Absolum features four playable heroes. Two are available immediately, and two join after short, progression‑gated encounters. If you’re just looking to fill out the roster, the checklist below shows every character and the exact trigger that unlocks them.

All Absolum characters and how to unlock them

Character How to unlock
Galandra Available from the start
Karl Available from the start
Cider Meet them after defeating your first Grandery mini‑boss, then help them in a later forest encounter; they join the Sanctuary
Brome Beat the Underking to reach Jaroba, free Vikhana to mark Brome’s location, then assist Brome in battle; he returns to the Sanctuary

Unlock Cider (Grandery)

Cider’s recruitment plays out across a couple of runs and doesn’t require precision routing.

  • Defeat your first Grandery mini‑boss. It doesn’t matter which path you took; in the safe area after that fight you’ll encounter Cider for the first time.
  • On your next run, Cider briefly appears at the start and departs.
  • Progress to the forest area near the Underking’s castle. You’ll find Cider engaged with enemies. Help finish the fight.
  • After that encounter, Cider relocates to the Sanctuary and becomes selectable for future runs.

Tip: This chain typically completes within a few attempts. If your paths vary, don’t worry—Cider’s scenes are designed to surface as you naturally progress through Grandery.

Unlock Brome (Jaroba)

Brome’s questline starts only after you clear Grandery’s finale.

  • Defeat the Underking (Grandery’s final boss) to unlock the second region, Jaroba.
  • Advance through Jaroba’s opening stretch until you reach a scene with a captive. Free Vikhana the Joyful from the plant restraint.
  • Vikhana assigns you to rescue Brome and marks his location on your map.
  • Follow the main path forward, then head north toward the marked tunnel. Locate Brome, assist in the ensuing fight, and finish the encounter.
  • After the battle, Brome returns to the Sanctuary and is playable on subsequent runs.

Note: Jaroba hits harder than Grandery. Expect a few runs to reach Brome if you’re still building out upgrades.

What changes when you unlock them

New characters become fully selectable at the campfire in the Sanctuary. They bring distinct kits and timing windows but fit into the same core combat model.

  • Cider: A high‑mobility fighter whose grapple is tied to their special, giving reliable control options once you learn spacing. Some skills are situational but powerful in the right rooms.
  • Brome: A staff‑wielding wizard comfortable at range and up close. His heavy attack can deflect, making certain enemy strings and projectiles safer to contest.

Shared progression and training

Character power isn’t siloed. Permanent upgrades you invest at the Tree apply across the roster, so swapping heroes won’t set you back. You’ll still want to unlock each hero’s specific Arcana and techniques by speaking with Ederig in the Sanctuary, but broad survivability and economy upgrades carry over for everyone.

Frequently asked

  • How many characters are in Absolum? Four: Galandra, Karl, Cider, and Brome.
  • Do I need special items to recruit them? No. Both unlocks hinge on reaching specific areas and completing short, scripted fights.
  • Can I miss these quests? They’re designed to reappear as you progress. If you don’t see a scene in one run, push further on your next.

Once Cider and Brome are in your rotation, try alternate routes in Grandery and Jaroba to learn their matchups and capitalize on their strengths. The roster is small by design, and all four heroes are viable once your Tree upgrades start stacking.