System reference / Oct 25 developer updates
Survivor Tiers
The announced tiers are Weak, Average and Strong. Higher tiers are more skilled and harder to convince. Build shelter structures or clear enemy camps to raise Outpost Reputation, but even enough reputation does not guarantee a Strong recruit. Before your first recruit, two Weak survivors appear nearby.
Updated 2026-10-29 · Oct 25 developer updates
Tier and starting conditions
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| Tier or condition | What is confirmed | Recruitment implication |
|---|---|---|
| Weak | Starting tier; can be found inside buildings in their areas. | Two Weak survivors appear nearby if you have recruited no one yet. |
| Average | Higher tier than Weak; more skilled. | Harder to convince than Weak. |
| Strong | Higher tier; more skilled, with stronger health and melee scaling. | May still refuse even with enough reputation. |
Raise Outpost Reputation
Structures built at your shelter and cleared enemy camps both raise reputation. Recruitment needs enough reputation; NPCs needing more reputation are tougher. The developer does not publish a points-per-structure formula or exact tier thresholds, so use the requirement shown in the conversation and your current reputation rather than a fixed invented number.
If a recruit declines
First check tier and the reputation requirement. If you have never recruited anyone, look for the two nearby Weak starting survivors. Strong survivors can decline despite enough reputation. After recruitment, NPCs level up; supply and job handling are covered in the survivor task guide.