Stonewards Best Class: Solo and Co-op Picks for 0.1.8

The short answer

The best Stonewards class is the one that fixes the current run's bottleneck. Stonewards combines timed mining, forging, repairs, and wave defense, so a class that looks strongest on a damage chart can still lose when the team lacks resources or sustain.

Best class for solo

Solo play forces one dwarf to mine, prepare, repair, and defend. Start with a class whose controls and damage pattern you can execute consistently, then prioritize movement, survivability, and resource flow over a narrow damage combo.

Miner and Warrior are practical learning choices because their jobs match the two pressures every run presents: obtaining enough material and preventing a breach. Hunter is also worth retesting after 0.1.7 because the Companion now travels farther, survives longer, and can be healed through two systems.

There is no stable solo tier list yet. Balance is moving quickly, randomized upgrades change each run, and community reports can describe different difficulty levels and patch versions.

Hotfix 0.1.8 did not publish a new class roster or a permanent class ranking. It matters for solo planning because anti-stall enemy behavior can punish overly slow combat loops, and Staff rarity fixes affect Mage damage and Healer healing. Treat the current version as a check on old build videos, not as proof that one class is permanently best.

Best class for co-op

Co-op rewards complementary jobs more than four copies of the same build. A useful four-player plan is:

1. One mining/economy player.
2. One frontline defender who watches walls and gates.
3. One ranged damage player with clear sightlines.
4. One flexible support slot for Healer, Hunter, or Artificer.

Treat this as a responsibility checklist, not a mandatory composition. The important part is that somebody owns each job before the horn sounds.

In Hotfix 0.1.8, the end-of-wave flow changed: after every player selects an upgrade, the run remains paused until a player presses Continue. This works with the 0.1.7 60-second auto-select timer, so class choice in co-op should also consider who can make forge and upgrade calls quickly.

Current patch check: Hotfix 0.1.8

Official Steam news lists Hotfix 0.1.8 on August 26, 2026. The verified gameplay-relevant points for class choice are:

• Temporary multiplayer pause between waves after all upgrades are selected.
• Anti-stall enemy behavior when combat stays at very low intensity for too long.
• Expanded local progression backup saves.
• Fixes affecting Staff rarity for Healer healing and Mage damage.
• Fixes for Artificer bomb behavior and several multiplayer revive, teleport, collision, and UI issues.

See the official Stonewards Steam news page before relying on any older class ranking.

What changed in Hotfix 0.1.7

• Hunter Companion movement, travel distance, health, and damage improved.
• Companion Poison and Fire scale with the player's attack damage.
• Healer and an upgraded Fireplace can heal the Companion.
• Artificer bombs can roll Gold for each destroyed block.
• Healer healing projectiles gained more reliable collision and a small area effect.
• Mage Fireball collision became more reliable.
• Crossbows became playable.

These changes make older class rankings unreliable. See the official patch notes and compare the live Character Screen before committing to a long unlock grind.

FAQ

Which class is best for a beginner?

Choose Miner if you enjoy the resource phase or Warrior if you want a direct defensive job. Both make the core dig–forge–defend loop easier to understand.

Which class is best for co-op support?

Healer provides direct sustain. Hunter adds a Companion that can now be healed, while Artificer contributes mining and area utility. Pick the support job the team is actually missing.

Where are the unlock requirements?

Hotfix 0.1.6 added them to the in-game Character Screen. Exact requirements should be read there because Early Access missions can change.