There are moments in Gatekeeper that transcend mere gameplay and become legend. One such moment is finding Dawnbreaker, the legendary hammer thrust into the soil of Runewood on planet Aurora. This isn’t just about unlocking a character; it’s about awakening a titan built not for finesse, but for glorious, uncompromising resilience. If you are a player who finds satisfaction not in dodging every attack, but in standing your ground, turning overwhelming odds into fuel for your fury, then Bastion is your destined Gatekeeper.
This guide is your key to mastering the character who thrives at the epicenter of chaos. We will delve deep into the mechanics that make him an S-Tier melee powerhouse, exploring not just the “what” of his abilities, but the “why” behind his devastating effectiveness . Forget hit-and-run tactics; here, we learn to hold the line, dominate the battlefield, and become an unbreakable force.
Why Bastion is S-Tier in Gatekeeper
the character core strength lies in his ability to scale both damage and tankiness simultaneously. Unlike niche characters that rely on risky low-health mechanics or complex setups, Bastion thrives by simply getting stronger as his health increases. This makes him incredibly forgiving for new players while remaining a top-tier pick for veterans aiming for speed and efficiency.
His passive abilities synergize perfectly with the game’s current meta, which prioritizes fast clears and overwhelming offense. Where other characters might struggle with survivability or require precise positioning, Bastion can charge into crowds, absorb punishment, and obliterate everything in his path. According to the Gatekeeper Tier List, he’s considered “the ultimate melee brawler” due to his high damage output and extreme durability
Unlocking Bastion in Gatekeeper
Unlocking the character is itself a ritual. You must gather 10 Omni Stones, the rare currency of Gatekeeper, and journey to the randomized Runewood map on Aurora. Only there will you discover the Dawnbreaker thrust into the soil. With stones in hand, you activate the Hammer of Dawn—your sacrifice, your legacy.
Once activated, Dawnbreaker becomes both weapon and symbol. And he steps into your roster: a towering figure built for stunning, smashing, surviving. He’s no glass cannon—he’s a fortress on legs.
- Gather Omni Stones: Your first task is to accumulate 10 Omni Stones, the rare currency found throughout your runs. Do not spend them on other artifacts or upgrades; this is your primary objective.
- Journey to Runewood on Aurora: Aurora is the first planet you visit. You must find the Runewood location. While the game’s maps are randomized, Runewood is a possible landing zone. If it does not appear, you can restart your run until it does.
- Find Dawnbreaker: Once in Runewood, you must explore thoroughly. The hammer, Dawnbreaker, is typically reported to be in the north-northwest part of the map. There are no on-screen markers, so a careful sweep of the area is required.
- Activate and Ascend: With 10 Omni Stones in your inventory, interact with Dawnbreaker. This sacrifice unlocks Bastion permanently for your roster.
From this moment on, Dawnbreaker becomes an extension of Bastion’s will, and you inherit the responsibility of the Heart of Time.
Bastion Identity
chose Bastion for qualities others overlooked: unwavering will, physically unyielding, able to stand at the heart of chaos. Legends say his first act as a Gatekeeper was to roar and stun a siren army single-handedly. The Creators watched, and they gifted him Dawnbreaker. He didn’t hesitate. He embraced his destiny. Now, he carries that destiny into every run. This guide mirrors his transformation—from mortal warrior to mythic bastion.
Skills
Rising Fury 
: sets the tone: for every enemy within 10 units, damage rises by 10%—and if the Siren herself is in range, that jumps to 100%. This isn’t calculation. It’s terroir. It’s standing in the storm and turning it into fuel.
Dawnbreaker 
: swings slow, heavy. Against stunned foes, it roars with +100% damage. When fully upgraded, it gets a repeat stun bonus, 30% attack speed, and damage up to 8% of maximum health—a symphony of health‑scaling destruction.
Earthshatter 
:, his second hammer skill, summons shockwaves. Upgrades allow multi-impact, universal stun, and +100% damage—quaking enemies into silence with cinematic ferocity.
Valiant Charge 
:, a dash through foes, deals 200% damage and can stun masses or heal for 5% max health per enemy hit—mobility and recovery in one slash.
Roar 
:, his area-knockdown ultimate: a radial stun with 200% damage in a 20-unit radius. Upgrades boost attack speed, restore health, and extend stun duration to 5 seconds—his exclamation point in the chaos.
Recommended Artifact Synergies
While the specific artifact names from the search results are limited, the community discusses powerful synergies based on their effects. Look for artifacts that complement the following themes:
- Health Scaling: Any artifact that says “deal damage based on a percentage of your max HP” is an S-tier choice for Bastion, as it double-dips on his primary stat.
- Area Damage Effects: Argument which deals damage in a radius near you per 0.2s”. This is perfect for Bastion, as he is always surrounded by enemies, effectively creating a constant damage aura.
- Defensive Buffs: Items that reduce damage taken or provide a shield when stunning enemies can further enhance your resilience.
- Utility Effects: Additional charges for your skills or effects that trigger on stun can add incredible versatility to your kit.
Stat Priority
- Max Health: This is your number one priority. Health not only increases your survivability but also directly boosts the damage of your fully upgraded Dawnbreaker attack. Any artifact or bonus that grants flat health or a percentage increase is invaluable.
- Skill Cooldown Reduction: More cooldown reduction means more frequent stuns from Earthshatter and Roar, and more healing dashes from Valiant Charge. This increases your control and survivability exponentially.
- Damage vs Stunned: Since you will be stunning enemies constantly, bonuses to damage against stunned targets are incredibly effective multipliers.
- Attack Speed: While secondary to health, attack speed allows you to capitalize more on your stun windows, getting more empowered hammer swings in before the enemy recovers.
Bastion Skills Rotation
While combat is dynamic, a general priority system will maximize your effectiveness:
- Initiation: Use Valiant Charge to dive into the heart of the largest enemy group. This positions you perfectly and deals initial damage.
- Crowd Control: Immediately follow up with Roar to stun the entire pack. This triggers your bonus damage against stunned targets and keeps you safe.
- Devastation: While enemies are stunned, unleash Earthshatter for amplified damage and an extended stun duration, then switch to your Dawnbreaker basic attacks to focus down high-value targets.
- Sustain and Reposition: As stuns wear off, use Valiant Charge again—either through a new group to heal, or to create space if your health is critically low. Then, repeat the cycle.
This flow turns Bastion into an unstoppable engine of destruction, where each ability seamlessly sets up the next
Optimal Build
This build aims for maximum sustainability and crowd control, making you nearly unkillable in most scenarios.
- Core Strategy: Focus on stacking Max Health and Skill Cooldown Reduction.
- Key Artifacts: Prioritize finding health-scaling damage artifacts and the Argument artifact for passive area damage .
- Playstyle: Your role is to aggro every enemy on the screen. Use your ability rotation to remain perpetually stunned and safe. Your damage will come from your health-scaled Dawnbreaker and your area-of-effect artifacts, allowing you to “melt” enemies simply by walking past them
Mastering Bastion is not about complex mechanics; it’s about embracing a philosophy of unwavering strength. It’s about the satisfaction of watching a screen full of enemies shatter against your indomitable will, their attacks fueling your fury. From the moment you pull Dawnbreaker from the soil of Runewood, you accept a legacy of protection.
This guide has given you the tools: the knowledge of his synergistic kit, the rhythm of his combat flow, and the path to building an unstoppable force. Now, the Heart of Time awaits its guardian. Go forth, stand firm, and let your hammer echo the decree of the Creators across the universe. Become the Bastion you were destined to be.
you can also check: Hybrid Build Guide 1.0 – Whisper Ignite & External Bios Combo.