What Is Confirmed
The official Steam page says you can unlock new Gravhounds, weapons and upgrade paths. The Xbox Wire post by the developer repeats that new Gravhounds can be unlocked. Neither says how.
GRAVHOUNDS enters Early Access on November 2, 2026. Unlock details should become clear in that build. We will update this page once they are verified.
Unlocks at a Glance
What is and isn't confirmed about unlocking Gravhounds.
- Demo: all four Gravhounds available from the start.
- Full game: new Gravhounds unlock through progression.
- Unlock requirements: not announced.
- Extra character names: not announced.
- Progress: Early Access progress intended to carry into 1.0.
Characters in the Demo
The official demo announcement says you can choose between four Gravhounds: Selene, Zane, Dozer and Finn. Demo videos show all four available at character select from the start. No unlock step is needed.
Each differs by stats and one ability, as covered in our characters guide. Try all four in the demo to find your favourite. Demo progress will not carry over to Early Access.
What Is Not Confirmed
One previewer said at least one more character is coming at release, but this is not an official announcement. The developer has not named any additional Gravhound. We will not list names that have not been shown officially.
A player on the Steam forums asked about a character called Luna after reading about her online. Nobody confirmed it, and Luna is not in the demo roster. Treat any such name as unverified until the developer confirms it.
Unlocking Power Instead: Training
What you can unlock today is character strength. The research lab's Training tree raises health, movement speed, boosters, Mod and Showstopper cooldowns, and mining efficiency. One creator noted this lets even a slow, tanky character gain speed.
Training is paid for in the lab, alongside other research. See our Research Points guide for how to earn them. These upgrades apply across your chosen Gravhound's runs.
Other Unlocks Worth Chasing
Beyond characters, progression unlocks turrets, weapons and Mods. Blueprints found on planets unlock new designs, and the Star Map shows how many are on each planet. Weapons like the sniper rifle need research and materials.
These unlocks change how any character plays. See weapons and the Mod Deck guide. Combine them with your character in best builds.
Where Unlocks Happen
Progression in GRAVHOUNDS runs through the research lab on the mining ship. The lab holds turret research, weapons, Mods and Training. Research Points and materials pay for it.
Blueprints add to what the lab can offer. Dev Log #1 added blueprint counts to the Star Map so you can track which planets still hold them. A forum player found some blueprints hard to locate after several runs.
How to Prepare for Early Access
Use the demo to learn each character's ability and the research system. Once Early Access starts on November 2, 2026, progress is intended to carry into 1.0. That is when unlocks start to count.
Wishlist on Steam or follow the official Discord for announcements about new Gravhounds. The developer posts updates on Steam news too. We will update this page as soon as unlock details are official.
Popular Picks While You Wait
The developer's telemetry shows Zane was the most popular playtest character at about 30%. Each of the four has a distinct role, from Dozer's mining to Finn's survival. Our best character guide compares them.
Finn's Play Dead was reworked for team play in the demo. Bark gained a little damage. These are the abilities available to master before any new Gravhound arrives.
Progress and Early Access
Playtest and demo progress do not carry into Early Access. The developer FAQ says Early Access progression is intended to carry into the 1.0 release. Any characters you unlock from November 2 should stay with you.
Early Access is expected to last roughly six months, potentially longer. New Gravhounds may be added during that time. Check our release date guide for the timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you unlock characters in GRAVHOUNDS?
Through progression in the full game, per the Steam page. The exact requirements have not been announced.
Are all characters unlocked in the demo?
Yes. Selene, Zane, Dozer and Finn are all selectable from the start.
Is Luna a GRAVHOUNDS character?
Not confirmed. Luna is not in the demo roster, and the developer has not announced her.
Will there be more than four characters?
The Steam page says new Gravhounds can be unlocked, but none have been named.
Does Training count as an unlock?
Training upgrades your Gravhound's stats; it does not add characters.
Official Trailer
Sources and Further Reading
- GRAVHOUNDS on Steam (official store page)
- Gravhounds Revealed – Xbox Wire (Josh Holmes, Octopus Panic)
- The Gravhounds Demo is Coming! (official, Oct 7, 2026)
- GRAVHOUNDS FAQ (pinned Steam discussion)