Corrupted Horizons

Corrupted Horizons is DLC 4. This DLC adds one more soldier class: Mutoids, one new mechanic: Corruption, one new enemy type: Acheron, three new story missions and 5 pieces of research. Corrupted Horizons DLC starts when Pandoran Colonies research is finished.

Walkthrough

Research Pandoran Colonies

This research is unlocked when player reveals and destroys one Pandoran Colony (it can be any type of colony). Link to this research: Pandoran Colonies research.

After this research is finished cinematics 1 (CH Corruption Breach) are played: Hello? Anyone? This is station sigma-seven-one. We need immediate evacuation. I repeat we need immediate evacuation. The facility has been compromised. The specimen two escaped containment chamber and is roaming throughout the lab! You need to get us out of here and purge the entire facility! The specimen must not be allowed to escape into the open! if it does... Its has released strain variant. I am initiating self-destruct procedure. The strain must not....

Call for help: We have received an urgent distress call from an unknown location, warning of contagion breach. We had better look into it. Site added to Geoscape: An unexpected emergency.

Mission 1: An unexpected emergency

Mission briefing: According to the distress call, unknown Pandoran specimens are attempting to escape, bringing with them an unknown virus strain. Our goal is to prevent that from happening and secure the lab to prevent the virus from speading.

Mission: On this mission players has to secure the area and reboot security system. Mission is full of turrets. Turrets can be taken under phoenix control one by one by moving soldier next to it or all of them at once by activating security system.

After mission: Cinematics 2 (CH Gene Ethics) are played: Phoenix Point, this is research team one. Area secure. No hostiles in sight. We are heading into the facility this creature came from. Stand by for direct feed. No idea who owns this place, but they have some serious tech. We are seeing a lot of bodies, not all of them human. Whatever broke out from here. Looks like gen-research. Whatever they were trying to make didn’t like being kept in here. Holy crap is this ugly! Moving in to further. I’m seeing, more tech here. Looks like… By the maker! Phoenix Point, we’ve found something you might want to see. Get a lab ready, we’re bringing some tech back to base.

We have successfully secured the lab and killed the abomination. While details concerning its nature remain unknown, cutting edge genetic equipment has been found in the lab. All functioning equipment has been sent to Phoenix Point. While the lab will be purged, there is fear that a few Pandoran specimens have managed to escape along with the infection.

Effect: New research available: Mutoid Genetics. Corruption mechanic comes into play

Kill Acheron

Acheron will appear during Unexpected emergency mission if Acheron is already researched by Pandorans.

Research Acheron Autopsy

You need to kill Acheron to unlock this research. This research will unlock corruption treatment via mutagens.

Research Pandoran Capture and Containment

This is the research: Pandoran Capture and Containment. It is needed to unlock Mission 2.

Research Mutoid Genetics

This is needed for mission 2 to appear. It also enables recruiting Mutogs.

Mission 2: Experiments continue

Acheron Autopsy, Mutoid Genetics and Pandoran capture and containment has to be researched in order for this mission to appear.

Before mission: We have discovered one of the original Acheron specimens, referred to as "Specimen 0", that escaped from the now destroyed research facility. Capturing it dead or alive is essential if we are to find a cure for the corruption virus. Site added to geoscape: Experiments Continue...

Mission briefing: We have located one of the escaped lab specimens. It is vital to capture this Achron and kill all Pandorans in the area so we can extract it safely.

Mission: Player has to capture Acheron and secure the area. If player kills Acheron instead of capturing it the mission will be failed.

After mission: We have successfully secured the Acheron "Specimen 0" and transported it back to base. Research into the species' inner workings can finally begin.

Effect: New research available: Specimen 0

Research Specimen 0

It is needed for Mission 3 to appear

Wait for Pandorans to research Citadel

They might already have it researched but if they do not you have to wait for it. You can find out that it was researched from Intel reports.

Mission 3: Corrupted Lair

Specimen 0 needs to be researched by player and Citadel needs to be researched by Pandorans

Before mission: The final push: We have found a lair which has become the host of the primary Acheron lab specimen. In order to devise a permanent cure against the corruption strain we must infiltrate the Pandoran nest and obtain a sample from the Lair's spawnery - after killing it, of course. Site added to geoscape: Corrupted Lair

Mission briefing: Our scouts have found a lair that has been occupied by an Acheron. Our goal is simple - destroy the corrupted spawnery so we could collect a pure sample of the virus from it. SUPPLEMENTARY: Synedrion operatives have been sighted entering the location. They might be of assistance to out mission.

Mission: Player has to destroy the spawnery and evacuate. Lair is under attack by Synedrion which will help the player.

After mission: Cinematics 4 (CH The Cure) are played: Finally, it is over. After a fighting our way through the lair, we found the spawnery which the first Acheron had infected and obtained a clean sample of the corruption strain. It wasn’t easy. The processing power of the entire Phoenix project went into analysing a strain to find a cure, but we succeeded. An inoculation process began, first on our troops, then our allies, and finally on anyone who wished to have it. Out aircraft flew over the globe, releasing potent anti-viral solutions over corpses and battlefield, to eradicate every trace of corruption until there was none. Now, long after the first Acheron specimen escaped from an unknown research facility, the horror is over. Humanity won this battle, but the larger war rages on…

Back to normal: Our mission was a glorious success! Now the final ingredient for devising a permanent cure for the corruption strain is in our hands. All that remains is to do the research.

Effect: Your soldiers can no longer become corrupted. Those that are currently corrupted still need treatment, though.

Research

Acheron Autopsy (300)

Prerequisities: Kill or capture Acheron

Before research: Specimen: ACHERON. Acherons are large sized creatures that focus more on affecting living creatures in a specific area than attacking directly. They are the only known Pandoran capable of spreading the new corrupted strain of Pandoravirus.

After research: Summary: There have been no sightings of this mutation prior to 2045. At present it remains unclear whether the creature evolved naturally or was the result of enhanced genetic experiments. All involved in the lab it broke out of have been found dead, and no research records have been recovered. The creature appears to be infected with an unseen strain of the Pandoravirus, capable of causing nightmares and slowly corrupting a person's sanity. As such a strict quarantine has been imposed while analyses continue.

Genetic origins: DNA of over 112 species has been found at present

Function: intelligence remains undetermined. It's speculated that its goal is to spread the new corrupted pandoravirus strain throughout the world

Offensive mutations: strong dispersal glands located on the creature's husk allow it to disperse biochemical droplets in a large area. Additionally the creature can squirt concentrated liquid through organs in its hands.

Mobility: the creature is fast and has the ability to jump at great distances

Weakness: the creature has been observed to adapt to any type of damage once dealt. it is recommended that attacks of various nature are used on it simultaneously before it can adjust.

Effect: Mutagens + 250. Corruption treatment using Mutagens is available

Acheron Vivisection (600)

Prerequisities: Capture Acheron

Before research: Called the "plague carrier," the specimen appears to be the only known pandoran that can adapt itself and others through biochemical elements of highly mutating nature. Due to its ability to spread corruption, its holding containment and research lab are quarantined and must undergo a full purge after use.

After research: Summary: There is no doubt that the specimen was artificially created. Analysis suggests that the primary goal of the creature was to spread a new strain of Pandoravirus (referred to as the Corruption). We can assume that the Acheron's ability to adapt to any threat and damage is a side effect of its body resisting the corruption's effects while still being able to spread it. Further tests suggest that unlike other Pandoran specimens this one might have been created in a human lab through the use of pandoran mutagens. The exact reason for this remains unknown.

Language: The specimen appears to have been constructed to mimic Pandoran forms of communication, despite it not being a Pandoran per se. This allows it to enter colonies unharmed and also call Pandorans in vicinity to its location.

Countermeasures: tests have concluded that the Acheron becomes resistant to any type of weapon after receiving damage from it. The good news is that the creature's resistance doesn't improve further after that.

Bonus effect: Damage inflicted on Acherons is increased by 10%.

Mutoid Genetics (1000)

Prerequisities: An unexpected emergency mission is finished

Before research: Research materials found in the unknown genetic lab have found to reference a series of projects relating to construction of autonomous genetic entities. Apparently someone was trying to merge human subjects with Pandoran DNA in a more controlled fashion in order to create the ideal soldier.

After research: After significant research, the secrets behind the "Mutoid" project have been uncovered. Despite their lack of ethics, the original scientists have successfully managed to find a way to build artificial human soldiers through the use of cloning technology and Pandoran mutagens. The newly created Mutoid soldiers thus are immune to the corrupted strain of the Pandoravirus and are capable of learning all human skills, and many of the Pandorans' as well (provided DNA samples are available).

Bonus effects: Mutoid production available

Specimen 0 (600)

Prerequisities: Experiments continue mission is finished

Before research: We have finally found one of the original Acheron specimens that escaped the rogue lab facility. Named, Specimen 0, this Acheron is one of the few Pandorans that have an original unmutated version of the corruption virus. Now that we have it in our facility, our efforts to find a cure can begin.

After research: The successful capture of Specimen 0 has led to a number of scientific breakthroughs. Thanks to the Phoenix Initiative's processing power, a solution to treat the Corruption has been found. Testing on living specimens has confirmed that genetically enhanced mutagens could be used to treat anyone infected by this dangerous Pandoravirus strain. While all medical facilities have been equipped with the necessary equipment, the treatment is highly individual and requires a fresh supply of mutagens. Finding a permanent cure would require access to an original sample of the new Pandoravirus strain.

Effect: New research available - Vita Grenade

Vita Grenade (500)

Prerequisities: Specimen 0 research is finished

Before research: Discoveries made during the Acheron autopsy have allowed us to make a theoretical model of a grenade with the ability to heal soldiers at a distance. Making a prototype of this is a key priority!

After research: After dozens of attempts we have finally discovered a way to make the Acheron spray useful in grenade form. Compact and efficient, the Vita grenade has the power to close minor wounds of all organic beings in a radius of several meters.

Effect: Vita Grenades available for production