Smuggler is the best first buy for a cheap, mobile escape, while Bounty Hunter and Breacher lead the overall ranking. Smuggler costs only 45k and gives you speed plus a crowbar. Bounty Hunter offers the strongest ready-made combat package. Breacher trades some mobility for a medium backpack and C4.
The ranking covers the 10 named Class NPC options documented for Runaways Beta Update 1. It follows PGG's Beta Update 1 ordering as an editorial recommendation, not a universal consensus. The goal is full-run value across the rob, pawn, breach, and escape loop.
Movement and disengage value come first, followed by carrying capacity, breach or loot utility, combat, survivability, and Credits-to-value efficiency. A class that helps you leave with profit can beat a class that only wins a fight.
| Tier | Classes | Quick read |
|---|---|---|
| S | Bounty Hunter, Breacher, Smuggler | Best complete-run tools |
| A | Juggernaut, Gang Member, Medic | Strong kits with a clear tradeoff |
| B | Contractor, Old CEO, Scout | Useful specialists and bridges |
| C | Brawler | Cheap combat stopgap |
Basic is a separate default starter caveat, not one of the 10 ranked paid/Class NPC choices. Class - Hitman appears in public pass metadata, but it is off sale and has no tier here.
S Tier
| Class | Price | Starting loadout | Bonuses | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bounty Hunter | 300k | Machete, Pistol, Light Bullet Pack | +20% running speed, +10% melee strength | Costs much more than Smuggler and has no listed breach or medium-backpack tool |
| Breacher | 550k | Medium Backpack, Shotgun, C4, Shotgun Bullet Pack | +40% melee strength | High price and less movement help than the mobile S-tier picks |
| Smuggler | 45k | Small Backpack, Crowbar | +20% running speed, -10% melee strength | Weaker melee strength and a smaller backpack |
Bounty Hunter earns the first combat-focused slot because its Machete, Pistol, and Light Bullet Pack arrive with both speed and melee strength. The +20% running speed helps with repositioning and escape pressure, while +10% melee strength keeps close fights from becoming a tax on the whole run.
Breacher is the better choice when the crew needs breach utility and carrying room. The Medium Backpack and C4 solve more of a complete robbery route than raw damage alone, and +40% melee strength is the largest melee bonus in the ranked set. The 550k price is the catch.
Smuggler is the value pick and the easiest recommendation for a first purchase. The 45k cost is low beside the other S-tier classes, and +20% running speed supports the most important part of a profitable run: getting loot out. The Crowbar adds utility, but the -10% melee strength means you should avoid treating Smuggler like a fighter.
A Tier
| Class | Price | Starting loadout | Bonuses | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juggernaut | 850k | Light Armor, Minigun, Medium Backpack, Light Bullet Box | +100% health, -20% running speed | Highest price and the largest movement penalty |
| Gang Member | 170k | Blue Cow, Small Backpack, MAC, Light Bullet Pack | +10% running speed, -5% health | Loses health while carrying a smaller backpack |
| Medic | 120k | two Medic Bags, Light Armor, Medic Pack | +20% health, -5% running speed | Slightly slower and built more for crew sustain than solo speed |
Juggernaut is the durability purchase. +100% health, Light Armor, and a Minigun give it a clear combat and survival identity, while the Medium Backpack still helps with loot. It sits below S because 850k is a serious commitment and -20% running speed makes every escape more deliberate.
Gang Member gives a balanced middle ground: +10% running speed, a MAC, and a Light Bullet Pack. The -5% health is manageable, but the Small Backpack limits its carrying value. It works well when you want a little combat and mobility without paying for a specialist.
Medic is the crew-support pick. Two Medic Bags, Light Armor, and a Medic Pack pair with +20% health, so the class brings more staying power to a group. The -5% running speed is small, but it still keeps Medic behind the faster S-tier choices for a solo escape.
B Tier
| Class | Price | Starting loadout | Bonuses | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractor | 70k | Mace, Light Bullet Pack, Pistol | +10% melee strength, +5% health, -5% running speed | No standout movement, storage, or breach advantage |
| Old CEO | 40k | Gold Ruby Necklace, Diamond, Gold Tiara, Diamond Ring | -5% running speed, -15% health | Valuable starting loadout comes with weaker speed and health |
| Scout | 35k | Small Backpack, Bat | +10% running speed, -5% melee strength, -20% health | Very fragile and lightly equipped |
Contractor is a practical bridge for players who want a Pistol and Mace without saving for a premium class. The +10% melee strength and +5% health are useful, but -5% running speed keeps it from competing with the better movement packages.
Old CEO starts with four named valuables: Gold Ruby Necklace, Diamond, Gold Tiara, and Diamond Ring. That makes the class distinct for an economy-minded run, but -5% running speed and -15% health are hard costs when the route turns dangerous.
Scout is the cheapest movement specialist at 35k. The +10% running speed is helpful for learning routes, but a Bat, Small Backpack, -5% melee strength, and -20% health leave very little room for mistakes. It is a bridge to a stronger class, not a durable long-term answer.
C Tier
| Class | Price | Starting loadout | Bonuses | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brawler | 25k | Knuckle | +5% melee strength, -10% running speed | Small combat bonus with a larger movement penalty |
Brawler is the budget stopgap. At 25k, it is easy to reach, and the Knuckle plus +5% melee strength gives it a simple job. The -10% running speed hurts the rob-to-escape loop more than the small melee bonus helps, so save for an upgrade when you can.
Which Runaways class should you buy first?
Choose Smuggler if you mainly want to loot and escape. Choose Bounty Hunter if you want a ready-made weapon kit with speed and melee strength. Choose Breacher when C4 and a Medium Backpack matter more than price.
For a group, Medic adds the clearest support package, while Juggernaut is the expensive durability choice. If your budget is tight, Scout is the movement bridge at 35k, while Brawler is cheaper at 25k but slower and weaker for full-run value. Smuggler is the stronger target once you can afford 45k.
The 10 ranked classes are an Update 1 snapshot for a beta experience, so future balance or availability changes can move the order. Basic remains the default-start caveat, and off-sale Hitman remains outside the ranking unless the game makes it obtainable and documents its kit. For more role-based comparisons, see the 99 Nights in the Forest class tier list and Survive Zombie Arena's best classes.
