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.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness — factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame.
Quick Rankings
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter | S | Rush to bug holes while team provides cover, plant charges, seal holes to reduce wave intensity. | Morita Mk1 Rifle, Bug Hole Charges, Scanner |
| Bastion | A | Set up at chokepoints, deploy shields during heavy waves, use Siege Mode during extraction defense. | Morita Mk3 SAW, Deployable Shield, Siege Mode Kit |
| Operator | A | Stay near the team, deploy supplies proactively at defense positions, prioritize repairing walls during waves. | Morita Mk1 Rifle, Ammo Crate, Health Station, Repair Tool |
| Demolisher | A | Save explosives for Tiger and Tanker spawns, use grenades to clear dense Warrior packs at chokepoints. | Chi-Hong Grenade Launcher, C4 Charges, Rocket Launcher |
| Sniper | B | Maintain distance, prioritize Gunner bugs threatening the team, switch to backup weapon during extraction. | TW-102s Sniper Rifle, Morita Hawkeye (backup), Rangefinder |
S-Tier: Hunter
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.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Morita Mk1 Rifle | The standard assault rifle with balanced accuracy, fire rate, and damage. |
| Core Gear | Morita Mk1 Rifle, Bug Hole Charges, Scanner | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Mobility, Ammo Capacity, Scan Range | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | base building | During missions, you gather ore to construct walls, bunkers, towers, and ammo stations using a blueprint placement system. |
How to Play Hunter
Rush to bug holes while team provides cover, plant charges, seal holes to reduce wave intensity.
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.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Morita Mk1 Rifle and base building creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like Morita Mk1 Rifle, Bug Hole Charges, Scanner amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Mobility, Ammo Capacity, Scan Range) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Bastion
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.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Morita Mk3 SAW | Belt-fed light machine gun with 200 rounds and sustained fire capability. |
| Core Gear | Morita Mk3 SAW, Deployable Shield, Siege Mode Kit | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Armor, Shield Duration, Ammo Capacity | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | horde defense | Bug waves escalate in size and composition as the mission timer progresses. |
How to Play Bastion
Set up at chokepoints, deploy shields during heavy waves, use Siege Mode during extraction defense.
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.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Morita Mk3 SAW and horde defense creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Morita Mk3 SAW, Deployable Shield, Siege Mode Kit amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Armor, Shield Duration, Ammo Capacity) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Operator
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.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | TW-102s Sniper | Bolt-action sniper rifle dealing the highest per-shot damage. |
| Core Gear | Morita Mk1 Rifle, Ammo Crate, Health Station, Repair Tool | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Cooldown Reduction, Supply Capacity, Repair Speed | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | class roles | Five classes serve distinct combat roles. |
How to Play Operator
Stay near the team, deploy supplies proactively at defense positions, prioritize repairing walls during waves.
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.
What makes this role work: The synergy between TW-102s Sniper and class roles creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Morita Mk1 Rifle, Ammo Crate, Health Station, Repair Tool amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Cooldown Reduction, Supply Capacity, Repair Speed) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Demolisher
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.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Chi-Hong Grenade Launcher | Six-round grenade launcher that deals heavy AoE explosive damage. |
| Core Gear | Chi-Hong Grenade Launcher, C4 Charges, Rocket Launcher | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Explosive Damage, Ammo Capacity, Reload Speed | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | extraction gameplay | After completing objectives, you must call a dropship and defend the landing zone. |
How to Play Demolisher
Save explosives for Tiger and Tanker spawns, use grenades to clear dense Warrior packs at chokepoints.
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.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Chi-Hong Grenade Launcher and extraction gameplay creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Chi-Hong Grenade Launcher, C4 Charges, Rocket Launcher amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Explosive Damage, Ammo Capacity, Reload Speed) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
B-Tier: Sniper
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.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Morita Hawkeye | Designated marksman rifle bridging the gap between assault rifle and sniper. |
| Core Gear | TW-102s Sniper Rifle, Morita Hawkeye (backup), Rangefinder | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Damage, Range, Reload Speed | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | bug types | Each bug type requires different tactics. |
How to Play Sniper
Maintain distance, prioritize Gunner bugs threatening the team, switch to backup weapon during extraction.
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.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Morita Hawkeye and bug types creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like TW-102s Sniper Rifle, Morita Hawkeye (backup), Rangefinder amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Damage, Range, Reload Speed) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Bastion — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Hunter once you understand core mechanics and have access to Morita Mk1 Rifle
- Keep a Operator setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Sniper for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary weapon first — it gives the biggest power spike
- 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.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
See our tier list for current meta rankings, or the beginner's guide if you're just getting started.
