DNF Duelis the latest big title to hit the fighting game scene, and it is an adaptation ofDungeon Fighter Online, a successful Korean action RPG that’s been running since 2005. With the name recognition of its original game and its developersArc System Works,DNF Duelhas a good chance of becoming a mainstay in the fighting game community.
On top of that, the game also sports some of the flashiest attacks around and is fairly accessible to newcomers. If someone wants to jump into the fray, the first decision they will need to make is what character they will be playing. While the cast is rather small at only 16 (including one unlockable fighter), some characters definitely stick out as being more beginner-friendly.
7Swift Master
In a game full of ridiculous characters, Swift Master is easilyone of the most ridiculous. Not only does he have some of the bigger range moves inDNF Duel, but he also possesses a variety of ways to put his opponent into a position to be hit. Several of his moves use the wind to pull enemies into desirable spots.
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Swift Master also has access to a projectile blocking move that can allow players some time to breathe. Lastly, the ability to perform his grounded skills and MP skills in the air means users will have fewer moves to learn. The only thing someone might need to be concerned about is his fragileness, as he’s one of the squishiest characters in the game.
6Crusader
Sacrificing speed for raw power, Crusader isDNF Duel’s quintessential big character. While it might be hard to deal with faster opponents, Crusader has some large, powerful attacks, as well as useful projectiles to help control opponents. Similar to other characters of his stature, he also has access to super armor and a counterattack to help you break out from aggressive opponents.
Crusader also has some of the highest health in the game and will take even less damage at low HP, allowing players plenty of time to stage a comeback. He can’t string togethercombos nearly as complexas the rest of the cast, but if a player is only getting started with the game, this just means his combos are easier to learn.
5Hitman
Besides being one of the cooler-looking characters inDNF Duel, Hitman is also one of the best forlearning combos. He wields a katana and a machine gun, which he uses in tandem for most of his moves. His gun, in particular, fires off several shots that hold the opponent in his moves for longer.
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Due to this, it’s easy to know when one of Hitman’s moves connects, making it easier to know when to continue a combo. With other characters, a player might not be able to react fast enough to a confirmed hit, but Hitman gives their user just a bit of extra time.
4Ranger
Zoning tends to be a safe play style for many new players. Keeping the opponent at arm’s length makes it easier to react to their movements and avoid getting hit.If it’s a zoner you’re looking for, look no further than Ranger. With a host of gun and grenade-based attacks, Ranger can often hit opponents from the other side of the screen and place traps that keep them locked down.
While players have to be careful when the opponent gets in their face, Ranger will help stop that from happening. He also possesses unusually good mobility for a zoner, even being capable of leaping over his opponent’s heads to keep them guessing.
3Inquisitor
Some of thebest beginner characters in a fighting gameare those without complicated mechanics, and Inquisitor fits the bill forDNF Duel. She has a lot of good range attacks, especially her flaming wheel which can apply heavy pressure to opponents. Her only major mechanic involves covering opponents in oil that can be ignited by her fire moves.
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Luckily, all Inquisitor’s MP skills have fire properties, making it exceptionally easy to trigger this effect and its bonus damage. While many characters have access to an invincible “reversal” move, hers is also one of the best, making it easier to escape aggressive opponents.
2Grappler
As the name implies, the Grappler is all about grabs. Whilethe grappler playstyleisn’t the easiest archetype to learn,DNF Duel’s Grappler has several features to make it a bit easier. He has access to super armor on his charged moves along with a shoulder tackle that can help players get through projectiles.
This fighter also excels at punishing opponents that block or attack too much, due to his various command grabs and his counter. To top it off, he has some of the highest damage and health in the game. If someone has ever been interested in trying grapplers in fighting games, this character is a good entry point.
1Striker
One of the first characters revealed forDNF Duel, Striker is a standard example of afighting game rushdown character. While she lacks a projectile, she has some of the fastest moves in the game and is also one of the faster characters overall. Most importantly, Striker has a unique mechanic that allows her to freely combo moves that normally don’t flow into each other.
Generally, weaker moves combo into stronger ones, but Striker can also do the opposite. This means even if a player isn’t a combo master, there’s a higher chance they will be able to string moves together in the heat of the moment.
DNF Duelis available on PC, PS4, and PS5.
