R.E.P.O. Voice Chat & Communication Guide

R.E.P.O. uses proximity-based voice chat, meaning monsters and other players can hear you based on how close you are. This makes communication both your greatest weapon and your biggest liability. This guide covers everything you need to know about talking your team to victory.

How Proximity Voice Chat Works

Range Mechanics

Distance	Audio Behavior	Monster Detection
0-3 meters	Full volume, clear audio	Monsters hear you perfectly
3-8 meters	Slightly reduced volume	Monsters can still hear you clearly
8-15 meters	Noticeably quieter	Sound-based monsters may investigate
15+ meters	Very faint, almost inaudible	Generally safe from detection
Behind walls	Muffled but audible	Monsters can hear through walls

Key Rule: If you can hear your teammate, sound-based monsters can probably hear you too.

The Whisper Mechanic

Press V (default) to toggle between normal voice and whisper mode:

Mode	Range	Monster Detection	Use Case
Normal	15 meters	Full detection	Emergency callouts, general coordination
Whisper	5 meters	Reduced detection	Stealth situations, near monsters

Important: Whispering is NOT silent. It just reduces your range and detection radius. The Stalker can still hear you if it's very close.

Essential Callouts System

The "SALUTE" Method

Professional R.E.P.O. teams use a standardized callout system. Each letter stands for a type of information:

S - Status: "I'm at 2 HP" or "I have the piano" A - Alert: "Monster spotted" or "Extraction active" L - Location: "North wing, second floor" or "Behind the red door" U - Urgent: "Abort! Run!" or "Need revive now!" T - Target: "Going for the statue" or "Extracting to main exit" E - Environment: "Lights out here" or "Found a secret room"

Standardized Callouts

Situation	Callout	Response
Monster spotted	"Monster [type], [direction], [distance]"	Acknowledge and adjust position
Going for loot	"Moving for [item], [location]"	Clear path if nearby
Need help	"Help [location], [situation]"	Move to assist if safe
Extracting	"Extracting [location] with [item]"	Cover or follow
Monster chasing	"[Monster] on me, running [direction]"	Clear path or distract
Player downed	"Down at [location], need revive"	Support moves to revive
Area clear	"[Location] is clear"	Move into area
Mission abort	"Abort, abort, abort!"	Drop items, run to extraction

Communication Protocols by Phase

Phase 1: Entry and Scouting (First 3 minutes)

Communication rules:

• Use whisper mode exclusively
• Only the Scout speaks unless there's an emergency
• Callouts should be brief: "Monster, left hall, 10 meters" not "Oh my god there's a monster in the hallway to the left about ten meters away from me and it's the scary one with the big head"
• No casual conversation - every word is a potential detection event

Phase 2: Looting (Next 3-5 minutes)

Communication rules:

• Normal voice mode is acceptable if the area is clear
• Announce item grabs: "Taking the painting from the gallery"
• Coordinate movements: "Moving to the east wing, follow me"
• Report discoveries: "Found a secret room behind the bookshelf"
• If a monster appears, immediately switch to whisper

Phase 3: Extraction (Final 2 minutes)

Communication rules:

• Return to whisper mode unless the area is completely clear
• Carrier announces: "Extracting with [item], need cover"
• Cover announces: "I'm covering [direction], clear so far"
• Emergency only: "Abort!" or "Need revive!"
• No chatter during extraction - focus on survival

Common Communication Mistakes

Mistake 1: Talking Too Much

The problem: Constant casual conversation creates noise that attracts monsters.

The fix: Establish "radio silence" during high-risk moments. Save the banter for the truck between runs.

Mistake 2: Panic Screaming

The problem: When a monster appears, players scream, which both deafens teammates and attracts more monsters.

The fix: Train yourself to say "Monster, [type], [direction]" in a calm voice. Practice in low-risk runs until it becomes automatic.

Mistake 3: Vague Directions

The problem: "It's over there" or "Behind you" are useless when everyone is moving.

The fix: Use compass directions and landmarks. "North wing, past the red door" or "Second floor, east side, near the broken window."

Mistake 4: Talking Over Each Other

The problem: Multiple people talking at once means no one is heard.

The fix: Designate a "leader" who speaks first in emergencies. Others wait for them to finish.

Mistake 5: Not Acknowledging Callouts

The problem: The Scout says "Monster, left hall" and no one responds. The Scout doesn't know if the message was received.

The fix: Use a simple acknowledgment system: "Copy" or "Roger" for received, "Moving" for action taken.

Advanced Communication Tactics

The Silent Run

For experienced teams, try a "silent run" where no one speaks unless absolutely necessary. Use the ping system (middle mouse) for basic coordination.

Benefits:

• Monsters almost never detect you from sound
• Forces players to learn the map and monster patterns
• Much higher success rate for extraction

Challenges:

• Requires experienced players who know the game well
• Emergency situations are harder to communicate
• Not recommended for beginners

The Code Word System

Teams develop code words for common situations to reduce communication time:

Code Word	Meaning
"Banana"	Abort immediately
"Apple"	Monster spotted, be careful
"Orange"	High-value item found
"Grape"	Need revive
"Peach"	Area is clear
"Cherry"	Extraction ready

This seems silly but in practice, it saves precious seconds and reduces detection risk.

The Countdown Method

For coordinated actions like distracting a monster or extracting simultaneously:

Leader: "On three. One... two... three..." [action]

This ensures everyone acts at the same time, which is critical for team tactics.

Communication Tools Beyond Voice

The Ping System (Middle Mouse)

Default ping options:

• Single ping: General attention marker
• Double ping: Danger/Monster warning
• Long press: Context menu with options like "Go here," "Look here," "Danger," "Loot"

Pro Tip: Pings are silent and don't attract monsters. Use them whenever possible instead of voice.

The Emote Wheel (Q)

Useful emotes for silent communication:

• Point: Directs attention to a specific direction
• Wave: "Come here" or "Follow me"
• Thumbs up/down: Yes/No responses
• Shrug: "I don't know" or "Not sure"

The Flashlight Signal

Turning your flashlight on and off rapidly can be used as a silent signal:

• 3 quick flashes: "Danger nearby"
• 2 slow flashes: "All clear"
• 1 flash: "I'm here" (when looking for teammates)

Communication Setup Tips

Voice Chat Settings

In the game options, adjust these settings:

• Voice Volume: 80% (so you can still hear game audio)
• Voice Activation: Push to Talk (recommended) or Voice Activation
• Voice Activation Sensitivity: If using voice activation, set it so it doesn't trigger on your breathing
• Proximity Volume: 100% (you want to hear distant teammates)

External Voice Chat

While the in-game proximity chat is immersive, many teams use Discord for general coordination:

• Discord: General strategy and between-run planning
• In-game proximity: Real-time tactical callouts during the run

Important: Don't use Discord during the run for tactical callouts - it breaks the immersion and removes the risk/reward of proximity chat.

Microphone Quality

A good microphone makes a huge difference:

• Noise cancellation: Reduces keyboard clicks and background noise
• Consistent volume: Teammates shouldn't have to adjust their volume for you
• Clear enunciation: Mumbling costs lives in emergency situations

FAQ

Can monsters hear your voice chat? Yes, in-game proximity voice chat is detected by sound-based monsters. This is a core mechanic, not a bug.

Does whispering actually make you quieter? Yes, whispering reduces your detection radius by about 50%. But it's not silent - The Stalker can still hear you if it's very close.

Can you mute specific players? Yes, through the player menu. But if you're muting teammates because they're too loud, you should probably talk to them about communication discipline.

Is text chat safe from monster detection? Text chat is completely silent and safe. But it's too slow for emergency situations.

What's the best way to learn communication? Play with the same group regularly. Communication improves dramatically when you know each other's tendencies and habits.

Summary

Communication in R.E.P.O. is a skill that can be more important than your upgrades or weapons. Learn to be concise, calm, and clear. Use whisper mode when near monsters. Develop standardized callouts. And remember: sometimes the best communication is silence.

Last Updated: July 20, 2025 | Game Version: Early Access v0.1.2