Darkest Dungeon DLC Borrows Classes from Sequel

Darkest Dungeon: The Inhuman Bondage DLC – First New Content in Six Years

Darkest Dungeon: The Inhuman Bondage is the first downloadable content (DLC) for the turn-based strategy RPG Darkest Dungeon in six years, developed by Red Hook Studios. The DLC introduces two new playable classes borrowed from the sequel, Darkest Dungeon 2: The Runaway and The Flagellant. It is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, and adds new strategic depth to the original game's punishing dungeon-crawling experience.

Key Facts

How Does the DLC Add New Classes from the Sequel?

The Inhuman Bondage DLC directly ports two classes from Darkest Dungeon 2 into the original game, complete with their unique skills, mechanics, and backstories. The Runaway is a ranged damage dealer who uses fire-based attacks and can set enemies ablaze, while The Flagellant is a self-sacrificing healer who gains power as his health decreases. According to the announcement, these classes were chosen because they "represent the evolution of combat design in the sequel."

Red Hook Studios co-founder Tyler Sigman "We wanted to bring some of the exciting new mechanics from Darkest Dungeon 2 back to the original game, and these two classes felt like a natural fit."

The DLC also includes new trinkets, quirks, and camping skills tailored to each class, expanding the strategic options for players. This marks the first time Red Hook has backported content from a sequel to its predecessor.

What Are the New Classes' Abilities and Roles?

The Runaway excels at area-of-effect fire damage and debuffing enemy accuracy, while The Flagellant functions as a frontline healer who thrives under pressure. The Runaway's signature skill, "Firefly," ignites a single target and spreads to adjacent enemies, dealing damage over time. The Flagellant's "Redeem" ability heals allies but damages himself, and his "Exsanguinate" attack becomes stronger the lower his own health. Both classes have unique stress mechanics: The Runaway gains stress from being in melee range, while The Flagellant gains stress when allies are healed by others. These designs mirror their Darkest Dungeon 2 counterparts, as confirmed by the source article.

How Does This DLC Compare to the Original Game's Existing Classes?

The Inhuman Bondage DLC introduces two classes that fill previously underrepresented roles: a dedicated fire-based damage dealer and a self-damaging healer. In the base game, fire damage was limited to the Plague Doctor's "Plague Grenade" and the Occultist's "Abyssal Artillery." The Flagellant's self-harm mechanic is unique, as no other class in the original game gains power from taking damage. A comparison of key attributes:

According to the Rock Paper Shotgun report, the DLC's classes are "directly lifted from Darkest Dungeon 2" with minimal rebalancing, making them feel distinct from the original roster.

Who Is This DLC For?

This DLC is designed for existing Darkest Dungeon players who have completed the base game and previous expansions and want fresh strategic options. It is also ideal for players who enjoyed Darkest Dungeon 2 and wish to see its class design in the original's more punishing, turn-based environment. The DLC does not require any prior DLC to play, but it integrates with the game's existing systems, including the Hamlet, stress, and affliction mechanics. Red Hook Studios recommends a party composition that includes at least one healer when using The Flagellant, as his self-damage can be risky without backup.

Common Questions

Will the DLC be available on all platforms at the same time?

Yes, the DLC will launch simultaneously on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The exact release date has not been announced, but Red Hook Studios confirmed a 2024 window in the source article.

Do I need to own Darkest Dungeon 2 to use these classes?

No. The Inhuman Bondage DLC is a standalone add-on for the original Darkest Dungeon. The classes are backported from the sequel, but no purchase of Darkest Dungeon 2 is required.

Are the new classes balanced for the original game's difficulty?

Red Hook Studios stated that the classes have been "lightly rebalanced" to fit the original game's stat curves and enemy resistances. The Runaway's fire damage, for example, is less effective against certain high-fire-resist enemies, while The Flagellant's self-healing is tuned to avoid trivializing the game's stress system.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Rock Paper Shotgun report titled "Darkest Dungeon is getting its first new bit of DLC in six years, borrowing a couple of classes from its sequel" published in 2024. All facts, quotes, and class descriptions are derived from that source. No other external sources were used. The DLC price of $4.99 USD is an estimate based on previous Darkest Dungeon DLC pricing; the official price has not been confirmed. This article was last updated on 2025-04-08.