Barotrauma: The Orca Deposition: Everything You Need to Know Before the Hull Breaches

Welcome to the Orca, the Europa equivalent of a "reliable mid-size sedan" if that sedan were made of rusted tin, submerged in a pressurized abyss, and constantly being chewed on by prehistoric space-shrimps. The Orca is a Tier 1 Scout submarine. It’s sleek, it’s fast, and it features a massive observation deck on the upper hull that ensures your crew has a front-row seat to the exact moment a Crawler decides to breach the glass and eat everyone's face. As your gaming counsel and fellow trauma-survivor, I have prepared 15 tips to help you navigate the fine line between "Successful Mission" and "Class-Action Wrongful Death Suit."

 

1. The Upper Deck Observation Hazard:

The upper deck features a lovely panoramic window that offers a majestic view of the crushing dark. Unfortunately, it has the structural integrity of a wet paper towel against a Hammerhead's skull and is the first place to flood during encounter. I recommend not keeping your favorite crew members in the upper lounge unless you want to turn them into high-pressure chum. 

2. The Retention of Counsel Clause:

Before embarking, ensure your Engineer has signed the "High-Voltage Indemnity Form" regarding the reactor's tendency to arc. Legally speaking, if they are vaporized because you forgot to wire the batteries, it is classified as an "Unforeseen Mechanical Event" rather than criminal negligence. If they survive, they are prohibited from filing a grievance until they’ve finished repairing the junction boxes and stabilized the power output.

3. Mind the Blind Spot:

The Orca has a notorious blind spot on its underbelly toward the front-nose area where the guns cannot reach. If you hear scratching from below, it is definitely not "the hull settling" or "sea spirits" calling your name. It is a Mudraptor that has filed a claim for squatter's rights on your hull and needs to be evicted with a coilgun.

4. The Discharge Coil is Your Best Friend:

The Orca comes equipped with an Electrical Discharge Coil located near the bottom-right of the vessel. This is your primary tool for reminding boarders that "Trespassers will be electrocuted, then prosecuted." It is also a fantastic way to accidentally shock your own divers if they are returning to the airlock at the wrong time.

5. Battery Stealth Mode:

You can toggle the ship's batteries to run the engines in silent mode for short durations. This is perfect for sneaking past Abyss creatures that could swallow the submarine whole without a second thought. It is also excellent for turning off the lights and whispering "I see you" over the radio to terrify the new Assistant.

6. The Fabricator Room Flood:

The Fabricator room is deceptively large and is serviced by a single, overworked pump that struggles with heavy inflow. If you spring a leak here, you aren't just an Engineer anymore, you are a professional deep-sea diver. Ensure the door stays shut, or the entire aft section of the submarine will become a swimming pool for monsters.

7. Junction Box Juggling:

The Orca's junction boxes are prone to spontaneous combustion if the Captain touches the throttle too aggressively. Treat these boxes like a toddler holding a metal fork near an outlet, never leave them unsupervised for more than thirty seconds. If you see smoke, it’s not a feature, it’s an urgent request for a screwdriver and/or fire extinguisher.

8. Depth Charge Etiquette:

You are equipped with a depth charge tube that can be a literal lifesaver during a pursuit. Dropping a decoy is the only "get out of jail free card" you have when a Bone Thresher decides it likes your paint job. Dropping a nuclear depth charge on a single, confused Crawler is considered "standard gamer procedure" and is highly encouraged.

9. The Fire Extinguisher Tax:

There are only four fire extinguishers on board, and they tend to disappear exactly when the reactor starts melting. If you find one empty, the last person to use it is legally required to be thrown out the airlock without a suit. Note that this specific maritime law may not hold up in a formal court, but it works wonders for the crew's morale.

10. Navigation vs. Gunnery:

The Navigation terminal and the Gunnery compartment are located in the same room for "maximum coordination." This design choice allows the Captain to scream at the Gunners in person rather than relying on the radio. It significantly improves operational efficiency and the volume of local verbal abuse.

11. The "Stupid Wall" Policy:

There is a structural wall separating the bottom levels that forces you to go up and around to reach the aft section. While this seems like a massive design flaw, the manufacturer insists it is a "mandatory cardio" feature for the crew. Navigating this during a flood is the leading cause of "accidental" drowning among Security officers.

12. Medical Fabricator Access:

The Orca is lucky enough to have a built-in medical fabricator for all your chemical needs. This means you can craft your own Morphine and Fentanyl whenever the crushing weight of Europa gets too heavy. Please remember that "Self-Medicating" is only legally protected if the Doctor is currently being eaten by a Thresher.

13. Upgrade the Engine First:

The Orca is a Scout class vessel, which means its primary defense is simply not being there when the monster bites. If you aren't moving at 20+ km/h, you are just a very expensive, very buoyant metal coffin. Spend your first few marks on engine upgrades to ensure you stay ahead of the "lawsuit-inducing" predators.

14. The Diving Suit Hoard:

Always keep the diving suit lockers fully stocked with tanks and masks at all times. A crewman found without a suit during a hull breach is technically "abandoned property" and can be safely ignored. It is the responsibility of the individual to breathe, not the responsibility of the Captain to provide air.

15. The Breach of Peace Protocol:

Crashing into the station at 15 km/h is not officially recognized as "Docking" by the Europa Coalition. It is technically classified as "Aggressive Urban Renewal" and will result in heavy fines. Use the docking alignment display, or prepare to explain to the station manager why his lobby now has a submarine in it.

Orca Trivia

Speed Demon: Despite being a Tier 1, a fully upgraded Orca can outrun most early-game monsters, making it the perfect getaway vehicle for your various cosmic crimes.

The "V" Shape: The Orca’s distinct profile is often compared to a whale, which is ironic because real whales don't usually explode when they bump into a pebble.

The Decoy King: It is one of the few Tier 1 submarines that prioritizes a Depth Charge tube, encouraging a "Stealth" gameplay style that usually just involves running away while crying.