Gunner
Heavy firepower and protective shields for the toughest mining missions.
The Gunner is one of the four playable classes in Deep Rock Galactic. Each class has a unique loadout of weapons and tools, giving them varied capabilities in combat and navigation. The Gunner specializes in heavy firepower, providing suppression and area denial to protect teammates while they complete objectives. By working together to take advantage of how their different capabilities interact, teams can more efficiently navigate a cave, complete objectives, and fight enemies.
- Species
- Dwarf
- Class
- Gunner
- Affiliation
- Deep Rock Galactic
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The source does not provide specific lore about the Gunner class's history, training, or philosophy within the Deep Rock Galactic universe. It only states that players choose one of four playable classes—Scout, Engineer, Gunner, and Driller—each with a unique loadout of weapons and tools. The game is set on the alien planet of Hoxxes IV, where dwarves work for the intergalactic mining corporation Deep Rock Galactic.
In Their Own Story
The source does not contain any narrative or story about a specific Gunner character or mission. It describes general gameplay: upon landing in a cave via an orbital drop pod, players must complete a mission objective, fight hostile aliens, manage limited ammunition, and navigate the environment. Once the objective is completed, players start an extraction sequence, backtracking through the cave to an escape pod to safely exit with collected resources.
Reader's Guide
The Gunner is one of four playable classes in Deep Rock Galactic, each with a unique loadout of weapons and tools. The class system is designed so that working together to take advantage of how different capabilities interact allows teams to more efficiently navigate caves, complete objectives, and fight enemies. For example, an Engineer can shoot platforms onto cave walls while a Scout uses a grappling hook; the Gunner contributes their own specialized arsenal. Solo players can be accompanied by a flying robot called Bosco, which assists with objectives and combat.
Did You Know?
- Deep Rock Galactic was developed by Danish studio Ghost Ship Games and published by Coffee Stain Publishing.
- The game entered early access on February 28, 2018, and was fully released on May 13, 2020.
- The game has sold over eight million units as of January 2024.
- Deep Rock Galactic was available to PlayStation Plus subscribers during the month of its release on PlayStation platforms.
- The game uses Unreal Engine and was made with the engine's Blueprint scripting for quick iteration.
Operational Environment
The Gunner operates within the game Deep Rock Galactic, developed by Danish studio Ghost Ship Games and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. The game is set on the alien planet of Hoxxes IV, whose caves are rich in precious minerals but filled with hostile wildlife and environmental hazards. The player controls a dwarf miner employed by Deep Rock Galactic, an intergalactic mining corporation, to extract valuable resources and operate heavy machinery. The game was fully released on May 13, 2020 for Microsoft Windows and Xbox One, later for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in January 2022, and for Xbox Series X/S in September 2022.
Mission Protocols
Gameplay centers around missions in fully destructible, procedurally generated cave systems. Upon landing via an orbital drop pod, players must complete a mission objective such as mining resources or repairing abandoned equipment. They must fight hostile aliens, manage limited ammunition, and navigate the maze-like environment. Once the objective is completed, players start an extraction sequence, backtracking to an escape pod to safely exit with collected resources. Optional secondary objectives offer additional credits and experience. Mission types include Mining Expedition, Egg Hunt, On-site Refining, Salvage Operation, Point Extraction, Deep Scan, Escort Duty, Elimination, Industrial Sabotage, and Heavy Extraction. Each can be played on six hazard levels, with varying mission lengths and cave complexity modifiers, plus randomly assigned Anomalies and Warnings.
Class Dynamics
Before each mission, players choose one of four playable classes: Scout, Engineer, Gunner, and Driller. Each class has a unique loadout of weapons and tools, giving them varied capabilities in combat and navigation. By working together to take advantage of how their different capabilities interact, teams can more efficiently navigate a cave, complete objectives, and fight enemies. For example, an Engineer can shoot platforms onto cave walls, while a Scout has a personal grappling hook. When playing solo, players can be accompanied by a flying robot called Bosco, which assists with objectives and combat.
Character Progression
The game features various progression systems, such as new weapons, equipment upgrades, and cosmetics, that can be purchased using credits and crafting minerals obtained from missions. By completing challenges, players can acquire perks that give dwarves additional abilities, such as increased running speed. Since 2021, there have been seasonal events in which players can unlock items via a free battle pass-like system. Players can switch active seasons at any moment outside of a mission, including having no active season. All unique rewards each season contains can be obtained by playing through its corresponding season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who represents the Gunner class in Deep Rock Galactic?
The Gunner is one of four primary dwarf specialists dedicated to heavy support and area denial. They ensure extraction teams can operate safely by keeping hostile alien fauna at bay.
What weaponry defines the Gunner's loadout?
This role utilizes a Heavy Machine Gun for sustained suppression and a Grenade Launcher for explosive crowd control. These weapons are chosen to maximize firepower against swarming enemies.
How does the Gunner contribute to squad defense?
They specialize in laying down protective barriers that create safe zones for their teammates to function effectively. By maintaining a steady line of fire, they prevent the squad from being overwhelmed during critical moments.
Why is suppression important for this class?
Suppression allows other specialists to prioritize mobility or support tasks without constant interference from alien threats. The Gunner holds the fort so others can complete mining objectives efficiently.
What is the current status of the Gunner class?
As an active member of the Deep Rock Galactic organization, the Gunner continues to deploy on tough mining missions. They remain a vital component for survival in hazardous environments.
