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.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Europa
Key resources: Campaign progression, creature encounters, resource collection Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for SMG upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Submarine Interior
Key resources: Systems access, crafting stations, storage, survival Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for SMG upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Ruins
Key resources: Alien artifacts, rare materials, unique equipment, highest value loot Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for SMG upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Abyss
Key resources: Rare resources, endgame content, Endworm encounters Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Revolver max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Outpost
Key resources: Resupply, crew hiring, submarine repairs, mission selection Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Revolver max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Europa — Submarine Interior)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on SMG once accessible
Mid Game (Ruins)
- Push SMG to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Revolver
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Abyss — Outpost)
- Max out Revolver — this is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment — Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials — Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear — Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Ruins farming — This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early — Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- 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.
- Farm Ruins during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build — some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Barotrauma Guides
- Barotrauma Barotrauma Overview
- Barotrauma Best Builds
- Barotrauma Tier List
- Barotrauma Walkthrough
- Barotrauma Beginner's Guide
- Barotrauma Tips & Tricks
- Barotrauma Weapons Guide
- Barotrauma Combat Guide
- Barotrauma Boss Guide
- Barotrauma Maps & Locations
- Barotrauma Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Barotrauma, check out these related guides:
- Palworld Crafting Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- Rust Crafting Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- ARK: Survival Evolved Crafting Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
