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.
These tips go beyond the basics. They're the strategies experienced players use to play more efficiently, the hidden mechanics most people miss, and the optimizations that compound over a full playthrough.
Essential Tips
1. The reactor is the most important system
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.
2. Fabricate bandages, morphine, and antibiotics before every mission
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.
3. Water flooding spreads through connected compartments via doors
Water flooding spreads through connected compartments via doors. Close bulkhead doors during breaches to contain flooding. Pumps remove water but consume significant battery power.
4. Wiring connects every electrical system
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.
5. Diving suits protect against water pressure outside the sub
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.
6. Husk parasites infect crew members through bites, eventually turning them hostile
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.
7. Creature weak points deal extra damage
Creature weak points deal extra damage. Mudraptors take bonus damage to the head. Learn each creature's weak point for efficient combat.
8. Voice communication (in-game proximity chat) adds immersion and coordination
Voice communication (in-game proximity chat) adds immersion and coordination. Call out threats, request help, and coordinate repairs verbally. Silent crews die more often.
9. In multiplayer, griefers exist
In multiplayer, griefers exist. The Security Officer doubles as crew police. Stun Batons and handcuffs handle saboteurs without lethal force.
10. Submarine upgrades between missions (better reactor, hull reinforcement, turret improvements) are the most impactful long-term investments
Submarine upgrades between missions (better reactor, hull reinforcement, turret improvements) are the most impactful long-term investments. Prioritize reactor stability and hull integrity.
Advanced Strategies
Build Optimization
The difference between an average build and an optimized one is massive:
For Captain (S-Tier):
- The Captain navigates, sets heading, and commands the crew. Good Captains know the cave systems, avoid creature spawns, and manage crew morale. The Captain's navigation directly determines mission success — bad pathing leads to monster encounters and dead ends.
- Core gear: Navigation terminal, sonar, Captain's uniform (authority bonus)
- Stat priority: Helm skill, navigation knowledge, leadership
For Engineer (S-Tier):
- 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.
- Core gear: Wrench, welding tool, wire cutters, diving suit
- Stat priority: Electrical skill, Mechanical skill, reactor management
Mechanic Interactions
Understanding how Barotrauma's systems interact is where the real optimization lives:
submarine management + crew roles: The submarine has interconnected systems: reactor (power), engines (movement), pumps (water removal), weapons (turrets), and life support (oxygen). Combined with crew roles, each role has unique talents and responsibilities.
crafting + underwater creatures: Fabricators aboard the sub create weapons, medical supplies, tools, and equipment from raw materials. When paired with underwater creatures, europa's ocean is full of hostile alien life.
mission system scaling: 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.
Equipment Efficiency
| Equipment | Best Use Case | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Revolver | Security Officer | The standard sidearm for Security Officers. |
| SMG | Security Officer | A rapid-fire weapon with a large magazine. |
| Stun Baton | Security Officer | A melee weapon that stuns creatures and hostile crew. |
| Harpoon Gun | Security Officer | An underwater weapon effective in diving encounters. |
| Railgun | Security Officer | The submarine's mounted turret weapon dealing massive damage to large creatures. |
Location Efficiency
Europa (All depths): 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.
Submarine Interior (All missions): 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.
Ruins (Mid-late campaign): Ancient alien structures scattered throughout Europa's caves. Ruins contain valuable artifacts, alien technology, and dangerous guardians. Exploring ruins requires diving suits and combat readiness. The loot from ruins is the most valuable in the game.
Abyss (Late campaign): The deepest areas of Europa's ocean with extreme pressure, near-zero visibility, and the largest creatures. Abyss missions are the most dangerous and rewarding. Only well-equipped submarines with experienced crews should attempt Abyss missions.
Outpost (Between missions): Settlements between missions where you buy supplies, hire crew, repair the submarine, and take new missions. Outpost shops sell weapons, medical supplies, materials, and submarine upgrades. Spending wisely at outposts determines mission preparedness.
Mistakes Even Veterans Make
- Leaving the reactor unattended — reactor overloads without constant management, and a meltdown kills the entire crew.
- Not closing bulkhead doors during flooding — water spreads through every open door, sinking the entire sub instead of just one compartment.
- Administering wrong drugs as Medic — overdosing a crew member with morphine puts them in a coma. Learn drug interactions from the medical guide.
- Going outside without a diving suit — the pressure instantly kills unprotected crew. Always check suit integrity before exiting.
- Ignoring small hull breaches — tiny leaks compound over time. A small breach becomes a flooding emergency if not welded immediately.
Efficiency Quick Reference
| Aspect | Optimal Choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Captain | S-tier, best overall |
| Starter | Engineer | Most forgiving for learning |
| Equipment | Revolver | Best resource-to-power ratio |
| First area | Europa | Campaign progression, creature encounters, resource collection |
| Priority mechanic | submarine management | Everything else builds on this |
Pro Quick 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.
- 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.
- Start with Engineer, switch to Captain when ready
- Invest in Revolver above everything else
- Clear areas in order: Europa → Submarine Interior → Ruins → Abyss → Outpost
- submarine management + crew roles together are stronger than either alone
For full build details, check builds. For progression path, see the walkthrough.
