San Sebastian is Guts & Blackpowder's signature Peninsular campaign �?a Spanish fortress overrun by every zombie type, capped by one of the game's most memorable finales. Teams raise gunpowder barrels via capstan, breach walls with hay bales, survive Barry's lift holdout, and sacrifice one player at the winch so survivors board HMS Undaunted. This guide focuses on completion strategy: role assignments, sacrifice volunteering, and holdout fundamentals that turn chaotic pub lobbies into successful clears.
New players should finish Vardøhus Fortress first. San Sebastian cannot be soloed �?capstan mechanics require multiple operators. For segment-by-segment detail, read the full San Sebastian walkthrough. This guide emphasizes team coordination and the sacrifice decision.
Recommended Team Setup
Optimal San Sebastian lobbies run:
- Two Sappers �?capstan defense and finale holdouts
- One Surgeon �?attrition across the long map
- Remaining Infantry �?DPS and capstan labor
- One designated sacrifice volunteer for the winch
Optional Chaplain during infection modifiers. Musicians help Barry holdout reload speed if coordinated. Match loadouts to the Infantry build guide and Sapper build guide before queuing.
Opening: Fortress Exit and Gunpowder Shed
Spawn atop the hill fortress and descend toward town. Early combat introduces standard horde clearing �?prioritize Bombers at range before they reach melee clusters. Detonate the gunpowder shed, collect planks, and bridge the spike pit.
Assign two players to plank carrying while others suppress zombies on the bridge approach. Keep at least one Infantry covering rear flanks �?San Sebastian punishes teams that send everyone to objectives without a guard.
Capstan Section: Barrels and Hay Bale
The capstan is San Sebastian's core puzzle. One to four players push the revolving cylinder to raise and lower the cargo platform on the fortress exterior wall.
Step 1 �?Raise Three Gunpowder Barrels
Wind the capstan until the platform lifts three explosive barrels. Press interact to knock each barrel over, push all three against the fortress wall, then shoot them to blast a hole through stone. Coordinate operators with barrel rollers �?half-raised platforms waste time under zombie pressure.
Step 2 �?Lower and Raise the Hay Bale
Descend the lift, retrieve the hay bale, raise it again, and push through the breached wall to create a safe descent ramp. Minimum two players required: one on capstan, one pushing the bale. Solo completion is impossible by design.
Post Sappers with stakes at capstan approaches per the team protection guide. Water Buckets help if Igniters appear during later revisits.
City Progression and Barry Sequence
Fight through Donostia-San Sebastián streets toward the locked gate. Clear Shamblers methodically �?conserve grenades for the finale. Barry, a British soldier of the 5th Regiment of Foot, signals HMS Undaunted, mans a cannon, and raises the wooden escape platform while zombies assault the walls.
Survive the intensifying horde during platform ascent. Every zombie type appears. Sappers fortify the approach; Surgeons heal chip damage; Infantry deletes Runners before they reach Barry's side or yours. Wait on the platform while Barry prepares to lower it �?do not jump early.
The Sacrifice: Winch Operator
Barry's story ends when Runners ambush him and a Bomber detonates, killing Barry and blasting open grate access. With no operator, the platform stalls. One player must climb the metal grate to the winch and manually lower the platform for remaining survivors.
The sacrifice player cannot follow �?jumping down breaks their legs instantly. They face an overwhelming zombie horde in a small row area until death or until teammates escape. If at least one player reaches the boat, the sacrifice still wins the match and earns the Vos Enterrement badge.
Volunteer early if your loadout is expendable or you already have the badge. High-value one-life badge hunters pursuing Forlorn Hope should stay on the platform. Call "I take winch" in voice or text to prevent three players climbing simultaneously.
Vos Enterrement counts toward Soldier's Grace for Chaplain unlock. Farm the sacrifice once per clear if grinding badge progress �?see the achievements guide for full badge context.
Beach Holdout and Boat Escape
Survivors drop to the beach where an HMS Undaunted sailor awaits. Hold the shoreline until the rescue boat arrives �?another timed horde with the full zombie roster. Stay out of deep water; it kills instantly. Board quickly when the boat reaches shore.
The sacrifice player's fate is sealed, but the campaign completes for everyone who escapes. Franc earnings include map completion plus sacrifice bonus �?reinvest via the Francs farming guide.
Common Mistakes
- All players crowding the capstan while zombies flank from behind
- Shooting barrels before all three reach the wall
- No winch volunteer �?platform stalls while horde overwhelms
- Standing in beach water during final holdout
- Wasting grenades before Bomber-heavy finale waves
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you solo San Sebastian in Guts & Blackpowder?
No. The hay bale capstan requires at least two players, and the finale winch sacrifice needs teammates on the escape platform. Queue populated public servers with eight or more players.
Who should volunteer for the winch sacrifice?
Players who already have Forlorn Hope or expendable loadouts. Communicate early �?one volunteer prevents three players climbing the winch simultaneously.
What badge does the sacrifice player earn?
Vos Enterrement ("Your Funeral"). It counts toward Soldier's Grace for unlocking Chaplain. See the Chaplain unlock guide.
Does the sacrifice player still win the match?
Yes, if at least one teammate boards HMS Undaunted's rescue boat. The volunteer earns completion credit and Franc bonuses despite dying at the winch.