5 Things to Do After Beating Void Bastards

by enricofairme · Published June 1, 2019 6:52 PM · Updated February 3, 2025 1:10 PM

Escaping the Sargasso Nebula doesn’t make you a hero—it makes you lucky. Void Bastards’ true test starts now. Crush Ironman permadeath, fist-fight robots in Restriction Runs, and unlock cryptic secrets. The nebula’s meat grinder awaits your return. Strap in, bastard.

1. Conquer Restriction Runs

Unlocked after beating the game, Restriction Runs force you to play with one critical limitation. These modes test your creativity and grit:

Only Firearms: No gadgets, no bombs—just bullets. Tip: Hoard ammo for turret-heavy ships.
Only Indirect: Rely on thrown weapons (Zapperades, Bangballs) and environmental traps. Avoid close-quarters chaos.
Only Devices: Hack, heal, and deploy bots—no direct combat. Bring the BURST tool for crowd control.
Unarmed: Fists only. Pray for the “Knuckle Duster” upgrade and avoid Zecs.

Pro Tip: Only one restriction can be active per run. Experiment to find your worst nightmare.

2. Survive Ironman Mode

What It Is: Permanent death mode—no respawns, no second chances. One life to clear the nebula.
How to Win:

Plan Routes Carefully: Prioritize ships with healing stations.
Avoid High-Risk Objectives: Skip “Rescue Crew” missions unless desperate.
Upgrade Wisely: Focus on health, stealth (Chameleon), and mobility (Jetboots).

Reward: Bragging rights… and a stomach ulcer.

3. Unlock the Secret “Hard Bastard” Reward

The Ultimate Test: Beat the game in Ironman Mode on Hard Bastard difficulty (enemies hit harder, resources scarcer).
What You Get: A cryptic, game-changing unlock (spoiler-free hint: It’s not a weapon).
Strategy:

Scavenge Everything: Even junk can be traded for critical upgrades.
Abuse Stealth: Use the Chameleon tool to bypass patrols.
Rush the Ark: Avoid optional ships to minimize risk.

4. Hunt All 24 Achievements

Achievements add extra layers of challenge and replayability. Some require creative approaches and persistence.

Toughest Challenges:

“Pacifist”: Clear a ship without killing anyone. Use Zapperades and Choke Gas.
“Full House”: Have 10 clients in your roster. Die gloriously, repeatedly.
“Cheevo Hero”: Unlock all achievements. Requires 3-4 playthroughs.

Pro Tip: Some achievements (like “Monster Munch”) require specific enemy kills—grind derelict ships for spawns.

5. Pray for DLC (and Prepare)

Why It Could Happen:

The game’s roguelike structure suits expansions (new galaxies, enemies, weapons).
Developer Blue Manchu has teased “big plans” in past interviews.

What Fans Want:

New Threats: Bio-organic ships, zero-gravity zones.
Co-op Mode: Team up to loot ships with a friend.
Client Customization: Build your own deranged prisoner.

Until Then: Replay with wild client combos (e.g., Asthmatic + Hemophobic for masochists).

Void Bastards’ deranged humor and tactical chaos shine brightest after your first escape. Whether you’re fist-fighting Zecs on a “Unarmed” run or sweating through Hard Bastard Ironman, the nebula remains a gloriously unfair meat grinder. Now get back out there, you beautiful disaster—the galaxy’s worst crew needs you.

What are your 5 things to do after beating Void Bastards? Spill them in the comments!