How to Survive and Succeed in Lethal Company: The Ultimate Beginner-to-Expert Guide

Introduction

Lethal Company is an intense multiplayer horror co-op game where players take on the role of scavengers working for a shady corporation. Your mission? Travel to abandoned, monster-infested facilities, collect scrap, and return to your ship alive—with profit. While the premise sounds simple, the game is filled with dangers: unpredictable enemies, dynamic environments, and an unforgiving time limit. Whether you’re a new recruit or looking to improve your survival odds, this guide walks you through everything you need to know to master the game and keep your team breathing.

1. Understanding the Objective and Core Gameplay

Lethal Company is all about risk versus reward. Each day, you’re dropped onto a derelict moon facility to gather scrap items. These are sold to meet a quota set by your employer. Failure to meet the quota results in termination—permanently.

You’ll need to manage your time wisely. Missions are limited by daylight hours, and the longer you stay, the more aggressive and dangerous the facility becomes. The ship must launch back before dark, or your team is likely to be hunted down. Communication, teamwork, and planning are your greatest assets.

Key gameplay loop:

• Land on moon → Explore facility → Collect scrap → Escape alive → Sell items

2. Preparing Before You Land

Preparation begins before the mission starts. You’ll have access to a terminal onboard your ship, where you can buy gear, view the map, and assign tasks. Always prepare based on the moon’s difficulty level.

Essential gear includes:

• Flashlights or headlamps for visibility

• Walkie-talkies for communication

• Pro flashlights (longer battery life)

• Shovel or stun grenade for emergencies

• Scanner to locate hidden items

Coordinate who brings what. If all four teammates bring flashlights and no defensive gear, your squad will be helpless in a crisis.

3. Navigating the Facility Safely

Once inside, the facility is a labyrinth of darkness, traps, and monsters. The first rule: never split up without a plan. Always explore in pairs or maintain constant radio communication.

Use environmental sounds to gauge nearby danger. Some enemies can be heard shuffling or groaning from around the corner. Mark exits or key rooms with glowsticks if you’re exploring deep zones.

Facility navigation tips:

• Memorize a basic floor layout as you go

• Close doors behind you to block enemy paths

• Identify and remember where the exit is—panic moments are common

4. Managing Time and Monitoring Risk

Every minute inside increases your risk. The game’s time system determines enemy aggression. Early game exploration is relatively calm, but as dusk nears, monsters become more numerous and aggressive.

One teammate should always stay on the ship or near the entrance to act as a spotter, monitoring the timer and enemy activity. Communicate time updates frequently, and plan to return with at least 1–2 minutes of daylight remaining.

Danger levels:

• Early: Low monster activity, minimal risk

• Mid: Some spawn increase, mild hazards

• Late: Frequent spawns, panic mode—exit ASAP

5. Efficient Scrap Collecting Strategies

You win by collecting scrap and selling it. But not all scrap is worth the risk. Focus on items with high value-to-weight ratio, such as golden cups, chemical containers, or old monitors.

Use the scanner (if unlocked) to identify high-value items. Avoid wasting time on junk with low return. Mark important items with glowsticks and come back later if you’re full.

Best practices:

• Make one person carry while another scouts

• Drop items near the entrance for faster pickups later

• Memorize item values over time to prioritize

6. Dealing with Monsters and Avoiding Death

Enemies in Lethal Company come in various forms—from blind pursuers to sound-sensitive hunters. Learning how to deal with each one is crucial. Running isn’t always the best solution.

Examples:

• Bracken: Slowly stalks; break line of sight and stay silent

• Coil Head: Kills if you break eye contact; maintain vision and back away

• Thumper: Avoid sound and don’t run

• Ghost Girl: Stay calm, don’t panic or shout

Have someone on lookout duty and keep walkie-talkie usage to a minimum when sneaking. Noise attracts enemies. Learn which monsters can open doors and which can’t.

7. What to Do If a Teammate Dies

Deaths happen, and when they do, you’ll need to decide whether to rescue gear, complete the quota, or abort the mission. Corpses can be looted, but be wary—dead bodies often trigger additional spawns or events.

Use the terminal to check for missing teammates. If you hear static on the walkie-talkie, they’re likely gone. Prioritize getting their scrap and gear out if it’s safe.

Tips for handling losses:

• Don’t waste time searching the entire map

• Consider calling for an early evac if two or more players die

• Always carry a backup flashlight or walkie

8. Surviving High-Difficulty Moons

Later moons like Titan or Rend introduce extreme hazards: faster spawns, more dangerous enemies, and confusing layouts. These missions should be attempted only with coordinated teams and upgraded gear.

Make use of map knowledge—some moons have shortcut vents or safe rooms. Avoid backtracking too often, and memorize enemy spawn patterns. Bring stun grenades, extended flashlights, and be ready to abort the run if needed.

Hard moon survival checklist:

• Team of four with roles (scout, carrier, communicator, defender)

• Walkie-talkies for all

• Spare batteries and backup lights

• Plan your route and extraction

9. Upgrading Equipment and Maximizing Profits

The money you earn from selling scrap should be reinvested wisely. Unlock scanners, better lighting, or defensive gear like zap guns or decoys. Avoid overspending on cosmetics or single-use tools.

Optimize your earnings by selecting the best moons and running shorter missions with more success. Repeated success on mid-tier moons is often more profitable than dying on hard moons.

Best equipment investments:

• Scanner: Essential for high scrap runs

• Pro flashlight: Saves time and reduces panic

• Zap gun or stun grenade: Last-resort protection

• Signal translator: Helps coordinate advanced runs

10. Mastering Multiplayer and Communication

Teamwork is at the heart of Lethal Company. Most deaths occur due to poor communication or lack of planning. Develop a system with your teammates to ensure better mission outcomes.

Assign roles before landing—someone monitors the ship, one scouts, two collect. Use short, clear phrases on walkies and report monster sightings promptly. Establish safe words or callouts for evacuation emergencies.

Effective team habits:

• Radio silence unless critical info

• “Clear,” “Threat,” “Exit now” as quick commands

• One leader calls the retreat—follow without arguing

Conclusion

Lethal Company is equal parts horror, strategy, and teamwork. Surviving requires not just good aim or fast movement—but careful planning, item prioritization, map awareness, and clear team communication. With every mission, you’ll get better at reading enemy behaviors, navigating darkness, and managing time. Apply the tips in this guide, grow with your team, and you’ll not only meet your scrap quotas—you might even make it out with your sanity.