Guide Background

The Hot Caves Base Camp sits deep inside the Lava Zone and is tied to later black boxes scattered through the cave system. Start from the Life Pod and make sure you already have Heat Adaptation, unlocked after interacting with the third Angel Comb. From there, head east and push into the lava-heated cavern network.

Operation Steps

Step 1: Leave the Life Pod and Head East

Start at the Life Pod and move east toward the Lava Zone. Pass the area where sulfur is first found, marked by tall coral spires.

Step 2: Drop Into the Primary Canyon

Continue into the lava-heated magma area and descend into the main canyon. Stay below the large spires and move through the section with the donut-shaped fish and alien ruins.

Step 3: Enter the Lower Alien Holes

At the bottom of the canyon, look for the old alien buildings and go inside the large holes in the structure.

Step 4: Reach the Blue Glowing Cave

Travel deeper until you enter the blue glowing cave. This room contains several black boxes for colonists, including one tucked into a small hiding spot.

Step 5: Follow the Opposite Passage

From the entry point, move toward the opposite side of the cave. Look for the blue cavern system filled with dead crabs, then follow it upward.

Step 6: Keep Right at the Split

After a quick turn, the route splits. Stay to the right as you pass another dead crab, then continue upward to reach the Lava Base Camp.

Important Items

Heat Adaptation

Required before entering this route. It comes from the third Angel Comb interaction and allows you to survive the hot cave area.

Third Angel Comb

The progression point that unlocks Heat Adaptation. Make sure this is already completed before heading into the Lava Zone.

Black Boxes

Several late-game black boxes are found inside the blue glowing cave, including one in a hidden nook and another near Zip.

Blue Glowing Cave

The key landmark inside the alien canyon. This is where the black boxes are concentrated and where the route starts to narrow toward the base camp.

Lava Base Camp

The destination at the end of the cave path. It contains additional goodies and unlockables.

Key Notes and Tips

• The route is easier to follow once you reach the alien ruins at the bottom of the canyon.
• You may get a signal for this area later, so don’t worry if it isn’t obvious right away.
• The blue cave with the dead crabs is the correct branch leading to the base camp.
• When the path splits, the right-hand route is the one to take.

Tips and Tricks

• Use the tall coral spires and sulfur area as your early landmark before descending.
• Keep your movement controlled in the main canyon so you don’t miss the alien openings near the bottom.
• Check the small side hiding spots inside the blue cave, since at least one black box is tucked away.
• If you reach a dead-end feeling section, reorient toward the opposite side of the entry and follow the blue cavern line upward.

Summary

Head east from the Life Pod, drop into the Lava Zone canyon, and work through the alien cave network until you reach the blue glowing chamber. From there, follow the right-hand split to find the Hot Caves Base Camp and its late-game black boxes.