As a lifelong gamer and horror aficionado, I was eagerly anticipating Striking Distance Studios‘ The Callisto Protocol from the moment it was announced. The latest creation from Dead Space co-creator Glen Schofield, this spiritual successor promised brutal survival horror action set on Jupiter‘s moon. It delivered spectacularly.
One of the most vital aspects of mastering the horror gauntlet is understanding your full arsenal inside and out. Especially since ammo and weapon slots are scarce, while mutated horrors seem endless on the infested moon of Callisto.
In this guide, I‘ll provide a complete breakdown of all nine discoverable weapons detailing their stats, ideal use cases, upgrade capabilities, and how to unleash maximum carnage with each. I‘ve played through the full campaign multiple times experimenting extensively with loadouts – consider me your Callisto arms expert.
Melee Mayhem Makers
Callisto protocol grants players a couple instruments of melee mayhem. While risky getting up close and personal, these weapons deliver oh so satisfying dismemberment.
Shiv
- Damage: Low
- Ideal Targets: Basic Biophages, Stealth Kills, Security Systems
- Upgrade Highlight: N/A
- Where to Get It: Chapter 2 from Elias
The Shiv is an early game slicing and dicing tool. As a razor sharp piece of metal jammed onto a handle, its quick slash attack severs limbs easily but deals low damage to heavily mutated creatures.
I found the Shiv extremely useful early on for stealth killing lone Biophages. Sneaking up behind those flesh bags and jamming the shiv into their temple saves ammo. It‘s also helpful if you need to hack security systems but forgot the access tuner.
By mid game, the shiv becomes less reliable as foes grow deadlier and heavily armored. But it‘s still handy to have on your back even later on. Nothing more satisfying than plunging it into the back of an unaware lurker‘s soft, veiny skull when given the chance.
Upgrade Details:
- The Shiv has no upgrade options, but remains handy as a backup slicing tool.
Stun Baton
- Damage: Medium
- Ideal Targets: All non-armored enemies
- Upgrade Highlights:
- Resonator Module – Increased damage
- Non-Lethal Discharger – Knockback attack
- Where to Get It: Chapter 2 off dead guard
Once you acquire the Stun Baton, it can easily become a constantly equipped crutch given its versatility. The electrified end shocks fleshy mutants while doubling as a melee shield alternative to block attacks. It also knocks back nearby enemies with an Area of Effect (AOE) discharge.
I tended to whip out the stun baton whenever I got cornered or swarmed by packs of clawing creatures. Jamming it into the nearest miscreant while holding attack unleashes a violent barrage of zapping blows that sends them reeling.
During more intense battles, the shield functionality is great for blocking a pounce attack before countering a Biophage‘s exposed backside as it recoils from bouncing off the stun baton guard.
Upgrade Details:
- Resonator Module – Boosts stun baton damage by 50%. Must have upgrade!
- Non-Lethal Discharger – Adds ability to manually trigger a 360 degree AOE electric wave knocking back nearby enemies. Extremely helpful crowd control upgrade.
Axe
- Damage: High
- Ideal Targets: Armored enemies
- Upgrade Highlights: Increased damage, charge attack
- Where to Get It: Found in later stages (Chapter 4+)
The Axe serves as a heavier duty melee tool better suited to dealing with the more resilient creatures encountered from mid game onward.
The sweeping combo slashes are slower than the rapid stun baton, but deal far heavier damage able to penetrate armored hide. It‘s especially handy against the security response teams in armor you face in the prison.
A couple charged up, well-aimed swings of this brutal cleaver severs even the meatiest biomutant limb from torso. It‘s extremely ammo efficient, albeit risky getting so intimate with Callisto‘s horrors.
Upgrade Details:
- Kinetic Accelerator – Charge attacks do 50% more damage at the cost of longer charge time. Must have to maximize chopping power!
- Osmotic Amplifier – Overall +25% damage increase to base, combo, and charge attacks. What‘s not to love?
Gravitational Malice – The GRP Glove
One of the most creativity fun weapons in the arsenal is the Gravitation Redistribution Projector (GRP) Glove. Using high tech gravity manipulation, it turns objects in the environment – or enemies themselves – into dangerous projectiles without expending traditional ammo.
- Damage: Indirect (depends on objects hurled)
- Ideal Targets: All
- Upgrade Highlights:
- Increased object mass limit
- Quicker recharge rate
- Where to Get It: Chapter 3 in Med Bay
I used GRP heavily in arena style areas littered with debris and explosive barrels/canisters. Hurling those dangerous hunks of metal using gravitation force conserves precious traditional ammo while sowing chaos.
Even severed limbs of downed enemies become handy projectile weapons! The GRP glove grabs them with inexorable force to be tossed back at their mutated former host‘s gang. It also has great utility for pulling items from dangerous areas safely to your inventory.
The main constraints are battery life and mass limitations. But upgrading the GRP glove improves duration, decreases recharge time substantially, and allows lifting heavier objects to inflict more carnage.
This creative gadget adds thrilling diversity to the combat and environment interaction. The GRP glove continues shining as a uniquely devastating weapon even against the horrors of the final chapters once fully upgraded.
Pistol Powerhouses
Pistols play an important role as versatile sidearms in The Callisto Protocol‘s arms race. These firearms trade raw power for stability, ammo capacity, and firing rate.
Hand Cannon
- Damage: High
- Ideal Targets: Mid-tier enemies
- Upgrade Highlights:
- +4 ammo capacity
- Jericho mod (bonus limb dismember and combust chance)
- Where to Get It: Forged in Chapter 3+
Despite the bad ass name, the Hand Cannon is actually a modest semi-auto pistol packing a punch. It downs baseline Biophages swiftly with just a few shots while avoiding massive recoil or wild inaccuracy.
I leaned on it often to pick off lone mutants and small packs at mid range using the improved iron sights for clean head shots. The generous 18 round capacity after upgrading keeps you gunning far longer than break action shotguns between reloads.
If you enjoy the grizzled space marine fantasy, the Hand Cannon nicely plays that part without chewing through sniper or assault rifle ammo. It‘s a versatile early game go to for mutie destruction.
Upgrade Details:
- Ammo capacity – crucial to bump this from 6 rounds initially up to 10 at least. 18 rounds max.
- Jericho Mod – Random chance of exploding limbs off or igniting enemies. Excellent bonus damage potential from this mod.
Skunkworks Shotgun
- Damage: Extreme (close range)
- Ideal Targets: Solo tough enemies
- Upgrade Highlights: Slight ammo capacity increase
- Where to Get It: Forged in Chapter 4+
If you want to utterly paste mutants at point blank range look no further than the brutal Skunkworks shotgun pistol. Unloading this handheld powder keg into a Biophage‘s torso at spitting distance essentially liquifies them instantly.
The extremely wide pellet spread gives it essentially hit scan properties up close. But also means diminished damage rapidly at only moderate range. Plus lengthy pump action reload leaves you vulnerable.
I utilized Skunkworks as an "oh shit!" weapon for ambush attacks from lurkers and other elite enemy types with sudden sprint bursts. If something tough gets the drop on you, jam this in their facehole and melt them with the spray.
With just 4 shells per reload at max, it‘s best reserved for emergencies or mini boss damage bursts. But damn does it shine at turning baddies to chunky salsa up close!
Upgrade Details:
- +2 ammo capacity bump is the only option, and fairly meaningless. Simple but brutally powerful overall.
Shotguns: Bulldozers of Biomass
When you need raw stopping power at short to mid range, shotguns bring the pain. These potent splatter guns chew through flesh rapidly, but limit mobile shooting compared to rifles.
Riot Gun
- Damage: Extreme
- Ideal Targets: Bosses & groups in close quarters
- Upgrade Highlights:
- Flechette Rounds – shoots armor piercing charged flechettes
- Explosive Rounds – bonus explosive damage!
- Where to Get It: Chapter 5 from Dani
The Riot Gun dual wielded beast rightfully earns its moniker. With an automatic feed system, pulling the trigger unleashes a torrent of flaming buckshot rather than needing to pump betweens blasts. I found it indispensable anytime Big Daddy biomechs wandered too close for comfort.
Unloading six rapid shells point blank into the nearest brute melts health bars with a series of guttural booms. While the spread makes hitting beyond short range unreliable, it annihilates packed mobs like none other.
The Riot Gun became my go to boss slayer across multiple playthroughs. Upgrading with explosive rounds adds even more chaotic biomatter bursting joy. It‘s the perfect prescription when nasty specimens require urgent lead lobotomy.
Upgrade Details:
- Flechette Rounds: Charged dart shaped flechettes penetrate armor better
- Explosive Rounds: Self explanatory bonus fun!
Tactical Shotgun
- Damage: High
- Ideal Targets: Mid-ranged sniping of weak points
- Upgrade Highlights:
- Rifle Stock – Improved range & accuracy
- Explosive Slugs – Hefty bonus damage
- Where to Get It: Chapter 6 blueprint from hidden cache
The Tactical Shotgun is Callisto Protocol‘s more precision oriented splattergat. In exchange for wider spread pellet spray chaos the Riot Gun provides, this variant launches a concentrated slug.
The tighter projectile shot enables greater mid-range accuracy – especially once upgraded with the rifle stock for stability. By using the precision sight, I could snipe explosives barrels from surprising distance, or pop the bright orange pustule growths protruding from various elite enemy types.
Upgrading to explosive slugs adds fantastic damage on top of the already formidable piercing slugs. It can‘t match the Riot Gun‘s raw damage throughput. But offers a longer reach tactical option.
Rifle Firepower
When dealing with hordes at a distance, nothing beats the sustained firepower of an assault rifle. Their high capacity magazines hose down nightmares.
Assault Rifle
- Damage: Moderate
- Ideal Targets: Groups at mid-long range
- Upgrade Highlights:
- Homing rounds
- Improved accuracy
- Where to Get It: Chapter 7 blueprint
The Assault Rifle‘s burst fire mode helps conserve ammunition while still producing volumes of fire. Although moderate damage per shot, ripping off 20+ round bursts accurately chops down mutant mobs.
I found it extremely useful any time multiple creatures try swarming from the shadows. The 3 round bursts stunlock unpredictable dodging targets long enough to aims for vital sensor organs.
Once upgraded with homing rounds, this rifle really shreds. Rounds dynamically bending their trajectory to hit sprinting creatures neutralizes their erratic movement. The assault rifle carried me through some truly intense climactic monster closets.
Upgrade Details:
- Homing Rounds – Shots slightly alter trajectory dynamically to better hit evasive fast targets. Very powerful accuracy upgrade!
- Recoil Compensator – Reduces recoil for improved repeat shot precision.
Specialist Exterminators – Unique Weaponry
The Callisto Protocol also introduces some uniquely specialized weapons tailored to the outbreak. These non-ballistic variants bring welcome diversity to your toolkit.
MT-S.A.W Flamethrower
- Damage: Very high (over time)
- Damage Type: Fire
- Ideal Targets: Groups, armored enemies
- Upgrade Highlights:
- Increased fuel capacity
- Heat dispersion improvements
- Where to Get It: Secret side room in Chapter 3
Incinerating mutated horrors with gouts of flame rarely gets old. The MT-S.A.W (Multi-Target Saturated Attack Weapon) flamethrower absolutely toasts through mobs and armored foes alike.
The fiery stream licks multiple creatures at once dealing heavy damage over several seconds. I loved roasting tightly packed creatures then swapping to pick them off during the prolonged burning agony.
Dwindling fuel is the only limiting factor. But upgrading tank capacity and heat build up rate keeps the party going longer. If you enjoy sizzling biomechanoids to a crisp, this is the tool for you!
Upgrade Details:
- +25% Ammo Capacity – Crucial to extend fun times
- Advanced Cooling System – Reduces heat accumulation by 20% enabling longer continuous fire
Stasis Decelerator
- Damage: None (crow control)
- Ideal Targets: Hordes needing crowd control
- Upgrade Highlights:
- Increased area of effect
- Extended effect duration
- Where to Get It: Chapter 9 blueprint
When totally overwhelmed by a flash flood of slashing claws, the Stasis Decelerator rapidly tames the tide. This non-lethal energy sidearm fires a pulse temporarily slowing creature movement and attack speed by roughly 50% in the area sphere.
Those few seconds of frozen foes lets you reposition, swap weapons, line up clean shots on now stationary targets, or plain escape being pinned down by sheer numbers. It‘s incredibly helpful for crowd control kiting to whittle down mobs.
The main limitations are battery life and area of effect radius. But upgrading these weaknesses makes the Stasis Decelerator viable for nearly any hairy combat encounter the further mutant lairs you plunge into.
Recommended Loadouts
While the entire freakish menagerie across Callisto needs die in the most violent ways imaginable, different combat scenarios call for distinct tools. Here are some of my favorite weapons pairings depending on the desired focus:
Guerrilla Warfare
- Ideal Range: Medium & Close
- Loadout:
- Assault Rifle – Control groups at range
- Riot Gun – Decimate anything up close
The combination of Assault Rifle pinpoint longer burst accuracy plus the Riot Gun‘s complete devotion to utterly destroying anything in front of you meshes extremely well. With proper positioning, you dominate combat arenas. Whittle down mobs with concentrated AR rifle fire as they approach, then swap to the Riot Gun as they close distance for unrelenting destruction.
Exterminator
- Ideal Range: All ranges
- Loadout:
- Assault Rifle – All-rounder workhorse
- Stun Baton – Emergency melee & shield
Kitted out equally effectively at both close and longer ranges of engagement with the Assault Rifle‘s flexibile bullet projection plus Stun Baton for contingency melee, you are prepared for any threat. Maintain mid-range control with the AR until creatures close distance, then quickly whip out zappy cqc fun.
Tank
- Ideal Range: Extremely close
- Loadout:
- Riot Gun – Obliterate everything before you
- Axe – Contingency severing power
Maximum risk and maximum reward close quarters destroying. Completely unload with the full auto Riot Gun fury first and foremost, then switch to heavy ax chops anytime there‘s breathing room for utmost damage per second against individual targets.
Callisto Corridors Run Red
I hope this comprehensive combat guide arms you with the confidence to create carnage across Callisto‘s claustrophobic corridors. Understanding your options allows reacting procedurally to the moon‘s many horrors. Gear up with the right tools and unleash lead lobotomies with a vengeance!
Now get out there and paint the moon red – Biophage brains pop beautifully!
