Starship Troopers: Extermination Walkthrough — Start to Endgame

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 walkthrough takes you from your first session to endgame content. Each phase has specific goals, priorities, and milestones. Follow this path to avoid common traps that stall most players.

Quick Progression Summary

Phase 1: Getting Started — 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.

Level/Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate Key Rewards: Standard mission rewards, class XP, weapon unlocks

What to Do in Valaka

1. Learn base building. During missions, you gather ore to construct walls, bunkers, towers, and ammo stations using a blueprint placement system. Spend your first session getting comfortable with this.
2. Pick Bastion as your starting role. It's the most forgiving option.
3. 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.
4. Acquire your first weapons upgrade — Morita Mk3 SAW or whatever's available.
5. Clear all main content before moving on.

Phase 1 Checklist

• Understand base building fundamentals
• Bastion selected and functional
• Valaka main content cleared
• Ready for Agni Prime

Phase 2: Early Game — 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.

Level/Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced Key Rewards: Advanced weapon mods, rare cosmetics, bonus XP

What to Do in Agni Prime

1. Work on horde defense. Bug waves escalate in size and composition as the mission timer progresses. This system becomes critical from here on.
2. Farm for Morita Mk3 SAW if you haven't already. It's the key upgrade for this phase.
3. 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.
4. Complete all objectives before pushing to Extraction Zone.
5. Consider whether Hunter might suit your playstyle better than Bastion.

Phase 2 Checklist

• horde defense integrated into gameplay
• Morita Mk3 SAW acquired
• Agni Prime fully cleared
• Ready for Extraction Zone

Phase 3: Mid Game — 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.

Level/Difficulty: All levels Key Rewards: Mission completion bonus, extraction XP multiplier

What to Do in Extraction Zone

1. Master class roles. Five classes serve distinct combat roles. This unlocks a new layer of gameplay.
2. Start working toward Morita Mk1 Rifle. It's the best weapon and becomes accessible around now.
3. 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.
4. This area is the main skill check. If you can clear it, you're ready for late game.
5. Start investing in extraction gameplay for the tactical depth you'll need going forward.

Phase 3 Checklist

• class roles mastered
• Morita Mk1 Rifle acquired or in progress
• Extraction Zone fully cleared
• Ready for Bug Hive

Phase 4: Late Game — 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.

Level/Difficulty: Advanced Key Rewards: Hive core destruction bonus, rare materials, hive cosmetics

What to Do in Bug Hive

1. Finalize your build. You should be running Hunter or Bastion with optimized gear.
2. Morita Mk1 Rifle should be your primary. If you don't have it yet, prioritize getting it.
3. 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.
4. bug types optimization starts here. Small improvements compound into massive advantages.
5. Farm this area for the resources needed to push into ARC Base.

Phase 4 Checklist

• Build fully optimized
• Morita Mk1 Rifle upgraded to max
• Bug Hive fully cleared
• Ready for ARC Base

Phase 5: Endgame — 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.

Level/Difficulty: Hub area Key Rewards: Loadout customization, weapon testing, squad formation

What to Do in ARC Base

1. ARC Base tests everything. Come prepared with your best build and gear.
2. 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.
3. The endgame loop: run ARC Base, optimize gear, push harder content.
4. Experiment with Sniper for a fresh take once you've mastered the standard builds.
5. This is where bug types mastery separates good players from great ones.

Phase 5 Checklist

• Endgame content on farm
• Best-in-slot gear acquired
• ARC Base fully cleared
• Ready for challenge content

Common Progression Mistakes

• 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.

Key Tips for Smooth Progression

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

For detailed build optimization, see Starship Troopers: Extermination builds. For quick wins, check tips & tricks.