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Gray Zone Exploration
"I can't sleep yet, I still have work to do..."
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Gray Zone Exploration (灰域探查) is a game mode added with client 3.0200. The 6th Detachment of the Border Surveillance Corps has returned from a previously unexplored area with great loot, so the Commander has decided to deploy more exploration parties.
Players deploy echelons on a map of hexagonal tiles and capture them to earn 
points and unlock prizes from the ladder. Tiles contain a small battle map which is entered by expending 
Exploration Permits (or 
resources of the player has no permits remaining). Harder fights grant more points, and bonus points are granted for occupying every tile on a map. Time will pass with each battle, switching between day and night battles every three turns. In this mode, damaged T-Dolls will automatically be healed to full health after being withdrawn, unless they are in the Critically Damaged state. Battles can be automated with the AI Proxy Battle function.
Past exclusive equipments can be earned from the rewards ladder, while past exclusive T-Dolls can be dropped from battles. Each season of Gray Zone Exploration adds new exclusive equipments to its pool.
The maximum difficulty of this mode is where vehicle parts are farmed for Mobile Armor.
Nodes
- Battle Node: play a standard battle map.
- Boss Node: play a boss battle map and earn bonus points.
- Fairy Node: assign a Tactical Fairy of the correct type and level to a premade echelon that will fight a normal battle.
- HOC Node: assign a HOC to an echelon.
- Incident Node: adds a battlefield effect.
- Land of Encounters: a mysterious area that is only revealed when on an adjacent tile, leading to Collapse Rift special puzzle maps.
- Armor Assault (Crystalized only): a 35-stages battle tower for Mobile Armor appearing after beating the boss (not compatible with Proxy System).
Difficulties
The difficulty level can be changed with the dedicated button, but will reset the map progress.
| Map | Dustbowl | Windstorm | Vitrified | Crystallized |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Servers | CN, TW, KR, EN | CN, TW, KR, EN | CN, TW, KR, EN | CN, TW, KR, EN |
| Difficulty | Easy | Medium | Hard | Hard |
| Total points on completion | 2490+300 | 3735+400 | 4980+500 | 4980+500 |
| Recommended echelon level | 65+ | 90+ | 110+ | 110+ |
| Fairy nodes | Rare | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| HOC nodes | None | Rare | Standard | Standard |
| Mobile Armor nodes and drops Mobile Armor parts | None | None | None | Standard |
Proxy System
Activating the Proxy System after entering a node will let the game automatically choose echelons or support units to deploy and conduct them in battle. By default, the game will deploy any unit unless the Proxy Planning (flag icon in the exploration menu) has been configured. Proxy Planning is used to mark certain units as active for day or night nodes.
The proxy will be automatically disabled when a unit enters critical condition and control given back to the player.
Planning Mode will be unlocked after beating a boss node for the first time, enabling route planning mode through the nodes to completely automate Gray Zone Exploration.
-
Configurable rules for proxy battle. -
Route to take when fighting. -
Planning mode with no nodes selected.
Rewards
The rewards ladder progresses as the player collects points. At the start of a new season, the rewards listing will have 2 layers, the upper layers will contain a 
Basic Equipment Indicator, 
Basic Exclusive Equipment Selection Indicator, and 
Advanced Exclusive Equipment Selection Indicator at 2000/4000/6000 points respectively, while the lower layers will contain one-time extra rewards. After the ladder is completed, it will reset the reward bracket to 0 and remove the lower layer of rewards for the rest of this season. The rewards from the upper layers will remain unchanged and they can be earned again.
The Basic Equipment Indicator at 2000 points will let the player select a normal 5-star piece of equipment.
At 4000 points the reward is a Basic Exclusive Equipment Selection Indicator which lets the player select an exclusive piece of equipment for a 4-star or lower Doll, including some new exclusives restricted to Gray Zone Exploration.
At 6000 points the reward is an Advanced Exclusive Equipment Selection Indicator which lets the player select an exclusive piece of equipment for a 5-star Doll, including some new exclusives restricted to Gray Zone Exploration.
| New content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 2000
|
4000
|
6000
|
|
April 2023 (CN) |
PEQ-16A |
Thompson Exoskeleton | |
|
May 2023 (CN) |
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|
July 2023 (CN) |
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|
August 2023 (CN), April 2024 (Global) |
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|
September 2023 (CN), May 2024 (Global) |
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|
November 2023 (CN) |
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|
December 2023 (CN) |
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|
January 2024 (CN) |
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| February 2024 (CN) | |||
| February 2024 (Global) | |||
| March 2024 (CN) | |||
| April 2024 (CN) | |||
| May 2024 (CN) |
High Performance Camouflage Exoskeleton |
||
| June 2024 (CN) | |||
| June-July 2024 (Global) | |||
| July 2024 (CN) | |||
Incident Nodes
Abandoned Military Base
The exploration team continues on in the sandstorm. The blurry silhouette of a building appears in the distance under the blazing sun... It could be a treasure trove that no one has come across before.
It is an old and very run-down military base. The humans must have left this place in a hurry, or perhaps they knew they would never return again.
The damage to the interior is not that extensive. Only the cobwebs in the corners bear witness to what the building has gone through. The team decides to explore the base once the sandstorm is over:
- Accidentally activated firepower module.
- Accidentally activated overclocked firepower module.
- Discovered burst module. Attempt to activate.
- Discovered advanced burst module. Attempt to activate.
- Armor-piercing rounds made of common materials.
- Armor-piercing rounds made of special materials.
- Obtained rail integration system.
- Obtained the latest rail integration system.
- A yellowed booklet recounting past battles.
- A bloodstained booklet recounting past battles.
- Gel balls—you're not getting away!
- Gel ball blaster—you're not getting away!
There's nothing left here. Everything will be slowly buried by the yellow sand. The humans have already lost their diamonds.
Abandoned Laboratory
Vegetation has filled every crevice in the city and occupied every building... Since the humans' departure, plants have become the only master of this place. The faded text on a nearby sign reads, "Radiation... Center Labora..."
This was once the first battlefield where humankind fought against ELID, but now all that's left is desolation. Some stayed in defiance, while others ran in fear. But the battlefield consumes all eventually.
The team has discovered some leftover test subjects here which may come in useful.
- A smoke bomb with the word "rainbow" written on it.
- An auto smoke bomb with the word "rainbow" written on it.
- Rail disruptor—what are you looking at?
- Modified rail disruptor—what are you looking at?
- Portable shield—come test my defenses!
- Tactical shield—come test my defenses!
- Enjoyed some maintenance with gun oil.
- Enjoyed some maintenance with high-quality gun oil.
- Excellent thruster. Small size, great effectiveness.
- State-of-the-art thruster. Small size, great effectiveness.
The smoke has faded, and everyone has already left for the next battlefield.
Lighthouse
The lighthouse that illuminates one's path is still carrying out its duty faithfully even to this day. If you get lost in the dark, you could go up to the lighthouse. It would at least offer you an embrace.
A lighthouse that is still functional. The keeper has long since gone, but the tower itself is still welcoming all lost travelers with open arms.
Gazing into the distance from the lookout, the city is no longer recognizable even with the map nearby.
All that can be made out is the roaming ELIDs, damaged buildings, and traces left behind by explorers who had come before you—perhaps these could get you to move farther.
- Obtained rail integration system.
- Obtained the latest rail integration system.
- Gel balls—you're not getting away!
- Gel ball blaster—you're not getting away!
- Rail disruptor—what are you looking at?
- Modified rail disruptor—what are you looking at?
- Enjoyed some maintenance with gun oil.
- Enjoyed some maintenance with high-quality gun oil.
- Night vision module—I can see in the dark.
- High-quality night vision module—I can see in the dark.
It has shown you the way. It sends you off, as it has sent off all travelers.
Convoy Wreckage
The hulking heap shows its former owners' ambition and courage. They once thought there was no stopping them... But they don't seem to be in good shape right now.
Judging by the traces left around the wreckage left on the side of the road, the state-of-the-art equipment was not able to repel their assailants that came in waves. However, nobody deserted the convoy... perhaps they didn't want to, or perhaps they simply couldn't.
The adventurers left their mark, as well as some precious combat logs for the team:
- Accidentally activated firepower module.
- Accidentally activated overclocked firepower module.
- Learned burst technique from the MG Dolls.
- Learned advanced burst technique from the MG Dolls.
- Armor-piercing rounds made of common materials.
- Armor-piercing rounds made of special materials.
- Obtained rail integration system.
- Obtained the latest rail integration system.
- A yellowed booklet recounting past battles.
- A bloodstained booklet recounting past battles.
- Gel balls—you're not getting away!
- Gel ball blaster—you're not getting away!
- A crowbar that can inflict pain on enemies.
- Mechanical remains. They seem to be under the influence of some unknown force.
Perhaps life is a great adventure with no going back. Some may have already set off on a different journey, while your adventure has only just begun.
Sea of Epiphyllums[sic]
A hidden sea of flowers that nobody knows about, or perhaps those who do know about it all keep their mouths shut about its existence.
Moonlight merges with the petals' glow, forming a lake of silver light. Legend has it that these sacred flowers will emit a light of blessings, and those who are chosen will be forgiven and given passage to paradise.
Perhaps this is a mystery that you should investigate:
- Accidentally activated firepower module.
- Accidentally activated overclocked firepower module.
- Accidentally activated burst module.
- Accidentally activated overclocked burst module.
- Armor-piercing rounds are scattered all over the ground.
- High-quality armor-piercing rounds are scattered all over the ground.
- Obtained rail integration system.
- Obtained the latest rail integration system.
- A yellowed booklet recounting past battles.
- A bloodstained booklet recounting past battles.
- Strange signal interference detected.
- Powerful signal interference detected.
These deathly flowers are surrounded by a ghostly light. The moment they bloom, people will be plunged into hell.
Adventurers
The chances of meeting friends here are not high at all—this place is full of monsters that are incapable of communication, after all. But since we are all adventurers, why don't we say hello?
The exploration team under the command of another commander grin ear-to-ear when they see you—"For heaven's sake, we thought there's nobody alive in here!"
Technically, T-Dolls aren't ALIVE, but who cares? "Friends" are the most serendipitous treasure here.
Even more coincidentally, they have something you want:
- A smoke bomb with the word "rainbow" written on it.
- An auto smoke bomb with the word "rainbow" written on it.
- Rail disruptor—what are you looking at?
- Modified rail disruptor—what are you looking at?
- Portable shield—come test my defenses!
- Tactical shield—come test my defenses!
- Gun maintenance solution. Agility increased after use.
- Gun nourishment solution. Agility greatly increased after use.
- Excellent thruster. Small size, great effectiveness.
- State-of-the-art thruster. Small size, great effectiveness.
- Large ELID plant. The flower has wilted.
Although you did not end up going down the same path, you will definitely meet again in the not so distant future.
Human Scientists
Running into a large pack of ELID in the Red Zone isn't anything special. At least, it's no stranger sight than what you're seeing right now—a group of humans in radiation-proof hazmat suits are chattering with each other no far away from you.
It is a research team made up of E.L.I.D.[sic] researchers and geologists hoping to study the ecology of this area and test out the latest E.L.I.D.[sic] medication.
"Humans leave their homes behind in the hopes that they can return some day, no matter how long it will take or how many obstacles they must overcome."
The research team asks if the exploration team could help them gather some crucial data and offers some supplies as a show of gratitude.
- A smoke bomb with the word "rainbow" written on it.
- An auto smoke bomb with the word "rainbow" written on it.
- Rail disruptor—what are you looking at?
- Modified rail disruptor—what are you looking at?
- Portable shield—come test my defenses!
- Tactical shield—come test my defenses!
- Gun maintenance solution. Agility increased after use.
- Gun nourishment solution. Agility greatly increased after use.
- Excellent thruster. Small size, great effectiveness.
- State-of-the-art thruster. Small size, great effectiveness.
- A spinning top—searching for secrets in the mind.[note 1]
- An origami unicorn—may you be protected.[note 2]
The research team continues on their journey. Humans never know how many more tomorrows they have, but every present moment is spent preparing for a certain moment in the future—at least, that's what they believe.
Vegetation
This is a miraculous sight that no eyes have ever beheld: vegetation has consumed the city and been transformed by radiation storms into a crystalline forest, glistening in the sand and dust.
In this crystalline world, silicificated plants have taken up most of the view. These flowers are practically eternal—as long as their crystalline form isn't damaged, they will bloom for eternity as they remain frozen in time.
The team may not be able to protect this beautiful but fragile rose, but they've still decided to take it with them. Perhaps this is a sign for them to keep going in this expansive and boundless land of desolation.
But even so, it wouldn't hurt to stay for just a while...
- Strange signal interference detected.
- Powerful signal interference detected.
- It feels as if the sound of battle is now far away.
- It feels as if there won't be any more gun smoke in the world.
- Something deep down seems to have been rekindled!
- Motivation suddenly fills the heart!
- An unknown elemental power has strengthened the whole echelon's shields.
- A special elemental power has strengthened the whole echelon's shields.
- Enjoyed some maintenance with gun oil.
- Enjoyed some maintenance with high-quality gun oil.
- An unknown elemental power has increased the whole echelon's speed.
- A special elemental power has increased the whole echelon's speed.
This crystalline forest in the deserted city is now a romantic freeze-frame in this dystopia.
Humans in the Radiation Zone
A strange and unfriendly group. They look undoubtedly humanoid, but their exposed arms bear obvious signs of silicification.
After mustering the courage to go up and investigate, the team realizes that these humans—or FORMER humans—are homeless drifters.
They are like sand being blown by the wind, with nothing to hold them down and therefore nothing to fear, which is why they have opted to come into a radiation zone and pen the final chapter of their lives here.
"Rather than trying to live in the Yellow Zone by fair means or foul, it's better to come and have a look at this strange new world," says a human with silicification. "Tomorrow will come, and so will the unexpected. That's just the way it is."
The team receives a gift from them:
- Obtained firepower module.
- Obtained overclocked firepower module.
- Learned burst technique from the MG Dolls.
- Learned advanced burst technique from the MG Dolls.
- Armor-piercing rounds made of common materials.
- Armor-piercing rounds made of special materials.
- Obtained rail integration system.
- Obtained the latest rail integration system.
- A yellowed booklet recounting past battles.
- A bloodstained booklet recounting past battles.
- Looks like a demolition notice. Seems familiar.[note 3]
No one can control their fate. All they can do is hold on tight to the mast of their little ship when the storm strikes and try not to be consumed.
Corpse of a Gigantic Mutated ELID
A D-Type ELID with a danger rating of S that can only be neutralized by heavy artillery. This big guy looks like bad news even though it's just a corpse.
For some reason, this animal-like D-Type ELID had clearly developed some unique mutations as it cannibalized other ELIDs.
Humans currently know very little about D-Type ELIDs. Judging by existing data, they seem to have some sort of authority over less advanced ELIDs. They can form a pack and become its leader. Some hypothesize that they have evolved some level of intelligence.
The team searches the surrounding area of the corpse carefully and gathers some samples:
- Obtained firepower module.
- Obtained overclocked firepower module.
- Discovered burst module. Attempt to activate.
- Discovered advanced burst module. Attempt to activate.
- Armor-piercing rounds made of common materials.
- Armor-piercing rounds made of special materials.
- Obtained rail integration system.
- Obtained the latest rail integration system.
- A yellowed booklet recounting past battles.
- A bloodstained booklet recounting past battles.
- Mechanical remains. They seem to be under the influence of some unknown force.
- These targets look familiar. What are they doing here?
The corpse, once the ruler of this area, still emits a strong feeling of oppression. However, something in the shadows seems even more powerful... You should leave now, and don't look back.
Wandering Droids
These droids, which have lost their synthetic skin, are wandering on the plains, their exposed metallic frames glinting coldly in the sunlight, almost like a scene out of a sci-fi movie.
These droids' neural clouds are largely intact. They seem to have been abandoned here because of their damaged appearance.
The team offers to take their neural clouds so that they can be given new bodies, but the offer is firmly turned down: they do not fear death; in fact, they yearn for this distinctly human experience.
They are extremely kind to the team. Not only do they inform them of the local distribution of dangerous creatures, they even give them a lot of their supplies and wish them good luck.
- Gel balls—you're not getting away!
- Gel ball blaster—you're not getting away!
- A smoke bomb with the word "rainbow" written on it.
- An auto smoke bomb with the word "rainbow" written on it.
- Rail disruptor—what are you looking at?
- Modified rail disruptor—what are you looking at?
- Portable shield—come test my defenses!
- Tactical shield—come test my defenses!
- Gun maintenance solution. Agility increased after use.
- Gun nourishment solution. Agility greatly increased after use.
- Excellent thruster. Small size, great effectiveness.
- State-of-the-art thruster. Small size, great effectiveness.
- A special core that can disrupt enemies.
They would like to spend their final moments in peace and perhaps embark on the next great adventure. Leave them be.
Blue Phone Box
This entry is a reference to the similar encounter in the Forward Base.
A blue phone box. Everyone on the team wanders if they're hallucinating, since this thing seems to be EVERYWHERE.
This cuboid blue box looks much bigger on the inside. In the center is a complex control interface. The team gathers around it, but nobody knows how to use this thing.
As if sensing their confusion, a line of text suddenly appears on the interface, "Thank you for visiting me. I can give you some help."
- A special chip that can disrupt enemies.
- A crowbar that can inflict pain on enemies.
- A short rod with "T..." written faintly on it.
- These targets look familiar. What are they doing here?
- A strange-looking faux flower. It wilts in a very bizarre way.
- A spinning top—searching for secrets in the mind.[note 1]
- An origami unicorn—may you be protected.[note 2]
- Looks like a demolition notice. Seems familiar.[note 3]
Did we answer the call of destiny, or did destiny lead us to this place? There may be no real answer to this question, but destiny already lies ahead.
Demolition Notice
A crumbling building. Someone suggests exploring it, while others think there won't be anything inside.
In the basement, the team finds an "Area Purge Notice" in a tightly-shut drawer: ...From today onwards, residents have 50 working days to lodge any complaints; after 50 working days, the plan will be implemented.
This notice has clearly been displayed properly, and it was no difficult task finding it inside a locked drawer in the basement, so all the residents must have read it.
Next to the drawers is a small case with no labels. The team hesitate, wondering if they should open it:[note 3]
- Obtained firepower module.
- Obtained overclocked firepower module.
- Discovered burst module. Attempt to activate.
- Discovered advanced burst module. Attempt to activate.
- Armor-piercing rounds made of common materials.
- Armor-piercing rounds made of special materials.
- Obtained rail integration system.
- Obtained the latest rail integration system.
- A yellowed booklet recounting past battles.
- A bloodstained booklet recounting past battles.
- An origami unicorn—may you be protected.[note 2]
- Running equipment. Numbers are flashing on the screen.
What is the answer to the question? What even is the question? Alright, don't ask too many questions. In the end, everything will crumble into dust.
Old Car
An antique sports car is parked quietly on the roadside like a tourist who has stumbled into a place where they don't belong. The chassis, made entirely of stainless steel, was uncommon even decades ago.
The exploration team approach the car, and the gull-wing doors slowly open, revealing the interior—antique instruments, mysterious numbers, an obsolete number pad... Everything shows that it is not a product of this era.
When someone is seated on the driver's seat, the car starts automatically but does not move. A line of text appears on the dashboard: Please input your destination.[note 4]
- Butterflies flutter. Firepower module activated.
- Butterflies flutter. Overclocked firepower module activated.
- A string of code activated the burst module.
- A string of code activated the overclocked burst module.
- A confidential document. Advanced weapon knowledge uncovered.
- A top secret document. Advanced weapon knowledge uncovered.
- Activated aiming accuracy chip.
- Activated advanced aiming accuracy chip.
- A technical manual. Insight gained.
- A development manual. Insight gained.
- An infrared detector in the mysterious lab.
- An high-precision infrared detector in the mysterious lab.
- A red hot crowbar that can make enemies scream.
The sports car is nowhere to be found. What is its destination this time? Perhaps you can ask it about the future the next time you see it.
Athena's Owl
A building that is completely out of place. It looks pristine amid the ruins, and you can just about hear the music playing inside.
A bar that has no business being here. A relaxing minuet drifts through the door as the wooden owl signboard sways gently in the breeze.
The team push the door open and enter the bar. Catching sight of them, the bartender, who has been polishing glasses behind the bar counter, offers them a menu:
- Beer—find more enemies.
- Two beers—find even more enemies.
- Godfather—open fire and don't stop.
- Two Godfathers—open fire and don't stop.
- Mexican Sunrise—raze everything.
- Two Mexican Sunrises—raze everything.
- Blue Bird—today has been quite the lucky day!
- Two Blue Birds—today has been quite the lucky day!
- Harvey Wallbanger—indomitable!
- Two Harvey Wallbangers—indomitable!
- Bloody Mary—are your legs turning into noodles?
- Two Bloody Marys—are your legs turning into noodles?
- Golden Dream—to the most beloved you.
- Two Golden Dreams—to the most beloved you.
- Margarita—show some optimism, baby.
- Two Margaritas—show some optimism, baby.
- Angel's Kiss—this is more useful than prayers.
- Two Angel's Kisses—this is more useful than prayers.
- Casablanca—danger neutralized.
- Two Casablancas—danger neutralized.
- Jack Rose—blooming red.
- Two Jack Roses—blooming red.
The boundary between reality and fantasy has blurred. Perhaps it doesn't even matter whether this is real or not. Even if all of this is fake, it is still a down-to-earth kind of fake.
Gallery
-
Stage clear score screen. -
Possible equip rewards. -
Possible tdoll rewards. -
List of enemies to be encountered on a stage. -
Loot displayed after clearing a node. -
Enemy types encountered at dustbowl difficulty. -
Enemy types encountered at windstorm difficulty. -
Enemy types encountered at vitrified difficulty.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 This is a reference to the movie Inception.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 This is a reference to the Director's Cut version of Blade Runner.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 This is a reference to the Vogon demolition notice of Earth at the beginning of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
- ↑ This is a reference to the time-traveling DeLorean car from Back to the Future.