Metal Gear Survive Class Unlock Guide

Pulling vastly different elements from across the gaming universe into a crazy zombie survival experience, Metal Gear Survive hosts two different game modes focused on either single-player base building or multiplayer base defense.

In either mode, there’s primarily one main class type, with four sub-classes to unlock down the line. Every player avatar starts off as a Survivor, and will stay that way for a long time.

Several days into release, many players on the multiplayer front still haven’t even seen any other class, so if you’re wondering what’s happening on the Metal Gear Survive class front, you aren’t alone. Read on to find out what’s happening!

 
Metal Gear Survivor Class Options

Survivor Class

Just getting to the point where you can upgrade your Metal Gear Survive base class and skill set is a bit of a slog. You can’t even officially level up your Survivor class until proceeding through the tutorial missions in single player and unlocking the skill trainer, which takes a few hours at best.

In the early stages of the game, boosting Strength directly and then taking the Combat Step, Thrust Combo, and Dive Attack skills can be the most useful paths to staying alive.

Thrust Combo, in particular, is helpful for attacking at range with a spear in the beginning of the game — before upgrading to better weaponry. If you frequently get grabbed by zombies, the CQC Counter is also worth investing in to stay alive.

At launch, before unlocking the sub-classes, the Survivor class can upgrade these core attributes and skills:

Dexterity

• Two-Handed Combo: Combo attacks with two-handed weapons increases according to skill rank
• Heavy Smash: Use more powerful two-handed weapon weapon attacks
• Sprint Smash: Perform a special attack with two-handed weapons
• Stomping Ground: Perform a powerful stomping area attack
• CQC Counter: Parry a zombie attack and kick the adversary in any direction

Endurance

• Heavy Combo: Number of combo attacks with heavy weapons increases according to skill rank
• Heavy Impact: Unleash a more powerful heavy weapon weapon attack than normal
• Sprint Impact: Perform a special attack with heavy weapons
• Leg Sweep: Trip an adversary and knock them down

Vitality

• Thrust Combo: Number of combo attacks with thrust weapons increases according to skill rank
• Heavy Thrust: Unleash a more powerful thrusting weapon weapon attack than normal
• Sprint Thrust: Perform a special attack with thrusting weapons
• Foot Press: Grab an adversary and kick them in any direction
• Quick Hands: Collect resources from enemies, animals, containers, and other objects quicker

Strength

• Swing Combo: Number of combo attacks with one-handed weapons increases according to skill rank
• Heavy Swing: Unleash a more powerful one-handed attack than normal
• Sprint Swing: Perform a special attack with one-handed weapons while sprinting
• Combat Step: Perform a side-step while readying a weapon
• Dive Attack: Unleash a drop attack directly below you (can be used only when close-range weapon is equipped)

Unlocking Metal Gear Survive Classes

Even after the slog to start upgrading the Survivor, there is an even longer wait to unlock the other sub-classes — they aren’t available until you complete the campaign entirely! 

During the post-game segment, Virgil will have you hunt down Memory Boards, which unlock the four sub-classes available and grants the Ability achievement / trophy.

Your choices at this point expand to include the Assault, Jaeger (Hunter), Medic, and Scout classes. These classes are fairly self-explanatory, with Assault focusing on close range and beefing allies; Hunter focusing on long range skills such as guns and bows; Medic supporting with healing options; and Scout offering a versatile, well-rounded class option.

 Leveling up the basic Survivor class

Have you managed to unlock the extra classes in Survive yet, and what’s your favorite way to play? Let us know in the comments section! On the way to unlocking those sub-classes, be sure to take a gander at our other Metal Gear Survive guides below:

• Managing Hunger and Thirst
• Beginner’s Survival Strategy Guide