Esoteric Hunting is the second mandatory story mission in Episode 5.
Mission Summary[]
AMC squad's objective is to explore the Beaumont University, known for its occult knowledge, in search of a book on Revenant summoning.
Gameplay[]
Everyone who is still alive is gathered at the Benny Cafeteria where they are safe from "her". You need to collect 5 keys to open mysterious doors in the basement of the Lamb Hall. The campus map provides a color guide to where each key is located. Be careful though. When you start collecting keys, "she" will show up eventually and try to stop you outside. Avoid her whenever you can. Thankfully, she cannot pursue you indoors, but she can spawn Lost spirits there.
Benny Cafeteria (northeast) - Go in the back kitchen area, talk to Nat (a scientist lady) about her makeshift crystal "reality anchor" and get the moon key.
Michelin Hall (east) - Note: the entrance door is one way only. When you enter, go left and then left again. Kick open the office door opposite of the doctor's office. Inside is a key. Be on alert when you exit - a hollow will be waiting for you here. Carefully go back, then head upstairs to the offices and open the last door to find the spider key. Again, be careful exiting. Exit through the doors down the hallway past the cafeteria.
Madison Dorms (west) - Watch out for cultists. The key you need is locked behind a door on the second floor. The board reveals they are at the Anderson Suites which is nearby. At the suites, head left and you can find the key in one of the bathrooms along with a Lost in the tub. Use this key back in the Madison Dorms to find the skull key.
McDaniel Gymnasium (southwest) - The key is in the pool area in front of you. Head left to get to the pool area. But be aware, a certain doctor may prevent you from escaping.
Thompson Research (northwest) - Head straight and use your PDU to open the doors. Fight your way through some mercs in chemsuits to one of the offices containing red swipe card. Go back outside and go downstairs. Open the doors and use the red swipe card. In one of the containment rooms you'll find a blue swipe card and also a green one useful for finding special weapons. Use the blue keycard in the laboratory and you will get the eagle key.
When you get all 5 keys use it in the basement of the Lamb Hall and head through some green ruins. You will find the Beaumont University Dean and someone else.
Finishing this mission will take you to the next chapter of Judgement.
Secrets[]
- South of the McDaniel Gym, there's a transparent set of trees. Inside is a campfire and some items.
- Roof of one of the dorms.
- Behind Thompson Research, there are some supply barrels.
Weapons & Artifacts[]
- Magic Missile (Weapon, Sang): The guardhouse near the beginning needs a green swipe card to access the room. The swipe card can be found in one of the containment rooms in the Thompson Research.
- Cryocannon (Weapon, Micky): In the Michelin Hall, the conference room on the upper floor which also needs a green swipe card to access it.
Other Items of interest[]
- There's a toolbox in the parking garage.
- On the bottom floor of Thompson Research, Merlijn can lift a heavy door for some extra items.
- The master swipe card near the end can be used for any swipe card slot. There are more than 1 green swipe card slots in the area.
- In Thompson Research, take the elevator in the loading area. You can find a room with isolation cells one of them has a disturbed man banging his head on the wall that was recovered from Antarctica. If you look at him, he will stare at you. When you look away, he will will continue to bang his head on the wall.
- One of the dorm rooms has a police tape on it. This room requires a key. You will need a shovel. Another dorm room has a map of the campus with red pins on secret areas on the map. You can dig up this key in one of the spots (use your PDU scanner to find out the exact location). Inside the former student's dorm is a Curator Bob Chibi.
Trivia[]
- Originally it was going to feature a sewer system connecting several buildings but it was eventually removed. Part of the entrance is in Thompson Research behind the green keycard door.
- One room of the dorms belongs to an artist, featuring a work in progress painting of Zaxtor. It was previously drawn by Wheaton Adams then later included.
- One of the dorms on the first floor has a map of the campus with red tacks highlighting 3 secret areas.
- The doctor's office located in the Michelin Hall says Dr. Salvador. He himself appears in the McDaniel Gym.
- It is possible to trap "her" in the parking garage. While this will not stop her indefinitely (she will eventually despawn to appear in the other places, to spawn another Lost for example), it can be helpful to catch your breath and maybe explore the outside area. This was not intended by the author but was okay with it in beta testing. He then created an additional exit in the garage to encourage it.