Recommended Free Tools
Selena 2 is the safest provisional pick for clearing Netherrealm content in Torchlight: Infinite’s SS14 Tartarus season. That recommendation comes from the strongest available SS13 starter and endgame rankings, not from verified Tartarus clears. Erika 1, Youga 2, and Thea 3 are credible low-gear alternatives, while Rosa 2, Gemma’s Frostbitten Heart, Bing 1, Iris 2, and Sage are better treated as investment-heavy endgame options. Because Tartarus adds the Netherrealm board, Caged Beasts, prison Riots, Followers, new skills, and a new Youga trait, no build can honestly be called the definitive SS14 winner until players produce current-season data.
What is actually known about SS14 Tartarus?
The latest documented pre-launch check found that SS14 Tartarus had not yet launched on October 13, 2026. XD’s official season page scheduled the launch for October 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. PDT; the game database listed the corresponding start as October 16, 2026, at 10:00 GMT+8. That difference is a time-zone conversion, not two separate launches.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Accordingly, the rankings in this guide are pre-launch recommendations inherited from SS13. They are useful for choosing a character and planning an opening route, but they are not measured Tartarus clear times or confirmed SS14 tier placements. No reviewed source supplies a named sample, laboratory test, or numerical clear-speed statistic.
Tartarus could change the answer in several ways:
- The Netherrealm board asks players to capture Caged Beasts and fight prison Riots for rewards.
- A new Followers growth system lets Wolf, Rat, Lion, and Mammoth followers fight beside the player in the Netherrealm.
- Youga receives a new trait called The Ultimate One.
- New active and support skills create additional build paths. The official preview describes this directly: “A wave of new Active Skills and Support Skills is here, opening up more build paths.”
Those are announced features, not evidence that one existing trait or hero will dominate them. Use the list below to start efficiently, then reassess after Tartarus encounters and the new trait have been tested in live play.
#1 Best Overall
Best single provisional choice: Selena 2
Why Selena 2 leads the opening shortlist
The pre-launch tier list updated October 11, 2026, places Selena 2 highly in both its SS13 starter category and its geared endgame category. It explicitly presents Selena 2 as the safest single choice going into SS14 while acknowledging that its advice is based on end-of-SS13 rankings and awaits SS14 player data.
That makes Selena 2 the most defensible answer for a new or returning player who wants one character capable of progressing from campaign content toward Netherrealm without committing immediately to an expensive late-game setup. “Safest” here means the best-supported all-round starting recommendation, not a guarantee of the fastest map clear, highest boss damage, or strongest performance against every Tartarus encounter.
Who should choose it?
- Players who want one broadly capable starter rather than a highly specialized farming or bossing character.
- Players who may continue into geared endgame and do not want to abandon their first character as soon as investment rises.
- Players who prefer to wait for SS14 data before rerolling around the new Netherrealm mechanics.
What remains unverified
No source establishes Selena 2’s Tartarus clear time, prison Riot kill speed, Caged Beast efficiency, follower synergy, or performance with the SS14 skill pool. Do not present the SS13 ranking as proof that it is the season’s fastest build.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBest low-gear starters by goal
The same pre-launch source identifies Erika 1, Youga 2, Thea 3, and Selena 2 as SS13 starters that could progress quickly with little gear. The distinctions below are editorial characterizations from that source, not independent testing.
| Build | Best provisional use | Budget stage | Playstyle fit | Confidence for SS14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selena 2 | Safest all-round starting route | Low-gear starter that can transition toward endgame | General progression; choose when you do not yet know whether you prefer mapping or bossing | Highest among the listed starters, but still SS13-based |
| Erika 1 | Early currency farming | Low-gear starter | Players who value fast early resource generation | Provisional; Tartarus reward structure may change its advantage |
| Youga 2 | Budget boss killing | Low-gear starter | Players who prioritize reliable boss damage over a general-purpose route | Provisional; the season’s new Youga trait affects how relevant older recommendations remain |
| Thea 3 | Fast progression on limited gear | Low-gear starter | Players who want an alternative to Selena, Erika, or Youga | Provisional; no Tartarus-specific ranking is established |
Erika 1: choose it for early currency pressure
The source describes Erika 1 as the strongest early currency-farming option among these starters. That is useful if your first objective is to accumulate resources quickly for later characters or gear purchases. It does not prove that Erika 1 is the best answer for prison Riots, high-difficulty boss encounters, or every Netherrealm reward path. If Tartarus rewards favor boss completion or specialized encounter mechanics instead of raw farming volume, its relative position could move.
Youga 2: choose it for a budget boss plan
Youga 2 is characterized as a budget boss killer. That makes it attractive if your progression bottleneck is finishing bosses rather than moving through ordinary packs. SS14 complicates the comparison: Youga receives The Ultimate One trait, so the exact trait and its interaction with the new skills must be checked in the live patch. An older Youga ranking should not be treated as a verdict on every Youga trait.
Thea 3: a fourth low-gear route
Thea 3 appears in the same low-gear starter group. The available evidence does not establish a unique Tartarus specialty for it, so select it when its actual controls, skill feel, or available guide fit you better than the alternatives. Do not infer a measured advantage from its inclusion in the starter list.
Rank #2
- Randomization – Game level layouts are randomly created, so each adventure will always be unique.
- Easy, approachable interface – Torchlight is designed to be easy to play right from the beginning. With an intuitive interface, players can dive right in!
- Character Classes – Players will create and customize a character, choosing from 3 main Classes: The Destroyer, The Alchemist, or The Vanquisher.
- Pets – choose a pet to accompany your character. Pets can level up along with the player; they can also fight, carry items, and perform helpful tasks.
Endgame builds that may need more investment
The pre-launch SS13 endgame list names Rosa 2, Gemma’s Frostbitten Heart, Bing 1, Iris 2, and Sage among the strongest builds according to player data summarized by the tier-list source. These should not be confused with the easiest ways to enter Netherrealm.
| Build | Evidence status | Starting implication | When to consider it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosa 2 | Listed among strong SS13 geared choices | The source specifically warns that it can be a weaker starter | After you can fund the required transition and want an endgame-focused character |
| Gemma’s Frostbitten Heart | Listed among strong SS13 geared choices | Early accessibility is not established | When you understand its exact trait and required investment |
| Bing 1 | Listed among strong SS13 geared choices | The source specifically gives it as an example of a build that scales well later but can start weak | When your priority is high-investment progression rather than a smooth first character |
| Iris 2 | Listed among strong SS13 geared choices | No SS14 starter evidence is established | After comparing its actual item and skill requirements with current drops |
| Sage | Listed among strong SS13 geared choices | No verified low-budget route is established | When you are deliberately building for the geared endgame stage |
The practical rule is simple: a build’s ceiling and its starting floor are different questions. A late-scaling build may be excellent after the necessary items, traits, and skill links are assembled while feeling inefficient during campaign and early Netherrealm. If you have limited currency, begin with a documented low-gear route and switch only when the cost and required pieces are clear.
How to choose between the four starters
1. Decide which progression stage matters first
For campaign and early Netherrealm, favor Selena 2, Erika 1, Youga 2, or Thea 3 because the source identifies them as low-gear starters. For a character intended primarily for a fully geared endgame, compare the five endgame names separately rather than assuming a starter ranking answers that question.
2. Set your budget before selecting a trait
“Low gear” does not mean free, and the available sources do not publish a complete currency cost for every build. Treat a guide as budget-specific only when it states the stage, required items, core mechanic, weaknesses, and common misunderstandings. The Torchlight: Infinite build archive recommends that structure for build entries. If a guide omits those details, you cannot safely compare its apparent power with a genuinely low-budget route.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
3. Match the build to the task
- Broad map clearing: prioritize a build whose guide explains ordinary pack clearing and movement, not just a boss showcase.
- Boss damage: consider Youga 2’s provisional budget-boss identity, then verify current Youga trait behavior after SS14 launches.
- Currency farming: Erika 1 is the source’s provisional early-farming choice, subject to Tartarus reward changes.
- Balanced first character: Selena 2 has the strongest all-round case in the pre-launch evidence.
4. Check input demand before investing
Build power is not useful if its controls are uncomfortable. A player discussion describes the desired beginner archetype as an “auto-bomber” using no more than left click plus one button, with little aiming. Treat that as a low-input preference, not a promise that any listed build is fully automatic. Confirm whether the exact trait requires aiming, channeling, frequent repositioning, or multiple skill activations before spending resources.
5. Verify the exact trait number
Torchlight: Infinite heroes have multiple traits, and the tier-list source warns that trait numbers materially change playstyle. “Youga” or “Selena” alone is not a complete build specification. Record the hero, trait number, core mechanic, required items, budget stage, mapping or bossing purpose, and known weaknesses when comparing guides.
Clear speed, bossing, survivability, and input demand
Use the following framework when a guide makes broad claims such as “fast,” “strong,” or “beginner friendly.” The reviewed sources do not provide standardized numerical scores, so these are decision questions rather than invented ratings.
Rank #3
- 2-5 players - 40 minute playing time - Ages 10+
| Axis | Question to ask | Evidence you need before committing |
|---|---|---|
| Clear speed | Does the build remove ordinary map packs quickly without stopping to aim or channel every group? | A current gameplay demonstration or clearly described mapping setup; no reviewed source supplies a measured SS14 time. |
| Boss damage | Can it finish map bosses and seasonal encounters without a long damage window? | The guide’s bossing purpose, skill rotation, and investment requirements. |
| Survivability | Does it remain consistent at the difficulty you actually intend to run? | Defensive mechanics, failure conditions, and target difficulty; a tier label alone is insufficient. |
| Budget | What is the minimum gear needed before the core mechanic functions? | Named required items and a stated budget stage. |
| Input demand | How many buttons, aiming actions, channels, or timing checks are required? | Exact controls and whether automation is intrinsic to the build or merely a player preference. |
| Season fit | How does it interact with Caged Beasts, prison Riots, Followers, and new skills? | Post-launch SS14 observations. No pre-launch list can answer this conclusively. |
A practical starting procedure for SS14
- Choose the provisional role. Pick Selena 2 for the safest broad route, Erika 1 for early currency farming, Youga 2 for a budget bossing plan, or Thea 3 as another low-gear progression option.
- Open the current SS14 patch notes before copying a setup. The patch notes include broad gameplay and interface changes, including controller-related improvements. Verify every skill, item, trait, and control label against the live version rather than relying on an SS13 screenshot.
- Confirm the exact trait number. A hero name without its trait number is incomplete and can describe a different playstyle.
- Read the guide’s budget and purpose statement. Reject a guide that does not identify its required items, core mechanic, mapping or bossing role, weaknesses, and common misunderstandings.
- Build for the first progression checkpoint. Do not buy expensive endgame pieces before the guide explains how the character functions on starter gear.
- Test ordinary clearing and a boss separately. A build can feel excellent in pack clearing while taking too long on bosses, or vice versa. Record which problem is actually blocking your progression.
- Reassess after entering Netherrealm. Check whether Caged Beast objectives, prison Riots, and follower growth reward the same strengths your initial build has.
- Only then consider an endgame reroll or expensive transition. Rosa 2, Gemma’s Frostbitten Heart, Bing 1, Iris 2, and Sage are provisional geared options, not automatic first-character choices.
How Tartarus could change the rankings
Netherrealm objectives may favor more than raw pack clear
The season preview describes a board activity involving Caged Beasts and prison Riots. If success depends on quickly reaching targets, clearing dense packs, and then killing durable encounters, the best build may be the one with the most balanced map and boss profile rather than the one with the highest speed in only one activity.
Followers add a new progression layer
Wolf, Rat, Lion, and Mammoth followers are announced to fight alongside the player in Netherrealm. Their growth system could favor builds that protect, group, or exploit follower damage, but the pre-launch material does not establish those interactions. Do not assign a follower-based advantage to any listed build until the live mechanics are documented.
Youga’s new trait makes old Youga advice especially conditional
The Ultimate One is a new Youga trait for SS14. Older advice about Youga 1 or Youga 2 may not transfer directly, and a player-authored Youga 1 guide updated October 13, 2026, is best understood as a specific cheap-budget, beginner-difficulty route toward Traveler 7. It is an example of a pre-launch guide, not evidence that Youga 1 is stronger than the four listed starters.
New active and support skills can invalidate old assumptions
Because SS14 adds skills and broad gameplay changes, an SS13 ranking can lose accuracy even when the hero and trait are unchanged. Recheck links, required items, skill descriptions, and controller mappings in the current patch before treating an older setup as authoritative.
Controller and low-input play
Controller use is available as an option on PC and mobile according to a player discussion, and the official SS14 patch notes include controller-related interface changes. That does not establish universal compatibility for every controller, operating system, or device, and it does not improve a build’s damage or survivability.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →If you want a low-input character, use the “left click plus one button” auto-bomber idea as a control requirement. Ask whether the exact build can clear without constant aiming, channel management, or rapid skill swapping. A build advertised as beginner-friendly may still demand more inputs than your preferred setup, especially during bosses.
Common mistakes when reading build lists
- Treating a tier label as a statistic. The reviewed tier list provides categories and qualitative claims, not a defined sample or measured clear-time study.
- Confusing endgame strength with starter strength. Rosa 2 and Bing 1 are specifically cited as examples of builds that can scale later while starting more weakly.
- Ignoring trait numbers. A hero name does not identify the actual mechanics.
- Copying an old skill setup unchanged. SS14 introduces new skills and broad patch changes, so verify current labels and effects.
- Choosing for maps when your bottleneck is bosses. Erika 1’s farming identity and Youga 2’s budget-boss identity answer different problems.
- Assuming Tartarus rewards are already understood. The season’s board, Caged Beasts, prison Riots, and Followers were announced before reliable player data existed.
- Buying expensive gear before identifying the required stage. A guide that works only after investment should not be presented as a low-budget starter.
How this guide should be updated after launch
Once SS14 has live data, rankings should be split by progression stage and activity instead of collapsed into one tier list. A useful update should identify the exact hero and trait, show the budget stage, and distinguish ordinary map clear from bossing and Netherrealm objectives.
- Record whether each build handles Caged Beasts efficiently.
- Record prison Riot kill reliability separately from pack-clearing speed.
- Test whether Wolf, Rat, Lion, or Mammoth follower growth changes the preferred core mechanic.
- Recheck Youga’s The Ultimate One trait rather than carrying over SS13 assumptions.
- State whether observations come from a fresh starter, a partially geared character, or a fully invested endgame setup.
- Replace provisional language only when current-season play data supports a stronger conclusion.
Bottom-line selection guide
| If your priority is… | Start by considering… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One safest all-round first character | Selena 2 | Highest-supported provisional choice across the SS13 starter and endgame categories. |
| Early currency generation | Erika 1 | The source characterizes it as the fastest early farming option; Tartarus rewards may alter that. |
| Budget bossing | Youga 2 | The source characterizes it as a budget boss killer; verify the new SS14 Youga trait. |
| Another low-gear progression route | Thea 3 | Included in the same SS13 low-gear starter group. |
| Geared endgame experimentation | Rosa 2, Gemma’s Frostbitten Heart, Bing 1, Iris 2, or Sage | These appear on the provisional SS13 geared list, but some are explicitly weaker starters. |
Until current Tartarus data exists, Selena 2 is the most defensible default. Choose Erika 1, Youga 2, or Thea 3 when your objective or preferred controls clearly match their provisional strengths, and treat all SS13-derived rankings as starting points rather than final SS14 verdicts.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
