Once Human's Wonder Dawn 2.0 Adds Chef, Gardener, Beastmaster

If you’ve been away from Once Human for a while, just watching from the sidelines and wondering whether it’s time to jump back in — let me be the first to say: it’s time. The new Wonder Dawn 2.0 update, launching on July 3, isn’t just a patch or some seasonal fluff. It’s a full-on evolution of what this survival sandbox game is — and who you get to be in it.

And yes, before we go any further — there are Once Human codes, and they’re still a great way to get some free gear, cosmetics, and other in-game boosts. So don’t forget to redeem those, especially if you’re starting fresh with the new update.

But let’s get back to what really matters — identity. Roles. Purpose. The game has finally added a class system, and if that sounds simple on paper, just wait until you see what it does to the feel of the world. For the first time, we’re no longer just survivors with the same skill ceiling. We’re Chefs, Gardeners, and Beastmasters — and that changes everything.

The Death of the Generic Survivor

Back in the early days of Once Human, everyone pretty much operated from the same toolbox. You built, you fought, you gathered, you crafted. Sure, some players leaned into certain roles more than others, but it was more of a playstyle than an actual class.

Now, with Wonder Dawn 2.0, that dynamic is gone. Instead, players pick a defined class that comes with a signature ability and three unique talents. These choices don’t just influence how you play — they redefine your whole experience.

I didn’t realize how much I wanted this until I tried it. Suddenly, I wasn’t just surviving — I had a job. A purpose. A rhythm.

The Chef: Not Just Cooking — Alchemy

I’ll admit it: when I saw "Chef" on the list of new classes, I rolled my eyes. Who wants to be the cook when you could be the tamer of beasts or the master of plants?

Then I actually played as a Chef.

Gone are the days of fixed recipes. With this class, you mix ingredients on the fly, creating dishes with stackable, temporary effects. Need a speed boost in the middle of a raid? Cook something fiery. Want more stamina regen while sprinting across a dead zone? Toss together some herbs and meat. You become a battlefield alchemist with a frying pan — and it’s glorious.

There’s something almost roguelike about the experimentation here. I found myself hoarding random food items just to see what I could create. Once, I threw together a mutated mushroom and some smoked squirrel meat — and somehow ended up with a stew that made me faster, tougher, and immune to cold. It was ridiculous. And amazing.

The Gardener: Nature Is Your Arsenal

This was the class that surprised me the most. When I first heard "Gardener," I pictured slow, passive farming — planting crops, watching things grow, probably yawning a lot.

Nope.

Gardeners in Once Human are closer to bioengineers. You carry around these biomechanical seed pods, and when you plant them, they grow into mini guardians. Some shoot spores that confuse enemies. Others heal you or buff your allies. One even erupts into thorns that damage anything nearby.

Think of it like this: you’re walking through a ruined forest, ambushed by parasites — instead of panicking, you slam a pod into the dirt. Thirty seconds later, a glowing vine bursts out and starts swinging at enemies like it's auditioning for a kaiju movie.

In base defense scenarios, the Gardener becomes a tactical commander. You’re not just another shooter in the line — you’re shaping the battlefield itself. There’s something beautifully twisted about growing your own weaponized nature right in the middle of a wasteland.

The Beastmaster: Companionship with Teeth

Okay, let’s be honest — this is the class everyone was excited about from the start. The Beastmaster gets to tame wild animals using a special whistle, calling them into battle as companions.

There are three different creatures you can bond with, and each has its own specialty. One’s a scout with lightning-fast movement. Another’s a tanky bruiser who can hold off entire mobs. And the last is… well, let’s just say it knows how to tear things apart.

I picked the bruiser, naturally — I like having backup I can trust. What blew me away wasn’t just the fighting power, though. It was the subtle touches: the way the creature would growl before danger appeared, or curl up near my fire during a cold night. It wasn’t just a summoned pet. It felt like a partner.

Having a Beastmaster in your squad completely changes group dynamics. Suddenly, you’ve got more tactical flexibility. Send your beast ahead to scout. Use it to distract while you flank. It’s another layer of depth — and it just feels cool.

A Shift in the World

This new class system doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It comes alongside a ton of smaller quality-of-life improvements, visual tweaks, and new gear — but what really stands out is how it makes Once Human feel different on a philosophical level.

Before, it was about surviving. Now, it’s about thriving — in your own way.

You begin to notice the roles around you. A squad with all three classes feels cohesive, almost like a small MMO party. Each player brings something irreplaceable. There’s synergy. There’s identity. And that makes every encounter — whether it’s scavenging or battling eldritch horrors — feel more alive.

I’m not saying the game’s perfect. Some balance issues are still being worked out. There are still bugs. And let’s be real — this is Once Human. Weird stuff happens. But the game feels more complete now, more deliberate.

Codes, Community, and What’s Next

Quick reminder if you’ve made it this far — don’t skip the Once Human codes. If you’re logging in for the anniversary update, you can redeem some pretty sweet loot, including cosmetics, consumables, and even upgrade mats. The devs tend to drop new codes during livestreams and on their social channels, so keep an eye out.

Also: the community’s been buzzing. Whether it’s debates about the best class, or fans theory-crafting insane Chef recipes, or players flexing their mutant pets — it feels like there’s new life in the game.

And this is just the start. We already know that more classes are coming, and that Wonder Dawn is only the beginning of a longer narrative arc. If the next updates are anywhere near this bold, Once Human might just carve out a permanent place in the survival genre.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t expect to get hooked again. I thought I was done. But Wonder Dawn 2.0 proved me wrong. With the class system now in place, the game feels personal, expressive, and full of possibility.

Whether you’re planting killer vines, summoning mutated wolves, or cooking stew that turns you into a walking tank — you’ll find yourself smiling at the absurdity of it all. And that’s what makes it worth playing.

So. What are you going to be?

Chef? Gardener? Beastmaster?

Whatever your answer — just don’t forget to redeem those codes.

Let’s talk about it in the comments.