Surviving The Callisto Protocol gets tougher as you progress, with stronger biophages, limited resources, and complex mechanics to master. If you’ve already learned the basics, these advanced tips will help you make Jacob Lee’s fight for survival a little less nightmarish.

---

1. Handle Corruptors with the Skunk Gun

Corruptors are tricky—they hit once and then retreat into the shadows, making them frustrating to deal with.

• Use the Skunk Gun immediately after being hit to stagger them.
• Follow up with extra damage while they’re dazed.
• Don’t let them escape—if they retreat, they’ll keep harassing you.

The Skunk Gun’s stagger effect ensures you can eliminate them before they get away, saving time and reducing the tension of unpredictable ambushes.

---

2. Use Healing Injectors Wisely

Healing injectors are completely lost if you get interrupted during the animation.

• Never heal in the middle of combat—biophages can strike before you finish.
• Find a safe location before using an injector.
• If you’re in danger, retreat first, then heal.

Since the game does not allow partial healing retention, make sure you’re out of harm’s way before using one.

---

3. Pair the Hand Cannon with the Shock Baton

The Hand Cannon is slow but powerful, so the best way to use it is:

• Shoot right after a successful melee combo when the blue indicator appears.
• Only use it in conjunction with the Shock Baton—firing from a distance is inefficient.
• Prioritize stagger effects to keep enemies from retaliating.

The combination of melee strikes followed by a well-timed shot keeps enemies on the defensive.

---

4. Get the Skunk Gun Early and Upgrade It

The Skunk Gun is arguably the best weapon in the game.

• Save up Callisto Credits early to buy it from the UJC Reforge.
• Upgrade it ASAP—two shots can take down most biophages.
• It remains useful throughout the entire game, unlike some other weapons.

Prioritize acquiring and upgrading it early, as it consistently performs well in close combat.

---

5. Aim for the Legs to Slow Biophages Down

• Shooting the legs forces biophages to crawl, making them less dangerous.
• Crawlers move slower and attack less frequently.
• A well-placed leg shot reduces enemy mobility, buying you time to react.

Since many enemies charge at you aggressively, crippling them first can create space for better positioning.

---

6. Take Advantage of Stealth & Impaling

• Impaling enemies does NOT break stealth—use it whenever spikes are nearby.
• Stealth kills also don’t alert others—they’re silent despite their animation.
• Even stomping on bodies won’t break stealth, so loot safely after kills.

By using stealth efficiently, you can clear enemies quietly without wasting resources.

---

7. Check Your Grip Meter in Iron Sights

• The grip meter is only visible when aiming down sights.
• If you try using the GRP without enough charge, the enemy will drop right in front of you.
• Avoid getting caught off guard by checking your charge level before engaging.

For large enemies, GRP won’t work at all, so don’t rely on it for crowd control against stronger foes.

---

8. Time Your Stun Baton Swings

• Spamming melee attacks is inefficient—Jacob swings slower the more you attack.
• Wait for enemy swings, dodge, then counterattack.
• Combat rhythm is crucial—wild swinging leaves you vulnerable.

Mastering defensive melee play allows you to avoid damage while dealing consistent damage to enemies.

---

9. Master Inventory Management

The game gives you limited inventory slots, making prioritization key.

• Early game: Sell pristine items to get the Skunk Gun faster.
• Mid-game: Balance between ammo and sellable resources.
• Late-game: Prioritize health and GRP batteries.

If you manage your inventory efficiently, you’ll always have what you need for upcoming fights.

---

10. Always Explore Alternate Paths

The game may seem linear, but hidden paths often contain useful rewards.

• Take every side path available—they often lead to valuable loot.
• These routes usually loop back to the main area, so you won’t get lost.
• Exploring thoroughly rewards you with ammo, Callisto Credits, and story clues.

Venturing off the beaten path greatly improves your survival chances by giving you extra supplies.

---

Final Thoughts

Surviving The Callisto Protocol is all about smart combat, resource management, and taking advantage of every tool at your disposal. By using the right weapons, perfecting melee timing, and exploring every inch of Black Iron Prison, you’ll increase Jacob’s chances of making it out alive.

Stay safe, stay smart, and remember—stomp first, ask questions later.