Why Rotor and Tube Blueprints Matter
In StarRupture, building a strong base is only half the battle. To really progress your corporations and unlock higher level production, you need special items called blueprints. Two of the most important early on are the Rotor blueprint and the Tube blueprint.
These are not items you can simply craft from the comfort of your base. They are unique blueprint items that must be found out in the world, then brought back and submitted at your Recipe Station. Once you have them unlocked, Rotors and Tubes become key parts of new production lines and are required to level up corporations at higher tiers, such as upgrading Moon Energy from level four to level five.
If you are staring at your Fabricator wondering how to unlock these recipes, you are not missing a menu. You are missing an expedition. To get Rotors and Tubes into your recipe book, you will have to gear up and explore a very hostile area of the planet.
Getting Ready To Explore: Combat Prep
The game does not really explain how blueprint items work, and it certainly does not warn you about how dangerous some of these locations can be. The outpost that contains the Rotor and Tube blueprints is heavily infested with aliens that can easily overwhelm an unprepared player.
Before you head out, you should do at least the following:
- Craft the starter Reaper pistol. Your mining laser is not enough for what is waiting out there.
- Stock up on ammunition. Plan for a few hundred bullets at minimum. Around 300 rounds is a good target to feel safe.
- Bring basic survival gear. You will be away from your base, so make sure you are not on the brink of starvation or dehydration when you leave.
The enemies around this outpost do not just sit still waiting for you. They more or less spawn continuously, and an extra wave will appear when you grab the blueprints themselves. Think of this area as an early combat test where your resource management and aim both matter.
Once you are armed, healed up, and stocked with ammo, you are ready to track down the outpost that holds both blueprints.
Finding The SMB Purple Haze Outpost
The good news is that you do not need to trek across the entire planet to find the blueprints. Both the Rotor and Tube blueprints are located in the same place: the SMB Purple Haze outpost, also known as Selenian's Mining Base.
From your starting lander, head to the northwest. The outpost is a recognizable facility and serves as a mining base in the region. As you approach, expect alien resistance to ramp up. Take your time and clear out threats methodically so you do not get swarmed while trying to explore the buildings.
Once you reach the outpost, your objective is a specific two storey building toward the back of the base. That building is where the game hides the blue chest containing both the Rotor and Tube blueprints.
The front door of this structure is locked, so you cannot simply walk in. Instead, you will need to take a more creative route and use the environment to your advantage.
How To Enter The Building And Grab The Blueprints
To get into the two storey building, move around to the back on the right side. There are rocks close enough to the building that you can climb up and use them as a platform to reach the upper level.
Climb the rocks, then jump across onto the top floor of the structure. From there, you can move down to the ground floor where the blue chest is waiting. Stay alert because enemies can still harass you while you are maneuvering around the outpost.
Inside, look for a blue chest on the ground floor. When you open it, you will find both the Rotor blueprint and the Tube blueprint together. As soon as you grab them, be ready. Another wave of aliens will spawn when you pick up the blueprints, so make sure you are not completely out of ammo at this point.
Once you have both blueprint items secured, your main goal is simply to survive the trip back. Fight your way out of the outpost or sprint and dodge if you prefer a more risky exit. Either way, return to your base with your hard earned loot.
Unlocking Recipes And Building New Production Lines
Back at your base, head to your Recipe Station. This is where blueprint items turn into actual craftable recipes. Interact with the Fabricator and look for the recipes that require Rotors and Tubes. Each of these will have a slot for the blueprint item as well as other required materials and Data Points.
Submit the Rotor blueprint to its recipe and the Tube blueprint to its own. Once the blueprints and all other requirements are provided, the Fabricator will unlock these items permanently for crafting. From that point forward, Rotors and Tubes can be produced as part of your normal production chains.
These components are not just nice extras. They are essential for leveling up corporations at higher levels. For example, advancing Moon Energy from level four to level five requires a significant number of Rotors. Without unlocking and mass producing these parts, your progression will stall.
By taking the risk and raiding the SMB Purple Haze outpost early, you set yourself up for smoother progress later on. With Rotors and Tubes in your recipe book, you can scale your base, expand your automation, and push deeper into what StarRupture has to offer.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/star-rupture-rotor-tube-blueprint-locations/
