For The King 2 How to Unlock Characters: Complete Guide 2026

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Unlocking characters in For The King 2 is more than just a gameplay step—it’s your gateway to mastering every playstyle, experimenting with team compositions, and fully experiencing the game’s rich narrative depth. If you're tired of grinding through campaigns just to unlock a single class, you’re not alone. Many players are asking "for the king 2 how to unlock characters" because they want access fast, especially when playing with friends or trying out different strategies.

The good news? There are multiple paths to full character access—both in-game and through modding shortcuts. Whether you prefer earning each character through progression or using a quick fix for faster setup, this guide covers everything you need to know. We’ll walk through the official unlocking methods, reveal community-tested tricks, and even show how to bypass the grind entirely—without breaking the game.

Let’s dive into the best ways to unlock characters in For The King 2, so you can start building your dream team from day one.

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Official Character Unlock Progression: What You Need to Know

In For The King 2, most characters are unlocked by completing specific campaign milestones. This design encourages exploration, strategic planning, and long-term investment in your journey. According to player experience shared on Steam forums, the process is intentionally layered to reward persistence.

Here’s a breakdown of how characters unlock through standard gameplay:

Community reports confirm that these unlocks follow a consistent pattern: early characters appear in hidden prison wagons, while others require finishing entire story arcs. This method ensures players engage with core mechanics like resource management, map exploration, and party coordination.

💡 Pro Tip: Use the +1 or +2 Find Distance perks (especially Crude Torch +1) to increase visibility across unexplored hexes. Players have discovered that blind pathfinding often leads to missed opportunities—like finding a Lost Prison Cart outside the main quest triangle.

Some players report that failing to explore off-the-beaten-path areas results in missing key unlocks entirely. One user described stumbling upon the Woodcutter’s wagon “by accident” after veering far from the intended route—a reminder that sometimes, the best discoveries come from wandering off course.

While this method builds immersion and rewards careful play, it can be time-consuming if you’re only interested in testing different classes or forming a balanced team.

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Shortcut Method: Unlock All Characters Instantly (Steam Mod Hack)

If you’re ready to skip the grind and jump straight into team experimentation, there’s a well-documented workaround used by many players. This method involves editing a JSON configuration file within the game’s local files—a shortcut widely discussed in YouTube tutorials and Steam Community posts.

This approach doesn’t violate any terms of service since it modifies local data only. However, it does reduce the sense of achievement tied to progression, so use it wisely.

Step-by-Step Guide to Unlock All Characters via File Edit

Follow these steps carefully to unlock all 12 playable classes instantly:

1. Open Steam and go to your library.
2. Right-click For The King 2 → Select Manage → Click Browse Local Files.
3. Navigate to the folder: For The King 2 Data Streaming Assets Assets Configs.
4. Locate and open LocalStore.json using Notepad (or any text editor).
5. Search for entries related to character unlocks (e.g., Alchemist, Woodcutter, Shepherd, etc.).
6. Find the defaultState value next to each character name.
7. Change defaultState from -1 or -2 to 1.
8. Save the file and exit.
9. Launch the game and check the Lore Store—you should now see all characters unlocked.

⚠️ Warning: Always back up the original LocalStore.json before editing. If something goes wrong, you can restore it easily.

This trick works because the game reads the defaultState value to determine whether a character is locked or available. A value of 1 means “unlocked,” while -1 means “locked.” By flipping the switch, you gain instant access.

Several creators have tested this method, confirming it unlocks characters like the Shepherd, Hobo, and Frer without requiring campaign completion. One video demo showed a player going from zero unlocked classes to full roster in under two minutes.

While this isn’t an official feature, it’s a popular solution among streamers, multiplayer groups, and players who want to experiment with team synergy without spending hours on repetitive runs.

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Why Unlock All Characters Matters in Multiplayer

For players joining co-op sessions with friends, having access to all characters is essential. Not everyone wants to play as the same class repeatedly, and coordinating roles becomes much harder when some members are restricted to limited options.

According to player experience, teams often struggle to balance roles unless they can freely choose their preferred class. With only four players, having everyone pick unique roles is nearly impossible if unlocks are locked behind long campaigns.

Using the unlock hack allows groups to:

• Form ideal team compositions (tank, healer, damage dealer, support)
• Reduce frustration during matchmaking
• Focus on strategy instead of waiting to unlock a desired class

One Reddit user noted: “We tried to run a mixed team with no luck until we used the JSON edit. Now everyone gets to play their favorite role—and the game feels way more fun.”

That said, it’s important to consider the trade-off: skipping progression removes the satisfaction of earning each character. Still, for short-term experiments or casual play, the benefit outweighs the cost.

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Comparing Unlock Methods: Pros, Cons & Best Use Cases

To help you decide which method suits your playstyle, here’s a comparison table summarizing both approaches:

✅ Best Practice: Use the file edit method to unlock characters at the start, then re-enable normal progression for future runs to maintain challenge.

Many players adopt a hybrid model: unlock all characters upfront for flexibility, then replay the game normally to earn achievements and unlock cosmetic rewards.

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Advanced Tips for Maximizing Character Usage

Once you’ve unlocked all characters, here’s how to get the most out of them:

1. Test Class Synergies Early

Try different combinations in early-game scenarios. For example:

• Alchemist + Pathfinder = fast exploration and healing
• Woodcutter + Farmer = rapid resource generation
• Shepherd + Hobo = strong defensive presence

2. Use the Lore Store Strategically

Each character has unique passive abilities and starting gear. Check the Lore Store before each run to tailor your party to the current map or threat level.

3. Track Unlock Milestones

Keep a log of which characters you’ve earned through gameplay vs. hacks. This helps preserve the sense of accomplishment.

4. Share Your Setup

Post your team compositions on Steam or Discord communities. Other players may find inspiration—or even request your save file.

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FAQ: For The King 2 How to Unlock Characters

Q: Can I unlock all characters without cheating? Yes—but it requires completing multiple campaigns and exploring hidden prison wagons. Some characters are found in specific maps (e.g., Woodcutter in Chapter 2), while others unlock after finishing story arcs. It’s slower but preserves the intended experience.

Q: Is editing the JSON file safe for my game? Yes, as long as you back up the original file first. The change only affects local data and won’t trigger bans or crashes. Just don’t share modified files publicly.

Q: Does unlocking characters affect achievements? No. Achievements are based on gameplay actions (e.g., completing campaigns, surviving certain events), not character unlocks. You can still earn all achievements even if you use the hack.

Q: Where can I find official info about character unlocks? Visit the official For The King 2 Steam page for updates, patch notes, and developer insights. The game’s wiki also provides detailed lore and class descriptions.

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🔗 External Resource: For the latest official details, visit the For The King 2 Steam Store Page.