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Signal Towers
April 4, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Add wikilinks to table cells (2 new links)
Signal Towers are structures found throughout the world of Outbound that serve as the primary method for unlocking new crafting recipes, workstations, and building components. Players spend Download Vouchers (earned from the recycling system) to download blueprints from Signal Towers. Each tower offers a selection of blueprint options, and the available choices can vary from player to player, making every playthrough feel distinct.
Signal Towers are scattered across the game's biomes, encouraging exploration as players seek out new towers to expand their technology tree. They function as progression gates, rewarding players who explore widely and recycle consistently.
When a player approaches a Signal Tower, they can interact with it to view the available blueprints. Each blueprint has a Download Voucher cost, and the player selects which blueprint to download. Once a blueprint is downloaded, the corresponding crafting recipe, workstation plan, or building component design is permanently added to the player's known recipes.
The process follows these steps:
Approach a Signal Tower in the world.
Interact with the tower to open its blueprint menu.
Browse the available blueprint options and their voucher costs.
Select a blueprint and confirm the download.
The new recipe is added to your crafting menu immediately.
Players cannot download every blueprint from a single tower. Each tower offers a limited set of options, so visiting multiple towers across different biomes is necessary to build a comprehensive recipe collection.
Most Signal Towers provide multiple blueprint options to choose from. Players must decide which blueprints to prioritize based on their current needs and playstyle. For example, a tower might offer a choice between a new workstation for automation, a building module for the camper van, or an advanced farming tool.
This selection mechanic adds a strategic layer to progression. Players who focus on farming blueprints early will develop their farming capabilities sooner, while those who prioritize crafting or building unlock different advantages. Since towers refresh over time, missed blueprints may become available again later.
One of the defining features of Signal Towers is that the blueprint options they offer can vary from player to player. This randomization means that two players visiting the same tower may see different blueprints available for download. The variation extends across playthroughs as well, so starting a new game may present different progression paths depending on which blueprints appear at early towers.
This design choice encourages replayability and makes each playthrough feel fresh. It also adds value to co-op play, where players can pool their discoveries and share unlocked recipes.
Signal Towers can refresh with new signals over time. After a player has downloaded a blueprint from a tower, the tower may eventually receive new blueprint options that were not available during the previous visit. This refresh mechanic rewards return visits and gives players a reason to revisit towers they have already used.
The exact refresh timing may vary. Players should check previously visited towers periodically, especially after progressing further in the game or moving to a new biome. Refreshed towers are a valuable source of late-game blueprints that may not appear on first discovery.
In co-op sessions, Signal Tower unlocks are shared across all players in the group. When one player downloads a blueprint from a tower, every player in the session receives the recipe. This sharing mechanic means that the group does not need to visit every tower together or spend duplicate vouchers on the same blueprint.
Shared unlocks encourage a collaborative approach to exploration. Players can split up and visit different towers, then reconvene at the van with a combined set of new recipes. This is especially effective in the mid-game when players have accumulated enough Download Vouchers to make multiple purchases across the map.
Signal Towers are the backbone of Outbound's progression system. The loop of exploring, collecting trash, recycling for vouchers, and spending vouchers at towers forms the game's core progression arc. Without Signal Towers, players would be limited to their starting recipes and could not access advanced workstations, building modules, or automation components.
Blueprint Type | Description | Example Uses |
|---|---|---|
Crafting recipes | New items that can be created at workstations | Tools, furniture, decorations |
Workstation plans | New workstations for specialized crafting | Advanced cooking stations, automation components |
Building components | Modules and parts for the camper van | Roof expansions, storage upgrades |
Farming tools | Equipment for crop cultivation | Irrigation systems, planters |
Explore every biome thoroughly. Signal Towers are placed throughout the world, and some are tucked away in less obvious locations.
Prioritize blueprints that match your immediate needs. If you need better resources processing, pick workstation plans first.
Return to towers you have already visited. They may have refreshed with new blueprint options since your last visit.
In co-op, split up to visit different towers. Unlocks are shared, so covering more ground means more recipes for everyone.
Save some Download Vouchers for late-game towers. Advanced blueprints in remote biomes tend to have higher costs.
Look for Signal Towers near landmarks. Points of interest often have a tower nearby.
