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.
Starship Troopers: Extermination features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order — what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valaka | Beginner-Intermediate | Standard mission rewards, class XP, weapon unlocks | Bastion |
| 2 | Agni Prime | Intermediate-Advanced | Advanced weapon mods, rare cosmetics, bonus XP | Bastion |
| 3 | Extraction Zone | All levels | Mission completion bonus, extraction XP multiplier | Hunter |
| 4 | Bug Hive | Advanced | Hive core destruction bonus, rare materials, hive cosmetics | Hunter |
| 5 | ARC Base | Hub area | Loadout customization, weapon testing, squad formation | Hunter |
Valaka — Starting Area
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner-Intermediate |
| Key Rewards | Standard mission rewards, class XP, weapon unlocks |
| Recommended Role | Bastion |
| Key Weapons | Morita Mk3 SAW |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of base building — this is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first weapons upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Agni Prime.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Agni Prime — Early Game
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Intermediate-Advanced |
| Key Rewards | Advanced weapon mods, rare cosmetics, bonus XP |
| Recommended Role | Bastion |
| Key Weapons | Morita Mk3 SAW |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering horde defense — it's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Morita Mk3 SAW if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Extraction Zone.
Extraction Zone — Mid Game
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | All levels |
| Key Rewards | Mission completion bonus, extraction XP multiplier |
| Recommended Role | Hunter |
| Key Weapons | Morita Mk3 SAW |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Morita Mk1 Rifle becomes accessible here — prioritize getting it.
- Master class roles for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Bug Hive — Late Game
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Advanced |
| Key Rewards | Hive core destruction bonus, rare materials, hive cosmetics |
| Recommended Role | Hunter |
| Key Weapons | Morita Mk1 Rifle |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Morita Mk1 Rifle should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- bug types mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into ARC Base.
ARC Base — Endgame
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Hub area |
| Key Rewards | Loadout customization, weapon testing, squad formation |
| Recommended Role | Hunter |
| Key Weapons | Morita Mk1 Rifle |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Sniper for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order — Valaka → Agni Prime → Extraction Zone → Bug Hive → ARC Base. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner — Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your weapons — Some areas favor different weapons types.
- Read the walkthrough — Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush — Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Starship Troopers: Extermination Guides
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Starship Troopers: Extermination Overview
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Best Builds
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Tier List
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Walkthrough
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Beginner's Guide
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Tips & Tricks
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Weapons Guide
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Combat Guide
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Boss Guide
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Crafting Guide
- Starship Troopers: Extermination Classes & Characters
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