Welcome to Space Station 13! This is a 2D game that takes place on a space station. It looks very basic, but the game is very complex. Almost every mob is player controlled! There are many different servers with their own style of playing. I hope this guide helps you learn how to play this amazing game!

For this guide, we'll be focusing on how to play Colonial Marines (Not to be confused with "Aliens: Colonial Marines"), a SS13 server that was inspired by the "Aliens" film and heavily coded on the "Baystation 12" codebase, which is also a SS13 server in general. This guide (as well as a few roles) may also apply to other servers, so keep in mind that not every server is the same as Colonial Marines! So don't apply your usual Security moves in other SS13 servers as opposed to this one.

Getting Started

Rules

Every server has their own set of Rules. You MUST read all of the server rules before you start playing. If you don't you're likely to get banned. Not reading the rules (just because "you know the rules" and whatnot) is NOT an excuse!

Setting up a character

At the start of your game, you'll be in the Lobby Menu. From there, you have four options to choose from. Click Setup Character to open the window for customizing your human character and setting your roles.

Name and Physical InformationOccupation ChoicesMarine GearUI CustomizationBackground InformationGame Settings

Option:	Function:
Name	Lets you change the name of your character. Many servers want your name to be realistic, but not based off something popular or something that is part of the game's lore, which includes this server. If you click (®) the name will be randomized. You may include a nickname in between your first name and last name.
Always Pick Random Name	Lets you chose if your character's name will be randomized each round.
Physical Information	Lets you choose your character's age, gender, skin colour, eyesight and body type. If you click (®) the settings will be randomized.
Age	Lets you change the age of your character. This DOES NOT change the look of your character. It's just for roleplaying.
Gender	Lets you change your character's gender between male and female.
Ethnicity	Lets you change your body colour preselected from the options in it.
Body Type	Lets you change your character's body type - Underweight, Average or Overweight. ((Unknown if it could change the look of the character))
Poor Eyesight	Lets you decide if your character requires glasses in order to see correctly or not. If you do, you'll spawn with a pair of Prescription Glasses.
Hair	Lets you change your hair type and colour.
Facial Hair	Lets you change your facial hair type and colour.
Eyes	Lets you change your eye colour.

Option:	Function:
Be Xenomorph	If selected it allows you to spawn as an alien upon round start. Additionally it allows you to join alien Larvae that are ready to burst as well as Larvae that are burrowed underground. If you're playing as an Alien for the first time, it is recommended to set all other roles to None or No.
Be Xenomorph Queen	If selected it allows you to have a chance at spawning as the alien queen upon round start. Not recommended for beginners!
Be Survivor	Allows you to have a chance at spawning as a survivor when the round starts. Not recommended for beginners!
Be Responder	Allows you to become a responder during a distress signal. Not recommended for beginners!
Be Predator	Allows you to spawn as a predator when the round starts. You must be whitelisted to play as a predator!
Be WO Commander	Allows you be spawn as the commander when the map Whiskey Outpost starts. You must be whitelisted to play as a commander!
Set Marine Role Preferences	Allows you to pick what role you play when the round starts. If you're playing as a Marine for the first time, it is recommended to set all other roles to None and Squad Marine to HIGH.

Option:	Function:
Marine Gear	Lets you choose your underwear, undershirt, backpack type and your custom loadout for your character.
Custom Loadout	Lets you pick items like berets and cigars to spawn with at the start of the round.

Option:	Function:
UI Customization	Changes the look of your in game interface.
Custom UI	While not listed directly in the setup, this changes the color and transparency of the UI. White UI is recommended.

Option:	Function:
Citizenship	Lets you change your characters citizenship e.g where you come from. This is only for roleplaying.
Religion	Lets you change your characters religion. This is only for roleplaying.
Corporate Relationship	Allows you to set your character's relationship to Weyland-Yutani. This is only for roleplaying.
Preferred Squad	Allows you to set your character's preferred squad (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta or None). This increases the chance of being spawned in that squad.
Character Records	Allows you to edit your medical, employment, and security records. This is only for roleplaying.
Character Description	Lets you describe your character's physical description in a more in-depth form. This is shown to another player when they examine your character. You do, however, have a hidden character limit while making your description.

Option:	Function:
Play Admin Midis	If enabled you will hear sounds that admins play during the round, like music or round-related noises.
Play Lobby Music	If enabled you will hear the lobby music while you're in the lobby.
Ghost Ears	Lets you chose to see all the /say dialogue in the round or only sounds in sight while you're a ghost.
Ghost Sight	Lets you *chose to see all the certain emotes (Like Bob gasps!* or /me actions) in the round or only the /me actions in sight while you're a ghost**.
Ghost Radio	Lets you chose between hearing all the radio chatter or only the radio chatter of the people near you while you're a ghost.
Ghost Hivemind	Lets you chose between hearing all the Hivemind chatter or only the Hivemind chatter of the aliens near you while you're a ghost.

Joining a Round

If a round hasn't started yet you can select "Ready Up" and you'll spawn in when the round starts.

If you join in the middle of the round and want to play as a marine you select "Join the USCM!" . When you select "Join the USCM!" you'll get a list of roles you can play. Select one and you'll spawn in.

If you join in the middle of the round and want to play as an alien select "Join the Hive!" . When you select "Join the Hive!" you'll need to wait until a larva bursts for you to play.

If you want to spectate the entire round and learn the basics while you're not playing select "Observe". When you select "Observe" you'll receive a confirmation if you wanted to join as a ghost. You cannot respawn as a Marine once you spectate the round! You can respawn, however, as an alien or other characters that might be in this round. Keep in mind that the Metagaming rule applies when repsawning as a character from a ghost.

In the Game

The Tabs

On the top right side of your screen you will see the tabs for the game.

Descriptions of what each tab does can be found in the table below:

Name Of The Button:	What it does:
Text	Hides the tabs and shows the game's logs instead.
Info	Shows the tabs on the top right corner instead of the game logs.
Wiki	Opens the Colonial Marines wiki in your internet browser.
Forum	Opens the Colonial Marines forum in your internet browser.
Rules	Opens the rules thread on the Colonial Marines forum..
Changelog	Opens the changelog. The red changelog indicates a changelog update, showing the new update of the game.
Donate	Allows you to donate money to the server, allowing your character to wear donor gear. The link is currently not functional.
Status	Shows the status of your character. Like mission time for Marines and Plasma amount for Aliens.
Lobby	Shows how many players are ready and how long until the round starts, as well as the current gamemode. (Note you will only see the Lobby tab when you're in the lobby of the game.)
Admin	Allows you to send an Adminhelp (shortened to ahelp) and see the online staff.
Debug	Allows you to fixes various bugs when encountered in the game. (Note you will only see the Debug tab if you have sufficient permission (such as being an Admin, etc) from the admins.)
Ghost	Allows you to do many things as a ghost. (Note you will only see the Ghost tab if you are dead.)
Alien	Shows you what you can currently do as an Alien. (Note you will only see the Alien tab if you're (obviously) currently playing as a Xenomorph.)
IC	Shows you what you can currently do "In Character".
OOC	Shows you what you can do "Out of Character". You can also become a ghost when you died.
Object	Shows you what you can do to various objects around or on your character.
Preferences	Allows you to enable and disable many different preferences.
Weapon	Shows you what you can do to your current weapon (Such as switching firing modes). (Note you will only see the Weapon tab if you currently have a weapon on your inventory.)

Marine Interface

This is the human interface in CM.

Green Highlighted AreaRed Highlighted AreaOrange Highlighted AreaPink Highlighted AreaPurple Highlighted AreaYellow Highlighted AreaCyan Highlighted Area

Interface:	Function:
	Toggle to open or close the clothes menu.
	This is the headgear slot, you place hats and helmets here to wear them. Helmets provide protection to your head and provide some storage slots.
	This is the eyewear slot, you place glasses, welding goggles and other optical gear here.
	This is the mask slot, you place gas masks, coifs and cigars here.
	This is the ear slot, you place radio headsets or earmuffs here. Keep your headset to listen to your Squad and locate the SL if you're lost.
	This is the jumpsuit slot, you place your marine, medical or engineering uniform here. You're going to need uniforms to wear armor and insure you're safe.
	This is the exosuit slot, you place marine armour, jackets and space suits here. Armor is essential to surviving in the field.
	This is the hand wear slot, you place latex gloves, insulated gloves and squad gloves here.
	This is the foot wear slot, you place combat boots and business shoes here. Boots increases movement speed.
	This is the exosuit storage slot, you will commonly place weapons here to store them for while you are out of combat.
	This is the identification card slot, you place your Id (Identification card) here. Always keep your ID here.
	This is the belt slot, you place belts and rigs here.
	This is the back slot, you place backpacks, satchels and other weapons here. It is recommended that you hold a satchel at your back.

Interface:	Function:
	These are your characters hands, you use these to pick up items by clicking on them. Your active hand, will be highlighted this means anything you pick up will go to this hand. To switch hands either click on the other hand, use middle mouse button or press X if you have hotkeys toggled on.

Interface:	Function:
	These are your characters pockets, you use these to store tiny items or pouches on your character.

Interface:	Function:
	This is the toggle rail flashlight button, when pressed it will toggle the rail light on your gun if you have one attached.
	This is the use unique action button, you can use this to pump a shotgun or clear a round in the chamber of your rifle or to light the flamethrower so that it can be used.
	This is the eject magazine button, you eject the magazine or shell in the gun you are holding in your active hand if you press it. Alternatively, use the one-handed gun or use the other hand to the two-handed gun to unload the magazine.
	This is the activate weapon attachment button, once clicked it will toggle any underbarrel attachment on the gun in your active hand or it will toggle the scope of the gun in your active hand (If applicable). This is also how you switch to reloading the attachment, remember to switch back to normal ammo after reloading attachment.
	This is the toggle burst fire button, once clicked it will toggle burst fire on the gun in your current active hand (If applicable).

Interface:	Function:
	This is the toggle movement button, when pressed it will toggle you to run/walk. While walking, you'll receive a moderate increase of accuracy.
	This is the intent wheel, The green square in the top left is Help intent, helping marines either with by pulling out the flames of the other character or encouraging hug, the blue square to the right is Disarm intent, disarming and shoving other characters, the yellow square below disarm intent is the Grab intent, grabbing another character (Which is the same as pulling), and finally the red intent is Harm intent, punching other characters and allows you to fire point blank. You can cycle through these intents using 1-4 with hotkey mode toggled on.
	This is the aiming target, which allows you to click on different parts of the body to aim for. If you're a Combat Marine, aim at the chest for minimal friendly fire. If you're treating a wound, aim at the wounded part and click at your character.
	This is the resist button, press this when you are on fire to stop, drop and roll or if you in a nest you can press it to start breaking out.
	This is the drop button, once clicked it will drop any item or stop pulling in your active hand.
	This is the throw button, press this when you want to throw what's in your active hand. To throw just click the throw button then click on a tile. You can also catch things if you throw toggled on. Grenades (once primed) will automatically allow you to throw, so just prime and click to a location to throw.
	This is the toggle firing mode button, press this and you'll toggle between normal firing and aimed firing. Aimed firing means if you click on someone you'll aim at them instead of firing, this then pops up with more options where you can allow them to pickup items and move about. This does not work, due to a bug.

Interface:	Function:
	This is the squad leader locator, the arrow points to where the squad leader is so you can always stay with them. The Squad Leader locator locates ever 10 seconds, so don't complain where is your SL at when you're gone.
	This is the internals button, when pressed it will toggle the between the use of internals, aka on or off. To use internals hold an oxygen tank and then equip a mask, after this toggle internals on. You're not going to use this a lot, except when you are a Medical Doctor.
	This is the the icon that shows the state of your characters health, from green with a 100% bar indicates healthy status, which is full health to crit indicates critical status, that being, almost dead. If you get to Crit, fall back and go to a medic immediately.
	This is the hunger meter for your character, it will display how hungry you are by the colour. If you're full it'll disappear, if you're hungry it will be coloured orange and grey if you ate too much. You'll start to lose movement speed once you get hungry, so try to eat some food before heading down.

Interface:	What it does:
	This section is for toggle state buttons, when pressed they will toggle the state of the item they are depicting, for example the armour box when clicked will toggle the armour light on or off.

Alien Interface

This is the alien interface.

Figure 1Figure 2Figure 3Figure 4Figure 5Figure 6Figure 7, 8 and 9Pheromones

Interface:	Function:
	These are your xenomorph hands, you use these to grab people by pulling or grabbing them (via Grab intent) or pick up facehuggers by clicking on them. To switch hands either double click on the other hand, use middle mouse button or press X if you have hotkeys toggled on. Remember, switch hands while your active hand is occupied (via Facehugger or pulling).

Interface:	Function:
	This is the resist button, to use the resist button click on it. The uses of the resist button for xenos is limited to putting yourself out when set ablaze, if the flames do not go out keep resisting to stop drop and roll to extinguish the flames.

Interface:	Function:
File:Hunt-Stalk button.png	This is the hunt/stalk button, when pressed it will toggle between Hunt (Which is running mode) and Stalk (Which makes your xenomorph walk). However, Hunters while in Stalk mode makes them partially invisible. Always keep it at Hunt mode unless if you're the Hunter.
	This is the intent wheel. Like the Human HUD, the Xenomorph HUD contains the same 4 intents, but with different actions, the green intent is Help which allows you to help other Xenos to get them up faster after being stunned. Blue intent is Disarm and when this is active you'll attempt to tackle any mob you click on. Yellow intent is Grab, this allows you to grab mobs and move them (Which takes up your current hand). Red intent is Harm, when active you'll slash any mob or object you click on (With a few exceptions). Note that you can use hotkeys to cycle through intents. Disarming/Helping other Xenomorph does not help putting out the fire.
	This is the aiming target, which allows you to click on different parts of the body to aim for when you attack something/someone. Useful if you're the Ravager or Hunter.
	This is the drop button, once clicked it will stop pulling the mob your Xenomorph grabbed on or drop the facehugger in your active hand.
	This is the throw button, press this when you want to throw what's in your active hand. To throw just click the throw button then click on a tile. Note that the xeno throw distance is about 1-2 tiles, unless you're a carrier in which case they have an ability to launch huggers vast distances using shift-click or middle mouse button.

Interface:	Function:
	This is the plasma meter, it shows how much plasma you have left in a visual form, aka if the meter is full of blue your plasma is full. To get a more accurate reading of how much plasma you have go to the status tab and it'll be displayed there.
	This is the queen locator, normally there is an arrow pointing to which way the queen is so you can always help her, when she is in need. When the Queen dies or isn't in-game there won't be an arrow there due to there being no queen. Note that when you are playing as the queen an arrow will not appear like in Figure 4.
	This is your health meter, the green acid blood empties as you take damage, note that currently the xeno players health is full.
	Clicking this will toggle on and off your ability to see in the dark as a xenomorph, useful when looking for light sources from marines or survivors.

Note all of these are xeno abilities of which are detailed on each xenomorph castes page.

Interface:	Function:
Regurgitate	To devour, grab host with Ctrl + Click or Grab intent (3 in hotkey mode) then click yourself. To stop the host getting up and run away, you can switch to an empty hand (X in hotkey mode) and keep tackling them using Disarm intent (2 in hotkey mode) when you are devouring them. Beware the devoured will die in minutes due to the lack of oxygen, being seriously injured and going into pipes will further reduce the time to less than a minute. If the devoured is armed with a knife, they can cut their way out from the inside, gibbing you in the process.
Grow Ovipositor	Grows an ovipositor from which the queen begins to passively create eggs from. Costs 700 plasma.
Screech	A wide area of effect stun, screeches upon activation. Costs 250 plasma.
Emit Pheromones	Emit one of the three Pheromones. It is advised to emit the pheromone that are not already being emitted, as pheromones don't stack. Costs 30 plasma to emit and then drains plasma while active.

Interface:	Function:
Plasma and Health Indicator	Visual indicator of the level of plasma and health a xeno has.

Interface:	Function:
Mature Xeno Icon	Visual indicator that the xeno is at the mature level in the upgrade system.
Elite Xeno Icon	Visual indicator that the xeno is at the elite level in the upgrade system.
Ancient Xeno Icon	Visual indicator that the xeno is at the ancient level in the upgrade system.

See Pheromones for the details.

Interface:	Function:
Frenzy Pheromone	Increases movement speed, tackle chance and damage from slashes.
Warding Pheromone	Grants more armor and a flat reduction on all incoming damage, can also slow and even prevent or reverse critical bleedout of affected Xenomorphs.
Recovery Pheromone	Increases health regeneration, increases plasma regeneration on weeds, reduces stun times of affected Xenomorphs.

How To Play

Movement- You move your character around with the ARROW KEYS. Alternately if you press the tab key you can enable hot keys which allows you to walk with WASD.

Interacting with People and Objects- The game mostly involves using the mouse. You can pick up objects by clicking on them and they'll go into your hand. To set them down, find a table to set them on or use drop on your HUD. You can also throw objects using throw on your HUD. You can grab people and certain objects with your grab intent. You can also hurt people using your harm intent. Advanced interactions can be learnt at the FAQ page.

How to Speak-

This is the chat bar for SS13
F3 or T if you have hotkeys on. If you don't use hotkeys, you will need to use the Chat bar below your game. If it doesn't say "Say" then click on the button that says "chat" on the right side. type your message after "Say" to talk.

Communication

File:Say window.PNG

F3 or T to talk

Use F3, T (in hotkey mode), or the chat box at the bottom of the screen (you need to type Say before your message if you use the chat box at the bottom).

To contact Marines or Aliens over a long distance you can use a radio/hivemind. Here is a list of radio keys:

Radio Channel:	Key for the channel:
Command	:v
Military Police	:p
Requisitions	:u
Medical	:m
Engineering	:e
Your squad's channel (combat headset) or Common channel (non-combat headset)	;
Alpha Squad (command headset)	:q
Bravo Squad (command headset)	:b
Charlie Squad (command headset)	:c
Delta Squad (command headset)	:d
ERT comms	:h
Alien hivemind	:a
Hellhound hivemind	:

Hotkeys

To toggle hotkey mode on/off press the Tab button. Below is a list of hotkeys which can make your everyday round of SS13 that much easier. You can also make your own key bindings and one-click multi-functions for in-game actions with Macros.

What it does:	Hotkey:
Forward	W
Left	A
Backwards	S
Right	D
Drop	Q
Equip	E
Throw	R
Say "	T
Swap Hands	X
Activate Held Object	Z/Y
Help Intent	1
Disarm intent	2
Grab Intent	3
Harm Intent	4

More Information

There are more guides to help you start your first few rounds in Colonial Marines.

The Marine Quickstart Guide and the Xeno Quickstart Guide are very helpful.

List of other guides