Spy Pengling

The Spy Pengling is a deployable reconnaissance drone created by Samantha Ayou. It serves as a land-based alternative to the Camera Drone, allowing players to explore areas too small for human access.

Overview

Feature	Details
Category	Tools
Description	Reconnaissance tool for exploring the surface.
Health	Low
Acquired From	Fabricator
Debug Spawn	spypenguin
Music	Spy Penguin Theme

Without Spy Penglings, scientists may have never discovered that Pengwings incubate their eggs in small cave burrows, often alongside Thermal Lily roots. ― PDA

Uses

To use a Spy Pengling, the player must use a Spy Pengling Remote. The Spy Pengling has a limited range of 80 meters; however, at 38 meters static starts to show up and worsens the farther away from the player the Spy Pengling is.

The Spy Pengling has two modes: Explore and Document. While controlling a Spy Pengling, the player can switch between these modes.

Explore Mode

Explore mode allows the player to move the Spy Pengling. This mode limits the camera to be forward-facing. A small robotic arm allows resources to be collected. The drone has a storage container that can hold up to four items. The small stature of the Spy Pengling allows it to explore otherwise inaccessible areas that are too small for the player.

The Spy Pengling is the only way to collect Snow Stalker Fur directly from Snow Stalkers.

Document Mode

In Document mode, the camera extends forward from the abdomen, allowing for a 360-degree view. The drone cannot move in this mode, but it allows the player to take selfies. When the outer-view camera looks towards Robin Ayou, she will take one of several poses for the camera.

Limitations

Should the drone get stuck, it has the ability to self-destruct. It is not all-terrain; it cannot enter water, and taking too much damage will cause it to "die", forcing the player out of the perspective of the penguin. Robin will not deploy the Spy Pengling inside a seabase.

The Spy Pengling can make a "beep" sound.

Story Note: The Spy Pengling is required to obtain the Kharaa Antidote found in a small cave in the Glacial Basin.

Controls

Action	Mouse & Keyboard	Xbox One	PlayStation 4	Nintendo Switch
Place Spy Pengling	RMB	Left Trigger	L2	ZL
Switch Mode	RMB	Y	Triangle	X
Make "Beep" Noise	Space	Y	Triangle	X
Collect Resources	LMB	A	X	A
Exit Drone Control	E	B	Circle	B
Self-Destruct	Q	D-Pad Down	D-Pad Down	D-Pad Down

(Note: Some controls may vary slightly depending on specific key bindings or updates. Refer to in-game prompts for the most accurate current controls.)

Names

When a Spy Pengling is crafted, it will feature a random name taken from a pool of 16 possible names:

PenGwen
PengWynn
PengJuan
PenGuy
PenGal
PenGarnet
PenGabby
PenGeorg
PenGwynedd
PenGlaw
PenGris
PenGili
PengVee
PengBip
PengJack
PenGrin

Recipe

The blueprint for the Spy Pengling is acquired by scanning fragments in the Glacial Basin, near Marguerit Maida's Base, and the Phi Robotics Center. It is crafted in the Fabricator.

Databank Entry

The spy pengling provides new avenues for researchers to access natural above-ground habitats. It is especially effective at maneuvering through spaces otherwise too small for humans.

Pengwings are highly active creatures, who are protective of their young penglings. In order to better study these energetic denizens of the arctic region, Alterra scientists on 4546B had to think outside of the base.

A well-known phenomenon, the Vee Caecus principle, asserts that in order to best study fauna, one must become the fauna. Scientists across the stars have used this basic principle to infiltrate and observe alien creatures of all sizes and dispositions. Drs. Caecus, Curtis, Tuson, and McBeth pioneered these accomplishments.

Inspired by this, and after months of trial-and-error, the first spy pengling was crafted at Phi Robotics Center, bringing about a new era of exploration and excavation across all operating outposts.

(Warning: Research to create a waterproof edition of the spy pengling was halted due to compliance concerns. Currently, contact with water will result in complete system failure.)

Features include:

Fully customizable outer shell to replicate any small, bipedal creature
Two all-terrain tracks for smooth movement over rough conditions
Remote controller for operating at distances up to 80 meters away (atmosphere dependent)
Four storage slots
Self-destruct option in case of danger or immobility
Arm with three-pronged claw for picking up samples
Fully detachable camera with 180 degree rotation to observe spy pengling and surrounds

‘The Spy Pengling: Sit back, relax, and let the robot do the hard work.’

Source: Scan Spy Pengling fragments