Red Barrels took the Outlast formula into co-op with The Outlast Trials, which left Early Access on March 5, 2024. You play a Reagent, a Cold War era test subject processed by the Murkoff Corporation inside the Sinyala Facility and pushed through therapy sessions that are really survival gauntlets. You never get a gun: your entire kit is one Rig, a few throwables, and night vision goggles that eat batteries.
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. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stun controller | A | Balanced | Best available |
| X-Ray scout | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Heal anchor | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Blind trapper | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Solo objective runner | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our The Outlast Trials tier list.
A-Tier: Stun controller
Stun controller is a top-performing option in The Outlast Trials.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Brick | Thrown blunt object that staggers an Ex-Pop for a moment and can smash a window or a fragile lock from range. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Rig abilities | Every Reagent carries one of four Rigs: Stun, Blind, Heal or X-Ray. |
How to Play Stun controller
Stun controller focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Brick does the damage and Rig abilities keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: X-Ray scout
X-Ray scout is a strong option in The Outlast Trials.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Bottle | Throwable noisemaker. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Sanity and psychosis | Darkness, Skinner Man hallucinations and certain hits drain your sanity bar. |
How to Play X-Ray scout
X-Ray scout focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair Bottle with Sanity and psychosis and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Heal anchor
Heal anchor is a strong option in The Outlast Trials.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Lockpick | Single use tool that opens locked doors and cabinets without a key, cutting long detours out of a route. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Night vision battery drain | Goggles are the only way to read unlit corridors and they burn battery continuously while active. |
How to Play Heal anchor
Heal anchor focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Night vision battery drain covers the gap Lockpick leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Blind trapper
Blind trapper is a specialized option in The Outlast Trials.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Antidote | Cures psychosis on the spot and restores sanity, ending the screen distortion that makes tracking enemies almost impossible. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Prescriptions and Amps | Prescriptions are permanent upgrades bought between Trials that raise stamina, inventory slots and battery life. |
How to Play Blind trapper
Blind trapper focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Prescriptions and Amps rather than raw numbers, and Antidote is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Solo objective runner
Solo objective runner is a specialized option in The Outlast Trials.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Night vision goggles | Battery powered vision in total darkness. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Release tokens | A full Trial pays 2 release tokens and an MK-Challenge pays 1. |
How to Play Solo objective runner
Solo objective runner focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Night vision goggles and Release tokens pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with X-Ray scout: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Stun controller once you understand core mechanics and have access to Brick
- Keep a Heal anchor setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Solo objective runner for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Night vision drains while the goggles are on, not while you are moving, so tap them for a two second look and turn them off. Reagents who leave goggles running are the ones caught blind in the last third of a Trial when every battery on the map is already gone.
- A fully upgraded Stun Rig holds an Ex-Pop or a Prime Asset for about 7 seconds. That is enough to finish an interaction or drag a downed teammate clear, but not enough to cross a large room, so spend it on a specific job.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More The Outlast Trials Guides
- The Outlast Trials The Outlast Trials Overview
- The Outlast Trials Tier List
- The Outlast Trials Walkthrough
- The Outlast Trials Beginner's Guide
- The Outlast Trials Tips & Tricks
- The Outlast Trials Weapons Guide
- The Outlast Trials Combat Guide
- The Outlast Trials Boss Guide
- The Outlast Trials Maps & Locations
- The Outlast Trials Crafting Guide
- The Outlast Trials Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy The Outlast Trials, check out these related guides:
- Phasmophobia Builds: horror game with similar mechanics
- Lethal Company Builds: horror game with similar mechanics
- Dead by Daylight Builds: horror game with similar mechanics
