Arkane Studios’ Deathloop isn’t your average shooter—it’s an immersive, intricately designed puzzle box where knowledge is your greatest weapon. You don’t just learn how to beat enemies—you learn the very fabric of how time, mechanics, and systems unfold on Blackreef. But if you’re jumping in blind, like many of us did, some early insight can make the difference between frustration and flow. Here’s a spoiler-free guide packed with the most useful things I wish I knew when I started playing.
Don’t Stress the Early Game – Infusion Comes Later
In the beginning, Deathloop holds back a lot. You won’t be able to infuse weapons or abilities to carry them across loops. This is by design—the game wants to ease you into its many systems before giving you full control. So don’t waste time hoarding gear in those first runs. The moment you gain the ability to infuse using Residium, you’ll know. That’s when your true loadout building begins. Until then? Explore, experiment, and accept that you’re not keeping anything just yet.
The Game Tracks Clues for You—Let It
You might think this is one of those games where you’ll need a notebook by your side to track every mystery. While the instinct is admirable, Deathloop actually has excellent in-game tracking systems. Using Leads and Discoveries, you can follow objectives—large or small—and the game will remind you what time of day and which district you need to be in to progress. It guides without being overbearing, so if you’re easily distracted or love side quests, this will keep you focused.
You Can’t Do It All in One Day—Plan Accordingly
The loop structure means every decision matters. Because of time-of-day limitations and how knowledge carries over, it’s impossible to gather all the intel you need in a single loop. So approach it like an MMO—pick a goal, stick to it, and follow through. Wander off the path if something catches your eye, but know it might not help you progress. Smart tracking makes the difference between discovery and chaos.
Infusion Unlocks Freedom – Use It Wisely
Once infusion is available, start building your arsenal. Infusing weapons, trinkets, and slabs allows you to keep them across loops. Infused gear returns to your loadout even if you drop it during a mission. This means you can experiment freely. Want to test a new gun? Drop your old one and pick it back up next loop. Just remember: you need to infuse the trinkets separately—infusing a gun doesn’t preserve the trinkets attached to it.
Visionaries = High-Tier Loot
If you want powerful weapons, go after the Visionaries. Each one drops a unique, often legendary weapon type:
- Charlie – Strelak 5050 shotgun (slows enemies)
- Igor – Rapier rifle (tight zoom)
- Alexis – Dual Limp-10 SMGs (life leech)
- Fia – MG1 Peppermill (bleed effect)
- Harriet – Four-pounder pistol (toxic cloud)
- Frank – Constancy Automatic (fires while reloading)
Target them based on your preferred combat style. If you love stealth, aim for Harriet or Igor early. Like going loud? Charlie and Fia have your weapons.
Silent Weapons – Two Must-Haves
There are only two reliable silent weapons:
- The Spiker (Nail Gun) – Found in Updaam’s library in the morning. Great for stealth, with a charged shot for long-distance kills. Look for the damage boost variation that rewards tagging enemies first.
- Silenced Limp-10 – Found in Igor’s lab at The Complex. Weak, but good for quiet emergency kills if you’re spotted.
Combine these with careful tagging to control any room without raising alarms.
Slabs – The Real Game-Changers
Slabs are ability-granting gear dropped by Visionaries. The most important? Shift. This teleport ability, pulled straight from Arkane’s Dishonored series, changes how you move, fight, and explore. To get Shift:
- Kill Charlie Montague in Updaam.
- Want a shortcut? Enter through a window, reach the sniper’s nest, and snipe him from afar. Then fight your way in to claim the slab.
Once you have it, infuse it, and revisit Charlie for slab upgrades.
Slab Tip: Like weapons, slabs have upgrade mods. You must socket these upgrades manually. Open your loadout and check the mod slots under each slab—you might be sitting on buffs without realizing it.
Stealth Isn’t Just Viable—It’s Powerful
Even if you don’t usually play stealthy, Deathloop rewards it. Rooftop routes, silent takedowns, and environmental traps make you feel like a predator. Learn how to hack from cover: start the hack in line of sight, then move behind cover while holding the hack button. You can stay safe while disabling cameras and turrets.
Bonus: Steal batteries from turrets to power other devices like field nullifiers. Multi-purpose tools are everywhere—use them smartly.
Scouts Are Priority Targets
Some Eternalists can radio for reinforcements. You’ll spot them easily—they have pulsing icons when tagged. If you alert one, expect an avalanche of enemies. Either avoid them entirely or take them out before they call backup. One mistake early on will teach you this lesson the hard way.
Delivery Booths – Free Loot Once Unlocked
These small stations exist in every map and can drop useful items: batteries, crank wheels, field nullifiers, turrets. But they require a code.
- Go to Fristad Rock.
- Turn right at the spawn, climb behind the billboard to the Listening Post.
- Sneak into Fia’s Bunker (watch for landmines).
- Look through the window at the whiteboard for the code.
Codes are unique to each player—yours won’t match anyone else’s. Once unlocked, all booths work across all maps. Use them to set yourself up for success.
Wrap-Up: Knowledge is Power
What makes Deathloop so compelling is that it’s not about being the best shooter—it’s about being the smartest loop-breaker. Every system in the game is designed to be unraveled through experimentation, observation, and strategy. Whether it’s exploiting slab powers, min-maxing infusion, or learning patrol patterns, progress comes to those who pay attention.
So take your time. Don’t rush the loop. Explore. Experiment. Get caught and learn from it. Because in Deathloop, failure isn’t the end—it’s just part of the process. Play smart, and you’ll break the cycle.
Play on.
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