Starship Troopers: Extermination – Useful Tips and Tricks

These are just some tips that i learnt the hard way and from others while playing the first few hours.

Tips and Tricks

All credit goes to caschque!

Top 3 Tips

• Utilize bunkers for base defense.
• Prioritize extracting ores first, and once you have enough, focus on gathering gas to avoid aggroing bugs too much (infestation level).
• Be cautious of Friendly Fire, as it is activated by default. Pay attention to your targets and avoid shooting allies or unintended targets.

Classes

Class Differences

The three classes in the game have distinct characteristics. They possess unique special abilities, different traits such as health points and mobility, and their loadout unlocking sequence varies. However, you will have access to almost the same options across all classes.

Assault Class

The Assault class excels in mobility with a jetpack that allows for a “triple” jump, providing enhanced vertical movement. It is perfect for scouting and providing quick support. The Assault class offers faster movement speed and provides adaptable gameplay.

Heavy Class

If you prefer high damage output and increased survivability, the Heavy class is the right choice for you. Equipped with a powerful machine “saw” gun, it can deal substantial damage and unleash firepower like Rambo. The Heavy class can enter siege mode to reduce recoil, deploy mini defense walls, and provide cover for teammates. It’s an excellent choice for tanking and defense.

This is the most liked class due to its survivability and damage output.

Operator Class

The Operator class specializes in support and utility. It possesses a revive and heal perk, making it invaluable for team survival. Although slightly fragile, the Operator can carry two canisters and wields a unique grenade launcher.

The Operator class is perfect for efficiently transporting canisters. Even while carrying a single canister, they can still use their weapon by switching to their primary. Pressing 6 allows them to re-select the canister. To revive teammates, activate the perk and be close to your downed team members.

Additionally, if your robot is activated, there is a possibility of being revived yourself (not yet confirmed).

By utilizing the Operator class, you can provide crucial support to your team while maintaining the flexibility to carry out offensive actions.

Base Building

There are three constraints to consider when placing buildings:

1. Ore/Cash/Money: This resource is obtained by collecting ore canisters from ore extractors, which are indicated by blue markers on the map. When you deconstruct buildings, you receive a refund, although I’m unsure of the exact amount.
2. Build Limit: This constraint is crucial because there are only four available slots for ammo containers, turrets, and electric fences. Ammo containers are particularly important since they cannot be deconstructed like other structures.
3. Blue Grid Pattern: The building area for the base is defined by this pattern on the floor. You can place walls and other structures along the edges, but be mindful of their orientation. Arrows indicate the direction in which turrets face, and for walls, check if the “roof” is on the inside.

Random Tips

If you are confident in your base-building skills, act swiftly at the beginning, especially when it comes to placing ammo containers. Many players may still be unfamiliar with this aspect. Otherwise, take your time since you can always deconstruct and make changes. Pre-placing essential structures and allowing others to construct can be an effective approach.

Bunkers are often overlooked but highly effective. Consider placing one at each major choke point. They offer a better line of sight without requiring you to be on top of the walls. Additionally, you won’t face difficulties shooting down enemies, which can sometimes occur with rocket launchers due to hitbox differences.

You can position ammo containers on top of walls.

Towers and turrets can be placed “inside” walls.

Utilize electric fences (and perhaps a small gate) to protect the arc from invading bugs. This is an excellent defensive strategy.

Don’t forget about gates!

In heavy chokepoints where gunners are shooting bugs, consider using small walls (person-high gates). They can help in rebuilding main walls or gates.

If possible, use walls with ramps instead of regular walls. This allows all classes, except for assaults, to access the roof. Walls without a line of sight are ineffective, so keep that in mind.

Bugs

Drone

• Tiny creatures that are easily dealt with.
• Annoying in large numbers but can be killed with a single sniper shot.
• Rewards: 1 xp.

Warrior

• Resemble bugs from Starship Troopers.
• Usually require two sniper rifle shots to eliminate.
• Not highly dangerous.
• Rewards: 1 xp.

Gunner

• Highly annoying, especially in groups with other bugs.
• Can shoot from a distance, even snipe.
• Can be mistaken for friendly fire in chaotic battles.
• Top priority target.
• Look similar in size to Warriors but more inconspicuous.
• Require three to five sniper shots to kill.
• Rewards: 5 xp.

Tiger

• Large bugs with yellow-black stripes like zebras.
• Melee specialists, don’t underestimate them.
• Avoid getting too close.
• Prioritize Tigers when Gunners are eliminated and Grenadiers can’t reach.
• Require one to two magazines (20 shots) of sniper to kill.
• Rewards: 50 xp.

Grenadier

• Grey-blue artillery bugs.
• Shoot over long distances with great power.
• Can cause significant damage to your base if not dealt with.
• Secondary priority target, but yield a high amount of xp.
• Require the same number of shots as Tigers, maybe a bit more.
• Require three rocket launcher shots to kill.
• Rewards: 100 xp.

Missions

Order of Objectives

1. Ammo Bunker(s)
2. Base + Arc
3. Ore
4. Gas
5. Exfill

Gas is not always necessary.

Additional Quests

• Resource Cache: Gives free gas and ore canisters, but they disappear after a time limit. Don’t rely solely on the map sign; one is located underground in a tunnel.
• Weapons Cache: Contains weapons. Defend it and stay inside the circle.
• Repair Random Stuff (Generator): Repairing will reward you with a weapon.
• Exterminate Some Bugs: Killing bugs helps with base defense in the long run. If possible, gather a group and eliminate them.

Random Tips

Rocket Launcher Location: Weapons cache and small boxes in front of defend sector objects usually contain rocket launchers. You can even swap the rocket launcher for your secondary weapon, but do it while picking up the rocket launcher.

Gather Ores Before Delivering Gas Canisters: Ensure you have enough ores before delivering the last gas canister. There may be a connection between the number of gas canisters delivered and the infestation level. Take it slow with gas if you still need ores.

Coordinate with Teams: Assign roles to fulfill objectives efficiently. Check the top-left corner for the number of players selecting a particular objective. Open the map and click on an objective to select it.

Be Strategic with Canisters: Don’t rush off with the canisters if you need plenty and there are only a few players (1-2) and the distance is far. This may not be an issue in easy mode, but in normal mode, it can be challenging. Defend the extractor until four canisters are filled, then transport them. Use two operators (2x per operator) and two other team members for support. You can also assign each operator to grab a canister and use their weapons. Press 6 to grab a canister from the operator’s backpack.

Plan Ahead: While waiting for new orders, check the map to see the next area to advance. The yellow highlighted areas indicate the next objectives, so you can start moving in that direction. Use pings to indicate the location of important things.

Misc

If you don’t shoot, you’re wasting a valuable team spot. So, get to work and exterminate!

Save your ammo and keep track of the numbers, especially for the grenade launcher and rocket launcher.

Ammo canisters are a great perk to choose once you’ve unlocked them for any class. You can place them on walls for your teammates. Remember, they give you good XP to unlock even more stuff, and you can unlock the ammo canister in every class. The medical tower works too.

Friendly fire exists! If you’re at the front, avoid jumping left and right like a maniac in front of others. So, check your surroundings.

Check your surroundings. Bugs can come from everywhere, just like in all FPS games. Mind your environment. This will make you a better player in general if you know where things are.

When waiting to depart, don’t just stand inside the door… move a bit further. When the situation worsens, people die and get left behind. It’s okay to take it easy, but in normal mode, nobody jumps around like an idiot to get 5 more XP from bugs.

You can voice chat. Remember Communication is key. “y” uses proximity chat and “t” team chat (all no just your squad).

The map is valuable. Get accustomed to use it for checking the next objectives, selecting an objective and getting an overview who does what.