- Despoil the Auction is a multi-objective Trial set across the Town and Courthouse environments
- Core loop: gather auction evidence, despoil the sale items, and survive escalating patrols before extraction
- Best loadouts: Stun Rig for rescues, X-Ray Rig for locating objective rooms faster
- Biggest danger: Prime Asset patrols spike after each major objective is completed
- Escape rule: never linger near the extraction gate once the exit opens
Trial Overview and Objectives
Despoil the Auction is one of the mid-to-late program Trials in The Outlast Trials, taking place across the Town Square and interior auction environments. The Murkoff narrative frames it as sabotaging a high-stakes auction of stolen goods, which translates into gameplay as a sequence of fetch, sabotage, and escape objectives under constant Ex-Pop and Prime Asset pressure.
Run the Trial once on a lower difficulty purely to learn the connections between the auction hall, storage rooms, and back alleys. Route knowledge matters more than any Rig choice in this Trial.
| Objective Stage | Task | Danger Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Reach the auction hall and locate the sale items | Low | Mostly patrol avoidance |
| Stage 2 | Collect required items or evidence | Medium | Noise from interactions draws Ex-Pops |
| Stage 3 | Despoil or sabotage the auction items | High | Raises enemy alertness |
| Stage 4 | Trigger and reach the exit | Very High | Prime Asset pressure peaks here |
Stealth Route
- Best for solo players
- Crouch-only movement
- Bottles for distractions
- Skip optional evidence
Team Split Route
- Best for 3-4 players
- Divide item collection
- One lookout per room
- Regroup before sabotage
Speed Route
- Best for farming
- Sprint between safe zones
- Accept some chases
- Save Rig charges for exit
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
This walkthrough covers the standard difficulty version. On higher difficulties, enemy density and Prime Asset aggression increase, but the objective order stays consistent.
Infiltrate the Auction Area
Spawn-side routes usually lead through service corridors toward the auction hall. Move crouched, close doors behind you, and note at least two hiding spots per room before advancing. Avoid sprinting in the opening minutes because early chases waste items you will need later.
Locate the Sale Items
Use night vision sparingly to conserve battery while scanning rooms. The objective items are spread across the auction floor and adjacent storage areas. Communicate item locations to teammates and mark escape routes as you go.
Collect or Interact with Objectives
Interaction noises attract nearby patrols. Before each interaction, check the room's entrances, and if playing in a team, have one player watch the main door. Throw a bottle away from your position just before a loud interaction to redirect patrols.
Despoil the Auction
The sabotage stage is the loudest part of the Trial and reliably triggers a search response. Complete it quickly, then immediately relocate to a pre-scouted room rather than hiding next to the objective where enemies converge first.
Escape to Extraction
Once the exit unlocks, confirm the direction with your team, keep moving through open areas, and save a Stun charge or throwable for the final stretch. Prime Assets patrol extraction routes more aggressively at this stage.
Enemies converge on the location of the loudest interaction. After completing the despoil stage, move at least two rooms away before hiding in a locker or under a bed.
Enemy Encounters and Counterplay
The Trial features standard Ex-Pop patrols plus at least one Prime Asset roaming between the auction hall and the escape routes. Managing these encounters without wasting resources is the core skill of this Trial.
| Enemy | Threat | Behavior | Counterplay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Grunt | Medium | Patrols corridors near objectives | Break line of sight, hide |
| Big Grunt | High | Blocks narrow interior routes | Wide loops, door delays |
| Pusher | High | Gas attack forces you out of cover | Move away instantly, use Antidote if impaired |
| Prime Asset | Very High | Escalates after each completed stage | Doors, obstacles, Stun Rig windows |
Prime Assets in this Trial increase patrol intensity after each major objective. If the Trial suddenly feels quieter, the enemy has likely repositioned toward the extraction side. Treat silence as a warning, not safety.
General encounter rules:
- Do not sprint unless actively chased; stamina management decides most escapes
- Use doors and corners to break line of sight instead of running straight lines
- Reserve bricks and bottles for the sabotage and escape stages
- Revive teammates only after the area is confirmed clear
Recommended Loadouts
Loadout choice for Despoil the Auction depends on party size. The Trial rewards teams that can split for collection but must regroup for the loud final stages.
| Setup | Rig | Key Amps | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Rescuer | Stun Rig | Strong Arm, Last Chance | 3-4 player teams |
| Silent Infiltrator | X-Ray Rig | Noise Reduction, Incognito | Solo runs |
| Field Medic | Heal Rig | Hide and Heal, Regeneration | Sustained team survival |
| Crowd-Control | Stun Rig | Strong Arm, Tactical Rigging | High difficulties |
Solo Priority
- X-Ray Rig to find items fast
- Antidote and lockpick in inventory
- Crouch-speed Prescriptions
- Skip optional evidence on first clears
Team Priority
- One Stun and one Heal Rig minimum
- Assign a lookout during sabotage
- Share throwables before the exit stage
- Regroup after every completed objective
Clear Despoil the Auction on Normal first to lock in the route, then step up. Higher difficulties reward the same route knowledge with better Trial Ratings and rewards.
Run Checklist and Common Mistakes
Before entering, confirm your preparation with this checklist:
Before the Trial:
- Rig fully charged and upgraded
- Carry at least one throwable item
- Antidote in inventory for Pusher encounters
- Route to extraction roughly memorized
- Team roles assigned before spawning
Common mistakes that end runs:
| Mistake | Consequence | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sprinting early | Chases drain items and stamina | Crouch until the sabotage stage |
| Hiding at the objective | Caught during search sweep | Relocate two rooms away |
| Reviving in the open | Two downed players | Clear or stun before reviving |
| Looting at the exit | Caught in the final patrol spike | Move immediately when exit opens |
Night vision drains quickly in the dark interior sections. Toggle it in short bursts while scanning rooms instead of leaving it on continuously.
FAQ
Q: Is Despoil the Auction harder solo or in co-op?
Solo is more forgiving for stealth because you generate less total noise, but co-op is safer overall because teammates can revive you and split item collection. A duo with one Stun Rig and one X-Ray Rig handles the Trial comfortably on most difficulties.
Q: Which Rig is best for Despoil the Auction?
The Stun Rig is the strongest all-around pick because the sabotage and escape stages create emergency situations where disabling an enemy saves a run. Solo players may prefer the X-Ray Rig to locate objective rooms faster.
Q: Why do enemies get more aggressive after I despoil the auction?
Completing major objectives raises enemy alertness and tightens Prime Asset patrols by design. This is why the guide recommends scouting a safe room before triggering the loud sabotage stage and saving Rig charges for the final escape.
Q: What should I do if a Prime Asset camps the extraction route?
Do not force the exit. Loop through side rooms, break line of sight with doors and corners, and use a throwable to redirect the enemy before making the final push. Patience at the exit prevents most failed runs.