Read the last safe space
Pick the approach from a position where the squad can still turn back without crossing the same danger twice.
Spend only what exits need
Keep the resources that matter for the final movement. A successful objective with no exit plan is not a successful run.
Move as a unit
The front player creates the route, the rear player preserves the route, and everyone knows the fallback.
The three-stage extraction checklist
1. Approach
Before you move toward an extraction point, identify who has the clearest information. The squad should know the last place it can safely regroup, which direction it will retreat, and whether the current route exposes an infected player to unnecessary contact. If the answer is unclear, pause and gather information before pressing forward.
2. Commit
The commit point is where the run becomes an exit attempt. Do a quick inventory: who is carrying the mission-critical item, who can still fight, and who is too injured or infected to be treated as a reliable front line? Reassign the order before the pressure arrives. This is also where you decide what can be dropped without regret.
3. Exit
During the final movement, avoid turning the extraction into an improvised loot run. Keep the route narrow, call every change in direction, and do not let one player chase a side target that breaks the formation. If the exit space becomes unreadable, use the fallback you agreed on during approach.
Common extraction failures
| Failure | What it looks like | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Late decision | The squad starts planning only after the route is blocked. | Set an exit threshold while the map still has options. |
| Split information | Every player knows a different version of the route. | One player calls the route; others call threats and resources. |
| Greedy detour | A nearly finished run becomes a new objective. | Keep the extraction state visible and defer optional loot. |
| Silent infection risk | A player hides a worsening state until the exit. | Share status early so the team can change formation. |
How extraction connects to infection
Infection is not only a medical question. It changes the amount of uncertainty the squad can tolerate. When infection pressure rises, shorten the route, reduce optional interactions, and make the exit decision earlier. Read the infection and gene therapy guide alongside this page instead of treating treatment as a last-second reset.
FAQ
Should I extract as soon as the objective is complete?
Not always. The right time depends on the squad state, route information, infection pressure, and whether an optional action has a clear payoff.
What should I do when the team gets split?
Stop adding new goals. Re-establish one caller, choose a regroup point, and use the safest known route rather than the shortest unknown route.