FAQ

Find answers to common questions in Islands of Insight. Learn where to locate elusive Blueprints and Bio Formulas to aid your quest.

Welcome, Seeker! This FAQ section addresses some of the most common questions and tricky situations you might encounter during your exploration of the Islands of Insight. We'll cover everything from elusive collectibles to challenging combat scenarios and puzzle solutions.

Collectibles

I can't find the Blueprint/Bio Formula! Where are they hidden?

Blueprints and Bio Formulas are often tucked away in less obvious locations, requiring keen observation or specific puzzle solutions. Here are some common hiding spots and strategies:

• High Vantage Points: Many blueprints are found on ledges or rooftops accessible only by clever use of your Glider or by solving environmental traversal puzzles. Always look up!
• Hidden Passages: Keep an eye out for crumbling walls, overgrown entrances, or suspicious-looking rock formations. Some areas, like the "Worker's District" in the Ironclad Expanse, have destructible elements that reveal hidden rooms containing these valuable items.
• Puzzle Rewards: Completing certain logic puzzles or timed challenges will often unlock a container or activate a mechanism that reveals a Blueprint or Bio Formula. For example, the "Red Light, Green Light" puzzle in the Verdant Spire rewards a Bio Formula upon successful completion.
• Specific Enemy Drops: A select few blueprints are rare drops from elite enemies or mini-bosses. The "Autocannon Reload Optimizer" Blueprint, for instance, has a small chance to drop from Phase Ticks in the Shifting Sands.
• Katz Box Locations: Check all Katz Box locations, as some contain rare crafting components or blueprints. Refer to our "Katz Box Locations" guide for a comprehensive list.

How do I get 15 kills with the Autocannon without reloading?

This achievement, "Autocannon Ace," requires careful planning and execution. Here's how to maximize your chances:

1. Upgrade Your Autocannon: Prioritize upgrades that increase magazine capacity and reduce recoil. The "Extended Magazine Module" is crucial, and the "Recoil Stabilizer" will help you maintain accuracy.
2. Choose the Right Location: The "Worker's District" in the Ironclad Expanse is ideal due to the high density of lower-tier enemies like basic Sentinels and Drones. Avoid areas with heavily armored foes.
3. Group Enemies: Use environmental elements or your character's abilities to funnel enemies into a tight group. A well-placed "Gravity Well" or "Stasis Field" can create the perfect opportunity.
4. Aim for Headshots: Critical hits are essential for conserving ammo. Practice your aim and go for headshots whenever possible.
5. Use Augmentors: Equip Augmentors that boost weapon damage or critical hit chance, such as the "Precision Calibrator" or "Kinetic Amplifier."

Combat Challenges

Phase Ticks keep killing me! How do I deal with them?

Phase Ticks are notoriously annoying due to their erratic movement and explosive attacks. Here's a breakdown of how to counter them:

• Maintain Distance: Their primary attack is a close-range explosion. Keep your distance and engage them from afar with ranged weapons.
• Target Weak Points: Phase Ticks have a glowing core that is their critical weak point. Aim for this to quickly dispatch them.
• Use Area-of-Effect (AoE) Abilities: If multiple Phase Ticks are swarming you, an AoE ability like "Arcing Lightning" or "Concussive Blast" can clear them out efficiently.
• Stun or Slow Them: Abilities that stun or slow enemies, such as "Cryo Grenades" or the "Temporal Anchor" TMD ability, can make them easier targets.
• Defensive Augmentors: Consider equipping Augmentors that boost your "Heartiness" or "Defensive" stats, like the "Kinetic Dampener," to reduce explosion damage.

How do I get 10 Revert Bomber kills?

Revert Bombers are flying enemies that drop explosive charges. Getting 10 kills requires a specific approach:

1. Focus Fire: Revert Bombers are relatively fragile. Concentrate your fire on them as soon as they appear.
2. High Damage Output: Use weapons with high burst damage, such as the "Plasma Rifle" or "Heavy Repeater," to take them down quickly before they can deploy their bombs effectively.
3. Exploit Their Flight Path: They often follow predictable flight patterns. Anticipate their movement and lead your shots.
4. Location, Location, Location: Revert Bombers are commonly found in the "Sky Flying Tree" zone and during certain "Code Red Hunt" missions. Check the "Code Red Hunt Locations" guide for specific encounters.
5. TMD Abilities: The "TMD" has abilities like "Age Field" or "Stasis Field" that can ground or slow them, making them easier targets.

Achievements

How do I get "Mother My Brain Hurts"?

"Mother My Brain Hurts" is awarded for solving one of the game's most complex and multi-layered puzzles. This typically refers to the "Mystic Clockwork" puzzle located in the "Feather Fountain" area of the Celestial Atrium. Here's a simplified walkthrough:

1. Locate the Clockwork Mechanism: Travel to the "Feather Fountain" and find the large, ornate clockwork device.
2. Gather the Lost Gears: There are three "Lost Gears" scattered around the immediate vicinity.
   • Gear 1 (Waterwheel): Found submerged near the base of the main waterfall. You'll need to activate the nearby "Water Flow Regulator" to lower the water level.
   • Gear 2 (Hidden Alcove): Located in a small, overgrown alcove behind a crumbling wall. Use a "Sonic Pulse" ability to reveal the entrance.
   • Gear 3 (High Ledge): Perched on a high ledge accessible by a series of timed jumps across moving platforms.
3. Calibrate the Pressure Valves: Once the gears are in place, you'll need to adjust three pressure valves (marked A, B, and C) to specific settings. The clues for these settings are etched into ancient tablets found within the "Feather Fountain" area.
   • Valve A: Set to '4' (Clue: "The fourth wind whispers secrets").
   • Valve B: Set to '7' (Clue: "Seven stars align").
   • Valve C: Set to '2' (Clue: "A pair of wings takes flight").
4. Activate the Central Conduit: After the gears and valves are correctly set, interact with the central console. This will activate a series of light beams that need to be redirected using movable mirrors.
5. Mirror Alignment Puzzle: There are five "Reflective Mirrors" that need to be rotated to guide the light beams into the correct receptors. The correct alignment will cause the central mechanism to glow brightly and unlock the achievement. This often involves trial and error, but look for subtle glowing indicators on the receptors to guide your path.

How do I get "That Wheel"?

"That Wheel" is an achievement tied to a specific side quest involving a unique contraption. This refers to the "Horse Centipede Race" in the "Raining Rocks" zone. Here's how to earn it:

1. Initiate the Quest: Speak to the eccentric inventor, "Ryu Namazu Donkil," located near the starting line of the race in the "Raining Rocks" zone. He will challenge you to beat his "Horse Centipede" contraption.
2. Acquire a Racing Mount: You'll need a fast mount to compete. The "Swift Strider" mount, obtainable through the "Orienteering" side quest, is highly recommended.
3. Master the Race Course: The "Horse Centipede Race" course is treacherous, with numerous obstacles and sharp turns. Practice the course several times to learn the optimal path and avoid hazards.
4. Boost Management: Your mount has a limited boost ability. Use it strategically on straightaways and to clear gaps. Avoid wasting it on turns.
5. Beat Ryu Namazu Donkil's Time: The achievement is awarded for beating Ryu Namazu Donkil's best time, which is typically around 1 minute and 30 seconds. This may require several attempts and perfect execution.

Gameplay Mechanics

What are Augmentors and how do they work?

Augmentors are powerful modifications that enhance your character's abilities, weapons, or equipment. They are slotted into designated slots on your gear. Here's a breakdown:

• Types of Augmentors:
  • Weapon Augmentors: Enhance weapon damage, critical hit chance, fire rate, or reload speed (e.g., "Precision Calibrator," "Kinetic Amplifier").
  • Armor Augmentors: Boost defensive stats, health regeneration, or elemental resistances (e.g., "Kinetic Dampener," "Elemental Shielding").
  • Utility Augmentors: Provide various benefits like increased movement speed, resource generation, or cooldown reduction (e.g., "Energetic Core," "Stamina Regulator").
• Acquiring Augmentors:
  • Loot Drops: Augmentors can drop from defeated enemies, especially elite foes and bosses.
  • Quest Rewards: Many side quests and main story missions offer Augmentors as rewards.
  • Crafting: Some advanced Augmentors can be crafted at a "Fabrication Station" using rare materials and blueprints.
  • Vendors: Specialized vendors in major hubs occasionally sell Augmentors.
• Equipping and Upgrading:
  • Equipment Slots: Each piece of gear (weapon, helmet, chest, etc.) has a limited number of Augmentor slots.
  • Rarity: Augmentors come in different rarities (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary), with higher rarity Augmentors offering stronger bonuses.
  • Upgrading: Augmentors can be upgraded at a "Modification Bench" using "E99 Vials" and other crafting components to further enhance their effects.

What's the best way to get E99 Tech Geek?

"E99 Tech Geek" is an achievement for fully upgrading all aspects of your TMD (Temporal Manipulation Device). This is a long-term goal that requires significant investment in resources and exploration. Here's a roadmap:

1. Collect E99 Vials: These are the primary currency for TMD upgrades. They are found throughout the world, often in hidden caches, as rewards for puzzles, or dropped by specific enemies. Prioritize exploring every nook and cranny.
2. Find TMD Blueprints: Each major TMD ability and its enhancements require a specific blueprint. These are usually found in challenging areas or as rewards for completing difficult quests. For example, the "TMD Chrono-Burst Blueprint" is found after defeating the "Wind Messenger" in the "Sky Flying Tree" chapter.
3. Unlock All Core Abilities: Progress through the main story to unlock all fundamental TMD abilities like "Age Field," "Stasis Field," and "Temporal Anchor."
4. Acquire All TMD Equipment: This includes passive modules and active components that enhance your TMD. Refer to the "TMD Equipment Information" section of our guide for a complete list and their locations.
5. Max Out All Upgrades: Once you have the blueprints and E99 Vials, visit a "TMD Calibration Station" to apply all available upgrades to each ability and equipment piece. This will be a significant drain on your E99 Vials, so save them wisely.