Deathloop throws players into a stylish time loop full of chaos, stealth, and strategy. The better you play, the better gear you’ll unlock—and staying alive longer directly translates to more tools, experience, and power. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your efficiency, here are 13 in-depth combat and survival tips to help you break the loop in style.
Tip 1: Master the Basics
For newcomers and veterans alike, knowing your environment is crucial. Learn the layout of all four districts to anticipate Eternalist placements and exploit escape routes. Use cover frequently—it offers visual concealment and activates the game’s peek mechanic, letting you observe or shoot while remaining protected. Take your time, scout ahead, and enter combat with full health whenever possible.
Tip 2: Embrace Early Death
Like Hades and Returnal, early deaths in Deathloop are part of the experience. You’re meant to feel vulnerable and confused at first—just like Colt. Accept that dying is part of the learning curve. You’ll come back stronger every time with better understanding of mechanics, gear, and enemy patterns.
Tip 3: Loadout with Purpose
Be intentional with your weapon and slab choices. Make sure your build reflects your intended playstyle:
- Stealth: PT-6 Spiker (silenced), machete, Nexus slab
- Loud: Four-Pounder or shotguns, Havoc or Aether slab
Have a plan: if you’re going loud, gear up with mid-to-close range damage dealers. If you’re staying silent, lean into silenced kills and AoE control. Every infused trinket or weapon should have a role.
Tip 4: Spike, Dice, and Nexus
Start encounters with your Spiker and machete to quietly thin out enemies. When you face clusters of Eternalists, use Nexus to link them, then take out one to down them all. Grenades are a great fallback when things go loud. Early and late game, this combo remains effective.
Tip 5: Eternalist Forgiveness
Early in the day, Eternalists are often drunk, slow, and unaware. They’ll miss noises, fail to alert others, and overlook obvious intrusions. Take advantage of this “forgiveness window” to be aggressive with melee takedowns or Spiker shots. As the day progresses, enemies become more alert.
Tip 6: Scout the Scouts
Scouts have bronze-colored clothing and carry radios to call for backup. Hackamajig them early to prevent reinforcements. Use Focus mode to tag all enemies before engaging. It’s especially important to locate and neutralize scouts before initiating combat.
Tip 7: Make a Plan, Follow the Protocol
Once you’ve tagged everyone, formulate a plan:
- Nexus linked targets
- Ambush the loners
- Prioritize turrets or cameras
Even if things go south, sticking to a loose plan means you’ll likely take down multiple enemies before needing to improvise. The feeling of executing a perfect takedown chain is among Deathloop’s most rewarding moments.
Tip 8: Take the High Ground & Use Peeking
Use elevation to your advantage. Higher ground provides tactical oversight and lets you engage without being seen. Combine this with corner peeking to spot and eliminate enemies safely. Eternalists are slow to notice you if you’re above or behind them.
Tip 9: Listen to Survive
Audio cues are vital:
- Footsteps signal nearby enemies
- Dialogue gives away presence
- Intense music = you’ve been spotted
When music fades, enemies have lost your trail. If you’re unsure whether you’ve been discovered, the soundtrack will tell you. Keep an ear out for Eternalist chatter—they’re often hilarious and informative.
Tip 10: Hack Everything
Hack turrets and cameras as soon as you see them. Controlled turrets can be moved and deployed offensively—especially effective against Julianna. Make turret placement part of your defensive or offensive setup when possible.
Tip 11: Avoid Alarms at All Costs
If a scout escapes or a camera sees you, alarms will trigger reinforcements. This is how things spiral. Stealth is worth maintaining if only to avoid waves of Eternalists. When stealth fails, commit to the fight—don’t get caught in indecision.
Tip 12: Go Loud, Go Smart
If you’re going loud:
- Use Dodge (L3 + direction) constantly
- Cycle between cover and flanks
- Use short bursts from mid-range weapons
Even in chaos, you can stay in control. Pull out your machete for quick kills. Clean rooms swiftly and listen for lingering enemies. Loud doesn’t mean reckless—move with intent.
Tip 13: How to Handle Julianna
PvP or AI-controlled, Julianna is dangerous. Here’s how to handle her:
- Set traps near health stations or bottlenecks
- Lay low with Aether slab and bait her in
- Use closed captions to detect her dialogue proximity
If you’re in PvP, expect the invader to camp Visionary locations. Proceed slowly, watch your corners, and don’t chase unless you’re sure. When she falls into your trap—grenades, shotgun, and finish.
Eventually, you may opt to play in single-player to avoid interruptions, but understanding PvP tactics can still enhance your solo awareness.
Bonus Tip: Find Your Style, Build Around It
Deathloop shines when you commit to your combat identity. Whether it’s sneaky assassin, mad bomber, or teleporting gunslinger—infuse trinkets and weapons that support your style. Building a synergistic loadout turns every loop into a sandbox of satisfying choices.
Final Words
There’s no single path to survival in Deathloop, but with patience, smart planning, and a bit of flair, you’ll quickly become the apex predator of Blackreef. The longer you survive, the more powerful you become—and with these tips, you’ll break that loop in no time.
Now get back out there, visionary.
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