Oxygen Not Included Tier List — Current Rankings

This Oxygen Not Included tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.

Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.

Builds Rankings

Detailed Builds Analysis

Researcher (S-Tier)

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.

Best with: Super Computer, Virtual Planetarium, Data Banks, Telescope Stat focus: Science, Learning

Farmer (A-Tier)

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.

Best with: Farm Tiles, Hydroponic Tiles, Fertilizer Synthesizer, Cooking Station Stat focus: Agriculture, Creativity

Miner (A-Tier)

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.

Best with: Exosuit, Atmo Suit Checkpoint, Dig errands priority Stat focus: Excavation, Athletics, Strength

Cook (B-Tier)

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.

Best with: Gas Range, Electric Grill, Spice Grinder, Refrigerator Stat focus: Cuisine, Creativity

Suit Wearer (S-Tier)

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.

Best with: Atmo Suit, Jet Suit, Atmo Suit Dock, Jet Suit Dock Stat focus: Athletics (suits slow movement), Strength

Equipment Rankings

Equipment Analysis

Electrolyzer: The Electrolyzer splits Water into Oxygen and Hydrogen at 1kg/s water input. It's the backbone of any sustainable oxygen system, producing 888g/s O2 and 112g/s H2. Place it in a sealed room with gas pumps at the top (hydrogen) and bottom (oxygen) for efficient separation.

SPOM System: The Self-Powered Oxygen Module combines an Electrolyzer, Hydrogen Generator, Gas Pump, and Gas Filter in a self-sustaining loop. The hydrogen byproduct powers the generator, which runs the pumps and electrolyzer. A properly built SPOM requires zero external power and produces net-positive oxygen for 8-10 Duplicants.

Steam Turbine: The Steam Turbine converts steam above 125C into power and 95C water output. It's the primary method for deleting heat from your base — pair it with an Aquatuner in a sealed steam chamber. Each turbine can produce up to 850W of power while cooling the aquatuner's output loop.

Aquatuner: The Aquatuner cools any liquid passing through it by exactly 14C per pass, outputting the heat into its surrounding environment. It draws 1200W and is almost always paired with a Steam Turbine to handle the generated heat. Use it to cool your base, farms, or industrial equipment.

Solar Panels: Solar Panels generate up to 380W each when exposed to direct sunlight on the asteroid surface. They require clearing regolith (which falls from meteor showers) using Robo-Miners. A solar panel array with automated regolith clearing provides free, renewable power for late-game bases.

Meta Analysis

The current meta in Oxygen Not Included centers on gas management and pipe systems. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one.

What's strong right now:

• Researcher with Electrolyzer is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
• duplicant skills builds are gaining ground as players find new synergies.
• Miner remains essential for learning hard content.

What's underrated:

• Farmer is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
• Steam Turbine offers excellent performance for its investment level.

What's overhyped:

• Pure Suit Wearer builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.

Quick Picks by Situation

For full build guides, see Oxygen Not Included builds. For progression help, check the walkthrough.