Biomes

	Data is potentially outdated
	Last updated for version 0.11.0.9 Last mentioned in changelog 1.0.13.0 The current game version is 1.4.6.0

In Barotrauma, the region of Europa that the Player explores is broken up into several distinct environmental Biomes. Each of these Biomes contain their own unique challenges and obstacles, ranging from simple Ice Spires to clusters of highly conductive Piezo Crystals.

Europa is an Ice Moon, and its entire exterior surface is covered in a thick sheet of ice, as hard as stone and bereft of life. However, beneath that surface ice, the environment resembles an inverse oceanic trench, with the icy less-hospitable water being closest to the surface, and the warmer, more life-sustaining water being found the further down a submarine goes. This is reflected in the arrangement of biomes, with heavily inhabited but sparsely biodiverse Cold Caverns being relatively safe, and the Hydrothermal Wastes at the bottom of the crater absolutely teaming with schools of myriad aggressive fauna, but being completely devoid of human habitation.

Biomes

At present (0.13.3.11), there are 5 explorable biomes in Barotrauma, each one progressively deeper than the last.

Cold Caverns

The first Biome players will experience in a Campaign, is The Cold Caverns. This region of Europa is made up almost entirely of the marbled ice that is the moon's crust. It's very cold here, and the background marine snow is sparse, making it exceptionally dark.

The environment is composed entirely of a hardened ice, periodically lanced with towering but destructible Ice Spires that are capable of puncturing subs and causing near instantaneous flooding should a collision ensue. These Ice Spires are the only environmental hazards found within Cold Caverns that can harm a submarine, and are best navigated around or fired upon by gunner crews. They are highly detectible on active sonar when compared to the surrounding scan, and show up as obvious green streaks when pinged. Bot gunners will somewhat reliably target and destroy Ice Spires, assuming the submarine slows down to allow accurate fire.

As far as hostile encounters, single and paired Crawler are common, as well as the occasional Mudraptor. Mudraptors are fully capable of putting holes in a sub by themselves, and care should be taken when maneuvering to allow gunners clean shots. Aside from mission-related encounters, the larger beasts of Europa, such as Hammerheads and Bone threshers do not typically spawn in the Cold Caverns. Caution should be exercised however, as in passageways over 10% difficulty, Single Bone Threshers flanked by a duos of Tiger Threshers can occasionally spawn, and may prove problematic for an underprepared sub.

While hostile wildlife might not pose a significant threat to a submarine, Mudraptors and crawler packs can be both disorienting and lethal to single divers caught in open water, so exercise should still be taken when disembarking in a Dive Suit

Europan Ridge

2nd major biome in a campaign. More frequent and increasing monster spawns, and civilized locations are less frequent. Unarmored Mudraptors and Tiger Threshers will start spawning, and crawlers and spinelings are in greater groups.

Aphotic Plateau

3rd major biome in a campaign. A great variety of monsters spawn, monster spawns increased. Civilization is sporadic.

The Great Void

4th Major biome in a campaign. Civilization is not present. The levels have little to no floor. Floating rocks and Piezo Crystals spawn. Molochs, Hammerheads, Bone Threshers are common.

Hydrothermal Wastes

Final major biome in a campaign.