At first I chose the Defender because I heard that she was the most balanced so I figured she would be the best for my first time. She was a pretty cool character. Her pistol only has six shots but it's probably the strongest of all the characters due to her higer accuracy (which determines range-weapon strength). I beat the game with her. And now I'm using the Martyr because I like quick characters. There was such a difference! Now, I rarely even get hit by anyone.
I get hit, probably once or twice in a level if I'm unlucky. The only problem is that she's very weak. But I just wear them down. I like her guns. That's pretty cool. And it makes a pretty neat sound when it hits the zombies. My favorite is still probably the defender, though. I like how strong her ranged weapons are and how she's still pretty fast.
I tried both the Avenger and Judge before I decided on my second game as the Martyr. I like how storng the Avnger was but I kept getting hit by people. I never died and I was always near full because of the health the zombies dropped but I just didn't like that. The judge was a little boring. But he seems like he would get cooler as you build his powers.
Next I'll play as the avenger (when I beat the game with the Martyr) and then the Judge. I love how each character is so different. I haven't gotten to play multiplayer yet (I just moved and work all day) but my friend says it's really cool. His brother and their friends played it for five hours straight until one of his friends just passed out from exhaustion (they were drunk too). The guy woke up the next morning with the controller in his hands.

The "Judge" is the man, in my opinion. Like the defender he has a good balance of speed. Another thing to consider is this: as the game progresses you start to bump into more and more of those nsty vampire vixens. Well the Judges crossbow (wooden arrows) take'em down quick bout 3-4 hits - I found this to be very effective, and my crew was constantly asking for back up when those types of encouters got out of hand (THE PRISON MESS HALL) Aside from that he seems to have the best edges. Though I admire the Defenders ability to heal, only the Preacher Man can half clear a room of fools with the word of Christ

I thought it was called "Word of Power" not "Word of Christ".

Right now I'm using the Martyr and she's pretty cool. I never get hit, or very rarely because of her speed. The Retribution edge is neat too.
I think all the characters are good and I like how they are all different. However, for my play style the Martyr seems to work better than the defender.

Judge and Martar. But how do i defeat the flesh craft boss thats a human just with a fleshcraft on his arm?

It is "Word of Power" i know because im playing judge as i type.

I like using judge 'cuase he looks cool and has "the word of power" edge.

I'm playing as Martyr now. She's pretty cool.
Scroll down and I'll tell you how to beat Hadrain (the scientist/Fleshcraft guy)
Spoiler!!-
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What I did was to just circle around him and keep firing. The enemies will keep coming as long as he is alive. I think, if you try to kill them all off you can get it so that you have some time alone, but like all bosses he can resummon them every now and then. Only fight them if you want the sparks of the experience points. They give you a lot of experience. If you just want to beat the guy them ignore the others and keep attakcing the boss(attack the others only if they are bothering you and you can't run away). Pretty soon Hadrian dies. I used a flamthrower on him too. But a lot of people say to also try the chainsaw. I never really relied on the chainsaw but a lot of people say it's very powerful. Give that a try. Hope that helps.

I beat the game the first time using the Defender. Her pistol is great for taking out enemies at a distance. I just started the game with the Judge so we'll see how he does!

Judge is the best character for me. m proboly the only person who likes t use meele attacks, so i just run in, hack and slash for a while and then line em up, and BOOM zombies go bye bye. When i as playing with Defender her gun took 3(!) shots to kill a shambler with. Ok ok, maybe judge takes 3-4 shots with that damn crossbow of his to kill a zombie too, but he can reload fast AND has a big clip 12 shots.

Martyr - Speed, speed and more speed. You can just about walk circles around everyting, group them up, switch on an Edge and then cut them all down. Her first edge at level 2 can wipe out a group of baddies in seconds. Just jump in the middle of the pile and start swinging - she usually hits 3 at a time so they go down extra fast. The best thing is you dont have to worry about life because in the middle of a big group enough reds are dropping that you actually fill up from this technique. I'll experiment with her second edge once it is at level 2 (kinda like having thorns - monsters take damage whenever they hit you).

Then there are her guns - twenty shots - 2 at a time - can hold off any group while she is walking backwards.

And if you don't feel like fighting just blow through a room by jumping and side flipping. - anyone notice that she can shoot while upsidedown during her cart-roll.

next pick would be the Judge - all three of his Edges are insanly good. [mass death, freeze, and heal] + the vampir3 bonus.

I took Martyr cause she's cool. She's got style! Bad idea...I died within 3 seconds.
I started then with Avenger, and he was aweeeeeesome. But...at the end he sucks. Lack of speed.
So, I tried Judge, but I could'nt control the word of power. What is he without his powers?
I tried Defender, but I could'nt handle the sword! Her gun was cool, but had not enough bullet.
*sigh*
I decided to use Martyr (she's got style) and I actually was pretty good. I like to make zombies strike each others without damaging me!
I guess that Martyr is the best cause speed can't be upgraded like others stats. You just need patience when damaging ennemies. Beside, the "demand" edge is great against bosses, she's so fast. "Retribution" is definetly best against masses of monsters. Hard at first, good at the end!
PS: you need to be experienced to use her. And her knifes are only good if you can't use her guns. She's far too weak.