Tips for New Players

Welcome to Blackreef, Colt! The loop can be daunting at first, but with these early-game strategies, you'll be breaking free in no time. This section focuses on immediate, actionable steps to empower you from your very first loops.

Prioritize Early Power-Ups

Your initial loops are all about gathering resources and understanding the island. Don't be afraid to experiment and die – that's how you learn! Focus on securing essential gear and abilities.

Harriet's Haul: One of the most rewarding early targets is Harriet Morse in Karl's Bay during the morning. Her area is relatively easy to navigate, and defeating her consistently yields excellent loot.

Location: Karl's Bay, Morning. Harriet is found in Hangar 2, often surrounded by her cultists and toxic gas.
Strategy: Approach stealthily from the rooftops or the side entrances. A good strategy is to disable her gas dispensers before engaging. Eliminating Harriet provides you with three valuable weapons and her powerful Nexus Slab, which links enemies together, allowing you to take out multiple foes with a single shot. Repeatedly looping Harriet will quickly build your arsenal and Trinket collection.

Weapon Focus: Keep an eye out for the Fourpounder, especially the variant that fires poison gas. This weapon, when combined with a fast-firing secondary like the IMP (the small submachine gun), creates a devastating combo.

Poison Gas Fourpounder Strategy: Against tough enemies like Julianna, firing the gas Fourpounder can stun-lock them in a coughing fit. Immediately follow up by shooting the gas cloud with your IMP to create an explosion, dealing massive damage. This is an excellent method for reliably defeating Julianna, especially if you struggle with precision shots.

Understanding the Loop and Infusion

The core mechanic of Deathloop is the time loop. Everything you pick up, every ability you gain, is lost when the loop resets, unless you Infuse it.

Residuum Collection: Residuum is the currency used to Infuse items. You'll find it scattered around Blackreef, often glowing brightly, or by defeating Visionaries and Julianna. Prioritize collecting Residuum whenever possible.
Infusion Strategy: In your early loops, focus on Infusing your favorite weapons, Trinkets, and Slabs. The first Slab you should aim to Infuse is Shift (obtained from Charlie Montague in Updaam, Noon, or Julianna). Shift allows for short-range teleportation, drastically improving your mobility and stealth options.
Don't Fear Death: Dying is part of the learning process. Each death provides valuable information about enemy placements, patrol routes, and item locations. Use your early loops to explore and experiment without the pressure of perfection.

Combat Tips for Beginners

Stealth is Your Friend: Especially in the beginning, engaging every enemy head-on is a recipe for disaster. Utilize stealth takedowns and silenced weapons (like the LIMP-10 with a suppressor) to thin out enemy patrols.
Environmental Hazards: Blackreef is full of environmental hazards that can be turned to your advantage. Explosive barrels, gas clouds (which you can shoot!), and even precarious ledges can be used to dispatch enemies efficiently. Sometimes, enemies will even shoot your gas clouds, blowing themselves up – a very satisfying outcome!
Dual Wielding: While it can take some getting used to, dual-wielding weapons can significantly increase your firepower. Practice with different combinations to find what works for your playstyle. The Fourpounder/IMP combo mentioned earlier is a great starting point for dual-wielding.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to becoming a master of the loop and finally breaking free from Blackreef!