Saros Beginner Tips for new players
Some of you asked for them, so here are the tips that will make your early runs much easier:
1. Do not attack the big enemy first
Always clear the small enemies before focusing on the big one.
If you rush the big enemy immediately, the smaller ones will hit you from every direction and overwhelm you. Clearing them first makes the fight much safer.
2. Some areas stay locked until you progress
You will find places you cannot enter early in the game.
These areas require special equipment that you unlock later in the story. Once you get the right tool, you can return and explore them.
3. Saros can be easier or harder than Returnal!
Saros uses Carcosan Modifiers, a system that lets you tune the difficulty to your liking.
> Protections (buffs) make the game easier.
> Trials (debuffs) make the game harder.
> Each modifier has a point value.
> Your total must stay at -3 or higher, which means you need to balance buffs with debuffs.
Example:
If a Protection costs -9, you need Trials worth 6 so the total lands at -3.
There’s an option in the Settings menu that lets you disable the modifier limit and use unlimited Protections. This effectively turns the game into a story‑mode experience.
Most players unlock Carcosan Modifiers after beating the second boss, but some reported getting them earlier after dying repeatedly, even before clearing the first boss.
🏆 Tip:
Keep at least one modifier active. It helps reduce the time needed for a specific trophy.
4. Understanding the 3 colors (your main stats)
> Resilience [🟢] increases your maximum health and improves resistance to hazards.
> Command [🔵] boosts your shield capacity and lets you use Power Weapons more often by improving your Power management.
> Drive [🟡] increases your Lucenite gain and speeds up how quickly it converts into Proficiency.
These stats matter because items can raise or lower them, and weapons scale differently depending on your stats.
Example:
If a weapon has a perk that scales with Drive, it will be weak if your Drive is low, even if the weapon level is slightly higher.
If the level difference is small, always choose the weapon that matches your strongest stats.
5. Explore side paths before the main path
On the map:
> White flags are side paths.
> Blue flags are the main path.
Always check the white paths first. They contain upgrades, items, and weapons that make your run easier.
6. Do not spend your keys too fast
You can use one key if you find a gate, but avoid opening multiple Power Weapon containers in a short time.
If you open one and then open another a few minutes later, you might get a Power Weapon that is only 1 or 2 levels higher. This is not worth it unless you are about to finish the biome and return to base.
7. Movement is more important than damage
Do not stand still and shoot.
> Keep moving at all times.
> Circle around enemies instead of backing away.
> Jump and dodge at the right moment.
Good movement prevents most damage and makes fights much easier.
8. Use Power Weapons correctly
Power Weapons deal huge damage, but many beginners waste them.
> Save them for tougher enemies or bosses.
> Use them when you are overwhelmed to clear space.
> Do not waste them on basic enemies unless you are in danger.
9. You can safely quit the game mid‑run
As long as you are not in a boss fight, you can close the game and continue exactly where you left off.
10. Understanding attack colors
Early in the game, you won’t have the tools to counter every attack type, so don’t worry if some moves feel unavoidable. Once you unlock the shield and gauntlet upgrades, the color system becomes a core part of combat. Each color tells you exactly how to respond:
> Blue attacks can be safely blocked with your shield.
> Red attacks must be parried using your gauntlet.
> Yellow attacks cannot be blocked or parried, so you need to dodge them.
This system becomes much more important as the game progresses, and learning these reactions early will make tougher encounters far easier to manage.