Regions of Tephra – The Fungal Depths

New Landing Sites are now available in the Fungal Depths Region, where strange readings have been recorded in the caverns. Whether you’re looking to head out on a Free Roam Expedition to gather cave supplies or prepping for a Voidbreak Offensive, this intel should be valuable. Suit up and get ready to delve into the depths!

THE FUNGAL DEPTHS

This Region opens up Expeditions to a sprawling underground cavern system comprised of hard and rocky terrain that is slow to deform without Utility Mod upgrades. Many bioluminescent fungi and flora populate the area, which almost make up for the lack of light from the surface.

Preliminary scans have revealed landmarks that may be worth exploring. There are multiple massive spore formations around sink holes that connect the surface world to the network of natural caverns, posing a challenging climb to get out of if you were to fall in. There’s also a mysterious hovel dubbed as the Pickle Witch Hut by previous exploratory teams, but we’re unsure what that means or who the Pickle Witch is. The Shroomling Village is also of great interest, likely the source of those strange readings.

NEW MISSIONS & GEAR

Astroneers embarking on Voidbreak Offensives have new Blueprints to unlock! Those who help reestablish the Comms Relay in the Tangle will earn a Blueprint for the Air Cannon Nozzle, a significant upgrade over the Air Blast Nozzle. There are also Blueprints for the Climb Speed Mod V2 for faster climbing and the Goop Gel Mod that makes you extra bouncy when you’re Gooped up or you cross Gooped surfaces.

As for those looking to investigate the strange readings in the Fungal Depths, you stand to unlock Blueprints for the versatile Multi-Liquid Hose Nozzle (which shoots any liquid you last stood in), the Swim Speed Mod V2 for even faster swimming, and the impervious Power Shield Mod to divert all damage to your Power supply (so don't run out!).

SHROOMLING VILLAGE

There’s something eerie about this village. It’s not the first time Shroomling habitation has been found. Intrepid explorers who have delved into the depths of Tephra have already found a few dens, but nothing quite as big as this village. Shroomlings might show an interest in you if you come visit, but they’re perfectly content to just creepily stare at you. It’s the peculiar altar at the center that seems rather ominous... is it for worship?

DEEP CAVE EXPLORATION

You’ll inevitably end up delving into caverns if you come to explore the Fungal Depths, so there are a few tips spelunking Astroneers should keep in mind. As noted, the terrain can be significantly harder down here, so if you’re looking to create your own shortcuts or try to dig your own exit, you’ll need to bring a Hard Terrain Mod or the EXO Multi-Tool Amplifier.

You could find either of these Mods if you complete the Tangle’s Excavation Field Ops or unlock one of these Blueprints if you work through the Crew Members’ Missions in the Sinking Reef. Even so, some caverns can be surrounded by Undiggable Terrain, so trying to dig up a shortcut may not always be an option.

DEALING WITH HAZECAPS

One particular hazard to be wary of in the Fungal Depths is the Hazecap. Any Astroneer who has delved deep enough into the caverns of Tephra may have already run into some of these, but they’re much more abundant in this Region.

These hazards surround themselves in a dark hazy aura of spores that can bypass Astroneer suits to quickly begin slowing you down and obscuring your vision, damaging you over time. They can be lethal if you don’t step out of range or deal with them fast enough.

These effects can be prevented by getting yourself Wet, but you could also just eliminate the Hazecap through standard forms of damage, such as fire or directly digging them up. After eliminating a Hazecap, their spore effects still linger for a time, so you may want to wait a bit before crossing through. And while fire might do the job, it will also temporarily disperse the spores into an even greater area for a short time, so it’s not recommended.

SPHALERITE	MALACHITE	⠀⠀CLAY⠀⠀	⠀⠀RESIN⠀⠀	COMPOUND

AVAILABLE RESOURCES

Each Region has different Resources; some are even unique to only one Region on the whole planet. The Fungal Depths allows prospecting Astroneers to find deposits of Sphalerite, Malachite, and Clay, in addition to Resin and Compound, which are common to all Regions.

LOCAL CREATURES 

Due to the barren surface and restrictive network of hazardous underground tunnels, only a few creatures have managed to survive here. The Shroomlings are most at home here and are, in fact, thriving. Spewders have also been found nesting in this Region, especially around the spore formations that lead underground.

This is only a preliminary report of what can be found within the Fungal Depths. There’s sure to still be plenty more to discover, so gear up and venture forth! Feel the Force! 

– Honourael.