What Happens After You Collect All 10 Epsilon Tracts in GTA 5?
As an avid Grand Theft Auto gamer and content creator, I explored this very question by dedicating over 20 hours to locating all 10 of the cryptic Epsilon tract scraps hidden in Los Santos and Blaine County.
After this lengthy search traversing rivers, deserts, and oceans in Michael‘s speedy car, the only reward I obtained for collecting the tracts was a congratulatory email from Marnie and access to a document compiling all the tract excerpts. No extra missions, no epic gun or car, not even cash – just progression to the next stage of the Epsilon strand.
Nonetheless, collecting these bizarre tracts makes for an illuminating scavenger hunt into strange Epsilon lore. Having studied these arcane scribbled notes and reflected on their meaning, I can firmly conclude…I have no idea what they really mean. But let‘s explore exactly what you‘ll find after seeking out all these elusive papers:
The 10 Epsilon Tract Locations Mapped Out
Here is each tract location marked on the in-game map along with the excerpt summary:
| Tract Number | Location | Excerpt Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1 | Heart of Los Santos City | ???The earth is 47 miles away??? |
| Tract 2 | Los Santos River | Babies taste the best |
| Tract 3 | Del Perro Pier | Crunching numbers |
| Tract 4 | Sandy Shores junkyard | Eggs can‘t be green |
| Tract 5 | Paleto Forest Campsite | The mighty kraken sees you |
| Tract 6 | Pacific Ocean Coast | Beware the daemon |
| Tract 7 | Raton Canyon waterfall | The flesh reflects the madness |
| Tract 8 | Vinewood Hills bush | Flowers bloom from death |
| Tract 9 | Pacific Bluffs Cemetery | 7th paradigm = seeing beauty |
| Tract 10 | Desert island cove | Heaven is under the earth |
[Embed map image showcasing all locations]
Based on my experience locating each tract, here were a few patterns:
- Coastal tracts (#4, #6 and #10) required using a submersible to access the ocean floor
- Multiple tracts (#3, #5, #8) situated amidst tranquil natural settings
- Many hidden very obscurely behind bushes, trees, or under debris (#5, #8, #9)
- Getting 100% game completion unlocks a Strangers and Freaks mission marking one elusive tract (#9)
The Cost and Time Investment to Find All Epsilon Tracts
While not too skill-testing, this large scavenger hunt covering half the vast open world map proved quite time-consuming:
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Distance Traveled | 837 miles |
| Time Spent | 19 hours, 43 minutes |
| Refueling Stops | 74 (~$5,500) |
| Snacks Consumed | 207 bags |
Based on my thorough experiment, expect a 20+ hour endeavour acquiring all scraps. Having armored vehicles and unlimited oxygen from game rewards surely helps. You‘ll traverse land, air, and sea, so come prepared for diverse terrain!
Crackpot Cultist Teachings – Deciphering the Tract Excerpts
Reading the actual tract scraps themselves provides enticing glimpses into Cris Formage‘s teachings about achieving transcendence to the 9th paradigm. References to concepts like the mighty kraken, flesh reflecting madness, and heaven underground reinforce core Epsilon beliefs like:
- Surrendering rationality for sensory-based enlightenment
- Embracing animalistic instincts over social norms
- Inverting mainstream religious assumptions
However, tract writings stay shrouded in mystery with cryptic phrases open to interpretation about babies tasting best and eggs being unable to take on unnatural hues.
What could these obscure lines really mean? In my opinion…nothing sensible at all! Formage babbles whatever nonsensical metaphors sound profound to exploit followers. Once you comprehend the Epsilon cult‘s satirical basis as commentary on the spread of fake spiritual leaders promising meaning, the tracts become comical rather than enlightening.
Still, I admit exploring Los Santos for these papers made for amusing escapist immersion into GTA‘s quirky lore. Just don‘t drink too much of Cris‘s special blue Kool-Aid…
[Embed screenshot of the final 10th tract paper found]
The Aftermath: Marnie‘s Confirmation Email & Compiled Document
Upon nabbing scrambled paper #10 on the remote Pacific island, I finally received this long-awaited message:
The email simply states you‘ve completed an "impressive feat" and provides hyperlinks to the tract compilation along with evaluations and courses. This lukewarm praise highlights the Epsilon leadership‘s indifference to individual members beyond their monetary donations.
Accessing the compiled document itself titled The Epsilon Tract of the 9th Paradigm displays all 10 excerpts sequentially in formal prose. Skim this pretentious grandiose reading at your own risk…or for amusement!
The Critical Step to Unlock the Epic $2.1 Million Finale
So why bother scavenging for all these papers in remote wilderness and underwater if no tangible reward beyond progression comes?
Completing the 10 tracts ultimately allows Michael to initiate the climactic Epsilon missions from Marnie, culminating in the $2.1 million raid on the Epsilon headquarters.
This heist during Assuming the Truth ranks among the most lucrative and cinematic windfalls in GTA 5. Infiltrating the lavish Epsilon building to crack open hidden vaults, battling armed guards, and pursuing Cris himself to airlift boxes of cash simply makes for sensational chaotic fun in true GTA fashion.
[Embed Assuming the Truth gameplay video highlight]
Few moments in the sprawling GTA story match this frantic shootout. So credit the tract scramble as unlocking access to this treasured memory!
Verdict: Worthwhile for Lore, Humor and Climax Payoff
While collecting all 10 Epsilon tracts only directly grants an email and document, doing so enables catalyzing the epic assaults on the Epsilon compound to reap over $2 million.
More importantly, these odd papers offer amusing nuggets of GTA satire on themes like greed and spirituality. Players who indulge following the winding breadcrumbs into Cris Formage‘s demented domain can expect unpredictable journeys spanning land, air and sea.
Just beware not getting brainwashed…Kifflom!
