My general advice for Depot A is:
- The map north of the only above ground map with muties (muties not mutants) is the hardest one. Do not attempt to clear it via the southern entrance, i.e. the one that connects to the map with muties. Unlock the second underground map, then enter the hard map via the ladder that leads to the building in the northwest of that map, this is the easiest approach, as some enemies may not be drawn to the fight, and it will take them longer to reach you if they are, though you can also skip this map entirely by taking this route too.
- If you have the chemistry and tailoring to craft mutant dog leather armor then do so, failing that explore the Under Passages and those sections of Lower Underrail and the Upper Caves that you have access to, I have found at least one mutant dog leather armor without fail any time I do this, as well as other useful loot you can potentially use directly or in crafting. Quite a large area can be accessed before returning the Armadillo Drill parts, so if you take the time to explore it you can can gain another level or so to help you out with Depot A.
- If you're using guns then use HP rounds, both mutant dogs and mutants have no mechanical resistance so this is a straight 40% increase in your damage output.
- If you're engaged in melee allow dogs to live sometimes to delay a mutant reaching you, dogs are far less dangerous in melee as they deal less damage and part of it is Acid damage, which is reduced significantly by Mutant Dog Leather Armor, mutant's melee damage is all physical and significantly heavier than that of the mutant dogs.