The Outlast Trials Single Player: Solo Setup & Survival Tips

Quick Guide

The Outlast Trials single player mode lets you run every Trial alone without teammates.
Stun and X-Ray Rigs are the strongest solo picks for control and information.
Stealth first: noise management matters more when no one can revive you.
Exit Gates and Psychiatric Refinements unlock key solo survival Prescriptions.
Start on lower difficulties to learn layouts before attempting Ultra alone.

Playing The Outlast Trials Single Player: What Changes

The Outlast Trials single player runs the same Trials as co-op, but with one critical difference: nobody is coming to revive you. Murkoff's experiments do not scale down their danger just because you entered alone, so preparation, route knowledge, and Rig choice become the difference between extraction and failure.

Video Highlights:

Full release gameplay loop shown with the official launch trailer
Demonstrates Trials, enemies, and co-op pressure the game is built around
Useful visual reference for map atmosphere and enemy designs

Solo play rewards a different mindset than four-player squads. Here is how the experience changes:

Aspect	Co-op (2-4 Players)	Single Player (Solo)
Revives	Teammates can pick you up	One down equals Trial failure
Rig value	Heal Rig shines for teams	Stun/X-Ray become top picks
Noise	Distractions shared across group	Every sound you make is yours to escape
Objectives	Can split tasks	Must complete everything sequentially
Difficulty ceiling	Higher team coordination	Punishing but achievable with practice

Solo Risk

In single player, a single mistake near a Prime Asset such as Leland Coyle can end the run instantly. Always identify a hiding spot before starting loud objective interactions.

Best Solo Rigs and Prescriptions

Rig selection matters most in solo play because you have no teammate to compensate for weaknesses.

Stun Rig - Top Solo Pick

Crowd control interrupts chases and grabs
Creates escape windows in dead-end rooms
Strong against Big Grunts blocking routes

X-Ray Rig - Information King

See threats through walls before committing
Ideal for learning unfamiliar maps solo
Reduces wasted stamina and blind corners

Heal Rig - Situational

Self-recovery without consumables
Weaker overall solo than Stun or X-Ray
Better once you know layouts well

Rig	Solo Rating	Best Solo Use Case	Upgrade Priority
Stun Rig	★★★★★	Emergency escapes, interrupting grabs	High
X-Ray Rig	★★★★☆	Route planning, new maps	Medium to high
Barricade Rig	★★★☆☆	Securing objective rooms	Medium
Heal Rig	★★★☆☆	Sustained health across long Trials	Medium

For Prescriptions, solo players should prioritize:

Exit Gates training for extended escape windows
Stamina and crouch speed upgrades for reliable movement
Rig recharge improvements to use Stun more often
Noise reduction Amps such as Noise Reduction and Incognito

Pro Tip

Combine the Stun Rig with the Strong Arm Amp so thrown bricks and bottles travel farther, giving you a distraction tool and a stun tool in every Trial.

Solo Stealth Fundamentals by Map

Every Trial map punishes solo players differently. Learn each layout's pressure points before attempting higher difficulties.

Map	Known Trials	Main Solo Danger	Solo Strategy
Police Station	Kill the Snitch, Cancel the Police	Long corridors expose you in chases	Rotate between cells and outdoor routes, never commit to dead-end halls
Fun Park	Grind the Bad Apples, Pervert the Futterman	Open areas with limited cover	Use attraction landmarks for navigation, hide before loud interactions
Orphanage	Cleanse the Orphans, Foster the Pains	Tight hallways, multi-entrance rooms	Mark one alternate route and hiding spot per objective
Courthouse	Vindicate the Guilty, Open the Gates	Late-stage enemy pressure near gates	Track opened doors for the shortest final escape
Toy Factory	Factory production programs	Machinery blocking sightlines	Save defensive items for the return trip after objectives

Core stealth rules that apply everywhere:

Close doors behind you to delay pursuit
Never sprint unless actively escaping, since stamina is your lifeline
Use lockers, beds, and darkness to break enemy search patterns
Throw bottles or bricks to redirect patrols away from objective rooms

Map Mastery

Run each map two or three times on lower difficulty solo before raising the stakes. Route memory is the single biggest advantage a lone Reagent has.

Step-by-Step: Your First Solo Trial

Prepare in the Sleep Room

Equip the Stun Rig, slot noise-reduction Amps, and carry a throwable item plus an Antidote before entering any Trial solo.

Scout Before You Act

Move through the map in crouch, identify key rooms, hiding spots, and the extraction direction before touching any objective.

Work Objectives Quietly

Complete tasks one at a time. Use X-Ray or careful observation to time interactions when patrols move away.

Manage Emergencies

If chased, break line of sight around corners, slam doors, and hide rather than sprinting in straight lines. Save your Stun Rig for grabs and dead ends.

Extract Cleanly

Once the exit opens, move immediately along your pre-planned route. Enemy pressure often increases near extraction, so do not linger for optional loot.

Solo Milestone

Completing your first Trial alone unlocks steady solo progression: XP, Murkoff Dollars, and Therapy Tokens all flow from clean solo extractions, letting you upgrade without depending on a group.

Solo Progression Goals and Enemy Matchups

Efficient solo progression comes from completing Trials cleanly rather than farming encounters. Prioritize the main objective, collect evidence only when safe, and always extract alive.

Solo Player Milestones:

Complete Kill the Snitch solo on starting difficulty
Fully upgrade one Rig before branching out
Clear one Trial on every map layout solo
Finish a Hard difficulty Trial without dying
Complete a full program solo for endgame rewards

Key enemy matchups every solo player must know:

Enemy	Type	Solo Threat	Best Response
Leland Coyle	Prime Asset	High	Break sight around corners, loop doors, stun only when grabbed
Mother Gooseberry	Prime Asset	High	Use rooms with multiple exits, never trade damage
Franco Barbi	Prime Asset	High	Keep an exit route, throw distractions early
Pusher	Special Ex-Pop	Medium	Leave the gas cloud immediately, keep stamina for the follow-up chase
Berserker	Special Ex-Pop	Medium	Do not run until committed, break sight and hide
Big Grunt	Heavy Ex-Pop	Medium	Wide loops, keep doors between you, avoid narrow rooms
The Skinner Man	Psychological	Variable	Stay calm, keep your route, do not waste items on it

Prime Asset Rule

Solo players should almost never fight. Breaking line of sight and repositioning costs less than any direct confrontation with a Prime Asset.

For the latest official news on solo balance changes, check the Steam news page and the Red Barrels official site.

Single Player FAQ

Q: Can you play The Outlast Trials single player?

Yes. The Outlast Trials fully supports single player. You can queue into any Trial alone, though the game is designed around co-op, so solo runs demand stronger stealth, route knowledge, and self-sufficient loadouts.

Q: What is the best Rig for solo play in The Outlast Trials single player?

The Stun Rig is the most reliable solo choice because it interrupts enemy grabs and creates escape windows with no teammates required. The X-Ray Rig is a strong alternative for players still learning map layouts.

Q: Is solo play harder than co-op?

Yes, generally. Without teammates you cannot be revived, must complete all objectives yourself, and lose the safety net of group distractions. However, solo runs teach map mastery faster than group play.

Q: Do enemies scale down when playing solo?

Enemy behavior and Trial objectives remain dangerous in solo play. The main difference is pressure: fewer players means fewer simultaneous threats, but any mistake is far more costly without revives.