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.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolver | S | Security Officer | The standard sidearm for Security Officers. |
| SMG | A | Security Officer | A rapid-fire weapon with a large magazine. |
| Stun Baton | A | Security Officer | A melee weapon that stuns creatures and hostile crew. |
| Harpoon Gun | B | Security Officer | An underwater weapon effective in diving encounters. |
| Railgun | B | Security Officer | The submarine's mounted turret weapon dealing massive damage to large creatures. |
S-Tier: Revolver
The standard sidearm for Security Officers. Reliable damage against Mudraptors and boarders. Six shots before reloading. The Revolver is the most common personal weapon found at outposts.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Security Officer |
| Key Mechanic | submarine management |
| Recommended Build | Captain |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Revolver: Pairs naturally with Captain thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: SMG
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Security Officer |
| Key Mechanic | crew roles |
| Recommended Build | Engineer |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using SMG: Pairs naturally with Engineer thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Stun Baton
A melee weapon that stuns creatures and hostile crew. Non-lethal option for subduing infected crew members. The stun effect prevents actions for several seconds, creating windows for injection or restraint.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Security Officer |
| Key Mechanic | crafting |
| Recommended Build | Medic |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Stun Baton: Pairs naturally with Medic thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Harpoon Gun
An underwater weapon effective in diving encounters. The Harpoon Gun works outside the submarine where other weapons don't. Essential for defending divers during exterior repairs or ruin exploration.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Security Officer |
| Key Mechanic | underwater creatures |
| Recommended Build | Security Officer |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Harpoon Gun: Pairs naturally with Security Officer thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Railgun
The submarine's mounted turret weapon dealing massive damage to large creatures. The Railgun requires a dedicated operator and uses the sub's power supply. One well-placed Railgun shot kills Mudraptors and damages Molochs significantly.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Security Officer |
| Key Mechanic | mission system |
| Recommended Build | Mechanic |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Railgun: Pairs naturally with Mechanic thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Europa
- SMG → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Stun Baton → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Revolver → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- 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.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Barotrauma Guides
- Barotrauma Barotrauma Overview
- Barotrauma Best Builds
- Barotrauma Tier List
- Barotrauma Walkthrough
- Barotrauma Beginner's Guide
- Barotrauma Tips & Tricks
- Barotrauma Combat Guide
- Barotrauma Boss Guide
- Barotrauma Maps & Locations
- Barotrauma Crafting Guide
- Barotrauma Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Barotrauma, check out these related guides:
- Palworld Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- Rust Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- ARK: Survival Evolved Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
