🤝 Outbound Co-op Guide: Multiplayer Setup, Roles & Shared Van Strategies

How to start co-op in Outbound:

1. From the main menu, select Multiplayer → Host Session 2. Set session visibility: Public (anyone can join), Friends Only (Steam friends list), or Invite Only 3. The host's save file is used — guest progress is tied to the host's world 4. Guests join via Browse Sessions (Public), Friends tab (Friends Only), or direct Steam invite (Invite Only) 5. Up to 3 guests can join for 4 total players

Guest progress and saves: Guest players receive personal progress in their own save file for: blueprints collected, map discovered, crafting recipes learned, and skill progression. The van, its modules, and the shared inventory remain in the host's world. If you want guests to keep their collected blueprints for their own solo game, they must open their menu and Save Progress before leaving the session.

Network requirements: Outbound co-op uses Steam P2P networking. No dedicated server is required. Connection quality depends on the host's internet upload speed — 10 Mbps upload or higher recommended for smooth 4-player sessions.

In co-op, all players share one van, one inventory, and one energy system. Every player can interact with every module, drive the van, craft recipes, and plant crops. There is no "player ownership" of specific modules.

Critical consideration: The van still has a fixed slot count determined by chassis upgrades. With 4 players, the demand for crafting stations, storage, and sleeping modules increases dramatically. Plan the module layout as a group before your first session.

Co-op Module Recommendations (additional vs. solo):

| Addition | Why | |---|---| | +1 Sleeping Bunk | 4 players often need to rest at different times; queue management | | +1 Large Storage Chest | 4× the gathering = 4× the inventory pressure | | +1 Cooking Station or second Camp Stove | 4 players consume food much faster | | +1 Garden Bed (Large) | Feed 4 players from crops | | +1 Battery Bank tier | More modules active simultaneously from 4 players |

The Full Chassis (24 slots) is strongly recommended for 4-player co-op. It is achievable by mid-game and accommodates all necessary additions comfortably.

Driving in co-op: Only one player can drive at a time. The van driver is whoever presses the vehicle entry/drive action first. Other players ride as passengers — they can interact with interior modules, craft, and manage inventory while the van is moving. Co-op in motion is very efficient: one player drives while others craft and manage resources.

Outbound does not assign or enforce roles — all systems are accessible to all players. However, voluntary role specialization dramatically improves efficiency, especially in 3–4 player sessions.

2-Player Recommended Roles: - Player 1 (Driver/Builder): Handles driving, module layout decisions, energy management, chassis upgrades - Player 2 (Gatherer/Crafter): Manages resource gathering, crafting queue, cooking, crop harvesting

In practice, roles swap organically. The above is a starting framework, not a rigid assignment.

3-Player Recommended Roles: - Driver/Navigator: Van movement, map exploration, POI scouting - Crafter: Manages all crafting stations — queues recipes, smelts ore, processes materials - Farmer/Cook: Manages garden beds, cooking, food buffer, and pet care

4-Player Optimal Composition: - Scout: On foot or leading van navigation; uses dog for fetch/detection; explores ahead of the van on foot - Engineer: All crafting stations, blueprint research, van upgrades - Farmer: Crops, cooking, food management, all pet interactions - Driver/Coordinator: Van movement, energy monitoring, co-op session organization

The Scout role note: In 4-player, one player can be almost entirely "on foot" — exploring POIs while the van follows or parks nearby. The dog companion is ideal for the Scout role: fetch radius, backpack carrying, and POI detection all amplify foot-based exploration efficiency.

All players share the van's storage chests. Personal inventory (what each player carries on their person) is separate and does not sync — only items deposited into storage chests are accessible to all players.

Best practices for co-op inventory management:

1. Designate a primary storage organizer. One player (usually the Crafter role) maintains organized storage: raw materials in Chest 1, processed materials in Chest 2, food/consumables in Chest 3. Disorganized shared storage creates significant inefficiency.

2. Call out before dumping large hauls. When the Scout returns with a large material haul, a quick voice/text callout to the Crafter prevents recipe queue interruptions.

3. Crafting queue priority: If two players attempt to use the same crafting station simultaneously, the station processes the first submitted recipe. Both recipes will complete — there is no conflict — but the second player's materials are temporarily "locked" in the queue. Check the queue panel before submitting time-sensitive recipes.

4. Food management in 4-player: Four players consume food approximately 4× faster than solo. The Farmer role must maintain a cooking buffer of at least 12 meals before any long biome drive. The Coastal Stew is the most efficient per-slot food item for large groups — its full stamina + overflow effect makes it worth the ingredient cost.

Tip 1 — Double-dog Fetch runs: In solo, the dog takes ~2 minutes to complete a Fetch run. In co-op with 2 players, two players can issue Fetch commands simultaneously in different directions, doubling resource intake per unit time. Combine with the Hedgehog pet for maximum detection stacking.

Tip 2 — Craft-while-driving efficiency: With 4 players, the van is never "idle" while driving. Navigator drives; Engineer runs Ore Smelter (12 EU/hr draw is fine while moving at Performance Motor speed); Farmer cooks next session's meals; Scout reviews the map for next POI routing. A 10-minute drive in 4-player produces 10 minutes of crafted materials — not possible in solo.

Tip 3 — Blueprint collection division: Each player's map reveals are shared across the session. However, blueprint collection is not divided by player — whoever opens the chest collects the blueprint for the host's world. In your first session, coordinate who explores which POI region to maximize coverage speed.

Tip 4 — Energy management communication: In co-op, multiple players inadvertently running power-hungry stations simultaneously can drain the battery faster than expected. Establish a simple rule: check the battery display (upper HUD) before starting the Ore Smelter or Chemistry Lab. If battery is below 40%, wait for solar recovery.

Tip 5 — Mountain biome co-op: The Mountain is best explored with at least 2 players. One player can establish a stable camp (Water Wheel + Cooking buffer) while the other explores the steep terrain on foot. The summit approach switchbacks are navigable solo but dramatically safer with a second player monitoring the van's battery and terrain.