RIFTSTORM Trio Compositions

RIFTSTORM missions support up to three online co-op players through Steam Lobby and invite codes—no offline solo-only mode, though solo queue remains viable with softer scaling than hardcore extraction titles. Because every run uses extraction-lite rules, your trio comp should cover damage, control, and survivability while respecting Weapon Scarring risk on failed extracts. Early Access is planned for August 11, 2026 with five Weavers: Rook, Starling, Hertz, Botsy, and Caracal. This page recommends role stacks, not rigid metas—balance will shift during Early Access.

Composition framework

Assign three jobs before deploy: frontline (aggro, peel, or mines), sustained DPS (magazine or precision), and utility (turrets, mobile ops, screens, or stagger). Check Threat Levels and Rift Exposure Zones for the mission, then open the Squad Composer to match Weaver kits with Forge Center weapons. Cross-reference Team Tier List rankings when you choose a static for week-one farming.

Balanced starter: Rook + Starling + Hertz

The default recommendation for new groups learning co-op spacing. Hertz taunts and reduces damage while Rook staggers elites and plants Protocol-Mines on chokepoints. Starling stacks Momentum behind the frontline and drops Kinetic Screen so allied projectiles crit through the lane. Strengths: forgiving, covers stagger and tank, strong mid Threat. Weaknesses: less turret lockdown than Botsy comps, less mobile flanking than Caracal variants. Ideal when teammates read Getting Started and How to Co-op together.

Ranged core: Starling + Caracal + Hertz

Double backline with a dedicated frontliner. Caracal provides agile ops flanking and precision pressure while Starling maintains sustained Momentum DPS; Hertz prevents melee leaks. Requires disciplined positioning—both ranged Weavers must respect cover and extract timers from How to Extract. Caracal kit details may evolve during EA. Strengths: strong elite pressure when lanes are stable. Weaknesses: punishes spread-out play and disconnects in always-online sessions.

Zone lock: Botsy + Hertz + Rook

Hold ground in narrow maps. Botsy sets Roll Call and Hideout turrets while Conductive Paint bursts waves in kill boxes. Hertz holds taunt in the turret arc; Rook adds mines and bolt stagger for elites that push through. Layer Lythograms that buff turrets via Botsy’s Gifted Subs passive. Strengths: chokepoint dominance. Weaknesses: slow clears on wide open arenas.

Solo-queue friendly: Hertz + Starling + Rook

Not a meta speed comp, but resilient when one player is less experienced. Hertz solos frontline duty; Rook provides ally-speed Synergy when two players stack; Starling carries DPS when protected. Swap Starling for Caracal if your static prefers mobile ops flanking over sustained magazines—confirm Caracal’s kit after EA launch.

Experimental: Botsy + Caracal + Starling

Glass cannon trios for coordinated friends who trust callouts. Turrets hold lanes while Starling pierce windows and Caracal rotates off-angle—high comms requirement. Bring scar-resistant secondaries per Loadouts—failed extracts hurt this comp hardest.

Periapt and gear alignment

Comps fail when all three players chase the same Periapt nodes. Split account progression: one player prioritizes tank nodes for Hertz, another ability/turret nodes for Botsy, a third weapon nodes for Starling or mobile ops paths for Caracal. Share blueprint goals from Weapon Tier List so the squad covers elemental gaps for Going Viral and turret elements.

When to break the trio rules

Early Access may add roster or weapon systems post-launch. Revisit Weaver Tier List after patches. If your group lacks voice comms, downgrade glass comps to Rook + Hertz + any DPS. If you farm low Threat for blueprints, run double utility with one carry DPS to minimize scarring.

Featured comp checklist

Before lobby: pick comp, assign extract caller, confirm Threat, equip non-scar primary plus experimental secondary, run Lobby Invite Codes. After mission: salvage or repair at Forge Center, update Squad Composer notes, compare results to Team Tier List.