Some role descriptions are practical recommendations based on documented abilities and player-tested behavior, not official class names. Exact statistics and unlock requirements may vary after updates.
Fast answer
The answer before the background
The current roster has 11 heroes: Mad Marc, Lena, Grapnel, Dallas “Bull” Bouncer, Marne, Viper, Oleg, The Steampunk Jenkins, Aster, Ratchet, and Vernon. Use Mad Marc as a general-purpose frontline hero, Grapnel for control, Marne for ranged damage, Viper for support, Lena for mobile damage, Aster for enemy removal, and Vernon for slowing, finishing weakened enemies, and deploying extra firepower. Ratchet is the hero added in Underground Part 1, while Vernon was added in Underground Part 2. Ironhide does not publish a complete stage-by-stage unlock table, so do not rely on unverified claims about exact levels or costs.
Roster
All 11 heroes at a glance
Junkworld lets you choose one hero for each stage. The official site lists 11 heroes, and each has different powers and abilities that can be upgraded. There is no published tank, damage, or support class system, so the role labels below describe how each character is most useful in a deck and on the battlefield.
The safest way to compare a hero is to open the character card, read the active and passive abilities, and test the hero on a stage with several lanes. A hero’s value depends heavily on movement, enemy type, terrain, and the towers or tactics in your deck.
- Mad Marc: A flexible frontline choice with a companion, suitable for learning stages and mixed enemy waves.
- Lena: A mobile damage dealer whose drones and decoy abilities make her useful when one position is not enough.
- Grapnel: A control specialist. His pull effect can group enemies for towers and tactics, although large bosses may resist it.
- Dallas “Bull” Bouncer: A close-range bruiser suited to stopping enemies near a key bend or choke point.
- Marne: A ranged attacker and a strong choice when the map rewards long sight lines or focused damage.
- Viper: A support-oriented hero whose buffs can improve nearby allies and make a coordinated deck stronger.
- Oleg: A sturdy generalist for holding pressure in a lane while your towers handle the main damage.
- The Steampunk Jenkins: A technology-focused option that fits decks built around mechanical or gadget-heavy support.
- Aster: A specialist for dealing with troublesome targets and situations where a direct answer is more valuable than constant damage.
- Ratchet: A renegade Krittz rat hero added with Underground Part 1; use him when the underground campaign’s enemy mix calls for a specialist.
- Vernon: A pest-control expert added with Underground Part 2. He can slow enemies, finish low-health targets, and deploy an automatic turret.
| Hero | Practical role | Best reason to choose them |
|---|---|---|
| Mad Marc | Frontline generalist | Reliable first pick while learning a stage. |
| Lena | Mobile damage | Drones and decoys add damage and distraction. |
| Grapnel | Crowd control | Pulls enemies into better firing positions. |
| Dallas “Bull” Bouncer | Melee bruiser | Stops pressure close to the exit or a choke point. |
| Marne | Ranged damage | Punishes targets from safe, long-range positions. |
| Viper | Support | Improves allied damage or efficiency in coordinated setups. |
| Oleg | Durable generalist | Helps stabilize a lane under sustained pressure. |
| The Steampunk Jenkins | Technology specialist | Fits gadget- and machine-focused decks. |
| Aster | Target specialist | Useful when a specific enemy must be removed quickly. |
| Ratchet | Underground specialist | Added for the Krittz-focused Underground campaign. |
| Vernon | Slow and execute | Combines crowd control, finishing damage, and turret support. |
The names, total count, Ratchet’s Underground Part 1 connection, and Vernon’s Underground Part 2 abilities are supported by official or publisher-level material. The role labels are recommendations based on those abilities and available player testing; they are not official in-game class names.
Unlocks
How hero unlocks work
The game is built around campaign progression and hero upgrades. The official store description confirms that players command 11 heroes and upgrade their powers and abilities, but neither the official site nor the current store listing provides a complete stage-by-stage unlock chart.
For that reason, the reliable method is to progress through the map, complete the available missions, and check the hero collection after each major campaign milestone. If a hero is shown as unavailable, open the locked card: the game’s own requirement text is more dependable than an old guide or a copied list.
Mad Marc is presented as the central Scavenger hero on the official character page. Ratchet is tied to Underground Part 1, which introduces the Krittz and their underground setting. Vernon is tied to Underground Part 2 and is described as the new hero for that update. Exact unlock stages, costs, and requirements for every other hero are not confirmed in the sources checked.
- Finish normal campaign stages before assuming a hero requires a special code or random drop. No verified hero codes or drop rates were found.
- Treat Ratchet as Underground Part 1 content and Vernon as Underground Part 2 content.
- Upgrade the heroes you actually use instead of spreading resources across the full roster immediately.
- Recheck the in-game card after updates, because balance values and progression requirements can change.
| Question | Verified answer |
|---|---|
| Are there 11 heroes? | Yes. The official Junkworld site currently lists 11. |
| Is Ratchet part of the base launch roster? | He was introduced with Underground Part 1, according to the update coverage. |
| When was Vernon added? | Underground Part 2 introduced Vernon. |
| Is there a published full unlock order? | Not in the official pages checked. |
| Are heroes random drops? | No verified source checked here confirms a random-drop system. |
Early previews, old mobile builds, and community posts may describe a different progression system. Use the current in-game requirement text when it conflicts with an older guide.
Build advice
Choosing the right hero for a stage
Start by identifying the stage’s main problem rather than choosing the hero with the highest displayed damage. A crowded lane usually benefits more from control or slowing than from another single-target attacker. A stage with long lanes and exposed turns rewards ranged damage. A stage with several dangerous routes may favor a mobile or self-sufficient hero.
For a dependable first attempt, pair a generalist such as Mad Marc or Oleg with towers that cover the hero’s weakness. Use Grapnel to pull enemies into area damage, Viper when your deck depends on allied units, and Vernon when slowing or finishing weakened enemies will prevent leaks.
When a stage contains several enemy types, keep the hero near a junction rather than at the first spawn point. This gives the character more chances to respond to different lanes and lets you move them when the threat changes.
- Use Grapnel before area attacks so grouped enemies receive more value from the same tactic.
- Use Marne on maps where a safe firing lane reaches multiple bends.
- Use Lena when decoys or drones can buy time for towers to reload.
- Use Vernon’s slow zone before a concentrated tower attack, not after enemies have already passed the kill zone.
- Use Aster or another specialist only when the stage’s enemy roster gives that specialty enough targets to matter.
| Stage problem | Good starting approach |
|---|---|
| Large groups | Grapnel, Vernon, or area-damage support. |
| Long open lanes | Marne with ranged towers. |
| A sudden leak near the exit | Mad Marc, Dallas, or Oleg at the final choke point. |
| Several lanes changing pressure | Lena or another mobile hero. |
| A difficult underground wave | Ratchet or Vernon, then adjust after checking enemy weaknesses. |
There is no verified universal best hero. A character that dominates one map can be inefficient on another because Junkworld’s stages change lane layout, enemy composition, and available deployment space.
Named question
What is Monsters in the Dark?
Monsters in the Dark is a named Swamp stage or challenge in the campaign, not a hero and not a separate character category. Walkthrough references place it among the Swamp levels, and player reports describe multiple lanes with enemies such as Bloodsuckers, Swamp Junkers, Gator Riders, Bloating Frogs, Radcoons, and Weirdeer.
The stage is difficult because pressure arrives across several lanes and the enemy mix changes between waves. A practical answer is to use a hero who can influence more than one lane, keep a control tactic for the dense wave, and reserve a strong damage option for the tougher targets. Exact enemy waves and difficulty can vary by mode, so treat community wave lists as reference rather than a universal rule.
- Cover the shared choke point first if the map allows several lanes to converge there.
- Save area damage for the large mixed wave instead of spending it on the first small group.
- Keep a ranged tower or tactic available for enemies that your frontline units cannot hold safely.
- If a veteran-mode attempt fails, change the deck before spending more hero upgrades.
| Common mistake | Better adjustment |
|---|---|
| Putting the hero on one isolated lane | Place the hero near a junction or shared choke point. |
| Using every tactic on wave one | Hold one area or emergency tactic for the second pressure spike. |
| Relying only on melee units | Add ranged damage for durable or evasive enemies. |
| Copying a normal-mode guide | Check the difficulty setting before matching a deck. |
Community descriptions of Monsters in the Dark often refer to different difficulties and upgrade levels. The enemy lineup and the amount of pressure can therefore look different between players.
FAQ
Common questions
Who is the best hero for beginners?
Mad Marc is the safest general-purpose recommendation because he is presented as the central Scavenger hero and does not require a narrow stage setup. Oleg is another reasonable choice when you need a sturdier presence. Neither is officially designated as the best.
How many heroes are in Junkworld?
The official Junkworld site currently lists 11: Mad Marc, Lena, Grapnel, Dallas “Bull” Bouncer, Marne, Viper, Oleg, The Steampunk Jenkins, Aster, Ratchet, and Vernon.
Are Ratchet and Vernon secret characters?
No. Ratchet and Vernon are named heroes connected to the Underground updates. Ratchet arrived with Underground Part 1, and Vernon arrived with Underground Part 2.
Can I unlock every hero without codes or paid purchases?
The available official information does not list hero codes, random drop rates, or a separate purchase requirement. Progress through the campaign and follow each locked card’s in-game requirement. Do not trust a claimed code unless Ironhide confirms it.
Is Monsters in the Dark a hero?
No. It is a named Swamp stage or challenge. Guides and player reports discuss it as a difficult multi-lane level, not as a character.
Sources
What we checked
Official listings establish current availability and product facts. Community pages are used for mechanics and build history, then labeled separately.
- OfficialOfficial Junkworld site: game overview and current character roster
- OfficialIronhide official announcement: Underground Part 1 and Ratchet’s campaign context
- OfficialApple Arcade listing: hero count, game features, and update history
- ReferencePocket Gamer: Underground Part 2 and Vernon’s documented abilities
- CommunityAppUnwrapper: campaign placement of Monsters in the Dark
- CommunityCommunity discussion: practical observations about several hero roles