The Callisto Protocol is a brutal survival horror game where every resource, every combat decision, and every mistake can mean the difference between life and death. If you’re looking for ways to improve your survival odds and make the most of your time in Black Iron Prison, this guide covers nine advanced tips to help you navigate the game’s most challenging encounters.

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1. Dealing with Corruptors – Use the Skunk Gun

Corruptors are sneaky enemies that hit once and quickly retreat into the shadows, making them difficult to track. To counter them effectively:

• Equip the Skunk Gun, which staggers enemies upon impact.
• The moment a Corruptor attacks, fire immediately to stagger it.
• This gives you a brief window to deal extra damage, eliminating them before they flee.

The Skunk Gun is incredibly effective against these enemies, reducing the time spent waiting for them to re-emerge.

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2. Be Cautious When Using Healing Injectors

Healing injectors in The Callisto Protocol are unforgiving:

• If Jacob is interrupted mid-heal, the injector is completely discarded, even if the animation just started.
• Healing should only be done in safe areas to prevent wasting valuable items.
• If enemies are nearby, clear them first or retreat to a more secure location before healing.

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3. Master the Hand Cannon + Shock Baton Combo

The Hand Cannon is powerful but slow, making it ineffective when used at a distance. However, when combined with the Shock Baton, it becomes an efficient tool for combat:

• Fire the Hand Cannon only when the blue reticle prompt appears during melee combat.
• This ensures every shot staggers the enemy, preventing retaliation.
• Once you obtain the Skunk Gun, you can be more aggressive, as it dominates close-range combat.

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4. Upgrade and Prioritize the Skunk Gun

The Skunk Gun is arguably the best weapon in The Callisto Protocol and should be purchased as early as possible:

• While expensive, it’s worth saving Callisto Credits to buy it from a Reforge station.
• Two shots are enough to eliminate most enemies.
• Upgrade it ASAP, as it remains useful throughout the entire game.

To afford the Skunk Gun quickly, focus on selling high-value pristine items instead of stockpiling lower-tier resources.

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5. Aim for the Legs to Slow Enemies

Aiming for the legs of Biophages is a highly effective combat strategy:

• Shooting the legs forces enemies to crawl, greatly reducing their movement speed.
• This prevents their sprinting attacks, giving you time to reposition.
• Even stronger Biophages, such as projectile types, can be neutralized this way.

Taking out enemy legs creates breathing room, allowing for safer engagements.

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6. Stealth Kills and Impaling Do Not Break Stealth

If an area contains spiked walls or objects, use them for instant stealth kills:

• Impaling enemies does not break stealth, even if another enemy is nearby.
• Stealth takedowns (X button on PS5) are also completely silent, despite the loud animations.
• Stomping on corpses does not break stealth either, allowing you to collect items mid-stealth.

Use these techniques to silently clear out enemies and conserve ammo.

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7. Managing Grip Meter Efficiently

Jacob’s GRP (Gravity Restraint Projector) is extremely useful but has a limited charge:

• To check your remaining Grip energy, enter iron sights and look at Jacob’s neck.
• The blue meter represents remaining charge, which is not visible in third-person mode.
• If the GRP meter runs out mid-throw, enemies will drop right in front of you, leaving you vulnerable.

Always check your Grip meter before using GRP to avoid costly mistakes.

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8. Be Methodical with the Stun Baton

Combat in The Callisto Protocol is all about timing and rhythm. Unlike typical action games, spamming melee attacks is ineffective:

• Wait for the enemy to attack first before swinging.
• Dodge their attack, then use your Stun Baton while they recover.
• Spamming attacks makes Jacob sluggish and more vulnerable to enemy counters.

Practicing precise dodging and counterattacks will significantly improve melee encounters.

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9. Inventory Management: Prioritize Selling Pristine Items Early

Inventory space is extremely limited, making efficient resource management critical:

• Early-game priority: Sell Pristine Items to buy the Skunk Gun ASAP.
• Mid-game priority: Balance ammo, batteries, and health injectors.
• Late-game priority: Focus on ammo and powerful upgrades, as difficulty increases.

The difficulty ramps up significantly at the start of Act 2, so plan accordingly by keeping a balance of health and firepower.

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10. Always Explore Side Paths

Even though The Callisto Protocol is linear, there are hidden pathways and optional routes:

• These side paths loop back to the main objective, ensuring you don’t get lost.
• They often contain ammo, upgrades, or story clues about Black Iron Prison.
• The game’s dark environments make these areas easy to miss, so always explore before progressing.

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Bonus: Breaking Blue Boxes for Hidden Loot

You’ll frequently come across blue crates, which contain useful items, but they cannot be destroyed with melee attacks:

• Bullets, GRP throws, or stomping are required to break them.
• Always smash them when found, as they often contain ammo, credits, or health supplies.

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Final Thoughts

Surviving The Callisto Protocol is a combination of smart combat tactics, resource management, and exploration. By maximizing stealth kills, using the Skunk Gun effectively, and making strategic inventory decisions, you’ll significantly improve your odds of survival in Black Iron Prison.

Hopefully, these advanced tips help keep Jacob alive, ensuring you make it through the horrors of The Callisto Protocolwith fewer deaths and more efficient combat. Stay sharp—and don’t forget to stomp those corpses!