The Back-up (2024)

The Back-up
Call drones for back up. Lasts 25 seconds.
Call 4 Strike Drones to fight for you. Lasts 25 seconds.
Rarity	Equipment
Cooldown	100s
Amount needed for permanent effect
6 Gesture of the DrownedGesture of the Drowned Dramatically reduce Equipment cooldown... BUT it automatically activates. Reduce Equipment cooldown by 50% (+15% per stack). Forces your Equipment to activate whenever it is off cooldown.	9 Fuel CellFuel Cell Hold an additional equipment charge. Reduce equipment cooldown. Hold an additional equipment charge (+1 per stack). Reduce equipment cooldown by 15% (+15% per stack).
Unlock	Mechanic

Strike Drone
Health	225 (+67.5 per level)
Health Regen	5/s (+1 per level)
Damage	7 (+1.4 per level)
Speed	17 m/s

"Backup" redirects here. For the common item, see Backup MagazineBackup Magazine
Add an extra charge of your Secondary skill.
Add +1 (+1 per stack) charge of your Secondary skill..

The Back-up is a returning equipment in Risk of Rain 2.

When activated, it summons 4 Strike Drones that follow the player and attack nearby enemies with fast-firing machine guns. After 25 to 28 seconds, the Strike Drones automatically self-destruct.

Notes[]

• The Strike Drone is the only ally that does not scale with the monster level, but instead with the player level. As such, it deals less damage as time passes, since monsters level up faster than the player. This is most likely a bug.
  • It is worth noting that Strike Drones spawned by an Equipment Drone or a ScavengerScavenger
    Item HoarderHP: 3800 (+1140 per level)
    Damage: 4 (+0.8 per level)
    Class: Ranged
    Speed: 3 m/s
    Armor: 20 will be at ambient level, since their summoner also scales accordingly.

Tips[]

• This equipment is extremely beneficial for CaptainCaptainThe Captain is a unique survivor that can control the battlefield with utility and damage - with help from the UES Safe Travels.
  Class: Ranged
  HP: 110 (+33 per level)
  Damage: 12 (+2.4 per level)
  Armor: 0
  Umbra: Tired Veteran, since his passive skillDefensive Microbots (Passive)Passively gain Microbots that shoot down nearby enemy projectiles. Drones are also given Microbots.
  Survivor: Captain grants every Strike Drone Defensive MicrobotsDefensive Microbots
  Shoot down nearby projectiles. Recharge rate scales with attack speed.
  Shoot down 1 (+1 per stack) projectiles within 20m every 0.5 seconds. Recharge rate scales with attack speed. until their duration runs out.

• Giving The Back-up to an Equipment Drone is quite useful, since the drone itself will activate the equipment when enemies are near. Both the Equipment Drone and Strike Drones will follow the player nearly all the time, since the Equipment Drone reduces its equipment's cooldown by about 80%.
  • This is especially useful as Captain, as the Equipment Drone and the Strike Drones will get Defensive Microbots.

• Due to its 100 second cooldown, it's best to use this against a horde of enemies or during the Teleporter Event, as the drones have a high rate of fire and can draw enemies' attention.

• This item has a hard limit of 20 drones that can be active at any one time. This cap is affected by other drones the player already has, and activating it will no longer have any effect if they have 20 drones already.

• It's possible to gain permanent uptime of the drones by having a Gesture of the DrownedGesture of the Drowned
  Dramatically reduce Equipment cooldown... BUT it automatically activates.
  Reduce Equipment cooldown by 50% (+15% per stack). Forces your Equipment to activate whenever it is off cooldown. and at least five Fuel CellsFuel Cell
  Hold an additional equipment charge. Reduce equipment cooldown.
  Hold an additional equipment charge (+1 per stack). Reduce equipment cooldown by 15% (+15% per stack)..
  • Interestingly, this equipment can still benefit from gathering more Gestures and/or Fuel Cells even after permanent uptime is achieved, since more than 4 drones can be summoned at once.
• Drones summoned will not receive the visual drone augmentations provided by Survivors of the Void - DLC Content
  Spare Drone Parts is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run.
  Click for more info. Spare Drone PartsSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content
  This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run.
  Click for more info.Spare Drone Parts
  Your drones fire faster, have less cooldowns, shoot missiles, and gain a bonus chaingun.
  Gain Col. Droneman. Drones gain +50% (+50% per stack) attack speed and cooldown reduction. Drones gain 10% chance to fire a missile on hit, dealing 300% TOTAL damage. Drones gain an automatic chain gun that deals 6x100% damage, bouncing to 2 enemies. but will receive the stat boosts.

Lore[]

"The inclusion of Rapid Response Drone Squadrons (RRDS) by local law enforcement marked a dire turning point of Plank's Rebellion. After its massive "success" in quelling the Rebellion - and subsequent implementation across Mercury - underground drone hackers became highly sought after by black market users."-Overview of Drone Technology, Vol.2

Version History[]

Anniversary Update

• Quality of Life
  • Graphics Updates
    • Update visuals to match other assets

Early Access Artifacts Content Update

• Sound & Music
  • Fix The Back-up equipment not playing activation SFX correctly over the network

Early Access Hidden Realms Content Update

• Gameplay Changes
  • Increase size of Backup Drones

Early Access Scorched Acres Content Update

• QOL
  • ☂ Add 0.5s cooldown to repeatedly using The Backup equipment

Trivia[]

• Prior to the Anniversary Update, the Strike Drones shared the same model as the Missile Drone.

• The Back-up has a retro "walkie talkie" styled LCD screen, which can be read if examined in the logbook. It has a signal strength (or battery) indicator at the top, says that it's connected to Channel 2, and is set to 0/100 Voice Mod SVL (presumably standing for sound velocity levels).

• 

  See Also

  Votekick

  A close up of The Back-up's screen.

Equipment
Normal
Blast Shower20sBlast Shower Cleanse all negative effects. Cleanse all negative effects. Includes debuffs, damage over time, and nearby projectiles. • Disposable Missile Launcher45sDisposable Missile Launcher Fire a swarm of missiles. Fire a swarm of 12 missiles that deal 12x300% damage. • Eccentric Vase45sEccentric Vase Create a quantum tunnel between two locations. Create a quantum tunnel of up to 1000m in length. Lasts 30 seconds. • Executive Card0.1sSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Executive Card Gain 10% cash back on all purchases. Multishops remain open. Whenever you make a gold purchase, get 10% of the spent gold back. If the purchase is a multishop terminal, the other terminals will remain open. • Foreign Fruit45sForeign Fruit Heal on use. Instantly heal for 50% of your maximum health. • Forgive Me Please45sForgive Me Please Throw a cursed doll that repeatedly triggers your 'On Kill' effects. Throw a cursed doll out that triggers any On-Kill effects you have every 1 second for 8 seconds. • Fuel ArrayFuel Array Looks like it could power something. EXTREMELY unstable... • Gnarled Woodsprite15sGnarled Woodsprite Heal over time. Activate to send to an ally. Gain a Woodsprite follower that heals for 1.5% of your maximum health/second. Can be sent to an ally to heal them for 10% of their maximum health. • Goobo Jr.100sSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Goobo Jr. Create a clone of you for 30 seconds. Spawn a gummy clone that has 300% damage and 300% health. Expires in 30 seconds. • Gorag's Opus45sGorag's Opus You and all your allies enter a frenzy. All allies enter a frenzy for 7 seconds. Increases movement speed by 50% and attack speed by 100%. • Jade Elephant45sJade Elephant Gain massive armor for 5 seconds. Gain 500 armor for 5 seconds. • Milky Chrysalis60sMilky Chrysalis Gain temporary flight. Sprout wings and fly for 15 seconds. Gain +20% movement speed for the duration. • Molotov (6-Pack)45sSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Molotov (6-Pack) Throw 6 flaming molotovs that ignite enemies upon shattering. Throw 6 molotov co*cktails that ignites enemies for 500% base damage. Each molotov leaves a burning area for 200% damage per second. • Ocular HUD60sOcular HUD Gain +100% Critical Strike Chance for 8 seconds. • Preon Accumulator140sPreon Accumulator Fire a ball of energy that electrocutes nearby enemies before detonating. Fires preon tendrils, zapping enemies within 35m for up to 600% damage/second. On contact, detonate in an enormous 20m explosion for 4000% damage. • Primordial Cube60sPrimordial Cube Fire a black hole that draws enemies in. Fire a black hole that draws enemies within 30m into its center. Lasts 10 seconds • Radar Scanner45sRadar Scanner Reveal all nearby interactables. Reveal all interactables within 500m for 10 seconds. • Recycler45sRecycler Transform an Item or Equipment into a different one. Can only recycle once. Transform an Item or Equipment into a different one. Can only be converted into the same tier one time. • Remote Caffeinator60sSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Remote Caffeinator Request a healing soda machine. Request an Eclipse Zero Vending Machine from the UES Safe Travels. Delivery guaranteed in 5 seconds, dealing 2000% damage. Heal up to 3 targets for 25% of their maximum health. • Royal Capacitor20sRoyal Capacitor Call down a lightning strike on a targeted monster. Call down a lightning strike on a targeted monster, dealing 3000% damage and stunning nearby monsters. • Sawmerang45sSawmerang Throw a fan of buzzing saws that come back to you. Throw three large saw blades that slice through enemies for 3x400% damage. Also deals an additional 3x100% damage per second while bleeding enemies. Can strike enemies again on the way back. • Super Massive Leech60sSuper Massive Leech Heal for a percentage of the damage you deal for 8 seconds. Heal for 20% of the damage you deal. Lasts 8 seconds. • The Back-up100sThe Back-up Call drones for back up. Lasts 25 seconds. Call 4 Strike Drones to fight for you. Lasts 25 seconds. • The CrowdfunderThe Crowdfunder Toggle to fire. Costs gold per bullet. Fires a continuous barrage that deals 100% damage per bullet. Costs $1 per bullet. Cost increases over time. • Trophy Hunter's Tricorn (Consumed)60sSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Trophy Hunter's Tricorn (Consumed) Looks kinda cool, but that's about it. • Trophy Hunter's Tricorn0sSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Trophy Hunter's Tricorn Execute a large monster and claim its trophy. Consumed on use. Execute any enemy capable of spawning a unique reward, and it will drop that item. Equipment is consumed on use. • Volcanic Egg30sVolcanic Egg Transform into a speeding draconic fireball, dealing damage as you pass through enemies. Turn into a draconic fireball for 5 seconds. Deal 500% damage on impact. Detonates at the end for 800% damage.
Lunar
Effigy of Grief15sEffigy of Grief Drop a permanent effigy that cripples ALL characters inside. Can place up to 5. ALL characters within are slowed by 50% and have their armor reduced by 20. Can place up to 5. • Glowing Meteorite140sGlowing Meteorite Rain meteors from the sky, hurting both enemies and allies. Rain meteors from the sky, damaging ALL characters for 600% damage per blast. Lasts 20 seconds. • Helfire Tincture45sHelfire Tincture Burn everything nearby... including you and allies. Ignite ALL characters within 15m for 12s. Deal 5% of your maximum health/second as burning as damage. The burn is 0.5x stronger on yourself, 0.25x stronger on allies, and 24x stronger on enemies. • Spinel Tonic60sSpinel Tonic Gain a massive boost to ALL stats. Chance to gain an affliction that reduces ALL stats. Drink the Tonic, gaining a boost for 20 seconds. Increases damage by +100%. Increases attack speed by +70%. Increases armor by +20. Increases maximum health by +50%. Increases passive health regeneration by +300%. Increases movespeed by +30%. When the Tonic wears off, you have a 20% chance to gain a Tonic Affliction, reducing all of your stats by -5% (-5% per stack).
Elite
Her Biting EmbraceHer Biting Embrace Become an aspect of ice. • His ReassuranceSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.His Reassurance Become an aspect of earth. • Ifrit's DistinctionIfrit's Distinction Become an aspect of fire. • N'kuhana's RetortN'kuhana's Retort Become an aspect of corruption. • Shared DesignShared Design Become an aspect of perfection. • Silence Between Two StrikesSilence Between Two Strikes Become an aspect of lightning. • Spectral CircletSpectral Circlet Become an aspect of incorporeality.

Risk of Rain 2 Wiki
Main
Artifacts • Challenges • Chests • Difficulty • Drones • Equipment • Interactables • Items • Item Stacking • Lore • Mechanics • Monsters • Newt Altars • Prismatic Trial • Shrines • Status Effects
Survivors
AcridAcridAcrid is a melee-range hybrid who uses powerful poisons to melt tanky enemies. Class: Melee / Ranged HP: 160 (+48 per level) Damage: 15 (+3 per level) Armor: 20 Umbra: Test Subject • ArtificerArtificerThe Artificer is a high burst damage survivor who excels in fighting large groups and bosses alike. Class: Ranged HP: 110 (+33 per level) Damage: 12 (+2.4 per level) Armor: 0 Umbra: Herald of the House Beyond • BanditBanditThe Bandit is a high-skill combo character that can dish out devastating backstabs while weaving in and out of stealth. Class: Ranged HP: 110 (+33 per level) Damage: 12 (+2.4 per level) Armor: 0 Umbra: Desperate Outlaw • CaptainCaptainThe Captain is a unique survivor that can control the battlefield with utility and damage - with help from the UES Safe Travels. Class: Ranged HP: 110 (+33 per level) Damage: 12 (+2.4 per level) Armor: 0 Umbra: Tired Veteran • CommandoCommandoThe Commando is a jack-of-all-trades character that is reliable in all situations of the game. Class: Ranged HP: 110 (+33 per level) Damage: 12 (+2.4 per level) Armor: 0 Umbra: Cornered Gunslinger • EngineerEngineerThe Engineer is a unique class that requires planning and positioning to be successful. Class: Ranged HP: 130 (+39 per level) Damage: 14 (+2.8 per level) Armor: 0 Umbra: Fortification Expert • HereticHereticThe Heretic is a powerful character who can only be accessed through extraordinary means. Class: Ranged HP: 440 (+132 per level) Damage: 18 (+3.6 per level) Armor: 0 Umbra: Unorthodoxy Risen • HuntressHuntressThe Huntress is an extremely mobile but fragile survivor with a high damage output. Class: Ranged HP: 90 (+27 per level) Damage: 12 (+2.4 per level) Armor: 0 Umbra: Judge, Jury, Executioner • LoaderLoaderThe Loader is a slow but powerful bruiser that can use her grappling hook to uniquely navigate the environment. Class: Melee HP: 160 (+48 per level) Damage: 12 (+2.4 per level) Armor: 20 Umbra: Bionic Powerhouse • MercenaryMercenaryThe Mercenary is a high skill melee survivor that uses his many dodges to weave in and out of combat. Class: Melee HP: 110 (+33 per level) Damage: 12 (+2.4 per level) Armor: 20 Umbra: Hired Blade • MUL-TMUL-TMUL-T is an aggressive survivor who has the tools necessary for any job! Class: Melee / Ranged HP: 200 (+60 per level) Damage: 11 (+2.2 per level) Armor: 12 Umbra: Right Tool for the Wrong Job • Survivors of the Void - DLC Content Railgunner is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info. RailgunnerSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.RailgunnerThe Railgunner is a long-range, single target survivor that can instantly kill any high priority target - and from any range. Class: Ranged HP: 110 (+33 per level) Damage: 12 (+2.4 per level) Armor: 0 Umbra: Forgotten Nomad • REXREXREX is a half robot / half plant that uses HP to cast devastating skills from a distance. The plant nor the robot could survive this planet alone – but thankfully they have each other. Class: Ranged HP: 130 (+39 per level) Damage: 12 (+2.4 per level) Armor: 20 Umbra: Symbiotes • Survivors of the Void - DLC Content Void Fiend is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info. Void FiendSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Void FiendThe Void Fiend is a corrupted survivor that fluctuates between a controlled and corrupted form, each with different strengths and weaknesses. Managing this curse has become its fate. Class: Ranged HP: 110 (+33 per level) Damage: 12 (+2.4 per level) Armor: 0 Umbra: Corrupted Amnesiac
Environments
Abandoned AqueductAbandoned Aqueduct (Stage 2) Origin of Tar You dream of sand beneath your feet. Massive skeletons and pools of tar are littered around, and a towering aqueduct pouring down tar dominates the area. • Abyssal DepthsAbyssal Depths (Stage 4) Tectonic Relics You dream of fire. A hellfire-forged zone of blazing heat, the Abyssal Depths are believed to be a continuation and adaptation of the Magma Barracks from Risk of Rain. • Survivors of the Void - DLC Content Aphelian Sanctuary is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info. Aphelian SanctuarySurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Aphelian Sanctuary (Stage 2) Cleansing Center You dream of clarity. • CommencementCommencement (Final) Moon of Petrichor V You dream of glass and dirt. Large domain located above the shattered breach of Petrichor V's moon. It is made up of the shattered remains of four individual sections, emblematic of MithrixMithrix King of NothingHP: 1000 (+300 per level) Damage: 16 (+3.2 per level) Class: Melee / Ranged Speed: 15 m/s Armor: 20 and Providence's tools of creation. • Distant RoostDistant Roost (Stage 1) Ground Zero You dream of waves, crashing on cliffsides. Spires of earth jut through the fog and unknown avian creatures circle far peaks guarding their broods. • Rallypoint DeltaRallypoint Delta (Stage 3) 'Contact Light' Survivor Camp You dream of quiet snowfall. Rallypoint Delta is the remains of a makeshift camp constructed by a group of scattered crew members from the UES Contact Light, somewhere in the frigid tundra of Petrichor V. • Scorched AcresScorched Acres (Stage 3) Wisp Installation You dream of wind, blowing through trees. Large, circular platforms make up the majority of the stage, and embers float through the air. • Survivors of the Void - DLC Content Siphoned Forest is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info. Siphoned ForestSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Siphoned Forest (Stage 1) Ground Zero You dream of fire and ice. The map is blanketed in a layer of snow, with large trees surrounded by platforms spanning multiple levels. • Siren's CallSiren's Call (Stage 4) Ship Graveyard You dream of wind. • Sky MeadowSky Meadow (Stage 5) Sprite Fields You dream of serenity. • Survivors of the Void - DLC Content Sulfur Pools is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info. Sulfur PoolsSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Sulfur Pools (Stage 3) Pungent Spring You dream of brimstone. Tiered lakes of shallow sulfur pools. Arcing bridges and underground caves connect the map together. • Sundered GroveSundered Grove (Stage 4) Dormant Locus You dream of violent growth. Ancient flora has risen up to reclaim this once sacred refuge. Mazes of roots and overgrown fungus have twisted the landscape, leaving only ruins. • Titanic PlainsTitanic Plains (Stage 1) Ground Zero You dream of rolling hills. Gigantic stone arches bracket the skyline, while the main play-field overlooks a vast fractured tectonic lowland. • Wetland AspectWetland Aspect (Stage 2) Rehabilitation Zone You dream of twisting roots. Full of ruined stone structures and swampy areas filled with water.
Hidden Realms
A Moment, FracturedA Moment, Fractured (Hidden Realm) Hidden Realm: A Moment, Fractured Multiple floating islands in a void, with sharp blue crystals embedded in them. The Obelisk can be found on top of the last island. • A Moment, WholeA Moment, Whole (Hidden Realm) Hidden Realm: A Moment, Whole A bleak and desolate realm. The refuge of the Twisted Scavengers, safe from Mithrix'sMithrix King of NothingHP: 1000 (+300 per level) Damage: 16 (+3.2 per level) Class: Melee / Ranged Speed: 15 m/s Armor: 20 vengeance and destruction. • Bazaar Between TimeBazaar Between Time (Hidden Realm) Hidden Realm: Bazaar Between Time This stage serves as the shop in Risk of Rain 2. Players can purchase various Items with Lunar Coins or exchange items for higher-rarity ones in two crucibles. • Bulwark's AmbryBulwark's Ambry (Hidden Realm) Hidden Realm: Bulwark's Ambry The area consists of block-shaped platforms, with the Artifact Reliquary in the center. • Gilded CoastGilded Coast (Hidden Realm) Hidden Realm: Gilded Coast You dream of wealth. This area is where the player fights the boss Aurelionite, the Titanic Goldweaver. • Survivors of the Void - DLC Content The Planetarium is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info. The PlanetariumSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.The Planetarium (Final) Cell V The Planetarium is an area somewhere within the Void, housing a collection of planets detained by the Void's denizens. It is inhabited primarily by the Voidling, the guard of the Planetarium or potentially the controller of the Void itself. • Void FieldsVoid Fields (Hidden Realm) Cosmic Prison Hidden Realm accessible only through the Bazaar Between Time. Until the cell is stabilized, the Void Fields will constantly "suffocate" the player for a small percentage of their current health. • Survivors of the Void - DLC Content Void Locus is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info. Void LocusSurvivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Void Locus (Hidden Realm) Cell IIIVIIIIIILVIIIVLVILIVLLLVVVILIVLI You dream of potential. The Void Locus contains many Void Potentials and Cradles in place of chests, and is inhabited by Void monsters.
Expansions
Survivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Survivors of the Void
Alternate Game Modes
Eclipse • Prismatic Trials • Survivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Simulacrum
Mechanics
Armor • Damage • Directors • Enemy AI • Family Events • Gold • Health • Item Stacking • Lunar Coins • Movement Speed • Proc Coefficient • Survivors of the Void - DLC Content This content is part of the Survivors of the Void DLC. It is only available if the DLC is enabled when starting a run. Click for more info.Void Fog
Other
Developer Console • Development Team • Languages • Modding • Soundtrack • Unreleased Items • Version History