Barotrauma is a co-op submarine simulator set in Jupiter's moon Europa's subsurface ocean. Your crew operates a submarine through procedurally generated cave systems filled with hostile alien creatures, completing missions between outposts. Every crew member has a specific role: Captain navigates, Engineer manages the reactor, Medic handles injuries, Security fights boarders, and Mechanic repairs hull breaches. The game shines in multiplayer chaos — someone accidentally floods a compartment, a creature breaches the hull, the reactor goes critical, and the Medic is administering the wrong drug — all simultaneously. Friendly fire and crew sabotage add human drama to the alien horror.
Starting Barotrauma can feel overwhelming. This guide tells you exactly what to focus on during your first hours so you don't waste time on things that don't matter yet.
What Kind of Game Is This?
Barotrauma is a survival game built around submarine management and crew roles. The core loop involves mastering these systems to progress through increasingly challenging content.
What to expect: Time investment in learning mechanics, experimentation, and gradual mastery. The game rewards patience and knowledge.
Choosing Your First Build
| Build | Beginner Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Good (but demanding) | Stay at the navigation terminal, chart safe routes through cave systems, call out threats on sonar, and coordinate crew during emergencies. |
| Engineer | Good (but demanding) | Monitor reactor output constantly, adjust for power demand, repair electrical systems, and prevent meltdowns during combat. |
| Medic | Good (but demanding) | Craft medical supplies between missions, treat injuries immediately during combat, and manage drug interactions to avoid overdoses. |
| Security Officer | Excellent for beginners | Man turrets during creature encounters, grab weapons during boarder events, and patrol the submarine for threats. |
| Mechanic | Excellent for beginners | Respond to hull breaches immediately, weld repairs under pressure (sometimes while the compartment floods), and maintain mechanical systems between emergencies. |
Our recommendation: Start with Engineer. Engineers manage the reactor — the submarine's heart. Reactor output must match power demand: too low and systems fail, too high and the reactor overloads (meltdown). Wiring knowledge lets Engineers fix electrical systems and create custom circuits.
Avoid Mechanic as your first pick. Mechanics repair hull breaches, fix mechanical systems, and maintain the submarine's physical integrity.
First Session Step-by-Step
Step 1: Learn submarine management
The submarine has interconnected systems: reactor (power), engines (movement), pumps (water removal), weapons (turrets), and life support (oxygen). Damage to any system cascades — losing power stops pumps, flooding shorts electrical systems, and hull breaches let water and creatures in. Managing these systems under pressure is the core challenge.
This is the foundation. Spend your first 15-30 minutes getting comfortable with how submarine management works before worrying about anything else.
Step 2: Head to Europa
Jupiter's moon with a subsurface ocean. The entire game takes place in Europa's underwater cave systems between outposts. Depth determines difficulty — shallow areas near outposts are safer, deep areas face extreme pressure and dangerous creatures.
Clear the main content here before moving on. Everything teaches fundamentals you'll need later.
Step 3: Get Your First Upgrade
Look for SMG — it's the most accessible early upgrade. A rapid-fire weapon with a large magazine. Less damage per shot than the Revolver but higher sustained fire rate. Effective against multiple boarders. Ammo consumption is the main downside.
Step 4: Understand crew roles
Each role has unique talents and responsibilities. The Captain drives and navigates. Engineers manage the reactor output (too high = meltdown, too low = no power). Medics craft medical supplies and treat injuries. Security officers man turrets and fight boarders. Mechanics repair hull breaches and maintain systems.
This is the system most new players overlook. Invest time here early — it pays off throughout the entire game.
Step 5: Push to Submarine Interior
Your home and workplace. The submarine's compartments include: Command (bridge), Engineering (reactor), Medical Bay, Armory, Storage, and Crew Quarters. Learning the submarine layout is essential for emergency response.
Essential Mechanics Explained
submarine management
The submarine has interconnected systems: reactor (power), engines (movement), pumps (water removal), weapons (turrets), and life support (oxygen). Damage to any system cascades — losing power stops pumps, flooding shorts electrical systems, and hull breaches let water and creatures in. Managing these systems under pressure is the core challenge.
crew roles
Each role has unique talents and responsibilities. The Captain drives and navigates. Engineers manage the reactor output (too high = meltdown, too low = no power). Medics craft medical supplies and treat injuries. Security officers man turrets and fight boarders. Mechanics repair hull breaches and maintain systems.
crafting
Fabricators aboard the sub create weapons, medical supplies, tools, and equipment from raw materials. Medics craft drugs and bandages. Engineers craft tools and components. Materials are purchased at outposts or looted from wrecks. Crafting between missions prepares you for the next mission's dangers.
underwater creatures
Europa's ocean is full of hostile alien life. Mudraptors board the sub through breaches. Husks infect crew members, turning them against others. Molochs are massive creatures that damage the hull. Endworms are the apex predator — encounters with them are desperate survival situations.
mission system
Missions are taken at outposts with varying objectives: escort, salvage, monster hunting, exploration, and cargo delivery. Difficulty and reward scale with depth — deeper missions face stronger creatures and harsher pressure. The campaign progresses through a series of outpost stops across Europa's ocean.
Common Beginner Mistakes
1. Leaving the reactor unattended — reactor overloads without constant management, and a meltdown kills the entire crew
2. Not closing bulkhead doors during flooding — water spreads through every open door, sinking the entire sub instead of just one compartment
3. Administering wrong drugs as Medic — overdosing a crew member with morphine puts them in a coma
Learn drug interactions from the medical guide.
4. Going outside without a diving suit — the pressure instantly kills unprotected crew
Always check suit integrity before exiting.
5. Ignoring small hull breaches — tiny leaks compound over time
A small breach becomes a flooding emergency if not welded immediately.
First 5 Hours Checklist
- Understand submarine management and crew roles
- Choose Engineer as starting build
- Clear Europa main content
- Acquire SMG or equivalent upgrade
- Reach Submarine Interior
- The reactor is the most important system. If it overloads, the sub explodes. Keep reactor output at or slightly above current power demand. Never leave it unattended during combat.
- Fabricate bandages, morphine, and antibiotics before every mission. Running out of medical supplies mid-mission while someone is bleeding out is a crew-ending mistake.
Tips for New Players
- The reactor is the most important system. If it overloads, the sub explodes. Keep reactor output at or slightly above current power demand. Never leave it unattended during combat.
- Fabricate bandages, morphine, and antibiotics before every mission. Running out of medical supplies mid-mission while someone is bleeding out is a crew-ending mistake.
- Water flooding spreads through connected compartments via doors. Close bulkhead doors during breaches to contain flooding. Pumps remove water but consume significant battery power.
- Wiring connects every electrical system. Learn basic wiring to fix broken connections during emergencies. A severed wire between the reactor and engines leaves you dead in the water.
- Diving suits protect against water pressure outside the sub. Never go outside without a diving suit — pressure kills in seconds. Carry a welding tool for exterior hull repairs.
- Husk parasites infect crew members through bites, eventually turning them hostile. If a crew member is bitten, the Medic must treat them with Calyxanide before full infection. Watch for behavioral changes.
- Creature weak points deal extra damage. Mudraptors take bonus damage to the head. Learn each creature's weak point for efficient combat.
- Voice communication (in-game proximity chat) adds immersion and coordination. Call out threats, request help, and coordinate repairs verbally. Silent crews die more often.
- In multiplayer, griefers exist. The Security Officer doubles as crew police. Stun Batons and handcuffs handle saboteurs without lethal force.
- Submarine upgrades between missions (better reactor, hull reinforcement, turret improvements) are the most impactful long-term investments. Prioritize reactor stability and hull integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barotrauma fun solo?
Solo play uses AI crew bots that handle basic roles (reactor, repairs, medical) with configurable behavior. It works but lacks the chaos and coordination of multiplayer. The game is designed for 2-6 player co-op and shines with a full human crew.
How many players does Barotrauma support?
Up to 16 players per submarine, with dedicated servers supporting larger communities. The optimal crew size is 3-6 players. Larger crews divide roles more specifically while smaller crews multi-task between roles.
Is Barotrauma scary?
Yes, genuinely. The combination of underwater darkness, creature attacks, hull breaches, and crew panic creates authentic horror. The sound design (groaning hull, distant creature calls) builds tension constantly. Husk infection events are particularly unsettling.
What submarine should beginners use?
The Dugong is the recommended starter submarine — small, simple layout, and forgiving systems. Graduate to the Typhon or Berilia as you learn. Custom submarines from the Steam Workshop offer varied experiences.
What to Read Next
- Barotrauma Builds — Optimize your build once you've learned the basics
- Barotrauma Walkthrough — Full progression path
- Barotrauma Tips — Advanced strategies for when you're ready
