The Backrooms: Survival Guide

Resources in the Backrooms are scarce and precious. Proper management is essential for long-term survival.

Essential Resources

Resource	Found In	Properties	Usage Tips
Almond Water	Level 1, Level 4, Trading Outposts	Healing, anti-infection, sanity restoration	Only drink sealed bottles; save some for emergencies
Batteries	Various levels, abandoned equipment	Powers flashlights and electronic devices	Turn off lights when not needed; carry spares
First Aid Supplies	Level 1, Level 11, abandoned offices	Wound treatment, infection prevention	Prioritize disinfection; improvise bandages if needed
Food	Various levels, trading outposts	Sustenance, energy	Non-perishables are safest; avoid unknown fungi

Conservation Strategies

• Establish a base camp near resource-rich areas when possible
• Ration supplies based on estimated time until the next resupply point
• Use the "rule of thirds": 1/3 for immediate use, 1/3 for planned travel, 1/3 for emergencies
• Learn to identify safe water sources (Almond Water pools, certain condensation)
• Develop relationships with friendly groups for trading opportunities

The non-Euclidean nature of the Backrooms makes traditional navigation challenging, but several techniques can help maintain orientation.

Mapping Techniques

• Marker System: Use chalk, pen, or other items to mark walls with directional indicators and timestamps
• Thread Method: Unravel string or rope as you explore to create a physical path back
• Landmark Identification: Note distinctive features (unusual wall patterns, furniture arrangements) to create mental maps
• Drop Trails: Leave small, dispensable items at regular intervals to mark your path

Orientation Tips

• When possible, follow right or left wall consistently to navigate maze-like structures
• Listen for ambient sounds that might indicate level transitions or exits
• Note changes in lighting, carpet texture, or wallpaper patterns that might indicate boundaries
• In levels with windows, observe any visible celestial bodies for directional reference
• Document your path with sketches or notes when possible

Level Transition Recognition

Learn to identify potential transition points between levels:

• Staircases and elevators (obvious transitions)
• Areas where wallpaper or flooring changes abruptly
• Doorways with unusual characteristics (color, size, material)
• Sections where ambient noise changes significantly
• Rooms with unusual geometry or spatial distortion

Encounters with entities should be avoided whenever possible. However, knowing how to handle unavoidable confrontations is essential.

General Entity Avoidance

• Move quietly and deliberately through unfamiliar areas
• Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate entity presence
• Learn to recognize signs of recent entity activity (scratch marks, unusual stains)
• Avoid areas with flickering lights or unusual temperature changes
• When possible, scout areas before fully committing to them

If Confrontation Is Unavoidable

• Maintain Distance: Most entities have limited range or speed
• Use Light Strategically: Some entities are repelled by bright light, others are attracted
• Create Distractions: Throwing objects can divert attention
• Know When to Run: Conserve energy for when escape is truly necessary
• Use Environment: Narrow passages can slow larger entities; furniture can create obstacles

Entity-Specific Tactics

Different entities require different approaches:

• Hounds: Use bright light to your advantage; seek elevated positions
• Skin-Stealers: Verify companions regularly; avoid isolated encounters with strangers
• Smilers: Never make direct eye contact; keep light sources ready
• Facelings: Generally passive unless provoked; avoid sudden movements
• Dullers: Move quickly through their territory; don't stop moving

The psychological impact of the Backrooms can be as dangerous as its physical threats. Maintaining mental health is crucial for long-term survival.

Sanity Preservation Techniques

• Establish Routines: Create daily patterns to maintain a sense of normalcy
• Keep a Journal: Document experiences to process emotions and maintain grip on reality
• Social Interaction: When safe, engage with other wanderers to combat isolation
• Rest Properly: Find secure locations for regular sleep cycles
• Mindfulness Practices: Simple meditation can help manage stress and anxiety

Warning Signs of Sanity Loss

• Hearing voices or sounds that others don't perceive
• Seeing movement in peripheral vision that isn't there
• Paranoia about other wanderers without evidence
• Inability to distinguish between sleep and wakefulness
• Obsessive behaviors or thought patterns

Sanity Restoration

• Consume Almond Water, which has known sanity-restoring properties
• Seek well-lit, quiet areas for recovery periods
• Engage in creative activities when safe (drawing, singing, storytelling)
• Focus on concrete goals and achievements
• If traveling with others, take turns as "sanity monitors" to check each other

Understanding the game's controls and mechanics is essential for effective navigation and survival in The Backrooms.

Basic Controls

• WASD or Arrow Keys - Movement
• Shift - Sprint (consumes stamina)
• Ctrl - Crouch
• F - Toggle flashlight
• E - Interact with objects
• Q - Quick inventory access
• Tab - Full inventory
• M - Map (if available)
• C - Check status (health, sanity, etc.)

Stealth Mechanics

• Crouching reduces noise and visibility to entities
• Walking creates less noise than running
• Different floor surfaces produce different noise levels
• Flashlight use can attract certain entities
• Line of sight matters - stay behind cover when possible

Resource Mechanics

• Health: Decreases with injuries, entity attacks, or environmental hazards
• Sanity: Decreases in darkness, after entity encounters, or in certain environments
• Stamina: Consumed when sprinting or performing strenuous actions
• Hunger/Thirst: Gradually increases over time, affecting health and stamina regeneration

Advanced Techniques

• Quick Turning: Press Alt + Direction for a rapid 90° turn
• Peek: Hold Alt + E to peek around corners
• Item Combining: Drag compatible items onto each other in inventory
• Distraction Throw: Hold G and click to throw small items
• Quick Heal: Press H to use equipped healing item