Thank you to ALSONIC24 for gifting me this game. You always find the most random, awesome stuff that I enjoy!

Each character is described with at least 5 passive items and 2 "Use" items that best fit the build.
These builds either compensate for weaknesses OR expand on a character's strengths.
Remember, these are my opinions. Most are based on consistency - trial and error.
If you have suggestions, feel free to drop a comment below!
Please note, this is NOT an item description guide. There's no room for that here. Just go to the Risk of Rain Wikia http://riskofrain.wikia.com/wiki/Items
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In addition, please take note of the following Boss drops.

• I don't know if they're still random since the artifact update. Previously you weren't guaranteed a Boss item on it's defeat, just guaranteed SOME item(s)
  
• All except one are passives. They are all super awesome and helpful.
  
• It can be hard to choose whether to keep that one activated item or trade it off, so choose wisely!

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Burning Witness (Passive) - Magma Worm (good for Acrid)
Ifrit's Horn (Passive) - Ifrit (I don't recommend this because he doesn't spawn frequent enough)
Legendary Spark (Passive) - Ancient Wisp (useful, but not consistent)
Colossal Knurl (Passive) - Colossus (best)
Imp Overlord's Tentacle (Passive) - Imp Overlord (best)

Nematocyst Nozzle (Activated) - Wandering Vagrant (best)

Did you know there are dozens of amazing items on Risk of Rain? And that none of them have character requirements? Like other games?
Aside from a few "Use items" and Warbanner being mostly useless, everything is fair game. Obviously, you should go for at least one of each item in my suggestions when possible, and grab a few extra of the stat boosting ones. Don't hoard stuff on MP unless you do it right - determine what you do & don't use and let your partner excel in something while you yourself are also very good at something.

Mostly useless "Use items" (i.e. you need a very specific time and place to make use of them):

• Explorer's Key (Unless you are broke, you should be holding a combat-based "Use" item)
  
• Captain's Brooch (You're going to be even more broke using this)
  
• Carrara Marble (Unless you spawn at the Teleporter, get a different item. May be useful on Monsoon for a quick getaway)
  
• Lost Doll (You just make it easier for yourself to die. BUT if you get right up next to a Boss, it can be targetted for massive damage - no OHKO though)
  
• Drone Repair Kit (No drones, no repair)

Useless Passives:

• Bustling Fungus has a limited activation window. It's best to only use it with the Huntress as she can easily run from combat to heal for a little while.
  
• Warbanner (Helps finish Teleporter countdown, and replenish health IF you can SIT within range)
  
• Dio's Best Friend (Unless you died by accident, you're still screwed. No respawn at FULL health, breaks after 1 use. Not to mention VERY RARE!)

Passives:

• Soldier's Syringe
  
• AtG Missile Mk. 1
  
• AtG Missile Mk. 2 (yes, you can have both!! =D )
  
• Mortar Tube
  
• Brilliant Behemoth
  
• The Hit List

Activated: Disposable Missile Launcher / Nematocyst Nozzle / Prescriptions / Shattered Mirror
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The only thing you should be doing as Commando is damage, damage, and MORE damage.

• Maximize your damage per second (DPS) through all the options!
  Firing missiles while using your vanilla ability? Hell yeah.
  For a simple, cheap activated, Disposable Missile Launcher is pretty darn awesome.
  
• If Wandering Vagrant drops a Nematocyst Nozzle, that's even better.
  It has a shorter cooldown - only about 20 seconds!
  
• Both are good for those far-off enemies, especially during the teleporter event.
  
• If you want to increase your DPS even more on those later levels, try the Prescriptions item.
  
• Shattered Mirror is just one of those items that makes every little attack hit twice as hard.

Passives:

• Bitter Root
  
• Infusion
  
• Old Box
  
• Fire Shield
  
• Soldier's Syringe
  
• Filial Imprinting

Activated: The Back-up / Lost Doll / Safeguard Lantern / Nematocyst Nozzle / Instant Minefield
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Despite the fact you have acceptable mobility, you should come to terms with the fact you just aren't going to move that much.

• Filial Imprinting helps because you don't have to move much to pick up those buffs, especially while using Protect and Serve.
  
• Soldier's Syringe makes your Riot Shotgun go ridiculously fast while using Protect and Serve!
  Instant Minefield helps you set up a nice trap behind you and your shield
  
• Bitter Root and Infusion allow you to become even more of a tank (damage absorption)
  
• Lost Doll is helped by that increase in HP. It can also take out far-off enemies and do massive damage to bosses if you're standing right next to them.
  
• Old Box and Fire Shield are for those enemies on your backside that you don't feel like lifting your riot shield to deal with. The Back-up has got your back.
  
• Safeguard Lantern. Again, watching your back. I would highly recommend those ranged activated items though!

Passives:

• Heaven Cracker
  
• Repulsion Shield
  
• Soldier's Syringe
  
• Paul's Goat Hoof
  
• Golden Gun
  
• Hermit Scarf

Activated:
Crudely Drawn Decoy / Unstable Watch / Instant Minefield / Prescriptions / Nematocyst Nozzle
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The Bandit isn't exactly a run-and gun character, but he's pretty good at making a good getaway. This build expands on that idea.

• Crudely Drawn Buddy is an essential item that will let you back away from the fight and see if anyone's worth targetting with a "Lights Out". Unstable Watch is fine, too.
  
• Hermit Scarf and Repulsion Shield are good for those ranged shoot-outs
  
• Golden Gun, Soldier's Syringe and Paul's Goat Hoof just help the bandit do what he does best - more damage faster.
  
• For activated items, any homing abilities are great. Prescriptions - just make him a better gunner!

Passives:

• Soldier's Syringe
  
• Energy Cell
  
• Hermit's Scarf
  
• The Hit List
  
• Sprouting Egg
  
• Bustling Fungus
  
• Guardian's Heart
  
• Bitter Root
  
• Tough Times / Colossal Knurl

Activated: Disposable Missile Launcher / Massive Leech / Glowing Meteorite / Shattered Mirror
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The Huntress is definitely not a close-combat choice. This item selection is based on that fact.

• The Huntress is a squishy character. With Sprouting Egg, you expect to be two steps ahead of your enemies, regaining HP and hitting them from a distance they couldn't possibly match. Bustling Fungus also works because she can easily run off and find a safe spot before her enemies catch up.
  
• Guardian's Heart and Colossal Knurl help your character overcome the squishy build. Bitter Root gives additional HP support.
  
• The Hit List is easy for the Huntress to accomplish due to attack range and speed. Your targets may be far away, but are not match for your ranged abilities.
  
• Hermit's Scarf is nice for those times you are stuck in close quarters. Also, +defense with Colossal Knurl and Tough Times.
  
• Again, homing activated items are extremely helpful. Massive Leech is for those times when too many enemies spawn near you and decimate your HP bar.
  
• Glowing Meteorite works best with the Huntress. She has enough speed to avoid getting hit herself, while still running and gunning.

Passives:

• Alien Head
  
• Soldier's Syringe
  
• Paul's Goat Hoof
  
• Rusty and/or Photon Jetpacks
  
• AtG Missile Mk. 1 or 2
  
• Toxic Worm
  
• Chargefield Generator

Activated: Disposable Missile Launcher / Nematocyst Nozzle / Instant Minefield / The Back-up
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HAN-D is a pretty limited options. Here, in this build we make his combo even better (OVERCLOCK + FORCED REASSEMBLY)

• Alien Head is essential for reducing your ability cooldowns.
  
• Soldier's Syringe helps you get your only attacks - melee - in before you get hurt (although it can be annoying if you knockback your enemies)
  
• Toxic Worm is nice for all those close enemies. Also, Chargefield Generator. These will help you rack up a ton of drones, which you can send off to target distant enemies.
  
• Paul's Goat Hoof and Jetpacks for additional mobility
  
• The missiles help you get an extra, possibly ranged attack in.
  
• Options for activated items are basically whatever you feel comfortable attacking with

Passives:

• Arms Race
  
• Filial Imprinting
  
• Imp Overlord's Tentacle
  
• LIfe Savings/Smart Shopper
  
• Hermit Scarf
  
• Chargefield Generator
  
• Bitter Root

Activated: Drone Repair Kit / The Back-up / Instant Minefield / Nematocyst Nozzle / Shattered Mirror
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The Engineer can do a good deal of damage short and long range. This build greatly benefits from purchased drones

• Spend most of your money picking up drones (not heal drones...I don't find them very useful)
  
• Flamethrower and Laser Drones are said to be the longest-lasting in terms of AI (avoiding the combat zone)
  
• You'll want to pass up most items until late game. Just save your money for drones!
  
• Note that Arms Race adds missiles to drones called from The Back-up!
  
• The rest of the items are helpful when you're just standing in place, between spamming your Trinades, Thermal Harpoons and stuff

Passives:

• Alien Head
  
• Hermit's Scarf
  
• Chargefield Generator
  
• Barbed Wire
  
• Prison Shackles
  
• Lens Maker's Glasses

Activated: Shattered Mirror / Nematocyst Nozzle
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The Miner is pretty good at dodging attacks while doing damage. Let's see what we can do to make that even better!

• I'm going to limit the activated items here, just because Shattered Mirror makes Miner OP. Imagine dashing twice at once! CRAZY GOOD!
  
• Alien Head is very important to allow for the coninuous dashing sequence
  
• Hermit's Scarf is second best, giving you a little extra chance for invulnerability
  
• Barbed Wire and Prison Shackles are extra protection in case you're stuck using Crush

Passives:

• Soldier's Syringe
  
• Guardian's Heart
  
• Harvester's Scythe
  
• Crowbar
  
• Chargefield Generator
  
• Toxic Worm
  
• Barbed Wire
  
• Telescopic Sight

Activated: Nematocyst Nozzle / Safeguard Lantern / Shattered Mirror
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The Sniper is an amazingly OP character at times, but charging Steady Aim can leave you open to attack. Here's a build that should help remedy this

• Soldier's Syringe helps you spam Snipe faster if nothing else
  
• WIth enough kills, your Chargefield Generator will significantly weaken incoming enemies
  
• In addition, anything coming too close can be taken care of with Toxic Worm, Barbed WIre, and/or Safeguard Lantern
  
• Shattered Mirror is a fun option if you have multiple Soldier's Syringe. A fully charged Steady Aim can make it worthwhile also
  
• Telescopic Sight is good with anything, especially the ranged attackers

Passives:

• Gasoline / Burning Witness
  
• Prison Shackles
  
• Rusty Knife
  
• Will-'o-the-Wisp
  
• Chargefield Generator
  
• Alien Head
  
• Ancient Scepter

Activated: Nematocyst Nozzle / Prescriptions
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Acrid is your typical effects-stacking guy. Here is a build that takes this to a whole 'nother level! 8D
Honestly, he is my favorite - letting me sit back and relax my fingers.

• Prison Shackles help your enemies sit in sludge longer while you decimate their health
  
• Gasoline is great because you can wander through the line of enemies and say "Here, have some fries with that!" Also, have bleed-on-hit and explode on death with that....
  
• Chargefield Generator builds quickly once your enemies die off.
  
• Alien Head is nice if you can find it, letting you use another Epidemic faster. Also, Ancient Scepter just for the Pandemic upgrade.
  
• Lastly, Soldier's Syringe is nice when you have nothing to do but spam your melee attack

I could go on and on, but seriously I need to tell you about the Activated items

• Prescriptions (same reason as Soldier's Syringe). Nematocyst for lack of mobility

Passives:

• Fire Shield
  
• Repulsion Armor
  
• Boxing Gloves
  
• Sticky Bomb
  
• Ukelele
  
• Barbed Wire
  
• Chargefield Generator
  
• Alien Head
  
• Rusty and / or Photon Jetpacks
  
• Soldier's Syringe
  
• Time Keeper's Secret

Activated: The Back-up / Instant Minefield / Nematocyst Nozzle / Unstable Watch
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The Mercenary is your hack-and-slash guy. Let's see what we can do to improve that:

• The first three passives are there to help you with crowd control.
  
• Honestly everything here is for crowd control. As you may notice while playing him you can end up dashing toward a big group of enemies when all you wanted was to take down one. Assuming you get stuck in the crowd, these passives will help you avoid getting body-blocked or stun-locked to death.
  
• Jetpacks and the Whirlwind ability make a classic combo
  
• Time Keeper's Secret is nice, being much like Unstable Watch, only not wasting your activated item slot.

I hope you enjoyed this guide and found it insightful!
Again, opinions and suggestions are most welcome in the comments section.
Item descriptions can be found at http://riskofrain.wikia.com/wiki/Items

This will probably be my last Risk of Rain guide. I just had one of those "data dump" weeks where I need to unload some information and clean up my desktop! 8D
-The Vhampster

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