Ashlands

Prometheus · mission.

Mission read

Locate the missing scientists and assist them in returning to safety. Run it as a mission prospect on Prometheus with a recorded difficulty of 1/4. Time allowance: 3d; payout: Easy 125 Ren + 100 Stabilized Exotics; Normal 250 Ren + 200 Stabilized Exotics; Hard 375 Ren + 300 Stabilized Exotics

Campaign position

• Prerequisite: Dispatch
• Leads to: Crisis, Ice Sheet, Composition
• Unlocks: Lava Hunter Throne, Lava Hunter Display, Lava Hunter Trophy

Where to go

Objective approach

No per-difficulty item manifest is recorded for this guide. Follow the on-screen tracker, then use the notes below to decide what to stage before committing to the final hand-in.

• Read the objective tracker after every major interaction; many ICARUS prospects reveal the next step only after the current one completes.
• Stage resources at the hand-in or build site before triggering final timers, wildlife waves, or extraction travel.
• If the guide has a manifest above, build the Hard list first when possible; it covers lower-difficulty planning and avoids under-packing.
• Keep the return route open. A finished objective still fails the run if the crew cannot safely reach the dropship or delivery pod.

Preparation

• Start with a bedroll, campfire or shelter kit, oxygen and water storage, bandages, splints, and enough food to cover the full route.
• Assign one player to navigation and one to resource accounting so the crew does not duplicate long hauls or miss a delivery line.
• Use the loadout list below as the minimum kit, then add mission-specific tools before launch.

Hazards and controls

• Severe weather / storms.: plan a countermeasure before leaving the initial safe zone; do not wait until the tracker sends you across-map.

Execution checklist

• Before drop: confirm prerequisite unlocks, mission timer, loadout, and who carries shared deployables.
• On landing: locate water, set a respawn point, and confirm the first objective marker before building a permanent base.
• Mid-run: consolidate loot and mission items at one marked cache; keep one repair kit and medical stack on each player.
• Before extract: verify every optional delivery, reward unlock, and follow-up objective is complete before leaving orbit-side cargo behind.

Source notes

Prometheus · mission.

Briefing

ASHLANDS — LOCATE THE FORWARD SCIENCE TEAM
//OPERATOR: UDA
//BIOME: Null Sector
//BACKGROUND: Investigate an uncharted area for signs of a lost research team.
//MISSION: Locate the missing scientists and assist them in returning to safety.
//TERMS: This area is unmapped, and was until recently deemed too dangerous for human traversal. Proceed with caution, the UDA takes no responsibility for contractor safety.

Objectives

• Craft a trail beacon tool
• Place a trail beacon at the entrance of the null sector
• Chain beacons to map out the area

Hints & tips

• Forecast: Pulse — periodic storm surges; plan routes and shelter accordingly
• There is no map or OEI available in the Null Sector.
• The Ashlands region has a unique environmental modifier - 500% water consumption. Therefore, bring ample water.
• Pay attention to the Signal Strength reading when placing down trail beacons - if the signal strength goes up, this means the trail beacon you placed is closer to the goal than the previous closest trail beacon.
• It may be difficult to craft up to T3 in the Lava biome you drop into. Don't be afraid to backtrack to the Grassy Plains biome to set up a T3 base.
• Recommended you bring a Sinotai Dropship Recall Beacon from the workshop or tech to T4 to make a Composite Dropship Recall Beacon before entering the Null Sector.
• In the cave leading to the Null Sector there is a wooden barricade you need to break, bring an appropriate tool to do so.
• The Null Sector you enter in this mission has very high water consumption. (+500%) You may wish to bring extra water and items to reduce water consumption.
• The Null Sector has enemies here and there, be prepared for the possibility of a few fights.
• The Null Sector has cliffs, bring materials to navigate up and down cliffs.
• The Null Sector has weather events and the temperature can range vastly. Bring an appropriate shelter in case of a weather event, maybe a Bedroll and Campfire to sleep if needed.
• To get into the Null Sector you may need to traverse lava, recommended you bring a few building materials and/or a Lava Survival Inhaler and healing.
• If you are nervous and have the station resources, you may wish to bring an Orbital Exchange Interface to help in case of an emergency.
• When mapping the Null Sector, you don't need to place a beacon every 100m until you find the Lost Outpost. If you know where you are going, you can place a beacon at the entrance, place a second one a few meters away. Pick up the second beacon and notice your Beacon Tool says "No Link". Now run to the Lost Outpost, no need to place more beacons.
• [SPOILER] When you reach the outpost, you can find 3 notes inside and the quest item recording.
  • The first note is in the entry way on a shelf behind the generator.
  • The second note is in the kitchen on the counter
  • The third note is in the hallway on the table
  • The quest item (recording) is in one of the lockers in the first bedroom