The Problem

Anomalies keep showing up and I have no idea what to do with them. Can I capture them somehow?

The Solution

Anomalies are not just atmospheric horror — they are a crafting resource tree that gates endgame recipes. Captured anomalies feed the Immurement Registry (which tracks your collection) and provide materials for Carbon Batteries, Quantum Batteries, Nyxshade Seeds, and advanced weapons.

The Capture Mechanic Craft Test Tubes at your Crafting Bench (see Crafting Bench upgrades): 1 Glass Scrap + 1 Wood Plank per tube. Carry 3-5 tubes when heading out at night. When you find an anomaly, equip a Test Tube and interact with the entity — no combat required for most types. The captured anomaly appears in your inventory as a filled tube labeled with the anomaly's name. Deposit filled tubes in a dedicated Anomaly Crate at base — do not accidentally consume or discard them.

Nocturnal Anomaly Behavior Nocturnal anomalies spawn at static locations — the same spots every night. Scout 2-3 known spawn points during daylight hours, then loop through them at night with tubes ready. Key behaviors:

• Anomalies disappear in bright light. Navigate with ambient light, not flashlight beams aimed at the anomaly.
• Anomalies eventually expire if not captured. A missed spawn is gone until the next night cycle.
• Night lasts 270 seconds (real time). You can hit 2-3 spawn points in one night if you plan the route before sundown.

The IS-0059 Reaper (Leyak (see Leyak defense guide)) The Reaper is the combat exception. This black-cloaked scythe-wielding entity patrols the Security Sector. Standard melee weapons (Crowbar, Pickaxe, Stun Baton) are ineffective — it resists physical damage. Two options:

• Energy Pistol: 1-3 shots to kill or drive off. Reliable but consumes ammo.
• X-Ray Lamp: Activate near the Reaper to force it to drop Night Essence. Does not require engaging the Reaper in direct combat. The safer option.

Night Essence Uses (Verified from Wiki) Night Essence feeds into critical endgame crafting chains:

• Nyxshade Seeds: 10 Night Essence + 5 Leyak Essence + 1 Anteverse Wheat Seed + 1 Enethiol. Trade to Warren Bunning for GATE Security Keys.
• Carbon Battery (see power basics) (350 charge): 1 Industrial Battery + 1 Memory Brick + 2 Refined Carbon + 2 Leyak Essence.
• Quantum Battery (700 charge): 2 Carbon Batteries + Digital Gold + 2 Transuranic Superalloy + 3 Frozen Essence.

The Immurement Registry This in-game tracker records which anomaly types you have captured. Check it periodically — missing entries indicate unexplored spawn locations or uncaptured types. Some anomalies only appear in specific sectors or under specific conditions (high Phantom pressure, containment breaches). Completionists should target empty registry slots deliberately rather than hoping to stumble on them.

Step-by-Step

1. Craft 3-5 Test Tubes (1 Glass Scrap + 1 Wood Plank each) at your Crafting Bench before nightfall.
2. During daylight, scout and memorize 2-3 static anomaly spawn points in your current sector.
3. At night, follow your planned route through spawn points with tubes equipped.
4. Interact with non-hostile anomalies using a Test Tube to capture. No combat needed for standard types.
5. For the IS-0059 Reaper in the Security Sector: equip X-Ray Lamp or Energy Pistol. Standard melee does not work.
6. Collect Night Essence drops. Store for Nyxshade Seeds, Carbon Batteries, and Quantum Batteries.
7. Deposit filled tubes in a labeled Anomaly Crate at base. Check the Immurement Registry for missing types.
8. Plan anomaly hunting on a schedule — night cycles repeat; missed spawns waste a full day-cycle.

Common Mistakes

• Walking at night without empty Test Tubes — anomalies expire and you lose the capture window.
• Trying to melee the Reaper with standard weapons — it resists physical damage. X-Ray Lamp or Energy Pistol only.
• Shining bright lights directly on nocturnal anomalies — they disappear. Use ambient light for navigation.
• Hunting anomalies with no crafting plan — check which recipes need them and collect accordingly.
• Forgetting to check the Immurement Registry for missing types — targeted hunting beats random wandering.