Exiles
Exiles is a branch found off the Mines on -10 or -9. They are a mini-faction first implemented in Beta-8 "Forbidden Science". They reveal hostility from Imprinter towards them and warn others not to go to Zion for fear of retaliation. The level that it is located on can be determined by the message, "Something is scanning the area" upon entering the Mines The entrance is found behind a hidden wall around the edge of the Mines map. Once the exit is found the message "No threat detected, you may enter" will display.
Layout
The layout of Exiles is constant throughout playthroughs with two exits located at the top corners of the map. Rigged engines are positioned at the entrance due to the Exiles having access to the PSU Rigger. After passing these engines you encounter 8R-AWN in an outcrop of the main path. EX-HEX is located at the entrance to the main Exiles base next to a station with the purpose of studying the Assembled. EX-BIN is located above this next to the FarCom Aligner and below the vault. At the bottom left of the map is the ‘Gauntlet’ in which multiple bots are at workstations presumably to test new prototypes. Above the Gauntlet is EX-DEC in a workstation while the noticeboard is just above DEC’s station. Throughout the map, you can find inventory and matter storage as well as haulers.
Farcom
Once aligned to the Exiles through the Farcom aligner you will gain access to the scanning network. This is activated once you re-enter the main complex floors. It provides hostile robot scanning to a distance of 20 which is the same as a lrn. Sensor Array. This scanning only works while inside the 0b10 complex, i.e. not in the caves, and will only detect Unaware.
Consequences
The first consequence found after aligning with the Exiles is discovered upon reaching Zion. When you meet the Imprinter with Farcom she gives the dialogue, ‘Here I was just about to greet a new specimen to our ranks, but no. / I can sense their tech three caves away. Get out of here before I'm forced to do something you'll regret.’ This hostile reception is heavily implied through the records within exiles. If you attempt to imprint it will cause Imprinter and the rest other Zionites to become hostile and begin attacking you.
The major design choice to balance the choice of taking Farcom is discovered once you reach the Research floors of the complex. Entering a Research branch like Testing or Quarantine the complex will detect the transmissions which allows the detection of hostiles through Farcom and cause maximum security to be initiated to eliminate the threat.
Taking more than one prototype from the vault will cause the Exiles to send Master Thief’s after you within cave branches. They will also remove your ability to receive Farcom transmissions. This will also happen if you attack any of the Exiles or damage any of their machinery. Attacking them also provides a chance of a Hero of Zion spawning to help protect the Exiles.
Scenarios
There is currently 4 variation of Exiles:
Normal
This is the default version of Exiles where nothing of importance happens, you can get Farcom and the prototypes in this scenario.
The Complex attacks
During your visit to Exiles, 0b10 has the chance to attack. During this, all of the inhabitants will escape through the north-west exit into the Mines while 8R-AWN will hang back to cover the retreat. Once you exit one of the tinkerers will leave with you.
The Complex has already attacked
The attack on Exiles is evident in this scenario as much of the machinery is damaged and the usually rigged engines found on the ground are no longer there. The vault is intact and the passcode to get in is \\1234 as joked about in the regular dialogue with EX-BIN.
Abandoned
The abandoned base has the same layout as normal except all inhabitants, including the assembled are gone. The terminal records have all changed to say that they have escaped to Skylab and not to try and find them
Prototypes and Dialogue
For a list of Prototypes:
For all the dialogue:
Trivia
- BIN, HEX and DEC are likely references to the computer languages; Binary, Hexadecimal and decimal respectively
- The names of all the tinkerers in the Gauntlet are references to many of the active players
- The Exiles seem to have a good relationship with Warlord and multiple Heroes Of Zion despite the strained relationship with Imprinter