{"id":1229576,"date":"2026-02-25T07:44:04","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T07:44:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polygon.com\/?p=607360"},"modified":"2026-02-25T07:44:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T07:44:04","slug":"how-to-use-the-scanner-in-the-alters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/how-to-use-the-scanner-in-the-alters\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use the scanner in The Alters"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A scanner<\/strong> can reveal resource deposits in The Alters<\/em>. That sounds straightforward enough, but it\u2019s far more complex than just equipping and using a tool. Instead, you have to place Polygonal Scanners, investigate their findings, use Scan Waves, and improve your search area to find the deepest part of a resource deposit.<\/p>\n

As you and your beloved clones can\u2019t outrun the sun without a proper resource intake, it\u2019s absolutely vital to understand this mechanic. Here\u2019s how to use scanners in <\/strong>The Alters<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

How to use scanners in The Alters<\/h2>\n

First things first, before you can use the scanner, you must locate a resource deposit<\/strong> on the map. Explore the areas you haven\u2019t been to before, and if you come across any deposits, they will be marked on the map. In the picture below, every striped area<\/strong> (four in total) is a resource deposit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

If you hover over the deposit, it\u2019ll tell you which type of resource you\u2019ll find there: Organics<\/strong>, Metals<\/strong>, Minerals<\/strong>, or Rapidium<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

To mine these resources, stand in the middle of a deposit and equip the Polygonal Scanners<\/strong> (you\u2019ve unlocked this feature in the prologue).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Next, place up to six Polygonal Scanners<\/strong> in a (somewhat) circular form anywhere within the deposit limits. This will automatically scan the ground below them. If you happen to place the Polygonal Scanners on the deepest part of the deposit, great! A marker will automatically appear to show you where to place your Mining Outpost.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

However, if you don\u2019t find the deposit core right away, you must retrieve your Polygonal Scanners<\/strong> and place them all over again<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If you look carefully at the area you just scanned, you may see a color difference; the more reddish the ground, the closer you are to the deposit core. Try to place your Polygonal Scanners near the red area. In the example image below, the arrow points towards the deposit core<\/strong> based on the color.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

To make it easier <\/strong>to locate a deposit core, you can also use a Scan Wave<\/strong> (unlocked at the start of Act 1). Place the Polygonal Scanners as before, press the \u2018Scan Wave\u2019 button, and look at the ground. See the lines moving in a certain direction? The deposit core is in that direction, so place your next set of Polygonal Scanners there.<\/p>\n

In the picture below, you can see a thin white line which, take my word for it, is moving upwards. This means the deposit core is in that direction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While scanning for resources in The Alters<\/em>, there are a few important things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n