- The Outlast Trials how many players: Up to 4 players in online co-op, plus full solo play
- Team roles: Rigs like Stun, Heal, X-Ray, and Barricade define each player's job
- Party scaling: Enemy pressure stays dangerous at every player count
- Communication: Callouts on enemy positions are the strongest survival tool in co-op
- Extraction: Save Rig charges and healing items for the final escape
How Many Players Is The Outlast Trials?
The Outlast Trials is a cooperative survival-horror game that supports 1 to 4 players. You can run every Trial completely solo, or team up with up to three friends in online co-op. According to the official Steam store page, the game supports both single-player and up to 4-player online co-op, and has maintained a Very Positive rating across more than 43,000 user reviews since its full launch on March 5, 2024.
There is no larger raid-style mode beyond four players. Murkoff's experiments are designed around tight squads where every Reagent matters.
Video Highlights:
- Official Version 1.0 launch trailer showing co-op gameplay
- Confirms the 4-player squad structure
- Showcases Prime Assets and Trial environments
| Player Count | Mode | Difficulty Feel |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solo | Highest tension, no revive support |
| 2 | Duo | Balanced, strong for coordinated pairs |
| 3 | Trio | Flexible roles, good revive coverage |
| 4 | Full Squad | Easiest recovery, loudest coordination |
Every Trial in the game can be completed solo. The game does not lock any content behind co-op, so you can progress through the full Murkoff Program alone if you prefer.
Rig Roles by Party Size
Your player count should shape your Rig choices. A four-player team can cover every role, while solo and duo players need self-sufficient setups.
Stun Rig
- Crowd control and emergency escape
- Best for solo players and duos
- Interrupts enemies during grabs
- Creates windows for revives
Heal Rig
- Team recovery and sustained survival
- Best for 3-4 player teams
- Reduces consumable healing pressure
- Valuable on long, difficult Trials
X-Ray Rig
- Information gathering through walls
- Best for solo players learning maps
- Improves route planning
- Helps teams avoid patrol paths
Barricade Rig
- Area denial and defensive positioning
- Best for objective defense
- Secures doors during tasks
- Strong when the team can prepare
| Party Size | Recommended Rig Setup | Core Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | Stun or X-Ray | Stealth-first, self-rescue tools |
| Duo | Stun + Heal or Stun + X-Ray | One protector, one scout |
| Trio | Stun + Heal + X-Ray | Full coverage with flexibility |
| 4 Players | Stun + Heal + X-Ray + Barricade | All roles covered |
Four players running the same Rig leaves gaps. A squad of four Stun Rigs has no sustain, while four X-Ray Rigs lacks emergency control. Distribute roles before entering a Trial.
How Team Size Changes Trial Strategy
Enemy encounters are built around avoidance, sound management, and route planning. More players means more noise, but also more hands for objectives and revives.
| Factor | Solo | Duo | Full Squad (4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise generated | Low | Moderate | High |
| Objective speed | Slow | Moderate | Fast |
| Revive safety | None | Risky | Good |
| Splitting tasks | Not possible | Limited | Fully viable |
| Coordination need | Low | Medium | High |
Follow these steps to set up an effective co-op run:
Form Your Squad in the Lobby
Invite up to three friends through the in-game lobby or use the official Discord and r/OutlastTrials communities to find teammates. Agree on roles before selecting a Trial.
Assign Rigs and Roles
Distribute Stun, Heal, X-Ray, and Barricade across the team. Designate one player as the rescuer and one as the scout so nobody freelances during chases.
Split Objectives Safely
In 3-4 player squads, split into pairs to handle parallel tasks. Never let a single player work an objective alone far from help, and communicate which rooms are unsafe.
Regroup After Major Objectives
After completing a main task, regroup and confirm everyone's health and item status before pushing into the next section. Enemy pressure often increases near extraction.
Protect the Final Escape
Save Rig charges, healing items, and throwables for the exit route. Confirm all living teammates know the extraction direction and keep moving through exposed areas.
Revive downed teammates only when the area is secure. Rushing a revive into an active patrol frequently creates a second downed player and ends the run.
Enemy Threats and Team Responses
Prime Assets like Leland Coyle, Mother Gooseberry, and Franco Barbi patrol objective routes and punish exposed teams. Your player count determines how you respond.
| Enemy | Type | Best Co-op Response |
|---|---|---|
| Leland Coyle | Prime Asset | Break line of sight, use doors, Stun for rescue windows |
| Mother Gooseberry | Prime Asset | Use multi-exit rooms, split briefly when targeted |
| Franco Barbi | Prime Asset | Keep exit routes open, throw distractions early |
| Pusher | Special Ex-Pop | Exit gas clouds immediately, carry Antidote |
| Berserker | Special Ex-Pop | Do not run until committed, hide instead |
| Big Grunt | Heavy Ex-Pop | Wide loops, keep doors between you |
| The Skinner Man | Psychological | Stay calm, maintain your route |
Mother Gooseberry in particular can pressure teams that cluster in one location. Spread across nearby rooms during objective work, but stay close enough to respond to a chase.
Co-op Readiness Checklist
Before queuing into a high-difficulty Trial, confirm your team is prepared:
Pre-Trial Checklist:
- All four Rigs assigned without duplicates
- Each player carries a throwable distraction
- At least one Antidote in the party
- Extraction route roughly planned
- Revive roles and callout signals agreed
Start on lower difficulties while learning a new map, then step up to Program X and Ultra once your squad completes objectives consistently without repeated downs.
FAQ
Q: How many players can play The Outlast Trials together?
The Outlast Trials supports up to 4 players in online co-op, and it can also be played entirely solo. Every Trial is completable at any player count from 1 to 4.
Q: Can I play The Outlast Trials solo?
Yes. Solo play is fully supported and no content is locked behind co-op. Solo players should favor self-sufficient setups, typically using the Stun Rig or X-Ray Rig with stealth-focused Prescriptions.
Q: Does having more players make the game easier?
Not automatically. Larger teams revive faster and split objectives, but they also generate more noise and require coordination. A disorganized four-player squad often performs worse than a disciplined duo.
Q: Where can I find teammates for The Outlast Trials?
Use the in-game matchmaking, the official Red Barrels Discord server, or the r/OutlastTrials subreddit. All three channels are active for grouping, update discussion, and support.
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