Oxygen Not Included Tips Every Player Should Know
When I first played Oxygen Not Included, I felt overwhelmed by how quickly things could spiral out of control. Learning the right strategies early saved my colony from collapse. In this article, I’ll share the most effective Oxygen Not Included tips to help you manage resources, duplicants, and technology progression.
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Oxygen Not Included Tips for Early Game Survival
The early game is all about securing breathable air, food, and clean water. Your printing pod provides new duplicants, but too many can strain limited resources. Focus on balance.
- Oxygen Management: Place an oxygen diffuser close to living quarters. Build wash basins near latrines to prevent germs from spreading through polluted water. An oxygen overlay helps you see if everyone has breathable air.

- Power Basics: Start with a manual generator to power diffusers and small appliances. Later, switch to coal generators to sustain your colony until renewable energy like hydrogen generators is ready.

- Food & Morale: Cook mush bars early but move into basic farming to grow mealwood. Creating a great hall boosts duplicant food morale and reduces stress.

- Sanitation: Keep an eye on polluted oxygen. Build wash basins and plan for future toilets to avoid contamination issues.

For more survival-focused strategies, check out our list of the best survival games out there.
Expanding in the Mid Game
By the mid game, you’ll juggle advanced resources, duplicant skills, and larger infrastructure. Here’s what worked best for me:
- Resource Refinement: Research advanced research stations to unlock better tech. Use water locks to separate polluted water from clean reservoirs.
- Energy Upgrades: Introduce hydrogen generators to cut down on coal reliance. Pair them with natural gas sources to expand power efficiency.
- Rooms & Overlays: Use the room overlay to optimize layouts. Designing a great hall with decor items or adding massage tables improves stress levels. Even a one tile difference in placement can maximize bonuses.
- Farming & Plants: Cultivate wild plants for supplemental food while expanding stable crops. This transition is crucial to keep morale steady and avoid duplicant burnout.
At this stage, expanding duplicant count becomes less risky if you’ve stabilized your colony. If base building and resource management are your thing, I also recommend taking a look at our list of best games like Factorio for more great titles to play.
Preventing Common Mistakes
From my own colonies, I’ve noticed three mistakes that can ruin progress if not fixed early:
- Overprinting Duplicants: The printing pod is tempting, but duplicants with negative traits can sabotage productivity. Choose carefully.
- Ignoring Waste: Allowing polluted water or polluted oxygen to linger spreads germs fast. Isolate and clean it immediately.
- Power Dependency: Relying too long on a manual generator can drain duplicants’ energy. Transition to sustainable sources as soon as possible.
Learning how to avoid these pitfalls makes the difference between a thriving base and a slow collapse. If you want to compare more colony-style games, you can start with our list of games like Dwarf Fortress.
Building Toward Long-Term Success
The ultimate goal is to establish systems that run with minimal input. Here’s how to do that:
- Automation: Gradually integrate automated doors, sensors, and pumps. Even adjusting a one tile gap in automation can save duplicants countless trips.
- Water Systems: Master water locks for clean liquid separation. Plan for renewable sources to avoid future shortages.
- Morale Boosts: Beyond food morale, consider duplicant comfort. Decorated great halls and stress-relief rooms reduce the risk of breakdowns.
- Late-Game Farming: Replace early algae terrariums with larger, efficient systems. Supplement with wild plants to avoid overdependence.
At this point, duplicants can focus more on research, space exploration, and refining resources. By applying these Oxygen Not Included tips, your colony is set up for long-term stability.
Final Thoughts on Oxygen Not Included Tips
Survival in Oxygen Not Included is about managing resources, but also having foresight and efficiency. Keep duplicant morale high, prevent contamination, and build flexible systems. If you want to experience the game yourself, grab your Oxygen Not Included game key today on Eneba.
FAQs
How do I get better at Oxygen Not Included?
To get better at Oxygen Not Included, you should focus on early survival strategies like stable oxygen production, clean water separation, and controlled duplicant growth. Building efficient power and food systems helps you progress smoothly into the mid game.
What should I do first in Oxygen Not Included?
The first thing you should do in Oxygen Not Included is secure oxygen production with an oxygen diffuser and set up latrines with wash basins. This prevents suffocation and contamination from the very beginning.
How do I deal with polluted water in Oxygen Not Included?
To deal with polluted water in Oxygen Not Included, you should isolate it using water locks and plan treatment systems. Recycling polluted water into clean water later ensures your colony avoids shortages.
How do I stop stress in Oxygen Not Included?
To stop stress in Oxygen Not Included, you should boost duplicant morale with a great hall, better food, and recreational items like massage tables. Balancing workloads also helps prevent stress buildup.
What is the best way to generate power in Oxygen Not Included?
The best way to generate power in Oxygen Not Included is to transition from a manual generator to more sustainable sources like hydrogen generators and natural gas systems. This reduces duplicant exhaustion and ensures long-term stability.