Alien Arches
Alien Arches are large constructs of the Precursor Race. They resemble large gateways with a bright green, semi-transparent portal within. The Prawn Suit and the Seamoth have the ability to enter Alien Arches.
When the player enters an Alien Arch, it plays an SFX similar to when a Warper warps the player. Some of these are located within Alien Arch Caches, which are caverns containing the Alien Arches found in certain biomes. Only one of these caches contains a Principal Arch, while the other five contain Auxiliary Arches. The player is able to walk on the seafloor when inside these caches.
Arch Types
Principal
The Principal Arches have pedestals and must be powered using an Ion Cube. They warp the player to an Auxiliary Alien Arch.
Auxiliary
The Auxiliary Alien Arches do not have pedestals, and their corresponding Principal Alien Arches must be activated before these gates can be used.
Locations
Principal Arches
| Location | Connects To | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Island | Floating Island | 340 61 903 |
| Alien Thermal Plant | Quarantine Enforcement Platform | -35 -1210 112 |
| Primary Containment Facility (PCF) | Bulb Zone | 327 -1429 -279 |
| Primary Containment Facility (PCF) | Crag Field | 169 -1431 -367 |
| Primary Containment Facility (PCF) | Mushroom Forest | 357 -1430 -313 |
| Primary Containment Facility (PCF) | Ghost Forest | 189 -1428 -405 |
| Aquarium | Primary Containment Facility | Moonpool: 421 -1509 -628 |
| Aquarium | Mountains | 273 -1568 -360 |
Auxiliary Arches
| Location | Connects To | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| Floating Island | Mountain Island | -662 2 -1050 |
| Bulb Zone | Primary Containment Facility | 1356 -301 693 |
| Crag Field | Primary Containment Facility | -52 -296 -1401 |
| Ghost Forest | Primary Containment Facility | -886 -612 1040 |
| Mushroom Forest | Primary Containment Facility | -803 -227 409 |
| Quarantine Enforcement Platform | Alien Thermal Plant | 384 -92 1137 |
| Mountains | Primary Containment Facility | 463 -165 1353 |
| Primary Containment Facility (Moonpool) | Aquarium | 336 -1434 -478 |
Data Bank Entry
This structure's intended purpose is unclear.
Theories on Function:
- Ceremonial or religious role
- Industrial applications
- Advanced transportation network
Assessment: Further research required.
Scans indicate this arch was left inactive when the facility was abandoned. It likely served as an access point to the surface of the planet. It is much too small for the emperor to pass through, but would accommodate smaller lifeforms.
Gallery
The Ion Cube pedestal found on all Principal Arches
The first use animation for an Alien Arch and the warping FX
An Alien Arch being activated
The Alien Arch Platform in the Mountains
Entrance to the Floating Island Arch Cache
Ion Cube terminal concept art