Guides
Step-by-step beginner guides for your first night shifts at the gas station — from stocking shelves to your first doppelganger execution.
Introduction
Your first night at the gas station can feel overwhelming. These beginner guides walk you through stocking shelves, taking deliveries, and greeting customers at the counter, so you can learn the basics without losing the shift. The guide library covers every essential topic a new night-shift clerk needs to survive their first few sessions, including how to read IDs, cross-check customer details, manage monster hunts, and coordinate with co-op partners. Each guide is structured so beginners can apply the tips immediately without wading through jargon, and every page links to deeper walkthroughs for players who want to master specific mechanics.
All Guides Quick Reference
| Topic | Focus | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner Guide | Stocking shelves & first interrogation | Beginner |
| First Shift | Counter workflow & deliveries | Beginner |
| Doppelganger ID Check | Detect impostors at the counter | Intermediate |
| Weapons & Traps | Defence setup for monster hunts | Intermediate |
| Story Mode Walkthrough | All 13 shifts strategy | Advanced |
| Co-op Setup | Lobby, voice chat, roles | Beginner |
Beginner Guide Library
Beginner Guide
Stock shelves, take deliveries, and learn the night-shift workflow.
First Shift Strategy
Make the most of your opening shift to learn counter mechanics.
Doppelganger ID Check
Detect impostors with the computer cross-check workflow.
Weapons & Traps Setup
Defence loadouts for monster hunt survival.
Story Mode Walkthrough
Survive all 13 shifts with key decision notes.
Co-op Setup Guide
Lobby, voice chat, and role split for 2-3 clerks.
Core Mechanics
The night shift starts with deliveries, stocking shelves, and greeting customers at the counter. Each customer interaction becomes a detective test — read the ID, cross-check the computer system, and watch customer behaviour for hesitation or contradictions. Wrong calls bring monsters back to the station; correct calls keep the shift clean and your resources intact. The loop between detective work and survival defence is what defines every guide in this section, so each one focuses on either sharpening your reads or hardening your defence. Use the Begin Here guide to set up your workflow, then drill into the specific topics that match your weakest shifts.
Advantages
The guide library covers every essential topic a new clerk needs — first shift basics, doppelganger detection, weapons and traps, and Story Mode walkthroughs. Each guide is written for clarity so beginners can apply the tips immediately without prior knowledge of the game. Beyond the basics, the guides also cover advanced strategies for co-op role split, monster-hunt survival, and 100% achievement completion. Whether you are on your first shift or your thirtieth, the guide library shortens your learning curve and reduces the number of brutal reloads you will need.
Challenges
Some guides reference strategies from community playtests, so optimal loadouts may shift as the meta evolves. Endless Mode release in Q4 2026 will introduce new mechanics that older guides may not cover. The game is also being actively patched — multiplayer bugs and balance changes have shifted several recommended tactics since launch. Re-read the guides after each major patch, and check the Steam Community Hub for the latest consensus on late-shift strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the very first thing I should do?+
How do I avoid wasting ammo?+
Should I always check IDs?+
Quick Tips
Always check the ID first — photo, name, and details must all match the computer system before you let any customer leave. The ID check is the most reliable signal because it directly tests whether the customer is who they claim to be. Skip this step and you risk letting a doppelganger walk out, which triggers a monster hunt later in the night.
Stock shelves between customers, not during interrogations. Running out of stock mid-shift costs you time and customers, especially when monster hunts force you to abandon the counter. Use the slow moments between customers to restock from the back room so the counter stays full when the pressure ramps up during late shifts.
Listen for audio cues when monsters return to the station. The closer the cue, the less time you have to find a locker or trap spot before the hunt begins. Each monster type has a distinct audio signature, so learning the cues lets you prepare the right defence before the wave hits. This habit alone will save you from many brutal wipes.
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