- Decaying Winter Evacuation is the true ending requiring specific prep steps before Night 10.
- Black Dagger and Keycard are mandatory items to unlock the hidden Cultist Lab basement.
- Masks are essential to survive the storm and trigger the final extraction phase.
- Survive 5 minutes and 30 seconds against randomized raider spawns at the helipad.
- UMP and Caldwell are top-tier weapons for controlling raider waves effectively.
Understanding the Evacuation Ending
The Decaying Winter Evacuation represents the game's true ending, locked behind a series of specific objectives that must be completed in order. Unlike the standard win condition, this ending requires players to secure a black dagger, eliminate the Sledge Queen, infiltrate a cultist lab, and retrieve special masks before the final storm hits.
Video Highlights:
- Complete breakdown of all six preparation phases
- Optimal strategies for defeating the Sledge Queen at any stage
- Step-by-step navigation through the Cultist Lab
- Raider wave defense positions and enemy stats
- Recommended weapon tier list for the final extraction
You cannot trigger the evacuation if you skip any step. Missing the masks, dagger, or keycard will result in the standard ending text appearing instead of the evacuation protocol notification.
The evacuation phase fundamentally changes how you approach the final nights. Once activated, your character equips the mask, slightly restricting hot visibility but granting full immunity to storm damage. This allows free movement and looting during conditions that would normally be lethal.
Sledge Queen Boss Strategy
The Sledge Queen serves as the primary gatekeeper to the evacuation ending. With 1,200 HP and devastating melee capabilities, she demands careful preparation and the right loadout to defeat efficiently.
| Stat | Value | Threat Level |
|---|---|---|
| Health | 1,200 HP | Very High |
| Melee Damage | Massive | Lethal at close range |
| Jump Attack | Missile-like | Hard to dodge |
| Hammer Block | Blocks bullets | Ranged ineffective |
| Recovery Time | Very Fast | Punishes mistakes |
| Grenades | Area denial | Forces repositioning |
Gun + Dynamite Strat
- Easiest and most reliable
- Requires hollow emitters
- Best paired with full-auto guns
- Dynamite deals unmatched burst damage
- Alternatives: proximity mines, C4
Dual Gun Strat
- Higher risk, faster kill
- One full-auto, one semi-auto
- Use full-auto to chip HP down
- Finish with semi-auto precision
- Best for early kills before Night 6
Single Gun Strat
- Last resort only
- Requires near-perfect accuracy
- Cannot miss more than two shots
- Extremely punishing if failed
- Not recommended for beginners
Kill the Sledge Queen on or before Night 6 to ensure enough time for lab preparation and keycard retrieval. Delaying the kill risks running out of time before the storm arrives.
Recommended weapons for the Sledge Queen encounter include the AKM and UMP45 for their strong DPS and full-auto capabilities. Semi-auto guns can work if you run the Paranoid trait, which increases semi-auto fire rate significantly.
Cultist Lab Walkthrough
After eliminating the Sledge Queen, the next critical step is clearing the Cultist Lab located near the mountain. This underground area contains hostile NPCs, a mini-boss, and essential items needed to unlock the armory and retrieve the evacuation masks.
Lab Enemy Types
| Enemy Type | Weapon | Threat | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Hood | TEC-9 | Moderate | Ranged attacker |
| Akimbo Guard | Dual pistols | High | Found at hallways |
| Melee Cultist | Random melee | Moderate | Randomized spawns |
| High Priest | Mixed | Very High | 500 HP mini-boss |
Enter the Lab
Descend the ladder carefully without breaking your leg. You will arrive in the main room with cultists positioned on the left side behind barriers.
Clear the Main Room
Eliminate the left-side cultists first, then use the barriers as cover to dispatch the remaining enemies in the area before dropping down from the catwalk.
Navigate the Quarters
Head downstairs into the individual headquarters. Each room contains randomized melee or gun cultists. Two Akimbo guards wait at the end of the hallway.
Defeat the High Priest
The High Priest has 500 HP and can cast shadow fight, healing him to full health. Interrupt this ability by shoving him, using Arbiter's shell shock, Emulator's fire buff, or Vagabond's blade.
Unlock the Armory
After defeating the High Priest, interact with the laptop in the room. A text confirmation will indicate the armory has been unlocked.
Retrieve the Masks
Head to the opposite side of the lab through the large door. Eliminate the three cultists guarding the area and collect the masks from the table.
Never let the High Priest complete his shadow fight ability. If uninterrupted, he heals back to full HP, wasting your ammunition and time. Shoving is the simplest and most reliable interrupt method.
Evacuation Phase Defense
Once the main game is beaten with all prerequisites completed, the text "evacuation protocols are now in effect" will appear. A ship spawns on the helipad with two allied NPCs carrying 100 HP each and high-tier weapons. While keeping them alive is optional, they serve as useful fire magnets during the final defense.
Raider Wave Breakdown
| Raider Type | HP | Damage | Special Ability | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCX Raider | 150 | Low but fast | Throws grenades | Highest |
| Chita Raider | 120 | High | Laser beam attack | High |
| Melee X Raider | 175 | High | Close-range rush | High |
| Fire X Raider | 150 | Moderate | Full body shield | Medium |
| High Copper Raider | 140 | Low | Shield (partial) | Low |
The MCX Raider is the most dangerous enemy in the evacuation phase. Despite dealing low per-hit damage, the rapid fire rate combined with grenade throws can end your run instantly. Prioritize eliminating this raider above all others.
Raiders spawn at 29-second and 59-second intervals from fixed locations around the helipad. The raider type is fully randomized, meaning you could face five High Coppers or five MCX raiders in a single wave. You must survive for 5 minutes and 30 seconds to complete the evacuation.
Best Defense Positions
The two strongest defensive positions feature natural terrain cover and stone barriers. Set up approximately 15 pavises at your chosen location to create bullet-blocking walls. Position yourself where you can monitor all spawn points and retreat behind cover when overwhelmed.
Extra loot spawns near the crashed ships around the helipad. The left side provides ammunition, while the right side offers blueprints, guns, explosives, and stems, though no ammo. Remember that guns found on the right side cannot be loaded without separate ammunition.
Best Weapons and Loadouts
Selecting the right arsenal for the evacuation phase determines whether you survive the full 5-minute-30-second gauntlet. Weapons are ranked based on their effectiveness across all evacuation steps, including the Sledge Queen fight, lab clearance, and raider defense.
Weapon Tier List
| Tier | Weapon | Best Use Case | Ammo Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | UMP45 | Overall best weapon | Medium |
| S | Caldwell | Best shotgun, highest damage | Shell |
| S | ARSAAS | Best for lab clearing | Medium |
| A | AKM | Craftable, strong DPS | Medium |
| A | SCAR-L | Better stats than AKM | Medium |
| A | Kriss Vector | Insane fire rate, no recoil | Medium |
| A | CheyTac AWSM | One-shot MCX headshots | Long |
| A | KSG | Craftable shotgun | Shell |
| B | Dragunov | Semi-auto sniper | Long |
| B | SPAS | Semi-auto shotgun | Shell |
| B | P90 | Ammo generator | Small |
The CheyTac AWSM and Remington 700 can one-shot MCX raiders with a headshot. This makes them invaluable for thinning waves before they reach your defensive position.
Recommended Traits
| Trait | Effect | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dependable | Consistent performance | Safe pick |
| Fearless | Improved combat stats | Safe pick |
| Professional | Enhanced weapon handling | Safe pick |
| Paranoid | Faster semi-auto fire rate | Situational |
| Impatient | Mobility boost | Alternative |
| Reliable | Stability increase | Alternative |
Essential Items
Explosives
- Dynamite: Best for Sledge Queen burst damage
- Fire bombs: Area denial for raider waves
- Proximity mines: Defensive perimeter setup
- C4: Alternative to dynamite
Traps and Utility
- Steel snares: Crowd control for waves
- Steel punjis: Path blocking
- Pavises: Bullet-blocking barriers (bring ~15)
- Path assists: Mandatory for evac phase
Most healing items do not work during the storm phase. Advanced aid kits, red stems, and green stems are all disabled. However, the defense immunity plus defense buff still functions, so keep it active throughout the final fight.
Evacuation Preparation Checklist
Pre-Evacuation Requirements:
- Collect the Black Dagger from the crashed ship on the mountain
- Kill the Sledge Queen and retrieve the basement keycard
- Clear the Cultist Lab and defeat the High Priest
- Retrieve all masks from the armory table
- Complete the main game on Night 10 for maximum lab loot
- Craft or collect approximately 15 pavises for defense
- Stockpile ammunition for your primary weapon
- Prepare explosives, traps, and path assists
Perform the lab run specifically on Night 10. Loot inside the lab persists through the evacuation phase only on this night, giving you extra items and resources for the final defense. Running the lab on any other night causes the loot to disappear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if I forget to grab the masks before the storm?
Without the masks, the evacuation protocol will not trigger after beating the main game. You will receive the standard ending text instead. The masks are the single most critical item for unlocking the true ending, so always verify they are in your inventory before the final night.
Q: Can I complete the Decaying Winter Evacuation solo?
Yes, the evacuation can be completed solo. The ship monitor interaction works immediately for solo players since there are no teammates to wait for. However, you lose the benefit of allied NPC fire support, making weapon choice and defensive positioning even more critical.
Q: Do the allied NPCs on the ship need to survive?
No, keeping the two allied NPCs alive is not mandatory for completing the evacuation. They are helpful for drawing raider fire and providing supplemental damage, but their deaths do not affect the outcome as long as you survive the full 5-minute-30-second timer.
Q: Which raiders are the most dangerous during the final wave?
The MCX Raider poses the greatest threat due to their ability to throw grenades combined with rapid fire rate. The Chita Raider is also extremely dangerous with its laser beam attack. Prioritize these two types whenever they spawn to prevent getting overwhelmed during the defense phase.
Q: Why should I run the Cultist Lab on Night 10 specifically?
Loot inside the lab only persists through the evacuation phase when cleared on Night 10. Completing it on any other night causes all lab loot to disappear before the final defense, depriving you of valuable extra weapons, ammunition, and supplies that could make the difference in surviving the raider waves.