KF2 Perk Overview: Which Perk Should Beginners Pick?

This is a player-written overview of the main Killing Floor 2 perks (as of the game's 2017 form), written to help new players decide where to start. It describes what each perk does, what to focus on and what kind of player will enjoy it. For deeper material see perk overview and classes and best perks.

Commando

A very common pick for new players and a jack of all trades. It specializes in assault rifles, from the AR-15 to the accurate and powerful SCAR-H. Commando can extend Zed Time for everyone, has night vision (hold F), can see ZED health bars and cloaked ZEDs. It is an excellent trash killer: your job is to clear small and some medium ZEDs, then help teammates with large ones. Against a boss keep your distance and aim at the head or glowing weak points.

Firebug

Some of the coolest weapons, from the Caulk 'n Burn flamethrower to the slow-cooking Microwave Gun. Recommended for players who want to focus on killing small ZEDs, which matters at higher difficulties. It is likely the most effective perk against hordes because the weapons have lots of ammo and cover wide areas. Do not usually try to kill large ZEDs unless playing solo. Highly recommended for beginners to get a feel for the game.

Support

A fun and useful perk with shotguns from the SG 500 to the Double Barrel Boomstick, Doomgun and AA-12. It takes on medium and large ZEDs up close but can handle small ones. Every round teammates standing next to you can receive 10 rounds of ammo, so even a poor Support helps the team. Focus on medium ZEDs first, kill small ones that get in view, and do not waste ammo you want for large ZEDs.

Field Medic

Good from beginner to pro and essential in team fights. It has weapons from the HMTech-301 Shotgun to the HMTech Assault Rifle, and even the Hemoglobin. Every perk weapon can heal (middle mouse button), which is especially useful in boss fights. The shotgun, SMG and rifle can do some damage; focus on small ZEDs, and stay near perks that kill large ZEDs (Sharpshooter, Support and Gunslinger) so you can heal them. Recommended to everyone. See the Field Medic guide.

Berserker

A crazy, destructive, almost invincible perk. You start with the Crovel Survival Tool and can later get the VLAD-1000 Nailgun, Eviscerator and Bone Crusher. You can kill almost anything, and large ZEDs have a hard time killing you. Berserkers can parry (middle mouse button) and knock attackers back, which is very useful late in the game but needs precise timing. Greedy attacks lead to a quick death. Recommended for intermediate players with some melee experience.

Sharpshooter

The author's favorite and the go-to for eliminating large ZEDs. Weapons include the Winchester 1894, Crossbow, Railgun and the new M99 AMR. Good for snipers and for players who like saving others without being a Medic. Save ammo for large ZEDs and aim at their heads. It takes skill, since trash can overwhelm you, but everyone should try it.

Gunslinger

A dual-wielding perk without very noticeable flaws, using akimbo Desert Eagles, the trash-killing AF2011-A1 and the concussive .500 Magnum Revolver. A hybrid of Support and Sharpshooter: it kills small ZEDs faster than the slow-firing Sharpshooter and handles large ZEDs from range better than Support. Good for hip-firing and decent headshots. Downsides are slow reloads and limited ammo overall.

SWAT

For submachine gun fans: MP7, P90 and Kriss. Think of it as a tankier Commando better suited to large ZEDs. It is still mostly a trash-killing perk, but up close you can unload into a large ZED's face and watch it die quickly, which is why a Commando and SWAT pair is useful. Suitable for players who like to kill quickly and efficiently.

Demolitionist

For those who like causing chaos and destruction. You start with a grenade pistol and can eventually get an RPG or Seeker Six. It can clear trash, but it suits large ZEDs better, since ammo is limited and damage per shot is high. You can also supply grenades to teammates, like Support does with ammo. Strengths: taking down large ZEDs, massive damage to bosses, crowd control. Weakness: up close, a fired grenade will not explode and does little damage, so getting surrounded is a big problem.