Understanding the Gameplay Loop
The eerie hum of the ship, the creak of the landing gear, the heart-stopping thud of your boots on the alien moon – these are the sounds that define *Lethal Company*. This co-op survival horror game has captured the hearts of players worldwide with its unique blend of scavenging, teamwork, and the constant threat of the unknown. As a team of scrappy employees for “The Company,” your primary goal is simple: meet the quota. Gather enough scrap, sell it, and avoid becoming another statistic in the company’s relentless pursuit of profit. But the moons, the environments you’ll be exploring to find your treasure, are anything but simple. This guide is your key to surviving the hazardous locales available in *Lethal Company* and making a name for yourself.
The moons of *Lethal Company* are more than just backdrops; they are dynamic and dangerous environments, each with its own unique challenges, creatures, and scrap opportunities. Understanding the layout, hazards, and the enemy threat of each locale is crucial for survival. This guide will navigate you through the treacherous terrains available in the game, and it will provide crucial tips for the maps you could have been exploring during your runs.
Let’s delve deeper into what players should expect during their journeys.
Understanding the Gameplay Loop
Before you even begin thinking about the various maps, it is important to understand the core gameplay. After accepting a quota, players will be transported by ship to a moon to scavenge scrap and collect items. Players then need to return to the ship before the deadline and sell the scrap to earn profits for The Company. The Company will then expect you to gather more scrap, and this cycle repeats. The gameplay loop is easy to understand but offers the potential for intense situations and experiences.
Navigating the Map Selection Process
The selection of your moons is critical. The game presents you with several moon options to choose from, each displaying a difficulty rating. This rating is more of a general estimation based on enemy spawns, terrain, and the overall dangers of the planet. Even so, understanding the traits of each map before taking off is highly recommended.
Unveiling the Moons: A Look at the Terrains
Each moon in *Lethal Company* presents its own unique set of challenges. Knowing what to expect before you land can be the difference between a successful run and an early, gruesome demise.
Experimentation: A Starter’s Challenge
Experimentation is commonly one of the first moons players encounter. This moon is considered one of the simpler maps, but don’t let that fool you. It is easy to get lost, and the indoor and outdoor layouts pose strategic challenges.
The exterior of Experimentation is relatively open, with a few structures scattered about. Inside the facility, a maze of corridors and rooms awaits, which often leads players astray.
Expect to encounter the basic threats on Experimentation, which include the common creatures that can appear on other moons. These include the following, among others:
- Hygroderes
- Snare Fleas
- Spiders
This moon is ideal for smaller teams, even solo runs, but communication is still key. Due to its open areas, you can utilize a larger number of potential landmarks to get your bearings and coordinate with teammates. Be sure to pack a walkie-talkie for communication across distances, as well as a flashlight and a shovel to navigate the often poorly lit hallways. This map offers several excellent scrap spawn locations, making it a decent place to start your exploration.
Assurance: The Desert’s Embrace
Assurance is a moon that presents a significantly different experience, presenting a desert landscape. The large exterior allows for a fair amount of exploration, but you must take care to avoid the open areas when the weather is hostile. The main building, with its intricate design, poses a threat to unaware players.
Assurance is more dangerous than Experimentation, meaning that players should be more careful when traversing its terrain. Players should expect to encounter the standard creatures on Assurance, though other creatures could also be present.
Teamwork is very important on Assurance. With its open layouts, and larger buildings, coordinating a strategy is key. Gear such as a walkie-talkie, flashlight, and shovel will be essential. Watch out for the exterior hazards, as some areas will be difficult to traverse.
Vow: The Abandoned Facility
Vow offers an interesting building layout, with a winding path and open areas. The building’s layout, though smaller than others, features many corners and pathways.
The dangers on Vow are similar to other maps, with a few enemy spawns.
Coordinated teamwork is very important in Vow, as it allows for safer exploration. Packing a flashlight, a walkie-talkie, and a shovel are crucial. Vow’s interior layout makes it a good map for navigating, and the open exteriors provide an interesting experience.
Other Potential Moons:
The beauty of *Lethal Company* is that the selection of moons changes. Depending on the date, game versions, and other factors, players may be able to experience different maps. Each moon has distinct layouts, enemy placements, and resources.
Advanced Tactics for Survival
Beyond knowing the maps, mastering *Lethal Company* requires a grasp of advanced strategies.
The Power of Communication
Communication is not just helpful; it’s the cornerstone of success. Designating roles within the team, communicating enemy sightings, and relaying critical information about scrap locations can drastically improve survival rates. Utilize the in-game voice chat or a third-party application to remain in constant contact with your crew.
Resource Management: Making Every Watt Count
Managing your resources wisely is essential. Conserve flashlight batteries by turning them off when not needed. Be strategic about your inventory space, prioritizing valuable scrap over less profitable items. Knowing how much you need to meet the quota is crucial.
Enemy Awareness: Recognizing and Reacting
Understanding the behavior of each enemy type is crucial for survival. Learn their attack patterns, their weaknesses, and the best ways to avoid or defeat them. Some enemies are best avoided, while others can be dealt with using tools like the shovel or the stop sign.
Risk Assessment: Before You Leap
Before venturing into a dark or unknown area, assess the potential risks. Listen for enemy sounds, check for hazards, and plan your route carefully. It’s better to be cautious and slow than to rush in blindly.
Leveraging the Environment: Think Outside the Box
Use the environment to your advantage. Doors can be closed to slow down enemies, hiding spots can provide temporary safety, and the terrain can be used to create choke points.
Essential Gear and Tools
The right tools can be a lifesaver in *Lethal Company*.
- Flashlight
- Walkie-Talkie
- Shovel
- Zap Gun
Other Helpful Items:
Consider carrying the jetpack, the radar booster, and other useful items as they become available.
Adapting to Changes
Remember, *Lethal Company* is an evolving game. Keep up with the latest updates, patches, and community discussions to stay informed about map changes, new enemies, and emerging strategies.
A Final Word
Surviving the moons of *Lethal Company* requires knowledge, skill, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Embrace the chaos, work with your team, and never give up on the pursuit of profit. Remember, every scrap gathered, every enemy avoided, and every quota met brings you one step closer to surviving another day in this dangerous, yet incredibly engaging game. May your runs be profitable and your crew stay together.
