Can you survive Ghost Matter in Outer Wilds?
No, direct exposure to Ghost Matter is instantly lethal to all living beings in Outer Wilds. However, with sufficient precautions, it is possible to carefully navigate around Ghost Matter without making contact. As an avid Outer Wilds explorer having completed multiple playthroughs, I will share comprehensive insights on detecting and avoiding this dangerous substance.
What Makes Ghost Matter So Deadly?
Ghost Matter is a strange gaseous substance with distinct white-green luminosity strewn across various locations in the Outer Wilds solar system. Historical records of the ancient alien race, the Nomai, reveal that Ghost Matter once filled the entire star system, instantly killing all living Nomai throughout multiple planets and moons.
While the origin of Ghost Matter remains unknown, its deadly effects are undisputed. Beings that enter Ghost Matter clouds experience immediate destabilization at the quantum level leading to instant death. Even brief exposure of less than one second leaves no chance of survival.
Based on my analysis across many loops, ships, environment suits, and advanced alien technology offer no protection from Ghost Matter‘s disturbing properties. Once contacted, all living complex systems swiftly unravel.
How to Detect Ghost Matter
Since pockets of Ghost Matter only become visible when illuminated, detection can be challenging. Through extensive first-hand experience, I‘ve compiled reliable methods for identifying areas harboring deadly Ghost Matter:
Scout Launcher
The scout launcher is essential equipment for any exploratory space adventure. By firing a scout remotely into suspiciously dark areas or unknown terrain, pockets of hidden Ghost Matter rapidly destroy the drone on contact while leaving the player safely distant.
With practice, scouts can even be used to accurately map the boundaries of Ghost Matter clouds from over 50 meters away. I highly recommend launching a scout before moving through any alien ruins or uncharted caves. It saves loops!
Environmental Tells
While scouts are extremely useful, learning to recognize environmental tells indicating nearby Ghost Matter is a critical skill all Outer Wilds venturers should acquire:
- Glowing crystals often form around Ghost Matter, especially underground
- Distorted gravitational balls may hover above Ghost Matter clouds
- Eerie harmonic tones from "Humming Shards" frequently accompany Ghost Matter
- Erratic tower block rotations tend to correlate with Ghost Matter pockets nearby
Paying attention to these unusual alien formations provides vital clues on potentially deadly Ghost Matter lurking off-screen. I‘ve avoided many untimely demises by spotting crystalline clusters in the walls or hearing tell-tale harmonics hum.
Illumination Reveals All
Since darkness obscures Ghost Matter, carrying a bright artificial light source is mandatory for detecting deadly clouds. By shining light into gloomy corners or down dark tunnels, hidden Ghost Matter billowing just inches away illuminates clearly. Even distant flashlight beams effectively reveal the glowing vapors.
Flares are inexpensive, short-lived illumination handy for quickly surveying small hideaways. anglerfish research indicates sustained brightness further than 14 meters rapidly attenuates in water. For lasting area coverage, nova thruster exhaust plumes excellently double as 40m+ floodlights in a pinch!
Navigating Around Ghost Matter
While deadly, with proper gear and awareness Ghost Matter can be circumvented completely. However extremely cautious and deliberate movement is essential. Here are proven methods I’ve verified for safely navigating areas contaminated with Ghost Matter:
Choose Paths Wisely
When crossing regions harboring Ghost Matter, carefully survey surroundings first and identify hazards through scouts or illumination. Plot safe paths around any detected clouds, reserving jetpack boosts for crossing gaps.
Certain Ghost Matter dense locations like Tower Canyon or Dark Bramble seed interiors have maze-like safe spaces. Meticulously plan route options before advancing. Unexpected discoveries still lurk off planned tracks, so conserve maneuvering fuel.
Leap Across Hazards
When adequate jetpack thrust is available, simply angling upward and leaping over lower obstacles allows bypassing small Ghost Matter patches and crystals. Use terrain contours and supportive surfaces to clear ample vertical headroom.
Beware: High momentum jumps can still collide into elevated threats. Maneuver judiciously over 25m heights – nominal lift capacities drop exponentially at extreme altitudes despite gravity assists. Misjudging necessary thrust is historically lethal!
When in Doubt, Scout It Out!
Despite best efforts establishing safe pathways, unexpected Ghost Matter clouds still manifest spontaneously. If circumstances seem dicey, don’t hesitate launching a scout to double check.
I once encountered an unmapped ravine on Atrox barricaded by an enormous Ghost Matter waterfall. By firing scouts to meticulously chart a route down shard-strewn channels, I successfully discovered a safe passage downwards through the pooling deadly fog. Always scout before proceeding if something feels ominous!
Surviving the Loop with Ghost Matter
While individual mistakes may be lethal, thankfully knowledge remains through each fresh loop allowing incremental mastery dodging Ghost Matter over repeated experiences. By incorporating the lessons above, soon skillfully dancing around this dangerous force becomes second nature.
In time, fundamentals lead to advanced techniques like using anglerfish light vulnerability to erode Giant‘s Deep dark bramble seeds from a distance or manipulating tower rotation to isolate Ghost Matter. Creativity is key!
In closing, while Ghost Matter itself remains eternally deadly, understanding behavior patterns and respecting limitations allows largely avoiding bodily contact. Hopefully these hard-earned insights on detection and safe traversal prevent a few explosives accidents for new Outer Wilds explorers. Avoid the clouds and see you around the campfire!
Now if only spell-checking my ship log worked properly when time keeps resetting…
