The hype surrounding the Wanderers ecosystem is at an all-time high with the launch of the $WANDER token just around the corner. As excitement builds, more players are diving into this sci-fi rogue-lite adventure with deck-building mechanics. If you're just getting started, be sure to check out our Ultimate Beginner's Guide for Wanderers, where we cover game basics, key mechanics, and an introduction to RAMs. But if you're ready to level up and optimize your gameplay, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll break down some of the best builds for both weapons and RAMs based on our playthroughs

Understanding Builds in Wanderers

A complete build in Wanderers consists of three key elements: a chosen character, weapons, and a deck of RAMs. Before starting a run, you’ll need to pick one of the two currently available characters: VESNA or CALIOPE.

VESNA is quick and agile but has a relatively low HP pool. She excels in long-range combat, dealing tons of damage while staying out of harm's way. On the other hand, CALIOPE is slower but tankier, thriving in close-to-medium range battles. He can take more hits and dish out consistent damage even in chaotic situations.

If you enjoy dealing high amounts of damage, have great timing for dodging, and can handle Vesna's lower survivability, she’s the perfect pick for you. On the other hand, CALIOPE is a safer choice for those who prefer a more forgiving character, thanks to his ability to soak up damage and stay in the fight longer.

Weapons: Ranged and Melee Choices

Each character can equip one ranged weapon and one melee weapon, and the choices you make here significantly impact your playstyle.

Ranged weapons come in a variety of types, from short-to-medium-range options like pistols and shotguns to long-range specialized weapons like snipers, rifles, and launchers. Each weapon has its own stats, including damage, fire rate, ammo count, and reload speed.

• High fire-rate weapons deal consistent damage but burn through ammo quickly.
• Long-range weapons like snipers and lasers pack a punch but often have limited ammo or a long charge time.
• Shotguns and area-damage weapons excel in close-quarters combat and can clear clusters of enemies efficiently.

For VESNA, long-range, high-damage weapons like snipers, rifles, and lasers are the most effective, letting her stay at a safe distance while dealing massive damage. For CALIOPE, close-range weapons like shotguns and launchers that deal area damage are more suitable, matching his tanky, brawler playstyle.

Melee weapons are limited, with only two available so far. The Light Lance stands out as the go-to choice once obtained, thanks to its reliable damage output and versatility in combat.

RAMs

RAMs (Random Access Memories) are what make Wanderers stand out as a rogue-lite deck-building experience. As you progress through planets during a run, you’ll periodically encounter The Terminal, where you can select and equip RAMs.

Simply put, RAMs are abilities and modifiers that you equip to your character. They come in different types, including:

• Active RAMs: Abilities you trigger manually during fights.
• Passive RAMs: Always-on buffs or effects.
• Dash RAMs: Enhance your dash ability, adding damage or reducing cooldowns.
• Ultimate RAMs: Powerful abilities with significant effects.
• Boost and MOD RAMs: buffs, like increased speed, damage amplifiers, or reload rates.

It’s worth noting that RAMs are randomized during each run. Unless you own RAM NFTs, which increase the chances of your preferred RAMs appearing, you’ll need to adapt your strategy based on what’s available.

Best Builds for Vesna and Caliope

VESNA: The Agile Sniper

If you’re someone who loves zipping around the battlefield, picking off enemies from a safe distance, and feeling like an untouchable glass cannon, Vesna is your girl. She’s fast, she’s deadly, but she’s also fragile—so every move needs to count. When it comes to weapons, the Void Beam is practically made for Vesna. This heavy laser weapon might have a 1.2-second charge-up time, but once it fires, it deals massive damage and pierces through multiple enemies. It rewards players who can time their shots and position themselves well, making it a perfect match for Vesna’s hit-and-run style.

Now, let’s talk RAMs, because this is where Vesna really starts to shine.

• Passive RAM: Hivebomb is an absolute must. Every time you take down an enemy, there’s a chance they’ll explode and deal area damage. In swarm-heavy levels, this passive becomes a life-saver, helping you clear crowds without wasting extra ammo.
• Active RAM: Abilities like Temptation or Burger Bomb are clutch when things get too hectic. Whether you’re taunting enemies away or stunning them in place, these actives give you the breathing room to reposition or unleash another devastating Void Beam shot. For extra survivability, Chameleon (invisibility) is also a fantastic choice.
• Dash RAM: You’ll want either razor's Edge (extra damage during dashes) or Surge (faster dash recharge). Both enhance Vesna’s mobility, which is already one of her greatest strengths.
• Ultimate RAM: If you like dishing out heavy damage, go for Cosmic Blast. If you’d rather play it safe, Shield Core adds an extra layer of protection when things get dicey.
• Boost RAM: Coffee Time is a no-brainer—it gives you a generous movement speed boost, letting you stay ahead of enemies and dodge with ease.

This build turns Vesna into a long-range assassin with just enough survivability to handle chaotic moments. If you’ve got the reflexes and timing to match her playstyle, you’ll feel unstoppable.

CALIOPE: The Tanky Brawler

Now, Caliope is a different beast altogether. Built for durability and close-quarters combat, he thrives in situations where chaos reigns. That said, he’s still relatively new, and it feels like players are still figuring out what truly works best for him. For weapons, Shotguns seem to suit Caliope’s playstyle well. Their high burst damage in close range aligns perfectly with his tanky nature. Pairing a shotgun with the Light Lance melee weapon is a solid approach—it allows you to seamlessly switch between blasting enemies up close and slashing them while your shotgun reloads.

When it comes to RAMs, the best setup for Caliope isn’t fully set in stone, but here are some early impressions based on testing:

• Passive RAM: Point Blank feels like an obvious pick. It boosts melee damage, which pairs well with Caliope’s reliance on weaving melee strikes into his shotgun attacks.
• Boost RAM: Stormheart is another strong contender. It deals consistent damage to nearby enemies every 1.5 seconds, which is perfect when you’re surrounded and need passive damage output.
• Active RAM: Defensive RAMs, like Shield Barrier or Damage Reduction Mods, seem to be reliable choices. They provide extra durability, letting Caliope soak up more hits and stay in the fight longer.
• Ultimate RAM: This one feels more flexible. Area-damage ultimates can help clear swarms, while shield-based abilities offer more survivability. It ultimately depends on whether you want to focus on offense or defense.

Overall, Caliope’s (a relatively new character) optimal build still feels like it’s taking shape as players continue to test different combinations. What’s clear, though, is that he thrives in chaotic, close-range engagements where his tankiness and raw damage output make him an unmovable force on the battlefield.

And there you have it, a simple yet solid build guide for Wanderers! Keep in mind, these builds are based on our own experience and what worked best for us during our runs. The game is constantly evolving, and with every update, new strategies and synergies will emerge. At the end of the day, the beauty of Wanderers lies in experimenting, mixing, and matching weapons and RAMs to fit your own playstyle. Whether you're dominating from afar with Vesna's precision strikes or smashing through hordes as Caliope, the best build is always the one that feels right for you. Thanks for reading, and we hope this guide helps you on your journey through the chaotic universe of Wanderers.