The single-player campaign in Barotrauma offers a randomized journey across the dark and mysterious depths of Europa. With a mix of mission types ranging from cargo delivery to full-scale combat operations, each venture into the ocean is an opportunity to uncover resources, test your survival skills, and shape your crew’s legacy. This guide walks you through every mission type, what to expect, and how best to prepare.

Cargo Missions

These are the simplest missions you’ll encounter: deliver goods from one station to another. Straightforward, yes—but don’t let your guard down. Along the route, you may be attacked by monsters, boarded by pirates, or encounter environmental hazards like flooding or fire.

Recommendations: Use a fast submarine with a protected cargo hold. Keep fire extinguishers and extra crew on standby for defensive action. Secure the cargo area and avoid letting anything flammable near critical goods.

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Salvaging Artifacts

Artifact recovery comes in two forms: from alien ruins or cave systems. Once your sonar pinpoints the location, you’ll exit the sub and navigate tight corridors, bypassing traps and hostile creatures.

Recommendations:

• Bring lots of oxygen tanks
• Plasma cutter
• Underwater scooter
• Underwater sonar (especially useful in ruins)

Be aware: once you pick up the artifact, your scooter becomes unusable.

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Wreck Salvage

These missions involve entering a sunken submarine and recovering a crew log. Inside, expect everything from monster infestations to flesh-based bio-organisms like guns and spikes. It’s one of the most dangerous missions in the game, but also one of the most rewarding in terms of loot.

Recommendations:

• Underwater scooter
• Plasma cutter and crowbar
• Automatic weapons
• Medical supplies and oxygen tanks

Take it slow and be ready to shoot first. Wrecks are trap-laden and tightly packed—expect threats behind every door.

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Beacon Stations

Your task here is to locate and repair a downed beacon station that helps submarines navigate. You’ll need to power the station, repair leaks, and reconnect wiring.

Recommendations:

• Oxygen tanks
• Welding tool
• Plasma cutter
• Spanner, screwdriver, wiring tools
• Reactor fuel rod
• Engineer with good mechanical/electrical skills

Note: the beacon must remain online until you dock at the next station to successfully complete the mission.

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Mining Missions

In these, you must mine precious minerals from deep cave systems filled with hostile lifeforms and environmental hazards.

Expect:

• Poison gas
• Tangled undergrowth
• Unbreakable walls unless cut
• Mudraptors, spinelings, and other monsters

Recommendations:

• Underwater scooter
• 10+ oxygen tanks
• Plasma cutter
• Strong weapons
• Sonar for navigation

Leave space in your inventory for ore. Assign remaining crew to operate systems and repair the sub while you’re outside for long durations.

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Combat Missions

Combat missions vary in intensity and target type. Here’s a breakdown from easiest to hardest:

1. Kill Medium/Swarm Monsters

You’ll find scattered groups in open water. They’re manageable with basic coilguns and standard ammo.

2. Kill Large Monsters

Larger creatures or grouped enemies that deliver serious damage. Expect structural impacts and immediate flooding.

Use:

• Piercing/explosive ammo
• Railguns for direct damage

3. Kill Cave Monsters

Eliminate hostile life in caves—usually nests or rapid, aggressive creatures.

Bring:

• Plasma cutter
• Automatic weapons
• Explosives
• Oxygen and scooter
• Medkits

4. Abandoned Stations

These are bandit-controlled facilities where hostages are held. Clear enemies and extract survivors.

Recommendations:

• Automatic weapons
• Ballistic armor
• First aid kits
• Designated medic on standby

Avoid bringing extra AI crewmates—they tend to block shots at the worst possible time.

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Side Missions

Though side missions don’t give direct rewards or increase your faction standings, they help open up new settlements and improve mission variety. They may ask you to repair beacon stations or take down tough enemies.

Tip: Bring backup supplies. Completing side missions can lead to profitable discoveries like rare loot or new travel options.

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No Mission (Exploration Mode)

When you select no mission, it doesn’t mean nothing’s happening—it simply allows for a more open-ended experience. These trips are great for discovering hidden wrecks, substations, rare monsters, beacon stations, and mining locations.

Use this time to gather rare loot, experiment with new equipment, or test your crew’s stamina. You set the pace, and you set the goal.

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Final Thoughts

Barotrauma’s mission system offers a dynamic and evolving challenge with every playthrough. Whether you’re managing deliveries, diving into monster-infested wrecks, or waging war against pirate outposts, preparation is key.

So stock up, train your crew, and choose your next assignment wisely. The depths of Europa are filled with opportunity—and danger—in equal measure.

Until next time, stay sharp and dive deep.