Starship Troopers: Extermination is a 16-player co-op FPS where you fight waves of Arachnid bugs on hostile alien planets, build fortifications, and extract before being overwhelmed. Based on the cult classic film franchise, it captures the desperate, outnumbered feeling of infantry combat against an alien swarm. The base building mid-mission creates a unique loop where you gather resources, construct walls and bunkers, then defend against increasingly massive bug assaults. The game left Early Access in late 2024 with five classes, multiple maps, and the full extraction gameplay loop.
This guide covers everything you need: core mechanics, the best characters, weapons worth investing in, location progression, and the tips that actually make a difference.
Core Mechanics
base building
During missions, you gather ore to construct walls, bunkers, towers, and ammo stations using a blueprint placement system. Walls snap to a grid and can be reinforced with steel plating. Chokepoint design matters — bugs path around solid walls, so leaving controlled kill zones with overlapping turret coverage is the optimal strategy. Building costs scale based on structure tier.
horde defense
Bug waves escalate in size and composition as the mission timer progresses. Early waves send Warriors (basic melee bugs), mid waves introduce Gunner bugs (ranged acid), and late waves add Tigers (heavy chargers) and Tankers (massive HP pools). The final extraction wave is the largest, and defending the dropship landing zone for 3 minutes determines mission success or failure.
class roles
Five classes serve distinct combat roles. Hunters close bug holes (spawners), Bastions deploy heavy weapons and shields, Operators place ammo/health stations, Demolishers handle heavy targets with explosives, and Snipers provide long-range support. A balanced team needs at least one of each role — pure DPS teams fail at extraction.
extraction gameplay
After completing objectives, you must call a dropship and defend the landing zone. The dropship takes 3 minutes to arrive, during which the heaviest bug wave attacks. All 16 players must reach the extraction zone — anyone left behind fails the mission. Carrying wounded teammates slows you but saves their rewards.
bug types
Each bug type requires different tactics. Warriors swarm in packs and are best handled with automatic weapons. Gunners spit acid at range and must be sniped. Tigers charge through walls and require explosives or concentrated fire. Tankers have armor plating that must be shot off before dealing body damage. Inferno bugs explode on death.
Characters Overview
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter | S | Rush to bug holes while team provides cover, plant charges, seal holes to reduce wave intensity. | Mobility, Ammo Capacity, Scan Range |
| Bastion | A | Set up at chokepoints, deploy shields during heavy waves, use Siege Mode during extraction defense. | Armor, Shield Duration, Ammo Capacity |
| Operator | A | Stay near the team, deploy supplies proactively at defense positions, prioritize repairing walls during waves. | Cooldown Reduction, Supply Capacity, Repair Speed |
| Demolisher | A | Save explosives for Tiger and Tanker spawns, use grenades to clear dense Warrior packs at chokepoints. | Explosive Damage, Ammo Capacity, Reload Speed |
| Sniper | B | Maintain distance, prioritize Gunner bugs threatening the team, switch to backup weapon during extraction. | Damage, Range, Reload Speed |
Hunter (S-Tier): The most important class for mission success because only Hunters can permanently close bug holes, stopping reinforcements. Their scan ability reveals bug hole locations through terrain. Teams without a Hunter face endless spawns.
Bastion (A-Tier): The defensive anchor deploying portable shields and heavy weapon emplacements. The Bastion's shield dome protects the team during extraction and creates safe zones for reviving. Siege Mode locks them in place but doubles damage output.
Operator (A-Tier): The support class keeping the team supplied with ammo crates and health stations. Operators are the difference between running dry during extraction and having enough ammo to survive. Their repair tool fixes damaged walls faster than any other class.
Demolisher (A-Tier): Anti-heavy specialist with explosives that deal massive damage to Tigers and Tankers. The grenade launcher strips Tanker armor in 2-3 hits. Without Demolishers, heavy bugs overwhelm defenses by soaking up too much ammo.
Sniper (B-Tier): Long-range specialist effective against Gunner bugs and priority targets but less useful during close-range extraction defense. The TW-102s one-shots Warriors and two-shots Gunners. Less impactful than other classes in tight quarters.
For full build breakdowns with gear and stat priorities, see our Starship Troopers: Extermination builds guide.
Weapons Guide
| Weapon | Why It Matters | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Morita Mk1 Rifle | The standard assault rifle with balanced accuracy, fire rate, and damage. | Hunter, Operator |
| Morita Mk3 SAW | Belt-fed light machine gun with 200 rounds and sustained fire capability. | Bastion |
| TW-102s Sniper | Bolt-action sniper rifle dealing the highest per-shot damage. | Sniper |
| Chi-Hong Grenade Launcher | Six-round grenade launcher that deals heavy AoE explosive damage. | Demolisher |
| Morita Hawkeye | Designated marksman rifle bridging the gap between assault rifle and sniper. | Sniper (backup), general use |
Morita Mk1 Rifle: The standard assault rifle with balanced accuracy, fire rate, and damage. Reliable in all situations and the default weapon for most classes. 30-round magazine with manageable recoil.
Morita Mk3 SAW: Belt-fed light machine gun with 200 rounds and sustained fire capability. Accuracy decreases during sustained fire but the volume of bullets compensates against dense swarms. Best deployed in Siege Mode for maximum effectiveness.
TW-102s Sniper: Bolt-action sniper rifle dealing the highest per-shot damage. One-shots Warriors at any range and two-shots Gunners. Slow fire rate makes it poor against swarms but essential for picking off ranged threats.
Chi-Hong Grenade Launcher: Six-round grenade launcher that deals heavy AoE explosive damage. Strips Tanker armor plating and staggers Tigers mid-charge. Limited ammo means you must save it for heavy targets rather than wasting on Warriors.
Morita Hawkeye: Designated marksman rifle bridging the gap between assault rifle and sniper. Semi-automatic with a 2x scope, effective at medium range against Gunners without sacrificing close-range capability. Good backup weapon for Snipers.
Location Progression
| Location | Level Range | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Valaka | Beginner-Intermediate | Standard mission rewards, class XP, weapon unlocks |
| Agni Prime | Intermediate-Advanced | Advanced weapon mods, rare cosmetics, bonus XP |
| Extraction Zone | All levels | Mission completion bonus, extraction XP multiplier |
| Bug Hive | Advanced | Hive core destruction bonus, rare materials, hive cosmetics |
| ARC Base | Hub area | Loadout customization, weapon testing, squad formation |
Valaka: The first planet with open desert terrain and moderate bug density. Good sightlines for snipers and clear building terrain for bases. The standard learning map where most players experience their first successful extraction.
Agni Prime: A volcanic planet with limited visibility due to ash clouds and narrow canyon passages. Forces close-quarters combat and makes base building critical for creating safe zones. Bug density is significantly higher than Valaka.
Extraction Zone: Not a planet but the final phase of every mission. The dropship landing area must be defended for 3 minutes against the heaviest wave. Smart teams pre-build walls and turrets here before calling extraction.
Bug Hive: Underground bug nest sections that some missions require you to assault. Tight corridors with bugs emerging from walls and ceiling. Demolishers and Bastions are essential here — snipers are nearly useless underground.
ARC Base: Your lobby and loadout area between missions. Upgrade weapons, customize class loadouts, and form squads here. The training range lets you test weapons against target dummies with damage numbers.
Tips That Actually Matter
- Always have at least one Hunter in your squad. Without someone closing bug holes, waves never stop escalating regardless of how many bugs you kill.
- Build walls with gaps, not solid lines. Bugs path around walls but funnel through gaps, creating kill zones where the whole team can concentrate fire.
- Operators should drop ammo crates at the extraction zone BEFORE calling the dropship. Running out of ammo during the final wave is the most common cause of failed extractions.
- Tankers have armor plating on their front. Flank them to hit exposed flesh, or use the Chi-Hong grenade launcher to strip plating from any angle.
- Tiger bugs can be heard charging from far away — a deep rumbling sound. Position behind walls so their charge hits the wall instead of you.
- Demolisher C4 on walls creates a trap. When bugs breach the wall, detonate for massive AoE damage to the clumped breach wave.
- Reviving teammates is faster than respawning. Always prioritize revives during lulls between waves — a dead teammate weakens the whole team.
- Inferno bugs explode on death. Do NOT melee them. Shoot from distance and warn teammates when Inferno bugs are in the wave.
- Pre-build the extraction zone defenses before completing the main objective. You control when extraction starts — use that time wisely.
- Stick to one class and master it rather than switching between all five. Class leveling unlocks essential upgrades that make each class dramatically more effective.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Building elaborate bases at the objective instead of the extraction zone. The objective area is temporary — extraction is where defenses actually matter.
- Every player going Sniper or Demolisher for DPS. Teams without Hunters, Operators, and Bastions consistently fail extraction due to endless spawns and supply shortages.
- Running ahead of the team to solo objectives. Isolated players get overwhelmed by bug packs and waste team resources on revives.
- Ignoring Gunner bugs to focus on Warriors. Gunners spit acid that deals massive damage over time and can hit you behind low walls.
- Wasting Demolisher explosives on Warrior packs. Save grenades and C4 for Tigers and Tankers — use your rifle for Warriors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players is Starship Troopers: Extermination?
16-player co-op PvE. Missions support squads of 4 within the 16-player team. You can also play with smaller groups, but missions are balanced for 16 and significantly harder with fewer players.
Is Starship Troopers: Extermination like Helldivers 2?
They share the co-op PvE bug-shooting premise but play differently. STE has base building, 16-player teams, and extraction-focused missions. Helldivers 2 has 4-player squads, friendly fire emphasis, and procedural objectives. STE is more strategic, Helldivers is more chaotic.
Can you play Starship Troopers: Extermination solo?
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Missions are designed for 16 players and the bug scaling doesn't fully adjust for solo play. Join public matchmaking for the intended experience.
What to Read Next
- Best Starship Troopers: Extermination Builds — Detailed breakdowns with gear, stats, and playstyle guides
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Tier List — Current meta rankings
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Walkthrough — Step-by-step progression from start to endgame
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Beginner's Guide — First session essentials
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Tips & Tricks — Advanced strategies and hidden mechanics
