Mastering A+ Grades in Outlast Trials

The Outlast Trials challenges players with intense horror survival in cooperative trials, where your final grade determines rewards and progression. Securing an A+ isn’t just about finishing the mission—it’s a delicate balance of positive actions, smart resource use, and minimizing mistakes. This guide breaks down every aspect to help you dominate the leaderboards and unlock better gear.

Understanding the Grading System

At the end of each trial, the game generates an evaluation report tallying your performance. Positive contributions like finding hidden items or aiding teammates stack up, while negatives such as injuries or sanity loss drag it down. The system prioritizes completion of core and side tasks first, then layers in combat avoidance, utility usage, and exploration. Familiarize yourself with the post-trial screen: black text highlights top boosters, red flags major deductions. Aim for a surplus of positives to offset any slips.

Essential Preparations Before Diving In

Success starts in the lobby. Upgrade your rig using green vouchers earned from prior runs—these tools are game-changers for scores. Popular choices include:

• Healing Mist Rig: Restores health for you and allies, counting as a team support action.
• X-Ray Scanner Rig: Reveals items, enemies, and map secrets through walls, perfect for collectible hunts.
• Stun Blaster Rig: Temporarily disables foes, rewarding non-lethal control.

Practice solo or with friends on easier trials to memorize layouts. Customize prescriptions for stealth or stamina boosts tailored to the map. In co-op, assign roles: one scouts collectibles, another handles heals, ensuring balanced contributions.

Prioritizing Collectibles for Maximum Points

Collectibles are non-negotiable for top grades. Propaganda posters, documents, and unique samples hidden in corners directly inflate your score. Map each trial mentally:

Quiet paths minimize enemy encounters. Use lockpicks liberally—each successful open adds points. If a collectible is behind a tough spot, mark it for a return trip after clearing threats.

Leveraging Rigs and Consumables Effectively

Rigs aren’t just survival aids; they’re score multipliers. Activate them strategically: stun a grunt mid-chase for bonus evasion points, or mist-heal during a team pinch. Consumables like batteries, antidotes, and lockpicks grant points upon use, so deploy them proactively. Found a spare battery? Pop it immediately—night vision management is secondary to score gains. Throwables (bricks, bottles) distract or stun enemies, netting huge positives without direct combat risk.

Pro Tip: In psychosis states, rigs recharge faster, turning a penalty into an opportunity if you survive and act.

Teamwork Tactics for Co-op Excellence

Solo runs limit potential, but co-op amplifies scores through synergy. Cooperative moves like joint barricade smashes or boost climbs rack up bonuses. Revive downed allies swiftly—each successful revive is a grade booster. Designate a ‘score focus’ player protected by others; rotate this role across runs for universal A+ unlocks.

• Communicate enemy positions via voice or pings.
• Share items: pass lockpicks or heals without hoarding.
• Coordinate rig uses for chain effects, like stun into heal.

Stealth and Enemy Management Strategies

Avoiding damage is paramount—more than three hits often caps you below A+. Enemies have exploitable flaws:

• Grunts: Slow; crouch-walk to evade.
• Berserker: Sound-sensitive; throw noisemakers away.
• Pushers: Hide or sprint on activation audio cue.

Master hiding: lockers and beds reset chases with score ups. Disarm traps by crouching under door wires or sidestepping mines. Sanity drains from failures or psychosis tank scores, so steady hands on skill checks are vital.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even veterans slip. Here’s what sinks grades:

1. Over-Rushing: Speed ignores collectibles and invites ambushes. Pace yourself.
2. Item Hoarding: Unused goods = zero points. Consume early.
3. Sanity Neglect: Traps and foes erode it fast; prioritize safe routes.
4. Poor Team Sync: Lone wolves miss co-op bonuses.

Counter with multiple practice runs, analyzing scorecards each time. Damage taken? Offset with 10+ collectibles and full rig activations.

Advanced Techniques for Consistent A+

Once basics click, refine:

• Audio Cues Mastery: Enemy footsteps dictate movement—silent when close.
• Psychosis Plays: Survive one for bonus survival points if positives dominate.
• Map Exploits: Safe loops for kiting, hidden shortcuts for posters.
• Upgrade Priority: Rig recharge speed first for more uses.

Target 100% secondary objectives; they’re weighted heavily. In four-player lobbies, stagger focuses for efficiency.

Post-Trial Analysis and Progression

Review reports meticulously. High positives like ‘Throwable Mastery’ signal strengths; reds like ‘Frequent Injuries’ demand fixes. A+ yields max XP for therapy levels, unlocking amps and cosmetics. Grind mid-tier trials for vouchers, then assault MK2/MK3 for prestige.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get A+ solo?

Yes, but co-op eases collectible hunts and provides revive safety nets. Solo demands perfect stealth.

What if I take damage multiple times?

Possible with 20+ positives (e.g., all posters + rigs). Limit to 2-3 hits max.

Do rigs carry over?

Upgrades do; select pre-trial. Fully upgraded rigs start charged.

Best trial for practicing A+?

Police Station—fewer enemies, clear collectible paths.

How many collectibles per trial?

Typically 10-15 posters/docs; grab all for guaranteed boost.