R.E.P.O. — Complete Deep Strategy Guide

Overview

R.E.P.O. (Retrieve, Extract, and Profit Operation) is a co-op physics horror game developed by Swedish studio Semiwork, launched February 2025 on Steam Early Access. Up to six players control semibots — expressive little robots deployed into procedurally generated facilities to retrieve physics-based valuables. Every object has real weight, balance, and fragility. Drop a vase and it shatters. Crash a cart into a doorframe and its contents scatter. The tension between careful handling and the pressure of roaming monsters makes every run uniquely chaotic.

The game blends slapstick physics comedy with genuine horror. Most failures come not from monsters directly, but from haste, greed, and poor coordination. R.E.P.O. is fundamentally a game about discipline — controlling your movement, managing your team's attention, and making smart decisions under pressure.

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Getting Started

First Run Checklist

1. Play the tutorial — The tutorial button glows on first boot. It teaches grab mechanics, cart usage, and basic monster avoidance. Skip it at your own risk.
2. Pick your team size — Solo is viable but much harder. The sweet spot is 3–4 players. Difficulty scales with team size: more players mean higher cash quotas and more aggressive monster spawns.
3. Choose a contract — At the van terminal, pick a contract. Each mission has a cash quota. Fail to meet it and you lose your upgrades.
4. Learn the cart — A cart spawns near the van entrance. It's your lifeline for moving loot. Push it carefully — rough handling damages items.

The Core Loop

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

• Sprinting everywhere — Noise is the #1 killer. Monsters track sound. Walk inside, crouch in unfamiliar rooms.
• Ignoring your watch — The departure timer is on your watch face. Check it every 60 seconds. Getting stranded means losing everything.
• Carrying fragile items while running — One stumble and that priceless vase is confetti. Walk fragile items the whole way.
• Blocking corridors with loot — You'll trap yourself or your teammates. Keep paths clear.
• Overstaying for "one more item" — The most common wipe cause. Extract when you hit quota.

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Complete Controls Reference

Recommended Settings

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Core Mechanics — Deep Dive

Health, Energy, and Death

• Base HP: 100 | Base Energy: 40
• Energy is consumed by sprinting and regenerates over time. Manage it like a resource — never let it hit zero when you need to escape.
• Health sharing: Stand close to a teammate's back. The green bar behind their head lets you transfer 10 HP with a left click. This is your primary healing method between medkits.
• When you die: Your body drops a head. A teammate carries this head to the extraction zone to revive you with 1 HP.
• Bonus revive: If your head is in the extraction zone when the level ends, you revive with +25 HP.
• End-of-level heal: All surviving players heal 25 HP at level completion.
• Instant death scenarios: Trudge's hammer slam, fall damage from Mentalist's gravity lift, Cleanup Crew's head explosion at close range.

Stamina Management

Stamina is your most limited resource. Every sprint reduces your available energy. When it hits zero, you cannot sprint until it regenerates. Key rules:

• Walking consumes no stamina. Sprint only when a monster is actively chasing you or when crossing a cleared zone.
• Crouch-walking is completely silent and consumes no stamina. Use it as your default movement in unexplored areas.
• Sprinting while carrying a heavy item drains stamina 2x faster. Drop the item before sprinting away from threats.
• Stamina upgrades at the Service Station are your second priority after Strength.

Loot Management

Every object has physics. Drop it and it shatters. Knock it against a wall and its value decreases. Items near the entrance are intentionally low-value — the game rewards pushing deeper.

Core loot discipline rules:

• Carry one item at a time in dangerous areas. Two items means you cannot react to threats.
• Create temporary drop zones near the exit for secured items. Use glowsticks to mark them.
• Stack small items on the cart before moving it. Multiple trips with single items waste time.
• Broken items lose 50–80% of their value. A cracked vase is worth more than a shattered one, but less than an intact one.
• Some items are cursed and cause screen distortion or attract ghosts while you carry them. Identify cursed items by their visual glow or aura — extract them last.

Extraction zone rules:

• Items must be fully inside the extraction zone. Poorly placed items can break when the piston activates.
• Each extraction site can only be used once per level.
• Going beyond your cash quota provides bonus rewards for the next Service Station visit.
• Extraction count scales with level: Level 1 → 1 extraction. Levels 2–3 → 2. Levels 4–5 → 3. Level 6 → 4. Level 15+ → 5.

Sound and Stealth

Monsters rely on sound and line of sight. Mastering stealth is the single most important skill in R.E.P.O.

Stealth priority checklist:

1. Crouch when entering unfamiliar rooms. Make it a habit.
2. Flick your flashlight on and off — never leave it on constantly. Monsters see the beam.
3. Use glowsticks to mark paths instead of flashlight. They're cheap and silent.
4. Listen for monster audio cues: footsteps, breathing, mechanical whirring, laughter, buzzing.
5. If you hear something suspicious, stop moving and listen for 3–5 seconds. Identify the monster type before acting.
6. Break line of sight and wait — most monsters despawn after 20–30 seconds of losing track of you.
7. Throw bottles or cans to misdirect enemies. A thrown object creates noise at the impact point, drawing monsters away from your position.
8. The Huntsman is blind and tracks by sound. Crouch-walk past him — he cannot detect you if you make no noise.

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Build Roles & Tier List

R.E.P.O. doesn't have formal classes, but effective teams assign roles based on upgrades and equipment. Here is the definitive tier list for team roles.

Build Rankings

Scanner (S-Tier) — The Team's Eyes

Core gear: Scanner (upgraded range), Radio, extra batteries Upgrade priority: Range → Scanner upgrades → Stamina

The Scanner enters rooms first, scans everything, calls out high-value targets to Grabbers, and monitors ghost activity to warn the team. Your scanner shows item values through walls in a cone-shaped area. This prevents wasted time on low-value junk.

Scanner gameplay sequence:

1. Enter the facility first. Open map, identify extraction point and route.
2. Sweep rooms systematically. Scan each room from the doorway before entering.
3. Call out values: "Gold bar in room 2, left cabinet" / "Cursed vase in room 3, avoid it"
4. Mark high-value items with green pings. Mark monsters with red pings.
5. Watch for monster spawns while the team loots. Your awareness prevents ambushes.

Grabber (S-Tier) — The Workhorse

Core gear: Grabber Tool (upgraded grip), Stamina Boost, Heavy Lifting upgrade Upgrade priority: Strength → Stamina → Range

The Grabber does the heavy lifting — literally. Prioritize strength upgrades and stamina to carry heavy items faster. A good Grabber memorizes item values and grabs the most expensive things first.

Grabber gameplay sequence:

1. Follow the Scanner's callouts. Do not waste time on random looting.
2. Grab high-value items first. Use hotbar slots (1, 2, 3) for small valuables.
3. Sprint items to the cart, not all the way to the extraction zone. Let the Driver manage the cart.
4. When carrying heavy items with a partner, both players must move in the same direction. Pulling opposite ways drops the item and wastes stamina.
5. If a monster appears, drop the item and hide. Your life is worth more than any single item.

Runner (A-Tier) — Speed Specialist

Core gear: Sprint upgrades, Flashlight (extended battery), lightweight equipment Upgrade priority: Stamina → Sprint upgrades → Range

The Runner grabs lightweight high-value items (gems, jewelry, gold bars) and sprints them to the truck in rapid succession while Grabbers handle heavy objects. You are the team's efficiency multiplier.

Runner gameplay sequence:

1. Identify small high-value items from the Scanner's callouts.
2. Grab and sprint. Do not stop for anything except active monster chases.
3. Deposit in cart or inventory, then immediately go for the next item.
4. Your speed makes you the best candidate for extracting teammate heads. Grab and run.

Fighter (B-Tier) — Monster Management

Core gear: Flares (bulk supply), upgraded Flashlight, noise makers Upgrade priority: Stamina → Strength → Tumble Launch

The Fighter positions between monsters and the team, using flares and light to stun or redirect threats. Your flashlight can stun certain ghost types when shone directly at them. Flares create zones of safety.

Fighter gameplay sequence:

1. Stay between the active monster and your loot team.
2. Shine flashlight at ghosts to stun them temporarily — this gives your team 3–5 seconds to move.
3. Throw flares to create safe zones. Monsters avoid bright light.
4. If a monster chases a teammate, intercept it. Use noise makers to draw aggro to yourself.
5. You are the designated sacrifice. If someone must die to save the team's loot, it should be you.

Driver (B-Tier) — Logistics Expert

Core gear: Cart upgrades, extra batteries, map familiarity Upgrade priority: Range → Stamina → Cart upgrades

The Driver stays near the van, organizes incoming items for maximum space efficiency, deploys carts to the building entrance, and calls departure warnings. Carts purchased at the shop (1500–1800) can be placed into inventory slots while loaded — this saves pushing through dangerous areas.

Driver gameplay sequence:

1. Stay at the van initially. Organize the cart and prepare secondary carts.
2. When the first cart is full, push it to the extraction zone while the team continues looting.
3. Monitor the departure timer. Call out warnings at 2 minutes, 1 minute, and 30 seconds.
4. Deploy extra carts to the building entrance as needed. Pre-position them for efficient loading.
5. If a teammate dies, bring the cart to their head location for rapid extraction.

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Monster Encyclopedia — Complete Threat Assessment

R.E.P.O. features 29 distinct monsters. Understanding each one's behavior is the difference between life and death.

Danger Level 1 — Low Threat (Avoidable)

Danger Level 2 — Medium Threat (Requires Tactics)

Danger Level 3 — High Threat (Run or Hide)

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Service Station — Upgrade & Shop Guide

Between levels, you enter the Service Station. Cash earned from extractions is rounded DOWN (9.6K → 9K). Spend wisely.

Permanent Upgrades — Priority Ranking

Weapon Tier List

Consumables & Tools

Recommended Purchase Order

1. Strength (first run) — Enables carrying heavier items. Solo players rush this immediately.
2. Stamina (second run) — More sprint = more survival. Escape monsters, cover ground faster.
3. Melee weapon — Wrench or Crowbar. Quiet defense against small enemies.
4. C.A.R.T. or Drone — Hauling efficiency pays for itself in one run.
5. Range Upgrade — Grab loot from safer positions, reach through gaps.
6. Scanner Upgrade — Improves team efficiency dramatically.
7. Specialized gear — Energy crystals, advanced weapons, jump packs.
8. Tumble Launch — For players comfortable with the Q-shrink mechanic.

Critical note: Prices increase with each level. Early energy crystals (5K–7K) are much cheaper than later ones (11K–18K). Buy upgrades early before inflation hits.

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Step-by-Step Strategy Guide

Early Game (Levels 1–3) — Building Foundations

1. Scope the map before touching loot. Open map (Tab), identify extraction point, plan a route.
2. Clear rooms nearest the van first. Create a safe perimeter. Extractors are safest near the start.
3. Grab compact valuables only. Gems, gold bars, jewelry give the best value-to-size ratio. Ignore furniture.
4. Load the cart methodically. Push slowly through clear paths. One bump can scatter everything.
5. First extraction should be modest. Hit the quota and leave. Going over is nice but survival matters more.
6. Spend at the Service Station: Strength first, then Stamina. Buy a melee weapon if affordable.

Mid Game (Levels 4–8) — Team Optimization

1. Multiple extraction points are active. Plan which order to use them. Each is one-way only.
2. Assign team roles explicitly. One Scout checks ahead. One Carrier moves loot. One Defender watches for monsters. One Driver manages carts.
3. Use the map actively. Yellow markers for valuables. Blue for carts/items. Red for dead teammates.
4. Kite dangerous monsters. If a Bowtie or Chef spots the team, one player leads it away while others extract.
5. Revive dead teammates immediately. Grab their head and bring it to extraction. Heads can ride on the cart.
6. Buy the second upgrade tier. Strength 2+ and Stamina 2+ make a dramatic difference. Consider a drone for efficiency.

Late Game (Levels 9–15+) — High-Stakes Extraction

1. Four to five extractions per level. Efficiency is critical. Every minute counts.
2. Environmental hazards become lethal. Lava, pits, and acid are everywhere. Never fight monsters near these.
3. Danger Level 3 monsters appear regularly. Cleanup Crew and Trudge require immediate respect. Do not fight — run.
4. Stockpile energy crystals early. At 11K–18K each late game, they're prohibitively expensive. Buy stacks at levels 3–5.
5. Use Q-object mode strategically. Have a teammate shrink and carry you past dangerous corridors.
6. Always leave someone on cart duty. An unattended cart gets destroyed by roaming monsters.
7. Coordinate extraction order. Extract the highest-value items first. If time runs short, leave cheap items behind.

5 Actionable Extraction Sequences

Sequence 1: Standard Room Clear

1. Approach door → crouch → listen for 3 seconds
2. Open door slowly → scan with flashlight flick
3. If clear → scan room for items → call out values
4. If monster → close door quietly → mark on map → move to next room
5. Enter after confirmation → grab highest-value item → return to cart

Sequence 2: Monster Evasion

1. Hear monster audio cue → stop moving immediately
2. Identify direction and monster type from sound
3. Crouch-walk to nearest cover (wall corner, furniture, pillar)
4. Hold Q to shrink into object mode → wait 20-30 seconds
5. Monster despawns → continue with extra caution

Sequence 3: Team Revive Under Pressure

1. Teammate dies → locate their head (pinged on map)
2. Runner or Driver grabs the head
3. Place head on cart for safe transport
4. Clear a path to the nearest extraction zone
5. Deposit head in zone → teammate revives with 1 HP
6. Immediately heal them with health share (green bar)

Sequence 4: Multi-Cart Logistics

1. Driver pre-positions 2-3 carts near building entrance
2. Grabbers fill first cart → Driver pushes to extraction
3. Grabbers switch to second cart while Driver returns
4. Third cart serves as emergency backup near mid-point
5. Final 2 minutes: consolidate all remaining loot onto extraction zone

Sequence 5: Emergency Evacuation

1. Timer hits 2 minutes → call "final push" on voice
2. All players stop looting and move toward extraction
3. Grabbers: carry one high-value item each, sprint to zone
4. Fighter: watch rear, use flares to delay pursuers
5. Driver: count heads at extraction, confirm all present
6. Extract with 30+ seconds remaining — do not cut it close

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Advanced Tactics

Tumble Launch Combat

Sprint → Jump → Press Q mid-air. You transform into a projectile that damages enemies on impact. Upgrade Tumble Launch at the shop for increased damage. Works best after stunning enemies with grenades or tranquilizers.

Advanced combo: Tranquilizer gun → Tumble Launch → Melee finisher. This three-hit combo kills most Level 1-2 monsters before they can react.

Extraction Piston Kill

The extraction zone's piston crushes anything under it. Lure small enemies (Ducks, Bangers) under the piston and activate extraction. You get the kill reward (2000–3000 for Duck) AND the item value from their drop.

Farming strategy: Ducks respawn after their orb is extracted. A single Duck killed by the piston gives 2000–3000. With 3 extractions per level, you can farm 6000–9000 from one Duck spawn point.

Multi-Player Grab Lock

Two or more players grabbing the same Animal (Insect) simultaneously freezes it for several seconds. Use this window to throw it into a hazard, under the extraction piston, or beat it down with melee weapons.

Huntsman Stairs Trap

The Huntsman is blind and follows sound — but he falls down stairs. If you find a staircase, run up it while making noise. He follows, falls, takes significant damage, and is briefly stunned. Attack during the stun window for an easy kill.

Cleanup Crew Radiation Management

When Cleanup Crew's head explodes, it leaves a radiation zone dealing 15 damage per second. Mark the area on your map and avoid it for 30–45 seconds. Use this forced waiting period to loot other rooms or reorganize your cart.

Cursed Item Protocol

Cursed items glow with a visible aura. While carrying one, your screen distorts and nearby monsters are attracted to you. Protocol: Identify cursed items with the Scanner — they show a unique icon. Extract them last, and only when the area is completely clear of monsters. Have a teammate escort you while you carry it.

Cart-in-Inventory Trick

Carts purchased at the shop (1500–1800) can be placed into inventory slots while loaded with items. This saves you pushing the cart through dangerous areas — just pull it out near the extraction point. Buy an extra cart specifically for this purpose.

Hotbar Management for Speed

Inventory slots 1, 2, and 3 can hold small items. Dedicate these slots to high-value compact items (gems, jewelry, gold bars). A full hotbar of gems is worth 8K–12K and takes 3 seconds to deposit. This is 3x more efficient than carrying items by hand.

Stamina Recovery Exploit

Stamina regenerates faster when you are standing still and not holding an item. After a sprint burst, stop for 3–4 seconds behind cover. You recover 50% of your stamina bar in that window. Do not spam sprint — burst and recover.

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Solo Play Guide

Solo is significantly harder. The game is balanced around 3–4 players. If you are going solo:

1. Strength is king. Rush Strength upgrades. You must carry everything yourself.
2. Go slow. One mistake ends the run. No one can revive you mid-level unless your head gets extracted.
3. Monster management: Run two rooms away from a monster and it despawns after 20–30 seconds.
4. Prioritize ruthlessly: Grab only compact high-value items. Never touch furniture.
5. Recommended build path: Strength → Stamina → Range → Tumble Launch → Feather Drone
6. Avoid all combat. You cannot afford health loss. Hide and wait.
7. Extract early, extract often. Any successful extraction is a win. Greed is the solo killer.
8. Use the Q-shrink liberally. Solo Q-shrink is your best defense. Stay in object mode near walls.

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FAQ / Common Mistakes

Top 5 Mistakes Beginners Make

Quick Answers

Is R.E.P.O. free? No. It costs $3.49 on Steam.

Can I play solo? Yes, but it is significantly harder. The game scales difficulty based on team size.

How many players? Up to 6 in online co-op. Sweet spot is 3–4.

Does it have matchmaking? Designed for friends. Public matchmaking is limited — use Discord or Steam friends.

What platforms? Windows PC via Steam. No console or Mac versions yet.

Does progress carry over? Upgrades and cosmetics purchased with cash persist. Per-run items and loot do not. A team wipe loses everything from that run.

Is there an ending? R.E.P.O. is a roguelike run-based game. No story campaign — the goal is to survive as many runs as possible and amass wealth.

Can I save mid-run? Yes. If the host exits without a full team wipe, you can reload the checkpoint. A wipe resets everything.

How do I revive teammates? Grab their dropped head and carry it to the extraction zone. Heads can go on the cart. Extraction revives with 1 HP. End-of-level extraction with head in zone revives with +25 HP.

What is the best weapon? Early game: wrench/crowbar (quiet, reliable). Mid game: tranquilizer gun (stun + kill). Late game: shotgun for emergencies, frying pan for melee.

Which upgrade first? Strength. Always. It lets you carry more, deal more damage, and handle heavy items solo.

Why does cash get rounded down? R.E.P.O. rounds down your total between levels. 9.6K → 9K. Plan spending accordingly.

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Performance Settings for Smooth Gameplay

These settings maintain visual clarity while maximizing FPS in the procedurally generated facilities, which can be performance-heavy in later levels with multiple monsters active.

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Team Communication Guide

Effective communication doubles your survival rate. Use this callout system:

• "Ping [item name] [room/position]" — "Ping gold bar room 3 left cabinet"
• "Monster [type] [position]" — "Monster Chef hallway north"
• "Chased — need kite" — You are being chased and need someone to intercept
• "Head at [position]" — Dead teammate location
• "Timer: X minutes" — Departure countdown
• "Extraction ready" — All items are in the zone, call evac now
• "CURSED ITEM" — Warn the team before picking up a cursed object