How to Find Exotics in Icarus Update

     So, you're diving into Icarus, and you're ready to level up your game with Exotics—the ultimate treasure that turns survival into straight-up profit. Exotics aren’t just shiny rocks; they're the meta-currency that powers your workshop progression and unlocks the sweetest gear.

 

     To start mining Exotics, you need to be at least level 10. Why? Because you'll need the blueprints for an Orbital Exchange Interface, which is locked behind the Short Range Radio. Got workshop gear like armor or pickaxes? Sweet! It’ll make your life way easier, but don’t stress if you don’t. You’re good with basic tools: a pickaxe, an axe, and a bow.

 

 

Getting Started Deep Vein Extraction Mission

 

     Start with the “Deep Vein Extraction” mission. This bad boy is on the mission board, marked in purple. Once you’ve spawned in the L12 area, hustle to the M12 cave. It’s your first stop for resources.

 

 

     Gather enough iron and copper to smelt seven ingots of each. Build a shelter, craft a furnace, and fire up a crafting bench. This setup is essential for creating the Orbital Exchange Interface. Once it’s ready, call in a delivery ship. It'll land near your spawn point, marked with a pink icon on the map. Keep that marker in your sights—it’s your ticket to cash in the Exotics later.

 

 

 

Heading North The Safer Route

 

     Grab some cloth armor, a stash of arrows, and even a couple of slanted pillars (you’ll thank me when a bear shows up). On your way to the Arctic, you might face wolves and bears, so stay sharp.

 

 

     When you hit the Arctic, the game turns up the heat—or rather, the cold. Polar bears, freezing temps, and your own nerves are the real bosses here. Your cloth armor will keep you from freezing, but just barely. A quick pro tip: use slanted pillars as escape towers when a bear decides to ruin your day. Stack them high and rain arrows from above—it’s a lifesaver, literally.

 

 

Mining Exotics Arctic Deposits

 

     In the top-right corner of O13, there’s a cave where the magic begins. Be ready for cave worms—they’ll poison you if you’re not careful. Take them out first, then grab the first Exotic deposit. That’s one down, three to go.

 

 

     For the second deposit, the head left out of the cave and stick to the cliff wall. You’ll find a crack in the ice—drop in and follow the crevasse. Once you’ve mined it, backtrack and look for a small rocky hill nearby. Climb up, drop down on the other side, and you’ll find the third deposit.

 

 

     Finally, head east toward a sunken ice pit near the cliff wall. The last Exotic deposit is chilling (pun intended) down there. Mine it, pack up, and head back to your spawn.

 

 

The Critical Step Sending Exotics to Orbit

 

     Back at your spawn, here’s the deal: do not forget to send your Exotics to orbit. Load them into the Orbital Exchange Interface, and hit that “Deliver to Station” button. If you don’t, you’ve just wasted hours of grinding. Once they’re sent off, the mission is complete, and you can leave with your loot and bragging rights intact.

 

 

 

Hardcore Missions More Exotics, Bigger Risks

 

     Once you’ve nailed the basics, take on hardcore missions. They’re a tougher grind—no respawns, faster enemies, and shorter timers—but the Exotic rewards are juicy. Complete the Deep Vein Extraction mission, and Exotic nodes will start popping up in other missions. With a pickaxe in hand, mine these nodes wherever you find them, especially in caves.

 

     If you’re ready for the grind, Payday Extraction missions are the way to go. You’ll need tier 4 blueprints and extractors to get the job done. These missions involve scanning with radars, defending against wildlife, and using extractors to pull Exotics from deposits. It’s time-intensive but yields the biggest Exotic hauls. Don’t forget to fortify your setup with walls or shelters—critters love to munch on extractors.

 

     And there you have it! Exotics are the ultimate grind, but they’re worth every second. Whether you’re braving the Arctic or sweating through hardcore missions, these precious materials are your ticket to the endgame gear that’ll make you an Icarus legend. Now, go gear up, mine hard, and don’t feed the bears!