Multiplayer & Co-op Missions

Co-op missions in Metal Gear Survive are your primary avenue for acquiring valuable resources, Kuban Energy, and unique gear blueprints that are essential for progressing your base and character. These missions pit you and up to three other players against waves of Wanderers and other threats, culminating in the defense of a Wormhole Digger.

Understanding Co-op Mission Structure

Each co-op mission follows a general pattern:

1. Initial Setup: Upon deployment, you'll have a brief period to scout the area, place initial defenses, and gather nearby resources.
2. Wave Defense: Waves of Wanderers will attack the Wormhole Digger from various directions. You'll need to use your weapons, gadgets, and placed defenses to repel them.
3. Intermission Phases: Between waves, you'll have short breaks to repair defenses, craft ammunition, and gather more resources.
4. Final Stand: The last wave is typically the most intense, often featuring stronger enemy types or a higher density of attackers.

Essential Preparations Before Deployment

Success in co-op missions hinges on thorough preparation. Don't jump in unprepared!

Gear and Loadout

• Weapons: Prioritize a balanced loadout. A primary ranged weapon (e.g., Assault Rifle, Shotgun) for crowd control, a secondary for precision (e.g., Pistol, Bow), and a reliable melee weapon (e.g., Machete, Spear) for close encounters and resource gathering. Ensure all weapons are fully repaired and have ample ammunition.
• Gadgets:
  • Fences: Crucial for funneling enemies and creating choke points. Always bring a stack of Basic Fences and upgrade to Reinforced Fences as soon as possible.
  • Barricades: Excellent for blocking paths and providing temporary cover.
  • Mortar: High-damage area-of-effect weapon, invaluable for clearing large groups of Wanderers. Place it on elevated ground for maximum coverage.
  • Auto Turret: Provides sustained fire support. Position them strategically to cover flanks or high-traffic areas.
  • Supply Box: Allows you and your teammates to resupply ammo and gadgets mid-mission. Place it near the Wormhole Digger or a central defensive position.
• Consumables:
  • First Aid Spray: Essential for healing. Bring several.
  • Rations: Restore stamina, crucial for sprinting and heavy attacks.
  • Water Bottles: Prevent dehydration, which can impair combat effectiveness.
  • Molotov Cocktails/Grenades: Excellent for clearing groups or dealing burst damage to tougher enemies.

Base Development

Invest in your base's R&D facilities to unlock better gear and gadgets. The Weapon Workbench and Gadget Workbench are paramount for crafting superior defensive structures and offensive tools. Upgrading your Material Processor will also yield more resources from salvaged items, making crafting more efficient.

General Co-op Strategies

Communication is Key

use the in-game chat or voice communication to coordinate with your team. Call out enemy positions, request assistance, and inform others of your defensive placements. A well-coordinated team is far more effective than four lone wolves.

Resource Management

During intermissions, prioritize repairing damaged defenses and crafting essential items. Don't waste valuable resources on unnecessary crafting. Focus on what's immediately needed for the next wave.

Defensive Placement

• Choke Points: Identify natural choke points on the map where Wanderers are funneled. Place Fences and Barricades to create these, making them easier to manage.
• Elevated Positions: use high ground for Mortars and ranged attackers to get a better vantage point and avoid being swarmed.
• Flank Protection: protect the flanks of your main defensive lines. A single Wanderer getting through can quickly damage the Wormhole Digger.
• Wormhole Digger Protection: Always prioritize placing some defenses directly around the Wormhole Digger itself as a last line of defense. Barricades can buy precious seconds.

Enemy Prioritization

• Bombers: These exploding Wanderers are a high priority. Shoot them from a distance before they reach your defenses.
• Trackers: Fast and agile, they can quickly bypass defenses. Take them out before they can inflict significant damage.
• Mortars/Artillery Wanderers: If present, these enemies can deal damage from afar. Focus fire on them to prevent sustained bombardment of your Digger.
• Normal Wanderers: While numerous, they are generally less threatening than specialized types. Use area-of-effect weapons or melee attacks to clear groups.

Specific Mission Walkthroughs (Example: "Dusty Excursion")

This section will detail strategies for specific co-op missions. As an example, let's look at "Dusty Excursion," a common early-game mission.

Dusty Excursion

Objective: Defend the Wormhole Digger from 5 waves of Wanderers in a desert environment.

Key Features: Open terrain with limited natural cover, several elevated rock formations.

Wave 1-2: Initial Setup and Basic Defense

1. Deployment: Upon deployment, immediately scout the area around the Wormhole Digger. You'll notice two primary entry points for Wanderers: a wide path to the north and a narrower canyon to the east.
2. Initial Defenses:
   • Place two Basic Fences across the northern path, staggered to create a small killing zone.
   • Place one Basic Fence at the mouth of the eastern canyon.
   • One player should focus on gathering Scrap Metal and Wood from nearby debris to craft more fences during intermissions.
3. Combat Strategy: Focus fire on incoming Wanderers. Use your melee weapon to conserve ammo on weaker enemies.

Wave 3-4: Reinforcement and Special Threats

1. Intermission: Prioritize repairing any damaged fences. If you have enough resources, upgrade the northern fences to Reinforced Fences. Craft a Supply Box and place it near the Digger.
2. New Threats: Wave 3 often introduces Bombers. Designate a player to specifically target these from a distance.
3. Defensive Expansion: Consider placing an Auto Turret on one of the elevated rock formations overlooking the northern path. This provides sustained fire and covers a wide area.

Wave 5: The Final Stand

1. Intermission: Ensure all defenses are fully repaired. Craft any remaining Molotov Cocktails or Grenades. If available, place a Mortar on the highest rock formation, aiming for the densest enemy spawn points.
2. Enemy Composition: Expect a large number of Wanderers, including multiple Bombers and potentially a few Trackers.
3. Combat Strategy:
   • Team members should spread out to cover both primary entry points.
   • Use Molotov Cocktails or Grenades to thin out large groups.
   • Focus fire on any Bombers as soon as they appear.
   • If the Digger's health drops significantly, have one player dedicated to drawing aggro away from it while others clear the immediate threat.

Rewards and Progression

Successfully completing co-op missions grants several rewards:

• Kuban Energy: Essential for leveling up your character and unlocking new skills.
• Materials: Scrap Metal, Wood, Iron, Copper, and more, used for crafting and base development.
• Gear Blueprints: Unlock new weapons, gadgets, and armor to craft at your base. Higher difficulty missions yield rarer blueprints.
• Score and Rank: Your performance contributes to a mission score and rank, which can influence the amount of Kuban Energy and materials received.

Repeatedly playing co-op missions is the most efficient way to gather resources and progress your character and base in Metal Gear Survive.