The Onyx facilities in Star Citizen 4.3 are vast underground locations accessed via investigation contracts from the Hotcrow agency, featuring complex puzzles, combat, and exploration across multiple facility areas with rewards like ASD secure drives and valuable loot. While currently limited by bugs and incomplete rewards, these sites offer challenging gameplay with plans for expanded content, new missions, and functional puzzles in future patches.
The Onyx facilities introduced in Star Citizen 4.3 are expansive underground locations spread across the moons of Stanton, featuring over 100 sites and the return of investigation contracts. These facilities currently have a complex chain of puzzles that don’t yet have functional rewards, with additional areas planned for future patches. To access these sites, players must first accept a contract from the new Hotcrow agency under the investigations tab, as there are no direct map markers. Subsequent contracts allow direct quantum jumps to Onyx locations, facilitating easier travel.
Each Onyx facility has two large self-land hangars as the only ship entry points, so ship choice is important. Inside, players will find freight elevators and item storage, but stored items are vulnerable to loss during patches due to a known bug. The facility layout includes a lobby with an armistice zone, engineering to the right, research to the left, and a medical bay behind the central elevator. Med beds do not regenerate health, but logging out inside the facility ensures players respawn there.
The initial investigation contracts take players through engineering and research areas, involving downloading data, combat with enemies, and exploring various sublevels. Players encounter puzzles, enemy NPCs, and hidden loot such as Zenith sniper rifles. Movement through the facility often involves careful navigation across shafts and elevators, with some contracts requiring multi-tools equipped with specific modules for tasks like repairing pipes. Completing these contracts rewards players with ASD secure drives, which can be traded or potentially used in future updates.
Phase two of the investigation contracts introduces more challenging objectives, including deeper exploration of research levels with heavier enemy presence and the need to transport physical items to low orbit stations. Players must manage resources like Cambio SRT modules and canisters for their multi-tools, which can be crafted or purchased. The missions involve navigating hazardous areas with radiation pulses, hostile creatures, and complex parkour segments. These contracts also offer valuable loot, including vault sniper rifles and Guist chest armor.
Completing the full chain of contracts unlocks additional repeatable missions and rewards, such as more ASD secure drives. Players who have completed related intro missions may also find hauling and mercenary contracts tied to Onyx facilities. With upcoming patches expected to add new wings, enable puzzles, and expand contract options, the Onyx facilities promise ongoing content and challenges. Players are encouraged to follow companion guides and stay updated for the latest developments in these visually impressive and intricate locations.