Thargoid Sensor: Difference between revisions
Corrected some grammatical errors, re-wrote some phrases with better sentencing. |
I corrected the spelling of Artefact to Artifact and Substituted a lot of the repetitive uses of UA for their full word Unknown Artifact |
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{{Quote|Only recently discovered, these mysterious | {{Quote|Only recently discovered, these mysterious artifacts currently have no designation. Despite much conjecture as to the nature of these objects, it appears that the scientific community is unwilling or unable to openly identify the artifacts' origins. Such mystery only serves to make these objects more widely sought after by wealthy individuals and organisations alike, no matter that their unidentified status automatically prohibits them from being sold on any legal market.|In-game description}} | ||
The '''Unknown | The '''Unknown Artifacts''' ('''UAs''') have been reported to look like a form of sentient life, far beyond what we humans are capable of creating. It is still unknown what the UA is meant for, some people are speculating that this is the work of [[Thargoids]], and there have been lots of other theories. It is speculated that the Unknown Artifacts and the Barnacles have been made by different races, and so Thargoids may not be their source. To date, none of these theories have been proven, it is 'exceedingly rare' and only a few pilots have been able to see one themselves, making it extremely challenging to carry out tests and theories. However, the rate at which the UAs are appearing have been rapidly increasing lately as of October 3301. In some systems, several UAs have been found within minutes of each other. | ||
Multiple groups of commanders are currently leading the effort to solve the mystery behind these objects. Unknown Artefacts are believed to have some relation to [[Alien Structure]]s (also known as "Barnacles") and [[Unknown Probe]]s. | Multiple groups of commanders are currently leading the effort to solve the mystery behind these objects. Unknown Artefacts are believed to have some relation to [[Alien Structure]]s (also known as "Barnacles") and [[Unknown Probe]]s. | ||
== What does it do? == | == What does it do? == | ||
As far as current tests and analysis show, it appears that the | As far as current tests and analysis show, it appears that the Unknown Artifact performs some kind of scan of the closest celestial object or station and then sends out (chittering) sounds which are a highly distorted [[Wikipedia:Morse code|Morse code]] which represents that body.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=175726&p=2701750&viewfull=1#post2701750 UA Mystery Thread 3: The Canonn], Arcanonn, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-08-16, 19:58</ref> In 1.4, the UA will scan all ships within 1 kilometre and is confirmed to point and align itself to Merope, a star system in the Pleiades Nebula that has been linked with Thargoid activity in Elite lore. Recordings and decoding of the UA also show that it produces a basic line drawing of the ship it scans, much like how the ships are displayed in the original Elite. | ||
== Features == | == Features == | ||
It seems probable that the | It seems probable that the Unknown Artifact is non-human in origin, and was first discovered some 720 years ago (see 2280s entry in the Timeline below), although at the start of the Elite Dangerous game (3300) its origins are still unknown. | ||
However, the following aspects have been tested and are known:[[File:Elite Dangerous UA Features|thumb|right|335 px]] | However, the following aspects have been tested and are known:[[File:Elite Dangerous UA Features|thumb|right|335 px]] | ||
*In terms of size, it is roughly the same size as a human, and not much bigger. | *In terms of size, it is roughly the same size as a human, and not much bigger. | ||
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**The stalk or spine: seems to have four parts and also lights up with the whale noise | **The stalk or spine: seems to have four parts and also lights up with the whale noise | ||
**The pods or capsules - There's not much information on these except they are twelve. | **The pods or capsules - There's not much information on these except they are twelve. | ||
*When close to it you can clearly see it sending off a distortion field of some kind with shimmering sparks and some sort of green or purple gas covering the entire area. However ,in the debug camera you can get close enough to the point where the field isn't in the way and you can get a clear view of the UA. | *When close to it you can clearly see it sending off a distortion field of some kind with shimmering sparks and some sort of green or purple gas covering the entire area. However, in the debug camera you can get close enough to the point where the field isn't in the way and you can get a clear view of the UA. | ||
*You can hear the sounds it gives off best when closest. You can hear a whale sound (honk/wail), followed by chittering and purring. | *You can hear the sounds it gives off best when closest. You can hear a whale sound (honk/wail), followed by chittering and purring. | ||
**Honk/wail: There seem to be two types, these alternate through the UA deployment | **Honk/wail: There seem to be two types, these alternate through the UA deployment | ||
**Chittering: Has been found to be a garbled Morse code, tapping out the name of the closest celestial body or station. The purpose, if there is one, of the other sounds are yet to be determined. | **Chittering: Has been found to be a garbled Morse code, tapping out the name of the closest celestial body or station. The purpose, if there is one, of the other sounds are yet to be determined. | ||
**Purrs: There seems to be two types, a low and a high purr. The low purr seems to stay the same through the deployment while the high purr increases in pitch inverse proportionally to the integrity of the | **Purrs: There seems to be two types, a low and a high purr. The low purr seems to stay the same through the deployment while the high purr increases in pitch inverse proportionally to the integrity of the Artifact.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=175726&p=2702300&viewfull=1#post2702300 UA Mystery Thread 3: The Canonn], bitstorm, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-08-16 20:34 GMT</ref> With a degrading UA the pitch will slowly increase until the UA is scooped or decays. With an non-degrading 100% UA, the high purr will not change in pitch. | ||
*While inside your ship's cargo hold the | *While inside your ship's cargo hold the Unknown Artifact acts like [[Toxic Waste]] by doing corrosion damage to ALL your ship modules once every so often at random. This has caused Commanders to lose their UAs while in supercruise, as their cargo hatch decayed enough to open. In the upcoming Engineers update, (Horizons only), one engineer has been confirmed to produce Corrosion Resistant cargo racks for transport of the UAs. | ||
*They can be shot e.g. by pulse laser to produce Unknown Fragment (each scooped canister contains 3 fragments). Collect 25 units of Unknown Fragments to unlock Professor Palin (engineer). | *They can be shot e.g. by pulse laser to produce Unknown Fragment (each scooped canister contains 3 fragments). Collect 25 units of Unknown Fragments to unlock Professor Palin (engineer). | ||
*They are illegal salvage, so if you have it in your ship and a NPC System Authority scans you, you get a fine of 55,000cr. If stolen, your fine jumps to at least 161,000cr. | *They are illegal salvage, so if you have it in your ship and a NPC System Authority scans you, you get a fine of 55,000cr. If stolen, your fine jumps to at least 161,000cr. | ||
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*The UA 'Spores' or 'glitter' don't appear to do any damage. | *The UA 'Spores' or 'glitter' don't appear to do any damage. | ||
* Occasionally they 'explode' sending a cloud of particulates out around them. Extremely slowed down video reveals a strange graphical glitch when this happens (or a tear in the space time continuum, similar to that seen when in frame shift jumping) | * Occasionally they 'explode' sending a cloud of particulates out around them. Extremely slowed down video reveals a strange graphical glitch when this happens (or a tear in the space time continuum, similar to that seen when in frame shift jumping) | ||
* Having a refinery fitted with a | * Having a refinery fitted with a Unknown Artifact in the hold does nothing. | ||
* No new missions or contacts appear with one in the hold. | * No new missions or contacts appear with one in the hold. | ||
* They are quite delicate and behave similarly to normal canisters in some ways. | * They are quite delicate and behave similarly to normal canisters in some ways. | ||
** They degrade over time in space (when ejected) and have a life span of about 5 minutes max outside the ship, but reset to 100% health when back inside the cargo hold. | ** They degrade over time in space (when ejected) and have a life span of about 5 minutes max outside the ship, but reset to 100% health when back inside the cargo hold. | ||
== Finding them == | == Finding them == | ||
One could originally find Unknown | One could originally find Unknown Artifacts in [[System Signal Sources|Strong Signal Sources]]. As of 2.1, they're detectable in [http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Unidentified_Signal_Source Unidentified Signal Sources] as a Threat 4 Anomaly. There are several systems (see below) where they spawn, Timocani and 109 Virginis are the two systems where they have most recently been found and [[Michael Brookes]] has stated that they are 'exceedingly rare' and that they are only available in certain regions of the galaxy,<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141038&page=71&p=2179457#post2179457 Soontill Relics, the Regor Permit Sector and DB's cryptic hints....], Michael Brookes, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-05-02 10:28 GMT</ref> which would suggest that they are in other systems too. Since v1.3 the number of Unknown Artifact discoveries were low but as of August they seem to have increased significantly. | ||
CMDR Wishblend, one of the original UA finders, gives this advice: | CMDR Wishblend, one of the original UA finders, gives this advice: | ||
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What you are looking for is one Type 9 Transport being escorted by a few anacondas. Sometimes there are two, sometimes four and sometimes there are other ships as well. The main tell is this: if you have a Type 9 being escorted by Anacondas, check the local chat window. If it is correct then the Type 9 and the Anacondas will be talking to each other about systems malfunctioning.|CMDR Wishblend}} | What you are looking for is one Type 9 Transport being escorted by a few anacondas. Sometimes there are two, sometimes four and sometimes there are other ships as well. The main tell is this: if you have a Type 9 being escorted by Anacondas, check the local chat window. If it is correct then the Type 9 and the Anacondas will be talking to each other about systems malfunctioning.|CMDR Wishblend}} | ||
There are at least | There are at least three known Strong Signal Source instances that contain UA's. | ||
The first kind is made up of numerous ships and includes a Vulture, two Anacondas, the Type-9 and other ships. If you get this one, bear in mind that the Type-9 will probably charge its FSD and jump out of the system on its own. You can either choose to follow it (using a wake scanner) or attack it. | The first kind is made up of numerous ships and includes a Vulture, two Anacondas, the Type-9 and other ships. If you get this one, bear in mind that the Type-9 will probably charge its FSD and jump out of the system on its own. You can either choose to follow it (using a wake scanner) or attack it. | ||
[[File:Ua-convoyA.jpg|thumb|220x220px|This is the first kind of UA carrying convoy. The Type-9 will eventually jump out of the system]] | [[File:Ua-convoyA.jpg|thumb|220x220px|This is the first kind of UA carrying convoy. The Type-9 will eventually jump out of the system]] | ||
The second is made up of four anacondas and the Type-9. This convoy will stop in space and the Anacondas will do a dance around the Type-9. It may be the case that the Type-9 is not a part of the Anaconda wing. It has been reported as the one where the Unknown | The second is made up of four anacondas and the Type-9. This convoy will stop in space and the Anacondas will do a dance around the Type-9. It may be the case that the Type-9 is not a part of the Anaconda wing. It has been reported as the one where the Unknown Artifact will eat its way out of the Type-9's cargo hold without you firing a shot, but this has yet to be corroborated by other commanders. | ||
The third kind was discovered by redditor /u/Boblit67 on the Xbox One in HR 1185 after entering a Strong Signal Source. This historic discovery was not only the first publicly confirmed UA to be found on the Xbox, but also marks the first time | The third kind was discovered by redditor /u/Boblit67 on the Xbox One in HR 1185 after entering a Strong Signal Source. This historic discovery was not only the first publicly confirmed UA to be found on the Xbox, but also marks the first time an Unknown Artifact had been documented being found floating in normal space, alone, with no convoy. The UA did not degrade, behaving like 'normal' salvage that can be found in signal sources.<ref>[http://xboxdvr.com/gamer/Boblit67/video/6970550 Unknown Artefact], Boblit67, XboxDVR, 2015-08-15 01:51 GMT</ref> | ||
While most sightings and recoveries have been in Federation space, similar convoys carrying UAs have been sighted in Imperial space on one or two occasions. | While most sightings and recoveries have been in Federation space, similar convoys carrying UAs have been sighted in Imperial space on one or two occasions. | ||
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* Reshas (20.05.3301 confirmed) - convoy UA<ref>[http://www.01nk.com/EDPics/UA_Convoy.jpg UA_Convoy.jpg]</ref> | * Reshas (20.05.3301 confirmed) - convoy UA<ref>[http://www.01nk.com/EDPics/UA_Convoy.jpg UA_Convoy.jpg]</ref> | ||
* Blatrimpe (08.05.3301 confirmed) - convoy UA<ref name="imgur.com">[http://imgur.com/a/dDJrg Find convoi Blatrimpe 08.05.3301], Imgur, 2015-07-04 09:00 GMT</ref> | * Blatrimpe (08.05.3301 confirmed) - convoy UA<ref name="imgur.com">[http://imgur.com/a/dDJrg Find convoi Blatrimpe 08.05.3301], Imgur, 2015-07-04 09:00 GMT</ref> | ||
* UN NO MYOIN (confirmed) | * UN NO MYOIN (confirmed)<sup>''[citation needed]''</sup> | ||
* Bast (Confirmed) - convoy UA<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=162998&p=2663506&viewfull=1#post2663506 Unknown Artefact (or artifact) Community Thread - The Canonn], ilmostro, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-08-08 08:05 GMT</ref> | * Bast (Confirmed) - convoy UA<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=162998&p=2663506&viewfull=1#post2663506 Unknown Artefact (or artifact) Community Thread - The Canonn], ilmostro, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-08-08 08:05 GMT</ref> | ||
* Wolf 289 (confirmed) - convoy UA{{Cite}} | * Wolf 289 (confirmed) - convoy UA{{Cite}} | ||
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* Delphin (unconfirmed) | * Delphin (unconfirmed) | ||
* Siren (unconfirmed) | * Siren (unconfirmed) | ||
* YJ-A c1 | * YJ-A c1 (unconfirmed) | ||
* Tau Ceti (near planet 4 in a "kill religious leader" mission SS, Thread level 4). 3302-06-18 | * Tau Ceti (near planet 4 in a "kill religious leader" mission SS, Thread level 4). 3302-06-18 | ||
* Hind Sector LN-T C3-6 - salvage UA | * Hind Sector LN-T C3-6 - salvage UA | ||
[[File:Ua-convoyB.jpg|thumb|220x220px|This is the second version of the UA carrying convey. This one will hang around and conveniently drop the UA off for you to pick up]] | [[File:Ua-convoyB.jpg|thumb|220x220px|This is the second version of the UA carrying convey. This one will hang around and conveniently drop the UA off for you to pick up]] | ||
== | == Strategy for capturing the Unknown Artefact == | ||
The best strategy to capture the Artefact seems to be the following: | The best strategy to capture the Artefact seems to be the following: | ||
* Wing up, three or four commanders | * Wing up, three or four commanders | ||
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===Timeline of events=== | ===Timeline of events=== | ||
====2280's==== | ====2280's==== | ||
Discovery of first non-human relic in space. Origin still unknown in 3300. The original timeline stated "Origin still unknown in 3200", and has been updated by Frontier to match the Unknown Artefact storyline in Elite Dangerous, which begins in the year 3300. In Lave Radio Allen Stroud discussed alien life within the Elite: Dangerous universe and specifically mentions the Unknown | Discovery of first non-human relic in space. Origin still unknown in 3300. The original timeline stated "Origin still unknown in 3200", and has been updated by Frontier to match the Unknown Artefact storyline in Elite Dangerous, which begins in the year 3300. In Lave Radio Allen Stroud discussed alien life within the Elite: Dangerous universe and specifically mentions the Unknown Artifact and its links to Frontier: Elite II's lore.<ref>[https://www.frontier.co.uk/games/older/frontier_elite_ii/ Frontier: Elite II], Frontier Developments</ref><ref>[http://lotf.co.uk/fe2_gazetteer.html Frontier: Elite II - Gazetteer], Ian Bell, David Braben, Kathy Dickinson, David Massey, 1992</ref><ref>[http://laveradio.com/writers-interview-3-dave-hughes/ Writers Interview 3 – Dave Hughes], Event occurs at 41min, Lave Radio, 2013-03-20</ref> | ||
====3301==== | ====3301==== | ||
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'''10 March''': v1.2 is released. Includes "- Adding valuable salvage convoys to three permitted systems: LFT 509, Isinor, Witch's Reach".{{Cite}} | '''10 March''': v1.2 is released. Includes "- Adding valuable salvage convoys to three permitted systems: LFT 509, Isinor, Witch's Reach".{{Cite}} | ||
'''13 March''': The | '''13 March''': The Unknown Artifact appeared for the first time as cargo on board the ship in the official 1.2 Wings trailer.<ref name=":3">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23GEX4pYL9w Elite: Dangerous Wings Trailer], Frontier Developments, YouTube, 2015-03-13</ref> | ||
'''14 March''': Strange chatter in a Federal Convoy in the Tanmark system reported on Reddit.<ref name="reddit.com" /> | '''14 March''': Strange chatter in a Federal Convoy in the Tanmark system reported on Reddit.<ref name="reddit.com" /> | ||
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'''28 April''': Michael Brookes comes into the forum thread and says "Have you listened to them? Garbled Morse code has since been discovered to be in the 'Chittering' part of the sound;<ref name=":1">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=162998&p=2507590&viewfull=1#post2507590 Unknown Artefact (or artifact) Community Thread - The Canonn], Jmanis, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-07-07 10:48 GMT</ref> A [[/List of recordings/]] (video and audio) has been compiled. | '''28 April''': Michael Brookes comes into the forum thread and says "Have you listened to them? Garbled Morse code has since been discovered to be in the 'Chittering' part of the sound;<ref name=":1">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=162998&p=2507590&viewfull=1#post2507590 Unknown Artefact (or artifact) Community Thread - The Canonn], Jmanis, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-07-07 10:48 GMT</ref> A [[/List of recordings/]] (video and audio) has been compiled. | ||
'''29 April''': MB confirms later in the same thread that [[Soontill Relics]] are not the same thing as UA's, and that | '''29 April''': MB confirms later in the same thread that [[Soontill Relics]] are not the same thing as UA's, and that Unknown Artifacts cannot be bought.{{Cite}} | ||
'''30 April''': Strange parasite that attaches to a nervous system is reported in GalNet, but seems to have been subsequently removed.<ref name=":0">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141038&p=2176849&viewfull=1#post2176849], X2Eliah, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-05-01 17:08 GMT</ref> | '''30 April''': Strange parasite that attaches to a nervous system is reported in GalNet, but seems to have been subsequently removed.<ref name=":0">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141038&p=2176849&viewfull=1#post2176849], X2Eliah, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-05-01 17:08 GMT</ref> | ||
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'''4 May''': Wishblend finds the first UA in 109 Virginis, but unfortunately doesn't get it.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141038&p=2187286&viewfull=1#post2187286], Wishblend, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-05-04 12:08 GMT</ref> Henceforth officially celebrated as UA Day across the galaxy, and the official title of UA Seeker was born. That afternoon, a further number were spotted but RedWizzard finally managed to actually grab one in [[Timocani]].<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141038&p=2187567&viewfull=1#post2187567 Soontill Relics, the Regor Permit Sector and DB's cryptic hints....], RedWizzard, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-05-04 13:10 GMT</ref> Due to a bug a couple more were accidentally duplicated (bug reported).{{Cite}} | '''4 May''': Wishblend finds the first UA in 109 Virginis, but unfortunately doesn't get it.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141038&p=2187286&viewfull=1#post2187286], Wishblend, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-05-04 12:08 GMT</ref> Henceforth officially celebrated as UA Day across the galaxy, and the official title of UA Seeker was born. That afternoon, a further number were spotted but RedWizzard finally managed to actually grab one in [[Timocani]].<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=141038&p=2187567&viewfull=1#post2187567 Soontill Relics, the Regor Permit Sector and DB's cryptic hints....], RedWizzard, Elite: Dangerous Forums, 2015-05-04 13:10 GMT</ref> Due to a bug a couple more were accidentally duplicated (bug reported).{{Cite}} | ||
'''4 May''': ''[Player Submitted]'' GalNet reports baffled 'scientists' (players involved in the search and recovery UAs) having found an Unknown | '''4 May''': ''[Player Submitted]'' GalNet reports baffled 'scientists' (players involved in the search and recovery UAs) having found an Unknown Artifact.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/86f2081368ff47d51ff9239e8b2f75bc16e34af8 Scientists Baffled by Mysterious Artefacts], GalNet News, 3301-05-04</ref> | ||
'''6 May''': [[President Halsey]]'s tour of the frontier announced.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/fbfb919f69da401c72e062a8165c8e6fcc348180 Tour of Frontier Systems Set to Begin Shortly], GalNet News, 3301-05-06</ref> | '''6 May''': [[President Halsey]]'s tour of the frontier announced.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/fbfb919f69da401c72e062a8165c8e6fcc348180 Tour of Frontier Systems Set to Begin Shortly], GalNet News, 3301-05-06</ref> | ||