Barotrauma is a co-op survival submarine simulator that sees players descend to the dark depths of Europa in order to complete missions and serve the last surviving bastion of humanity—who lived submerged beneath the waves in a number of underwater outposts. Players will have to manage the complexities of their submarine, and the relations of their crew and guard against external threats, of which there are many.
Each player will have to choose a role in which they wish to play and operate, with each providing unique bonuses to different kinds of work. There are, however, a few essential tools that will be useful to players for a variety of purposes, regardless of their crew role.
10 Wrench
The trusty Wrench is one of the most essential tools needed in order to carry out a successful voyage. Essential for maintenance and repairs, it is most often equipped by the mechanic. If need be, this tool can also double up as a close-range weapon, but this is unlikely to be effective against any alien sea creatures the crew may encounter.
The wrench can be crafted and upgraded using a fabricator or can be bought from most vendors in docking stations.
9 Screwdriver
The Screwdriver is another essential used for maintenance and repairs, but this time primarily in the electrical department and is thus often equipped by Engineers. It can also be used to rewire electrical components and connection panels.
Much like the Wrench, this can also double up as a melee weapon but will inflict very minimal damage and should only be used as a very last resort.
8 Welding Tool
One of the first and most important tools that players should always have close by is the Welding Tool. Capable of mending breaches and repairing damage to the walls and hull of the submarine, this will be essential for plugging any major leaks.
Players can also use it to weld doors shut in the event of a major breach or overwhelming numbers of alien enemies boarding the sub.
7 Flashlight
Another tool players will not want to go without is the Flashlight. While relatively basic and obvious, this item can be overlooked when all is well—but as is frequently the case in Barotrauma, crisis, and emergency always lie in wait.
One of the most catastrophic incidents that can occur on the submarine is a loss of power, although they can also be triggered voluntarily to save on the submarine's overall energy use. In either case, the light will go out and the crew will be left in complete darkness, so ensuring there is some form of light source is really paramount to survival.
6 Fire Extinguisher
Another critical occurrence aboard the submarine, or indeed any sea-faring vessel, is the outbreak of fire. There are a number of ways in which fires can break out aboard a submarine, so ensuring that it is always stocked with accessible fire extinguishers is essential.
Not only can fire cause damage to vital equipment and block certain areas of the ship, but it can also damage players and be difficult to treat, particularly if the crew does not have an experienced Medical Doctor among them.
5 Oxygen Tank
Arguably the most essential resource in Barotrauma is oxygen. It is easy to take this for granted when everything is running smoothly, but any players who have experienced a breach will understand that it is frequently necessary to equip some form of diving gear and go swimming.
Some more difficult missions and even repairs may require players to venture outside the submarine and into the dark depths where they are extremely vulnerable. In either case, oxygen will be a necessity, and wearing diving gear with depleted oxygen levels will cause players to pass out. Once depleted, the tanks can be refilled at an Oxygen Tank Shelf or Oxygen Generator.
4 Fuel Rod
Much like the crew needing oxygen, the submarine will need fuel in order to run and prevent getting stranded. Fuel Rods can be inserted into the submarine's Nuclear Reactor in order to prevent a shutdown of the sub's functions.
While it is primarily the responsibility of the Engineer to ensure that this functions smoothly, the entire crew should always be wary of the sub's fuel supply and ensure that there are enough Fuel Rods to enable the Engineer to do their duty. Fuel Rods can be refilled with Uranium, or alternatively recycled into Depleted Fuel.
3 Plasma Cutter
The Plasma Cutter is the inverse of the Welding Tool, in that rather than repairing and sealing, it destroys and breaches surfaces. In addition to breaking through welded doors, it can also be used to harvest certain minerals from caves, as well as making a decent weapon compared to other standard tools.
Plasma Cutters will consume Oxygen during operation, and can in fact be sabotaged if players equip Incendium Fuel by mistake.
2 Flares
Another light source, albeit a temporary one, that is useful for both emergencies and cave exploration, are Flares. When activated, they will emit a large radius of light for just under 7 minutes, often giving players more than enough time to repair whatever may need fixing or retrieve any items from the surrounding environment as may be required.
Unlike glow-sticks, Flares can float in water at various depths, and can either be purchased from Outpost merchants or crafted using the Fabricator. When activated, however, they will lure in creatures of the deep, though more advanced players may wish to use this in order to create traps.
1 Underwater Scooter
Finally, one of the most essential tools for all players when venturing from the submarine—as will be required by certain missions—is the Underwater Scooter. This useful mini-vehicle will help to propel the player through the water as considerably faster speed than their usual swimming will allow, and can help to evade some slower-moving predators as well as complete missions more quickly. The Scooter can be bought or crafted, and will require a Battery Cell in order to operate.
Barotrauma is out now on PC, Linux, and Mac.