest Dungeon 2

1. Shambler’s Spawn

The Shambler, a cosmic creature, has had its spawn snatched and caged. Due to its ability to allow characters to equip Cultist Trinkets without needing to equip a Dark Impulse, it’s the best pet in the game. With the Shambler’s Spawn you’ll be able to have two Cultist Trinkets on each character if you wanted. It’s why it’s the last pet to unlock at the Altar of Hope.

2. Shrieker Chick

Another throwback to the original Darkest Dungeon, the Shrieker Chick increases the amount of baubbles you can carry with you as well a Crit %. Scouting Gear is what’s needed to increase the Crit %, which are often available from the Provisioner or Hoarder.

3. Crimson Tick

The Darkest Dungeon nods just keep coming. Having the Crimson Tick as your pet gives you a chance to produce The Blood. The Blood is a rare Combat Item, and is a bit different than its Crimson Court predecessor, giving a speed and damage boost at the cost of 1 Horror token.

4. Reanimated Rabbit

The Reanimated Rabbit is great for beefing up your party. Adding 1 HP per food item in your inventory, it’ll also boost your speed. Food items are easy to find while traveling and appear for purchase frequently.

5. Orphan Wolf Cub

The Orphan Wolf Cub is the first pet that you can unlock at the Altar of Hope. If you’re having trouble managing relationships in Darkest Dungeon 2, this is the pet for you. This is a great all-around pet with a 10% Positive Relationship Chance, and Stress Resistance.

6. Mucilaginous Slime

The Mucilaginous Slime bumps Debuff Resistances for the whole party. This is great if you often have negative relationship outcomes or use skills that cause debuffs on party members, such as the Hellion. If you’ve got that then this slime is for you. To activate it, you’ll need to equip Road Gear.

7. Pygmy Pliskin

If you’re playstyle focuses on Healing the Pygmy Pliskin is the perfect pet for you. Medical Gear activates the Heal buff and on top of that there’s a random character heal after a location. Even if you don’t usually focus on healing, the Pliskin is a solid choice for keeping your party alive.

8. Unnatural Owlet

Needing Tinker’s Gear to get the increased Debuff Chance, which is hard to stack, makes the Unnatural Owlet a far less useful pet. If you heavily use Debuff’s then the Unnatural Owlet should be a pet you try out.

9. Hatching Crocodilian

For teams filled with those who’re always hopping from one spot to another, the Hatching Crocodilian is the perfect companion pet. Giving a damage buff for movement, you’ll want to use other items to counteract the -1 Speed.

10. Larval Carrion Eater

The Larval Carrion Eater is an extremely situational pet. While getting Block and a 15% Heal sounds amazing, in order to get those benefits you need the right character to land a killing blow on a Corpse. This doesn’t count skills like the Leper’s Purge, or combat items that automatically clear Corpses. If you’ve put together a team that has high damage or multi-target attacks, the Larval Carrion Eater could work for you. Otherwise there are better pets that you’ve got access to.

Those are all 10 pets currently available ranked on usefulness and ease in obtaining related Stagecoach Gear. Struggling to beat a lair boss or get a handle on Loathing? Head down Redemption Road to our Darkest Dungeon 2 guides library.