Oxygen Not Included is Klei Entertainment's colony survival sim where you manage a group of Duplicants trapped inside a procedurally generated asteroid. Every breath of oxygen, calorie of food, and degree of temperature must be meticulously managed through complex piping, ventilation, and power systems. The Spaced Out! DLC adds multi-asteroid colonies and interplanetary rocket logistics. With hundreds of hours of depth in thermodynamics, gas physics, and liquid mechanics, ONI rewards systems-thinking players who enjoy solving cascading engineering puzzles.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option — what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Researcher | S | Parks at research stations full-time, occasionally operating telescopes for space data. | Electrolyzer | Moderate |
| Farmer | A | Tends crops, harvests, and delivers food ingredients to the kitchen. | SPOM System | Yes |
| Miner | A | Digs out new areas, clears debris, and accesses buried resources. | Steam Turbine | Yes |
| Cook | B | Prepares meals at cooking stations, manages food storage and spice production. | Aquatuner | No |
| Suit Wearer | S | Works in any hazardous environment while consuming suit oxygen supply. | Solar Panels | Moderate |
New player? Start with Farmer — see our beginner's guide for why.
Researcher
Researchers are essential early game and remain valuable throughout. A high-Science Dupe stationed at a Super Computer tears through the tech tree, unlocking critical systems like Insulated Tiles and Smart Batteries before cycle 50. Late game, they operate Telescopes and Virtual Planetariums for space research.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Parks at research stations full-time, occasionally operating telescopes for space data. |
| Best Equipment | Electrolyzer |
| Stat Priority | Science, Learning |
| Core Gear | Super Computer, Virtual Planetarium, Data Banks, Telescope |
| Key Mechanic | gas management |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Parks at research stations full-time, occasionally operating telescopes for space data.
- Pairs well with Electrolyzer
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Starting Biome to learn Researcher-specific mechanics
- Focus on gas management — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Electrolyzer as your first major upgrade
- See our full Researcher build guide for the optimal gear progression
Farmer
Farmers handle all food production from Mealwood farms to Bristle Blossom hydroponic setups. High Agriculture skill increases crop tending speed and prevents withering. Late game, they manage Grubfruit and Nosh Bean farms for +8 morale food recipes.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Tends crops, harvests, and delivers food ingredients to the kitchen. |
| Best Equipment | SPOM System |
| Stat Priority | Agriculture, Creativity |
| Core Gear | Farm Tiles, Hydroponic Tiles, Fertilizer Synthesizer, Cooking Station |
| Key Mechanic | pipe systems |
Strengths
- Most versatile — adapts to any situation
- Tends crops, harvests, and delivers food ingredients to the kitchen.
- Pairs well with SPOM System
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Starting Biome to learn Farmer-specific mechanics
- Focus on pipe systems — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize SPOM System as your first major upgrade
- See our full Farmer build guide for the optimal gear progression
Miner
Miners with high Excavation skill dig faster and access Hard Digging for Abyssalite and Obsidian. They're your primary base expanders and resource gatherers. Pairing a Miner with Exosuit training lets them safely excavate in hostile biomes without breathing hazards.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Digs out new areas, clears debris, and accesses buried resources. |
| Best Equipment | Steam Turbine |
| Stat Priority | Excavation, Athletics, Strength |
| Core Gear | Exosuit, Atmo Suit Checkpoint, Dig errands priority |
| Key Mechanic | duplicant skills |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Digs out new areas, clears debris, and accesses buried resources.
- Pairs well with Steam Turbine
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Starting Biome to learn Miner-specific mechanics
- Focus on duplicant skills — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Steam Turbine as your first major upgrade
- See our full Miner build guide for the optimal gear progression
Cook
Cooks operate the Electric Grill and Gas Range to produce high-morale meals like Frost Burger (+6) and Berry Sludge. While important for morale, you only need one dedicated Cook since meal prep is fast. Cuisine skill level determines which recipes are available.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Playstyle | Prepares meals at cooking stations, manages food storage and spice production. |
| Best Equipment | Aquatuner |
| Stat Priority | Cuisine, Creativity |
| Core Gear | Gas Range, Electric Grill, Spice Grinder, Refrigerator |
| Key Mechanic | research tree |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Prepares meals at cooking stations, manages food storage and spice production.
- Pairs well with Aquatuner
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Starting Biome to learn Cook-specific mechanics
- Focus on research tree — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Aquatuner as your first major upgrade
- See our full Cook build guide for the optimal gear progression
Suit Wearer
Not a traditional class but a critical role — any Dupe with Exosuit Training can work in hazardous areas without oxygen concerns. Suited Dupes ignore gas environments, allowing them to work in chlorine-filled areas, vacuum, or scalding hot biomes. Every late-game Dupe should have this skill.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Works in any hazardous environment while consuming suit oxygen supply. |
| Best Equipment | Solar Panels |
| Stat Priority | Athletics (suits slow movement), Strength |
| Core Gear | Atmo Suit, Jet Suit, Atmo Suit Dock, Jet Suit Dock |
| Key Mechanic | space exploration |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Works in any hazardous environment while consuming suit oxygen supply.
- Pairs well with Solar Panels
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Starting Biome to learn Suit Wearer-specific mechanics
- Focus on space exploration — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Solar Panels as your first major upgrade
- See our full Suit Wearer build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Farmer is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Researcher is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Electrolyzer for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Suit Wearer offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Cook shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Oxygen Not Included Guides
- Oxygen Not Included Oxygen Not Included Overview
- Oxygen Not Included Best Builds
- Oxygen Not Included Tier List
- Oxygen Not Included Walkthrough
- Oxygen Not Included Beginner's Guide
- Oxygen Not Included Tips & Tricks
- Oxygen Not Included Weapons Guide
- Oxygen Not Included Combat Guide
- Oxygen Not Included Boss Guide
- Oxygen Not Included Maps & Locations
- Oxygen Not Included Crafting Guide
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- The Sims 4 Classes Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
