In The Outlast Trials, “defeating” an enemy usually means avoiding, distracting, escaping or surviving it—not killing it. The current Season 7.1 guide lists 14 enemies and recommends countering each according to how it detects or attacks you. There is one important gap: Season 7 added the Biter, but the available official and guide sources do not establish a reliable way to counter it.
How enemy counterplay works
Start by identifying the threat: some enemies rely on sight, others react to sound, search hiding places, attack from range or use deception. The tactics below are those published in Destructoid’s guide updated October 5, 2026; they are secondary-source advice, not a developer guarantee. The guide’s use of “defeat” is best understood as surviving the encounter or disrupting the enemy rather than fighting it directly.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Standard enemies and ambush threats
Grunt
Use darkness and cover to break line of sight. If a Grunt is close, staying still may keep you from giving away your position; moving can reveal you.
Recommended Free Tools
Big Grunt
Because the Big Grunt deals more damage and is more durable than a standard Grunt, keep your distance and use cover rather than trying to confront it.
#1 Best Overall
Pouncer
A Pouncer attacks from hiding places. Listen for her nearby noises and avoid hiding spots when you suspect she is close. If she grabs you, use the escape input.
Jaeger
The Jaeger can detect players through hiding places and see through walls. The guide advises keeping distance and moving; hiding is not a dependable way to evade it.
Enemies that react to sound
Berserker
The Berserker cannot see, but is highly sensitive to noise. Stay quiet, avoid unnecessary movement and do not sprint near it, since sprinting makes noise.
Screamer
The Screamer is dormant until awakened by too much noise. Crouch to reduce noise, and use a throwable to distract him if needed.
Vision and ranged attacks
Night Hunter
Unlike enemies that darkness can help you avoid, the Night Hunter can see in the dark. Use light and avoid dark areas when it is nearby; the guide says brightness limits its vision.
Pitcher
The Pitcher throws Molotovs from a distance, leaving areas on fire. Break line of sight before he can throw, and do not cross burning areas.
Franco Barbi
Franco’s shotgun makes exposure at range dangerous. Move behind cover and avoid staying in a position where he can shoot you.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Psychosis, deception and pursuit
Pusher
A Pusher’s grab releases neurotoxin that causes psychosis. Avoid standing in his path; if he is too close, use a throwable or stun rig to disrupt him.
Rank #3
- BECOME A TEAM - Dungeons & Dragons: Trials of Tempus is a cooperative, team-based game for 2-8 players, where rival parties of Heroic adventurers battle to prove their worth and mettle in the ever-changing Battlerealms of Tempus, God of War!
- CONQUER THE TRAIL - To win, you and your party must work together to earn more Victory Points than your rivals by completing Quests and gathering Loot, and finally defeating the Trial Guardian. The party with the most Victory Points wins!
- GREAT FOR GAME NIGHT - Adventurers ages 12+ can team up with up to 8 adventurers around the game table for 30+ minutes, in attempts to defeat the trials laid before them.
- HIGHLY DETAILED MINIATURES - The Standard Edition includes 25 highly detailed, unpainted miniatures. Painted or not, they are ready for the battlefield! Fight mobs of goblins, kobolds, and bugbears. And defend yourself against ogres and constructs!
- GAME INCLUDES - 9 Map Tiles, 4 D20s, 25 Unpainted Miniatures, 1 Rule Book, 344 Cards, 333 Tokens
Imposter
An Imposter disguises itself as a Reagent and attacks at close range. Keep track of teammates and communicate constantly so suspicious behavior is noticed. Red Barrels’ Season 7 notes mention changes to Invasion and Imposter balancing, so exact behavior may change between updates.
Leland Coyle
Coyle has powerful melee attacks and a grab that causes shock damage. Keep your distance, avoid him when possible and use darkness to hide.
Mother Gooseberry
Mother Gooseberry is an aggressive pursuer with powerful melee attacks, including around narrow corners. Keep moving to maintain distance rather than letting her close in.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Objective and explosive threat
Scapegoat
The Scapegoat carries explosives that cause substantial damage when they detonate. Destructoid’s guide says to use the tracker and “microf trigger” to complete the objective, then stay clear of the final explosion. The guide’s wording for the trigger is unclear, so do not assume a more specific interaction from that phrase alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The Biter: a Season 7 omission
Red Barrels introduced the Biter with the Season 7 Project Boneyard update and said it appears in Prison Farm and the two new MK-Challenges. However, the current guide’s visible enemy table does not include the Biter, and the official announcement does not explain how to counter it. No specific Biter tactic can be established from those sources.
Quick counterplay by threat type
- Sight: Darkness and cover can help against Grunts and Coyle; the guide recommends light against the Night Hunter.
- Sound: Quiet movement helps against the Berserker and Screamer; crouching reduces noise for the Screamer.
- Hiding-place ambush: Avoid likely hiding spots when a Pouncer is near. Against the Jaeger, create distance and keep moving instead of relying on hiding.
- Ranged attacks: Break line of sight or use cover against the Pitcher and Franco.
- Team deception: Track allies and communicate to detect an Imposter.
- Explosives: Complete the Scapegoat objective using the guide’s stated tracker and trigger, then keep clear of the detonation.
Season 7.1 context
Red Barrels announced Season 7.1 for September 8, 2026, including two MK-Challenges and the limited-time Chemical Leak event. The studio also said mod support ended with Season 7.1, with several quality-of-life settings previously available through mods added directly to the game’s settings. These update notes provide version context, but do not supply additional counterplay for the enemies listed above.
Sources: Destructoid’s enemy guide, updated October 5, 2026; Red Barrels’ Season 7.1 dev blog, September 4, 2026; Red Barrels’ Project Boneyard announcement, July 9, 2026.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
