Which Ranger pairing should I start with in Wasteland 3?

As an RPG, Wasteland 3 is all about player choice. You decide how you want to play, and what Skills or Attributes to upgrade for each of your squad members. Before you get into those elements of inXile Entertainment’s latest offering, you will need to select a Ranger pairing at the start of the game. There are five pairs for you to pick from, and each duo has their own advantages and disadvantages.

You create your own characters if these predetermined pairs don’t jump out at you. For newcomers to the franchise, however, choosing one of the five listed below is best. You can jump right into Wasteland 3 and get to grips with its gameplay mechanics without spending your time inside its character creation tool, and you can always make your own characters in future playthroughs.

Young Rangers

This pairing is your default all-rounder choice. Yuri and Spence are a good pick for newcomers to the series. They specialise in first aid, modifying weapons, and taking down foes with standard assault and sidearm weapons, so there’s no steep learning curve with the twosome.

Punk Lovers

A duo who acts first and asks questions later, Bronco and Kickboy love nothing more than to engage foes at close quarters. They also revel in breaking into other people’s stashes, and modifying any loot that they come across. Perfect for players who enjoy a good ruckus and crafting better items.

Father and Daughter

The perfect combination of melee and long-ranged combat. William and Li-Tsung may seem poles apart in terms of playstyle, but they’re a good match for players who like to divide and conquer in combat. They’re also adept at breaking into places, sneaking past enemies, and taming wild animals, so their skill set is as varied as they come.

Mentor and Student

Another veteran-rookie combo. Unlike William and Li-Tsing, though, Dusty and Marie’s talents mainly lie in big guns, explosions, and modding. For players who like to go loud and make better armor and weapons, this duo should be your first choice.

Tech Heads

Chris and Kris are arguably the least-skilled gunslingers — at the beginning anyway — out of the default pairs. Their other skills make up for this, though, including the ability to craft weird weaponry, make more money off scrap collected in the wasteland, and suck up to people to stay on their good side.