Which Agent is available at the start?

Nik is available immediately. His Legacy Watch produces coins when he takes damage, but preserving health is still the safer way to learn.

How do I unlock Elise?

Complete Hatching Rookie by successfully hatching eggs 8 times across runs, then claim the reward on the Task screen in the Bar.

Do Agent unlock tasks carry over between runs?

Cumulative tasks do. Tasks requiring a single run must be completed within that attempt, including the conditions for Xuan, R-7, and Mira.

Can James use two weapons?

Yes. Wedding Rings gives James a second weapon slot and additional Soul Shards from extracting weapons. Use the Passive input to switch weapons.

What makes Lúcia different?

Moon Crystal gives Lúcia an additional Curio slot and restores one crystal after each battle. Use Passive to switch which Curio is equipped.

Why is an Agent still locked after finishing a task?

Return to the Bar and claim the completed task reward. Saya also requires access to her DLC.

Neon Abyss 2 Agents Guide: Abilities, Unlocks, and First Picks

Which Agent should you try first?

Start with Nik to learn movement and resource decisions, then try an unlocked Agent whose ability supports your preferred setup. Elise is useful for companion support, James for weapon switching, and Lúcia for Curios. Pick a kit you can use consistently before taking on abilities that require risky positioning or spending health.

What you want to practise	Agent to consider	Useful feature
Basic exploration and combat	Nik	Available immediately, so you can focus on the run
Keeping companions active	Elise	Kiddy helps nearby dazed Hatchmon recover
Using complementary weapons	James	A second weapon slot lets you cover different attack situations
Managing active tools	Lúcia	An additional Curio slot gives you another equipped option

This is a starting point for choosing a playstyle. Test how the ability fits your movement and the drops you find. The beginner guide covers the controls and resource habits that help with any Agent.

What does each Agent’s ability do?

Choose an Agent by the action their signature ability asks you to manage. Some bonuses work automatically, while others use the Passive input to switch equipment or interact with resources. Match that action to your comfort level: a powerful-looking kit is less useful if it distracts you from dodging or leaves you short of supplies.

Agent	Signature ability	What to account for during a run
Nik	Legacy Watch produces coins when he is hurt	Treat the coins as a bonus after a hit; keep protecting your health
Elise	Plush Gloves supplies Kiddy, who awakens nearby dazed Hatchmon	Supports a squad that needs help staying active
Xuan	Grazing bullets charges Clarity Gourd; Passive uses a full charge to clear nearby bullets and release talismans and a purple wisp	Grazing means approaching a bullet without being hit; practise the distance carefully
Saya	Rabbit & Bear allows switching to her katana, whose level follows the primary weapon	Learn the range of both attacks; this Agent requires DLC access
James	Wedding Rings adds a weapon slot and increases Soul Shards gained from weapon extraction	Use Passive to switch; compare a spare before extracting it
Lúcia	Moon Crystal adds a Curio slot and restores 1 crystal after battle	Switch tools with Passive and budget for each activation
R-7	Abnormal Chip uses shields for health, launches tech missiles, and gains weapon damage from shield pickups	Hearts can become shields at Death’s Door; ordinary healing needs different planning
Mira	Taking damage creates clown bombs and draws a buff card; the card bonuses reset each floor	Account for the health spent and the floor reset
Cassie	Carousel Music Box attempts to unlock or steal goods; Luck affects success, and failure has a penalty	Read the result before making another attempt
Tino	Broken Trinket starts with a random Wonder Jar and two Wonder slots; Passive copies the held jar and triggers damage	Budget health before copying a jar

For R-7, each shield pickup adds 0.5% weapon damage, up to 100% from this effect. His ability entry describes the shield-based scaling.

R-7: weapon damage added per shield pickup +0.5% per pickup

How do you unlock the other Agents?

Complete the Agent’s task, return to the Bar, and claim the finished reward on the Task screen. Read the condition carefully before planning a run. Collecting a total over several attempts, holding a quantity at once, and using a resource during one attempt are different requirements and need different approaches.

Agent	Task	Requirement	Progress
Nik	Available immediately	Begin playing	No unlock task
Elise	Hatching Rookie	Successfully hatch eggs 8 times	Cumulative
Xuan	Shadow Syndicate	Hold 10 purple wisps simultaneously	One run
Saya	Emerging Spark	Reach Floor 5	Reach the floor; DLC access required
James	Weapon Virtuoso	Use 30 different weapons	Cumulative
Lúcia	Magic Appreciation	Pick up 30 different Curios	Cumulative
R-7	Iron Bastion	Hold 7 shields simultaneously	One run
Mira	Explosion Sparks	Use 30 bombs	One run
Cassie	Treasure Hunter	Open 100 locked chests	Cumulative
Tino	Magic Jar	Use 30 qualifying Wonder Jars	Cumulative

The linked Agent names in the ability table lead to their corresponding unlock entries. Use the Task screen to follow your current progress and claim rewards after an attempt.

For a focused next step, the Elise guide covers hatching progress and Kiddy’s recovery, while the R-7 guide separates the seven-shield unlock from pickup-based damage scaling.

What counts as progress for these tasks?

For James and Lúcia, the requirement concerns different weapons or Curios, so repeatedly using one familiar item is not the same as discovering new ones. For R-7 and Xuan, the required amount must be present simultaneously. Mira’s condition tracks bombs used during the attempt.

For Tino, some jars that generate loot or rooms do not advance Magic Jar. Use the Task counter to check progress rather than assuming every jar action counts. The unlock details list those exceptions.

How should you build around your chosen Agent?

Support the ability your Agent already has, then use new pickups to cover a practical weakness. Companion recovery pairs naturally with an active Hatchmon squad, while extra equipment slots reward complementary tools. Keep enough resources to use those tools, and test unfamiliar combinations before relying on them in a boss fight.

Elise: Look for useful companions and effects that support their attacks. Kiddy helps recovery, while your own movement still determines whether you avoid damage.
James: Choose weapons that solve different problems, such as reach and close-range pressure. A second slot is useful when you understand when to switch.
Lúcia: Pair Curios that serve different needs, then budget their costs. Crystal recovery after battle helps planning but does not remove activation costs.
Xuan: Practise grazing and using a charged gourd without abandoning your escape route.
R-7: Look for shield support and understand how his health differs before spending on healing.

The Hatchmon guide explains companion recovery and fusion options for a pet-focused setup.

What should you check before a boss fight or co-op run?

Check the equipment you are actually carrying, practise any switching input, and plan how your ability will help during the fight. In co-op, discuss who needs a pickup before taking it. Complementary tools give you more options, but every player still needs to manage movement, health, and their own activation costs.

How can you prepare your equipment slots?

With James, check the reach and attack behaviour of both weapons before entering. With Lúcia, select the Curio you intend to activate and make sure you can pay its cost. With Tino, check the held jar and your health before copying it.

Keep the first attempt simple. Learn one ability interaction at a time, then expand the build when you can use it while dodging comfortably.

Use the boss guide to prepare for the fight itself. Your character choice should support that preparation rather than replace it.