Prey (2017) is an immersive sim set aboard Talos I, a space station orbiting the Moon that's been overrun by shape-shifting alien organisms called Typhon. As Morgan Yu, you choose between human abilities and alien Typhon powers via Neuromods, fundamentally changing how you approach every encounter and puzzle. The entire station is an interconnected open world you can explore in any order, with multiple solutions to every obstacle. The GLOO Cannon alone enables dozens of creative approaches by creating platforms, blocking hazards, and immobilizing enemies.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness — factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame.
Quick Rankings
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Only Build | S | Hack every terminal, repair broken turrets as allies, throw objects and use conventional weapons. | Shotgun, GLOO Cannon, Recycler Charges, Turrets (allied) |
| Typhon Psionics Build | S | Obliterate enemies with Typhon powers, manage Psi resource carefully, avoid turrets. | Psychoscope, Psi Hypo supply, GLOO Cannon, Q-Beam |
| Engineer Build | A | Repair and deploy turrets everywhere, hack systems, let automated defenses do the fighting. | GLOO Cannon, Wrench, Turret upgrades, Recycler Charges |
| Stealth Build | A | Sneak past what you can, ambush what you can't, use Mimic Matter for creative bypasses. | Silenced Pistol, Shotgun, GLOO Cannon, Disruptor Stun Gun |
| Combat Hybrid | A | Mix conventional weapons with Typhon powers, adapt approach based on enemy type. | Shotgun, Q-Beam, Psychoscope, GLOO Cannon |
S-Tier: Human Only Build
Avoids all Typhon Neuromods, keeping turrets friendly and enabling the best ending outcomes. Focuses on Hacking, Repair, and Leverage for combat. Surprisingly powerful since Leverage lets you throw heavy objects for 100+ damage.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | GLOO Cannon | Fires expanding foam that immobilizes enemies, blocks hazards, and creates climbable platforms. |
| Core Gear | Shotgun, GLOO Cannon, Recycler Charges, Turrets (allied) | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Hacking 4, Leverage 3, Repair 3, Combat Focus 2 | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Neuromod skill trees | Neuromods split into Human (Scientist, Engineer, Security) and Typhon (Energy, Morph, Telepathy) trees. |
How to Play Human Only Build
Hack every terminal, repair broken turrets as allies, throw objects and use conventional weapons.
Avoids all Typhon Neuromods, keeping turrets friendly and enabling the best ending outcomes. Focuses on Hacking, Repair, and Leverage for combat. Surprisingly powerful since Leverage lets you throw heavy objects for 100+ damage.
What makes this role work: The synergy between GLOO Cannon and Neuromod skill trees creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like Shotgun, GLOO Cannon, Recycler Charges, Turrets (allied) amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Hacking 4, Leverage 3, Repair 3, Combat Focus 2) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
S-Tier: Typhon Psionics Build
Goes deep into Typhon powers for devastating combat abilities. Kinetic Blast one-shots most enemies, Psychoshock disables Typhon powers, and Mindjack turns enemies into allies. The cost: turrets attack you on sight and the ending is affected.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Q-Beam | Directed energy weapon that deals continuous damage in a beam. |
| Core Gear | Psychoscope, Psi Hypo supply, GLOO Cannon, Q-Beam | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Kinetic Blast 3, Psychoshock 2, Mindjack 2, Psi Pool | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | GLOO Cannon physics | The GLOO Cannon fires expanding foam that sticks to any surface. |
How to Play Typhon Psionics Build
Obliterate enemies with Typhon powers, manage Psi resource carefully, avoid turrets.
Goes deep into Typhon powers for devastating combat abilities. Kinetic Blast one-shots most enemies, Psychoshock disables Typhon powers, and Mindjack turns enemies into allies. The cost: turrets attack you on sight and the ending is affected.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Q-Beam and GLOO Cannon physics creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Psychoscope, Psi Hypo supply, GLOO Cannon, Q-Beam amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Kinetic Blast 3, Psychoshock 2, Mindjack 2, Psi Pool) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Engineer Build
Maximizes Repair and turret manipulation. Every broken turret becomes an ally, every jammed door opens, and the Fabricator produces items at reduced cost. The safest build that turns the station itself into your weapon.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Psychoscope | Head-mounted scanner that reveals Typhon weaknesses, hidden Mimics, and unlocks Typhon Neuromod abilities. |
| Core Gear | GLOO Cannon, Wrench, Turret upgrades, Recycler Charges | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Repair 3, Hacking 3, Materials Expert 2, Suit Modification 2 | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Typhon mimicry | Mimic Typhon disguise themselves as everyday objects — cups, chairs, boxes. |
How to Play Engineer Build
Repair and deploy turrets everywhere, hack systems, let automated defenses do the fighting.
Maximizes Repair and turret manipulation. Every broken turret becomes an ally, every jammed door opens, and the Fabricator produces items at reduced cost. The safest build that turns the station itself into your weapon.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Psychoscope and Typhon mimicry creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like GLOO Cannon, Wrench, Turret upgrades, Recycler Charges amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Repair 3, Hacking 3, Materials Expert 2, Suit Modification 2) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Stealth Build
Combines Sneak, Combat Focus (bullet time), and Mimic Matter for avoiding or ambushing enemies. Can bypass most encounters entirely. Combat Focus with the shotgun enables devastating ambushes against unaware Typhon.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Shotgun | High damage per shot at close range. |
| Core Gear | Silenced Pistol, Shotgun, GLOO Cannon, Disruptor Stun Gun | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Sneak 3, Combat Focus 3, Hacking 2, Mobility 2 | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | recycler economy | The Recycler machine breaks down any item into raw materials (Mineral, Synthetic, Exotic, Organic). |
How to Play Stealth Build
Sneak past what you can, ambush what you can't, use Mimic Matter for creative bypasses.
Combines Sneak, Combat Focus (bullet time), and Mimic Matter for avoiding or ambushing enemies. Can bypass most encounters entirely. Combat Focus with the shotgun enables devastating ambushes against unaware Typhon.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Shotgun and recycler economy creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Silenced Pistol, Shotgun, GLOO Cannon, Disruptor Stun Gun amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (Sneak 3, Combat Focus 3, Hacking 2, Mobility 2) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Combat Hybrid
Takes select Typhon powers (Kinetic Blast, Psychoshock) while investing in Human combat skills. A balanced fighter who can handle any encounter. The turret hostility threshold is manageable with limited Typhon investment.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Wrench | Your starting melee weapon. |
| Core Gear | Shotgun, Q-Beam, Psychoscope, GLOO Cannon | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Kinetic Blast 2, Combat Focus 2, Physician 2, Firearms 2 | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | station exploration | Talos I is a fully connected space station with multiple paths between areas. |
How to Play Combat Hybrid
Mix conventional weapons with Typhon powers, adapt approach based on enemy type.
Takes select Typhon powers (Kinetic Blast, Psychoshock) while investing in Human combat skills. A balanced fighter who can handle any encounter. The turret hostility threshold is manageable with limited Typhon investment.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Wrench and station exploration creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Shotgun, Q-Beam, Psychoscope, GLOO Cannon amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Kinetic Blast 2, Combat Focus 2, Physician 2, Firearms 2) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Typhon Psionics Build — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Human Only Build once you understand core mechanics and have access to GLOO Cannon
- Keep a Engineer Build setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Combat Hybrid for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary weapon first — it gives the biggest power spike
- Scan every new Typhon type to 100% with the Psychoscope before killing it — you only unlock their Neuromod abilities through complete scans.
- The GLOO Cannon creates permanent platforms. GLOO the outside of Talos I during spacewalks to reach any airlock, bypassing entire sections of the station.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
See our tier list for current meta rankings, or the beginner's guide if you're just getting started.
