Containment Block Helmholtz walkthrough: Level 3 clearance, X-ray barrier, and security reset

Prerequisites and Preparation

Before entering Containment Block Helmholtz, check inventory for the following items. Missing any of these will require backtracking.

Leyak Essence cannot be obtained without an X-Ray Tower or X-Ray Lamp. If neither is available, the barrier at Stage 3 cannot be opened. Consider crafting an X-Ray Tower at a base location near known Leyak patrol routes before entering Helmholtz.

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Stage 1: Cross the Turret Checkpoint

From the Containment sector hub, locate C-Block, the large multi-level open area. Use the Tier 3 Keypad Hacker on DIVAK doors marked with clearance level 3. Take the elevator to the second or third floor and look for a room covered in yellow paint and residue. Drop through the hole in this room, then use Level 3 clearance to open the gate at the bottom. Follow the path until reaching a checkpoint: machine gun turrets on one side, a broken gap in the walkway, and the player on the other side.

Crossing the Gap

Four methods exist, each with different risk and resource requirements:

• Wooden Bridges: Place 3–4 bridges across the broken railing while staying back from the turret line of fire. Build quickly, as turrets track slowly but deal heavy damage once locked.
• Gravity Cube (IS-0052): Activate to reduce gravity, then jump across. Works without bridges but requires the cube.
• Jump Pad: Craft a spring pad and launch across. Risk of overshooting into turret fire.
• Shield and sprint: Block with a Metal Shield and run. Requires precise path knowledge. Not recommended for first attempts.

Once across, open the flimsy iron gate and enter the nearby vent to hack a keypad. This opens additional doors for the next stage.

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Stage 2: Navigate Helmholtz (Zombie Portal World)

After crossing, a square portal leads to Helmholtz, a furniture store dimension containing hostile entities. Enemies do not spawn until the first switch is activated. Use this grace period to scout the layout.

1. Bring two flashlights. The area is extremely dark, and a helmet-mounted light alone is insufficient.
2. Navigate downward through the store, locating and activating all wall switches.
3. After the last switch, enemies spawn. Fight through or sprint past them back upward.
4. The elevator activates after all switches are flipped. The portal returns the player to the top when the sequence is complete.
5. Take the elevator down to confirm it works. This elevator will be used later.

If the elevator is not activated after completing the portal sequence, dying later requires repeating the entire Helmholtz section. Enable the lift before leaving.

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Stage 3: Pass the X-Ray Barrier Using Leyak Essence

After Helmholtz, proceed through a steam-filled corridor with scattered enemies. At the end is an office overlooking the control center. A yellow X-ray barrier blocks the path.

1. Interact with the wall terminal next to the barrier. This teaches the X-Ray Tower and X-Ray Lamp recipes. Skipping this step prevents opening the barrier.
2. Collect 4 Leyak Essences to unlock the barrier.

How to Obtain Leyak Essence

Leyaks are floating entities that drift slowly toward the player while making a soft sound. They phase through walls and cannot be killed by normal weapons.

• X-Ray Tower: Build one at a base entrance and plug it into a socket. Lure a Leyak into the beam. The Leyak vaporizes instantly and drops 1 Leyak Essence.
• X-Ray Lamp (portable): Craft using 1 Leyak Essence and battery components. This allows mobile collection without returning to base.
• Farm 5 total: Use 1 Essence to craft the X-Ray Lamp. Farm 4 more for the barrier. Alternatively, farm all 5 and skip the lamp by using X-Ray Towers placed along Leyak patrol routes.

Leyak Essences are radioactive. Do not carry them in inventory during farming. Store them at base. When transporting all 4 to the barrier, equip a Hazmat Suit and take Anti-Radiation Pills. Radiation damage stacks per Essence; carrying 4 unprotected causes lethal damage in under one minute.

Bring the 4 Essences to the X-ray barrier terminal and insert them to disable the barrier.

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Stage 4: Reset the Security System

After the barrier opens, enter the control room. Security personnel and automated defenses are present. Clear the room using ranged weapons or the Electro-Thrower. Locate the security reset terminal and interact with it to complete the sequence.

Recovery Advice

If death occurs during any stage:

• Stage 1: Re-equip bridges or Gravity Cube before returning. Turrets reset their position.
• Stage 2: If the elevator was not activated, the entire Helmholtz portal sequence must be repeated. Always confirm the elevator works before leaving.
• Stage 3: If Leyak Essences were lost due to radiation death, farm replacements using the same method. Store Essences at base before attempting the barrier again.
• Stage 4: Enemies in the control room respawn after a period. Clear the room again before using the reset terminal.

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Decision Table: Route Priorities