AKA: Things I Wish I Knew From the Start

Returnal is fast, brutal, and full of moments that can leave you both amazed and frustrated. If you’re just diving in—or struggling to make progress—this guide offers real-world tips from someone who’s been there. Think of it as a shortcut through the pain points, not a step-by-step walkthrough.

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Best Settings to Start With

• Auto-Aim: Set to High at first—dodging is more important than perfect aim. Drop to Medium later for more control.
• Crosshair Size: Larger is better, especially when learning Overload timing.
• Auto-Run: Turn it on. Always moving helps you dodge better and stay alive longer.

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Combat Tips That Actually Help

Dodging & Movement

• Hip-Fire Only: Don’t aim down sights—Returnal rewards mobility, not precision.
• Look for Weak Spots: Glowing red points on enemies take extra damage. (Only mandatory for Biome 2’s turtle-like enemies.)
• Grappling = Invincibility: The grapple hook gives I-frames—use it to escape when overwhelmed.

Fighting Smart

1. Avoid Corners: Getting backed into a wall = death. Keep moving.
2. Be Surgical: Kill 1-2 enemies, relocate, repeat.
3. Keep Your Distance: Melee range is risky. Stay mobile, dodge, shoot.
4. Nail Overload Timing: It’s Returnal’s version of a quick reload—master it early.
5. Mini-Bosses Can Be Harder Than Bosses: Enemies like the Severed can be tougher than biome bosses—respect them.

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Healing and Max Integrity

• Silphium heals health (called integrity).
• Silphium Resin boosts your max health after collecting 3 (or 2 with the Resin Enhancer).
• Already full on health? Regular Silphium becomes Resin—so always pick it up!

Quick Strategy

• Heal with Silphium as needed.
• If topped off, collect extras to grow your max integrity.
• Save large vials for emergencies—don’t burn them too early.

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Keys, Chests & Malfunctions

• Save Your Keys: Use them on locked doors, not chests. Doors often hide more valuable rewards.
• Malignant Items: Risky, but manageable. Try not to carry malfunctions into boss fights.
• Nullification Spheres: Remove all malfunctions instantly—save for late-game.
• Ether Tips:
  • Early: Use on malignant Silphium, not chests.
  • Later: Spend more freely—bosses often drop 5 Ether.

Pro Tip: Never waste Ether cleansing malignant chests—Silphium is the smarter long-term investment.

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Exploration and Progression Tips

Should You Explore Everything?

• Early Runs: Yes—scour the biome to stack health and gear.
• Later: It’s okay to rush forward once you’ve got a good loadout or you’re familiar with the layout.

Challenge Rooms

• Great loot, but brutal early on. Avoid until you’ve beaten the biome boss.
• Biome 5 has a required challenge room—be ready.

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Weapons & Alt-Fire Recommendations

• Bonus Damage > Weapon Level: Don’t be fooled—traits and alt-fire matter more than level.
• Alt-Fire Favorites:
  • Voidbeam: Melts enemies with weak spots.
  • Shockstream: Good in close-range chaos.
  • Trackerswarm: Beginner-friendly, auto-targeting.
  • Tendrilpod: Attach it and let it do the damage over time.
  • Avoid Proximity Mine—enemies rarely trigger it.

Top Weapon Picks

• Hollowseeker: Forgiving and deadly—auto-tracking lasers.
• Tachyomatic Carbine: All-rounder with solid DPS.
• Electropylon Driver: Area control and damage-over-time. Great in Biome 5.

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Smart Resource Management

• Obolites: Cleanse malignant ones with Ether—it’s more cost-efficient than using kiosks.
• Artifacts: Focus on damage and survival. Prioritize things like:
  • Phantom Limb (heal on kill)
  • Adrenaline Leech (sustain through aggression)

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Save Scumming: Yes, It’s Okay

Let’s be honest: Returnal doesn’t go easy on us. If you’re tired of repeating biomes…

Benefits of Save Scumming

• Saves time and sanity.
• Lets you practice bosses without losing progress.
• Useful for players with limited gaming hours.

Use Sparingly: Set a checkpoint before tough areas or boss fights—don’t abuse it, but don’t be ashamed either.

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Bonus Advice

• Enemy Waves: In rooms with both small and large enemies, clear the small ones fast before the big ones spawn.
• Mystery Pits: Loot them, but don’t feel obligated to fight elites inside—just teleport out.
• Astronaut vs. Silphium Vial: Astronaut = extra life but limited heal. Sometimes a Large Silphium vial is better for staying alive longer.

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Final Thoughts

Returnal will knock you down—often. But with these tips, you’ll start seeing patterns, building confidence, and making real progress. And if you need to save scum a little to stay sane? Do it. It’s your game—play it your way.

Good luck, and may your cycles grow longer. 🚀