For most players choosing one Risk of Rain 2 expansion to start with, play Survivors of the Void first. Its Void-corruption item system and two distinct survivors make it a straightforward first expansion to explore. Choose Hallowed Concepts first instead if Acolyte, Enforcer, or its Trials and Hex-based systems are the features you want most. That is a feature-based recommendation, not a claim that one DLC is universally better or easier.
What each expansion adds
Both expansions add survivors and gameplay systems, but their identities differ: Survivors of the Void revolves around the Void and altered items, while Hallowed Concepts introduces Hexes, Hallowed Items, and Trials.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Risk of Rain 2 - Nintendo Switch | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Risk of Rain 2 - PlayStation 4 | $19.47 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Risk Of Rain 2 (Nintendo Switch) | $21.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Risk of Rain 2 - Xbox One | $17.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Risk of Rain 2 (inkl. Risk of Rain 1) | $9.98 | Buy on Amazon |
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Survivors of the Void
Gearbox’s publisher description, hosted on Nintendo’s Switch listing, names two survivors. Railgunner is a ranged, boss-focused character built around a scope and weak-spot attacks. Void Fiend is a corrupted survivor whose abilities change as corruption rises.
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The expansion adds 14 Void Items. Receiving one permanently alters its corresponding normal item for that run. The same listing reports five equipment pieces, four lunar items, 18 standard items, and stages including Aphelian Sanctuary, Sulfur Pools, and Siphoned Forest. Those are publisher-provided content counts, not a measure of quality. Nintendo UK: Survivors of the Void
#1 Best Overall
- Co-op Roguelike action
- Constant battles and incredible bosses
- Old favorites return and undiscovered challenges await
Nintendo UK lists 23 November 2023 as the Switch release date; that is the date for that regional platform listing, not the expansion’s original PC release date.
Hallowed Concepts
The Steam listing describes two survivors, Acolyte and Enforcer, along with new stages, Trials, enemies, Hexes exchanged for Hallowed Items, and the N’tormat curio, whose pages grant abilities at a cost. It also says the expansion requires the base game.
Rank #2
- Co-op Roguelike action
- Constant battles and incredible bosses
- Old favorites return and undiscovered challenges await
In launch patch notes dated October 7, 2026, 2K enumerates two survivors, three standard stages, several Trial stages, three bosses, three enemies, one elite type, six interactables, 14 Hexes, 11 Hallowed Items, and three standard items. These are publisher-reported counts, not independent assessments of the expansion’s depth or quality. 2K: Hallowed Concepts launch patch notes
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How to choose based on what you want to play
| What matters to you | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Survivor preference | Survivors of the Void | Pick Railgunner for scoped weak-spot play or Void Fiend for abilities that change with corruption. |
| Survivor preference | Hallowed Concepts | Pick the expansion that introduces Acolyte and Enforcer. |
| Item system | Survivors of the Void | Void Items permanently alter corresponding normal items for that run. |
| Item system | Hallowed Concepts | Its central systems include Hexes, Hallowed Items, and the N’tormat curio. |
| Challenge format | Hallowed Concepts | Its product listing expressly advertises Trials, including Winnowing challenges. |
| Void-themed stages and threats | Survivors of the Void | Its publisher description features Void Items and new stages, including Aphelian Sanctuary, Sulfur Pools, and Siphoned Forest. |
If none of those features clearly wins you over, start with Survivors of the Void as a practical first pick, then move to Hallowed Concepts if its Trials and N’kuhana-themed systems appeal. The cited listings do not establish a universal quality ranking, comparative difficulty, or balance verdict.
Rank #3
- Procedurally-generated planets with terrain that can be reshaped under your feet as though it were made of clay. Survive on and explore carefully crafted planets that can be entirely deformed and traversed.
- Extract resources, trade or craft new tools, vehicles, and modules. Snap together components and objects to build bases, rovers, and spaceships to travel to new planets and moons.
- Play with friends in 4 player online drop-in/drop-out co-op
- Discover and uncover the mysteries of the solar system.
Do you need the base game?
Yes. Hallowed Concepts is listed as DLC that requires Risk of Rain 2. Survivors of the Void is also an expansion for the base game. Check the store listing for your platform and region before buying; the cited listings cover Steam and PS5 for Hallowed Concepts, and Nintendo Switch for Survivors of the Void. They do not establish availability across every platform or region. Steam: Hallowed Concepts · PlayStation Store: Hallowed Concepts
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How co-op DLC ownership works
For either expansion, one player in a lobby needs to own that DLC for its monsters, levels, and items to appear for the group. That does not grant non-owners the expansion’s survivor selection or permanent unlock rights. A player who does not own the DLC cannot select its new survivors or permanently unlock its content.
Rank #4
- Co-op Roguelike action
- Constant battles and incredible bosses
- Old favorites return and undiscovered challenges await
Gearbox’s publisher description on Nintendo puts the Survivors of the Void rule this way: “Only one player is required to own Survivors of the Void to enable the monsters, levels, and items to appear in-game for the whole lobby.” The expansion’s store listing provides the ownership details. Nintendo UK: Survivors of the Void
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Best Value
- Explore. Prey. Die! Risk of rain 2 is the first co-op game!
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