Critical Path

Story Checklist

Early-Access main beats and required gear. Spoilers hidden by default.

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  1. 01

    Repair Lifepod & Welcome Center

    Wake on Proteus. Patch your lifepod console, scan the Welcome Center, follow Noetic Advisor prompts. Knife some Water Slugs and Pent for early hydration + food.

  2. 02

    Build the Survival Multitool, Scanner, and Flashlight

    Fabricator basics. The Multitool harvests tougher deposits; the Scanner unlocks blueprints from fragments.

    TitaniumTitaniumQuartzQuartzBasic BatteryBasic Battery
  3. 03

    Loot the Cicada Wreck (Lander Garage)

    East edge of the Lead Zone. One trip nets fragments for Bioreactor, Tadpole, Repair Tool, Processor, Rebreather, and the Room. Bring an Air Bladder for the swim home.

    ScannerScannerRepair ToolRepair Tool
  4. 04

    Scan the Spires Wrecks

    Dolerite Spires hide the High Capacity Air Tank fragment and a second Rebreather scan. Watch for Great Jaw ambushes from cracked shells.

    ScannerScanner
  5. 05

    Build the Tadpole at a Vehicle Fabricator

    Stand up a small seabase with Vehicle Fabricator. The Tadpole + Scout Ray chassis is your primary mobility for the Karakorum push.

    Vehicle FabricatorVehicle FabricatorMangalloy IngotMangalloy Ingot
  6. 06

    Cross to the Karakorum Region

    spoiler

    Route around the Sparse Plains — Collector Leviathan patrols here. Hug terrain edges. Karakorum Power Plant and Observatory Island unlock new biomes and Conduit Crystal.

    TadpoleTadpoleTadpole Depth Module Mk.1
  7. 07

    Harvest Conduit Crystal

    spoiler

    Conduit Crystal is exclusive to the Karakorum Power Plant. It gates the Bioscanner, Advanced Battery, Entangled Power Cell, Feedback Resonator, and Improved Fins.

    Tadpole Depth Module Mk.1
  8. 08

    Modify Scanner → Bioscanner

    spoiler

    Bioscanner unlocks Axum alien tech and Protean biology. Required to progress the Architect-equivalent storyline.

    Modification StationModification StationConduit CrystalConduit CrystalEnameled GlassEnameled Glass
  9. 09

    Modify Sonic Resonator → Feedback Resonator

    spoiler

    Cure Bloom Cankers from range. Required to clear infected biomes safely and stop Bloom Parasite spawns.

    Modification StationModification StationConduit CrystalConduit CrystalStrontiumStrontium
  10. 10

    Descend to Karakorum Power Plant 800m floor

    spoiler

    Deepest readily accessible EA biome. POI: Angel Comb. Co-op recommended: one pilot, one scanner.

    Tadpole Depth Module Mk.2

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