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Towards the end ofThe AltersAct 2, the Alters will begin to get sick. As they’re integral to the mission’s success, players need to make the difficult decision of choosing between two different cures. One is the Tabula Rasa, and the other is to create implants. While each has their pros and cons, there’s one option that I’d recommend players choose as it’ll keep some of the most important Alters on your side, and generally seems like the smarter option overall.
Here’s everything players need to know about which cure to choose inThe Alters.
This guide will dive deep into spoiler territory for Act 2 of The Alters, and the consequences of these actions in Act 3. If you’re wanting to enjoy the game spoiler-free, I’d recommend turning back now.
Should You Choose Tabula Rasa or the Implants Cure in The Alters?
No Perfect Choice
Both the Tabula Rasa and the Implants will cause some upset among the Alters, butthe best choice is to side with Lena’s proposal and choose to make the Implants. This is because, depending on the Alters that you’ve created at this stage, fewer of the most valuable ones are likely to be upset with this decision, and the Alters who are unhappy with the decision can be convinced to return in Act 3. They can’t be convinced to return if you choose the Tabla Rasa.
It’s worth noting, however, that any Alter you createaftermaking the decision will still either be for or against your decision. For example, if you choose to go with the Implants, and create the Miner after the decision has been made, he’ll still refuse to talk to you and will eventually leave at the end of Act 2 (if you’ve created him before the end of the Act, that is). I’ve explained each decision in more detail below.
While the Implants option is the best option inmostcircumstances, it is worth noting that if your crew is largely in favor of taking the brain tissue from the Tabula Rasa instead, this might be the better option to choose to actually complete your playthrough. If a majority of the Alters leave because of your decision, it can be tricky to do everything on your own or with a very limited crew.
The Scientist and the Guard will always stay, and the Technician will always leave, regardless of the choice you make at this stage.
What Happens If You Choose Tabula Rasa in The Alters?
Clone Repair Project
By choosing the Tabula Rasa, players will be ‘siding’ with Maxwell and will essentially use the newly created clone’s brain tissue to cure your fellow Alters who are currently sick. It’s an inhumane solution to the problem, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If players choose to side with Maxwell and create the Tabula Rasa, then the following Alters will be unhappy with your decision and will leave at the end of Act 2:
By choosing to use the Tabula Rasa, you’ll also strengthen your relationship with Maxwell, and they will be the one to assist you with getting off the planet in Act 3. The downside here is that Lena will be very upset by this decision and so won’t be helping you move forward in the story.
You’ll unlock the’Bold Science' achievementby choosing the Tabula Rasa choice, but you won’t be able to get ‘Corporate Plug’ on this playthrough.
What Happens If You Choose Implants in The Alters?
The Better Option but Not Without Its Costs
By choosing the Implants option, players will be taking the side of Lena. This also requires players to create the Implants at the Workshop for every Alter they currently have, and any Alter they make moving forward. The Implants cost 10 Metals, 30 Minerals, and 20 Rapidium each, so make sureyou’ve got plenty of resourcesand have crafted these before the ‘The Clock Is Ticking’ quest where you need to announce your decision to the crew.
Choosing the Implants will cause the following Alters to be unhappy with the decision and leave at the end of Act 2:
You’ll also strengthen your relationship with Lena, and they will be the one to help get you off the planet in Act 3. Like the Tabula Rasa option, this will have the opposite effect with Maxwell, who will no longer help you with your mission.
The added ‘bonus’ of choosing the Implants is that you’ll have the Tabula Rasa Alter permanently on your team moving forward. They can’t be assigned any task, so they’re pretty useless, but they’re pretty funny to talk to and have around your base all the same.
As noted above, choosing the Implants gives players the opportunity to convince therebel Alters in Act 3 to return. If players speak to Lena and get her to promise that the Alters won’t be harmed if they return, she will inform players that she has found a way to shut down the implants' tracking capabilities, while still curing the Alters. Then players can craft a Supply Package at the Workshop with 120 Metals, 60 Minerals, and 50 Organics, and give this to Jan Technician. The Supply Package, alongside the reassurance that the Implants have been disabled, is enough to convince the rebel Alters to return by selecting the ‘You Should Come Back’ option in this conversation. This isn’t possible if you choose to go the Tabula Rasa route.
While this managed to convince the rebel Alters in my playthrough, it’s unclear if things like your relationship, the overall happiness of the Alters before they left, and other factors play a part in Jan Technician’s decision to agree to return. If I learn that other factors play a part in future playthroughs, I’ll update this post.
You’ll unlock the ‘Corporate Plug’ trophy or achievement by choosing the Implants, but you won’t be able to unlock ‘Bold Science’ in this playthrough.
