Manual: Why You Need This Terminal
Listen up, intern. The Company doesn't care if you can't do math. They just care about the quota. Most crews die not because of the Coil-Heads, but because they suck at logistics. They sell too early, they miss the Overtime Bonus by $5, and then they can't afford a ticket to Titan. Game over.
This Lethal Company Calculator handles the boring math so you can focus on avoiding run-ending mistakes caused by Bracken encounters.
Calculates exactly how much money The Company steals from you if you sell on Day 1 or 2. Don't let Jeb rip you off.
Predicts your exact cash bonus. Know if you can afford Jetpacks before you leave the moon surface.
Automatically checks if your profit covers the $700 ticket to Titan. Stop flying blind into Tier 3 moons.
What this terminal calculates
- • Optimal sell amount based on quota and days remaining
- • Expected overtime bonus from surplus scrap
- • Affordability check for paid moons (Titan, Rend, Artifice)
- • Risk-aware sell timing to avoid early value loss
Results update instantly when inputs change. Calculations are based on current in-game mechanics.
Understanding The "Death Curve"
Many new employees think: "The quota is 130. I have 130. I sell 130."
This is how most runs fail by Quota 3.
The quota doesn't scale linearly; it scales roughly quadratically. By the time you hit Quota 5 or 6, you will need thousands of credits. If you don't build a massive bank of surplus cash during the easy early quotas, you will fail when the number spikes.
⚠️ THE GOLDEN RULE:
Never sell everything unless it's the last day. Always aim to hoard items on your ship floor. Your ship is a savings account. Only withdraw (sell) what you strictly need to meet the quota + buy essential gear.
Asset Recovery Protocol: Selling Guide
The "Buying Rate" Scam
I see new players do this every day. You land, you have 3 days left, and you immediately sell everything. You are throwing away money. The Company intentionally suppresses scrap value until the deadline to force you to hold onto loot (and risk losing it).
| Days Remaining | Buying Rate | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Days Left | 30% | Do Not Sell. (Unless desperate for a flashlight) |
| 2 Days Left | ~53% | Still a scam. Hold. |
| 1 Day Left | ~77% | Acceptable only if team is dying repeatedly. |
| 0 Days (Deadline) | 100% | The only day that matters. |
The "Overtime" Math (Affording Titan)
The secret to high-quota runs is the Overtime Bonus. The formula is simple:
(Total Scrap Sold - Current Quota) / 5.
Example: Quota is 130. You have 500 in loot. Don't just sell 130. Sell ALL 500. Your surplus is 370. Your bonus is $74. That extra cash adds up fast and pays for your trip to the Tier S moons.
Loot Analysis: Trash vs. Treasure
Not all scrap is created equal. Your inventory space is limited (4 slots), and your stamina drains faster when carrying heavy items. You need to prioritize Value per Pound.
🏆 S-Tier (Always Take)
- Gold Bar ~$156 / 77lb
- Cash Register ~$120 / 84lb
- Fancy Lamp ~$94 / Two-Handed
- *Note: Lamps are two-handed but emit light, saving a flashlight slot.
🗑️ F-Tier (Leave Behind)
- Large Axle ~$45 / Heavy
- V-Type Engine ~$38 / Heavy
- Plastic Fish ~$30 / No value
- *Only take these if you have a full crew and empty slots. They slow you down too much.
Routing Guide: Where to Die
Once you have money, you need to spend it on better moons. The free moons (Experimentation, Assurance, Vow) have terrible loot density and low scrap caps.
Titan Cost: $700
The Meta Pick. It has the highest scrap potential in the game. The entrance is right next to the ship (up the long stairs), making loot transfer incredibly fast.
Risk: The exterior is tiny. If an Eyeless Dog or Forest Giant spawns, there is nowhere to hide. The stairs are a high-risk choke point that often causes run wipes. .
Rend Cost: $550
The Mansion Map. Instead of the industrial facility, you get a mansion. The loot is high value.
Risk: Constant blizzard. You can't see anything. You need to follow the lights to the entrance. If you get lost, you freeze or get eaten.Also: Nutcrackers spawn here (source of rare high-value equipment drops).
Artifice Cost: $1500
The Secret Moon. Unlocked later in your run. It has immense loot but contains Old Birds (giant mechs).
Strategy: Only go here if you are overflowing with cash and have a Jetpack crew.