Deviants
Once Human Deviants Guide: Best Pets, Buffs & Combat
Once Human deviants guide: how to capture and deploy the best pets, their combat buffs, passive abilities, and which deviants to use for eve
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time Needed
- Unlocks Lv.3
- Prerequisites
- 2 active
- Best Pals
- Tank Type
Overview
Deviants are monstrous companions that provide powerful combat buffs and abilities in Once Human. Unlike traditional pets, Deviants are captured from the wild and deployed before combat to grant passive bonuses, active skills, and stat increases to your character.
Every Deviant has a type (Tank, DPS, Support, Utility), a rarity (Common to Legendary), and a set of passive buffs that activate while deployed. You can have up to 2 Deviants active simultaneously, and their buffs stack.
Choosing the right Deviants for your build and playstyle is one of the most impactful decisions in Once Human — a well-matched Deviant can increase your damage output by 40% or more.
Getting Started
Capturing Deviants requires a Deviation Catcher tool, crafted at the Workbench after reaching level 3. The process:
- Craft a Deviation Catcher — requires 10 wood, 5 stone, and 2 fiber at the Workbench.
- Find a wild Deviant — they spawn in specific zones and at certain times of day. Check your map for Deviant spawn markers.
- Weaken the Deviant — reduce its HP to below 30% for the highest capture chance. Don't kill it!
- Throw the Deviation Catcher — aim and throw at the weakened Deviant. Capture chance depends on remaining HP and Deviant rarity.
- Wait for capture — the catcher will shake 1-3 times. If successful, the Deviant joins your collection.
Tip: Higher rarity Deviants have lower capture chances. Stock up on catchers before hunting Rare or Epic Deviants. Using a Stardust Lure increases spawn rates of rare Deviants in an area.
Step by Step
Deviants are categorized by their combat role. Here are the best options for each category:
| Role | Best Deviant | Rarity | Key Buff | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tank | Ironhide Golem | Epic | +30% Max HP, +20% Armor | Solo play, boss fights |
| DPS | Flame Stalker | Legendary | +25% Weapon Damage, +15% Crit | Glass cannon builds |
| Support | Verdant Wisp | Rare | +15% Healing, Health Regen | Team play, survival |
| Utility | Shade Runner | Epic | +20% Move Speed, +10% Gathering | Resource farming, exploration |
| Tank (Budget) | Stone Sentinel | Common | +15% Max HP | Beginners, early game |
| DPS (Budget) | Spark Hound | Uncommon | +12% Weapon Damage | Beginners, early game |
Beginner recommendation: Start with a Stone Sentinel (Tank) for survivability, then add a Spark Hound (DPS) once you're comfortable with combat. This combination gives you both durability and damage without requiring rare captures.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes
✅ Pro Tips
- Always deploy your Deviants before entering combat — their buffs only apply when active.
- Match your Deviant to your weapon type — a Flame Stalker pairs best with firearms, while an Ironhide Golem suits melee builds.
- Level up your Deviants by killing enemies while they're deployed — XP is shared.
- Rarity matters more than level — a level 1 Epic Deviant often outperforms a level 10 Common one.
- Use the Deviant transfer system to move your best Deviants to the Cradle before a season reset — they carry over permanently.
⚠️ Avoid These Mistakes
- Don't deploy DPS Deviants when soloing tough content — you'll die too fast without tank buffs.
- Don't waste rare catchers on Common Deviants — save them for Epic and Legendary spawns.
- Don't forget to re-deploy Deviants after fast traveling — they sometimes auto-undeploy.
- Don't neglect Deviant leveling — a level 20 Deviant has 2x the buffs of a level 1.
- Don't leave your best Deviants in seasonal storage before a reset — transfer them to the Cradle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get more Deviants? +
Craft Deviation Catchers at the Workbench and use them on weakened wild Deviants. Higher rarity Deviants require lower HP for capture. You can also obtain Deviants from world event rewards, boss drops, and the seasonal battle pass. Check your map for Deviant spawn zones — different areas have different types.
Which Deviants are best for beginners? +
For beginners, start with a Stone Sentinel (Common Tank) for +15% Max HP, which makes early combat much safer. Once you reach level 5 and can craft better catchers, add a Spark Hound (Uncommon DPS) for +12% Weapon Damage. This budget duo covers both survival and damage without requiring rare captures. Save your rare catchers for Epic and Legendary Deviants later.
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