Mastering The Outlast Trials A+ Rating: The Ultimate Guide

In the terrifying, neon-drenched facility of Murkoff, mere survival is only half the battle. If you want to prove your worth to Dr. Easterman and secure the highest honors, you need to master The Outlast Trials A+ rating system. Achieving The Outlast Trials A+ rating is not just about bragging rights in the community; it is the most efficient way to maximize your experience points (XP) and accelerate your progression through the game’s various programs.

Whether you are a solo operative or part of a coordinated team, understanding the nuance of how the game grades your performance is critical. Many players wander into the trials blindly, hoping for the best, only to be met with mediocre grades and scathing remarks from the facility's administrators. This guide will dismantle the mystery behind the scoring mechanics, providing you with the tactical knowledge required to consistently earn that coveted A+ grade.

Understanding The Evaluation System

When you finish a trial, the results screen is where the magic—or the disappointment—happens. It is essential to understand that the game does not simply measure how fast you completed the mission. In fact, speed is often secondary to precision, stealth, and resourcefulness.

To see exactly why you received your grade, navigate to the second tab of the results screen. Here, you will find a list of evaluation points. The game uses a simple color-coding system to highlight your performance: black text indicates a successful execution of a specific task, while red text indicates an area where you failed or underperformed.

Quick Answer: The Golden Rule of Scoring To secure The Outlast Trials A+ rating, aim for at least ten evaluation points in black and no more than two in red. The game rewards consistency and adherence to the "rules" of the facility, such as using items, managing sanity, and completing secondary objectives, rather than just rushing to the exit.

The Scoring Matrix

The following table breaks down how the game categorizes your actions. Understanding these will help you prioritize your behavior during a run.

Factors That Determine An A+ Rating

As established by the community and detailed in the official Steam store page, this game is designed to test your nerves and your decision-making. The evaluation points are dynamic; they only appear if they apply to your specific run. If you never trigger a sound trap, that point won't appear on your scorecard, which is actually a good thing for your final grade.

Positive Reinforcement: What to Focus On

To consistently earn The Outlast Trials A+ rating, you must proactively "game" the system. The developers reward players who interact with the environment.

• Complete Secondary Objectives: Always prioritize the secondary objective, which is usually collecting propaganda posters. It provides a significant boost to your score.
• Use Items Frequently: Do not hoard bricks, bottles, or medicine. The game tracks "Used item" as a positive metric. Using items to distract enemies or solve problems is a clear indicator of a high-performing subject.
• Cooperative Actions: If playing in a team, push doors open together. These cooperative moves are heavily weighted in the final evaluation.
• Unlock Everything: Use lockpicks on containers. Even if you don't need the loot inside, the act of picking the lock is a tracked positive action.

Negative Indicators: What to Avoid

Conversely, certain behaviors act as anchors on your final score. According to player experience reports, these are the most common reasons for missing the mark:

• Taking Unnecessary Damage: Being hit by enemies or traps is the fastest way to turn your evaluation points red.
• Triggering Sound Traps: This includes hitting cans, stepping on glass, and activating floor sensors.
• Hiding Too Often: While stealth is vital, relying exclusively on hiding spots is viewed negatively. Use them when necessary, but don't camp.

Strategic Tips for Consistent Success

Achieving The Outlast Trials A+ rating requires a fundamental shift in playstyle. Many players make the mistake of trying to speed-run the content. However, the data suggests that time does not significantly impact your score. Instead, your focus should be on "quality" of play.

Prioritize Stealth Over Speed

You should always adopt a safe playstyle. Stick to the shadows and avoid running unless you are actively being pursued. If an enemy detects you, create distance and break line-of-sight before returning to a stealthy crouch.

When you are playing solo, this is even more critical. You cannot rely on a teammate to distract a pursuer, so your movement must be deliberate. If you find yourself frequently triggering sound traps, consider adjusting your loadout.

Loadout Optimization

Your choice of Amps (upgrades) can be the difference between an A- and an A+. As you level up, prioritize Amps that mitigate your specific weaknesses.

For example, the "Slippers" Amp is a game-changer. It effectively negates the penalty for stepping on glass, which is one of the most common ways players accidentally trigger sound traps and ruin their score.

Team A+ Versus Solo A+

There is a significant difference in how the game evaluates you when you are part of a group versus playing alone. When playing with others, you receive both a "Solo Rating" and a "Team Rating."

The Team Rating is essentially an average of all members' individual performances. If you have a team where one person is an A+ performer but the others are struggling, the team grade will likely pull down to a B or B+.

Key takeaway for team play: You cannot carry a team to an A+ if the others are failing consistently. However, the Solo Rating remains the most important metric because it guarantees your bonus XP. Always focus on your own performance first—contribute to objectives, use your items, and avoid damage—even if your teammates are chaotic.

Mastering Randomization and Efficiency

One of the biggest hurdles in The Outlast Trials A+ rating pursuit is the game's randomized elements. While the core objectives and map layouts remain consistent, the specific details—such as trap placements, container locks, and item locations—change with every run.

Do not try to memorize where every key or gasoline canister is. Instead, memorize the process. Learn the flow of the mission. For instance, in the Police Station, the keys you need will always be in a specific area, but the exact room may vary.

Dealing with the Skinned Man

If you lose all your Sanity, you will be attacked by the Skinned Man. While this is a high-stress situation, it is also an opportunity. If you survive the encounter without taking further damage, you can actually recover your score. However, the best strategy is to use an Antidote immediately. Managing your sanity effectively is a major evaluation point that separates the average players from the elite.

FAQ: Achieving A+ Ratings in The Outlast Trials

Does the difficulty level affect my ability to get an A+ rating? Yes and no. While higher difficulties provide more challenging scenarios, the grading system remains consistent. However, the risk of taking damage or losing sanity increases, making it harder to maintain the "perfect" scorecard required for The Outlast Trials A+ rating. Focus on mastering the mechanics on easier trials before pushing into higher difficulties.

Is it possible to get an A+ if I die during the trial? Generally, no. Dying is a catastrophic event in your evaluation. It will almost certainly result in a failing grade or, at best, a very low score. If your goal is an A+, your primary objective must be to survive the entire trial without depleting your health to zero.

Do I need to collect every single document in the trial to get an A+? No, you do not need to collect every document. While collecting documents is a positive evaluation point, it is not a requirement for the A+ grade. Focus more on completing the primary and secondary objectives, as these carry significantly more weight in the final calculation.

Why did I get a lower grade despite completing the mission quickly? Speed is not a factor in your grade. As discussed, the game values your performance quality—how many items you used, how well you avoided traps, and how many cooperative actions you performed. If you rushed through the level, you likely missed out on these positive evaluation points, which is why your grade suffered. Slow down, play strategically, and maximize your interactions.