Marathon Guide to Pinwheel Base Entry & FTL Array Scanning

This comprehensive guide covers two critical Marathon objectives: infiltrating the heavily fortified Pinwheel Base on Outpost map and completing the FTL Array scanning contract at UESC Radio Tower. Whether you’re hunting for high-tier loot or progressing through early contracts, this walkthrough has you covered.

Contents

1. Preparation for Pinwheel Base Infiltration
2. Three Routes Into Pinwheel Base
3. High-Risk Mechanics and Failure Triggers
4. FTL Array Scanning at UESC Radio Tower
5. Rewards, Optional Loot, and Hidden Unlocks

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Preparation for Pinwheel Base Infiltration

Before attempting to breach Pinwheel Base, ensure you’re properly equipped:

Required Level & Gear

• Recommended Level: 12+
• Map: Outpost
• Essential Items:
  • Healing items (multiple)
  • Ample ammunition
  • Keycards (various colors)
  • Conveyance Request (optional, rare)

Keycard Types & Spawn Locations

Keycard Color	Location Type	Spawn Details
Green	Interior rooms	Visible on desks and tables
Yellow	Locked containers	Inside white boxes requiring interaction
Red	Rooftops	At terminal stations on building roofs

Prerequisites

• Activate desired contract before starting run
• Scout keycard spawn locations early in run
• Prioritize looting any keycards found during exploration

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Three Routes Into Pinwheel Base

Method 1: Keycard Access via Flight Control, Dormitories, or Processing

Difficulty: Medium | Reliability: High | Combat Intensity: Heavy

Step 1: Locate Sealed Bridge

Location: Flight Control, Dormitories, or Processing areas Action: Head to any of these three zones and find the sealed bridge leading toward Pinwheel Base Outcome: You’ll encounter a shutter with a blue locking device displaying required keycards

Step 2: Gather Required Keycards

Location: Various buildings across Outpost Action: Collect the exact number and colors of keycards shown on the terminal display Outcome: Access to bridge shutter unlock mechanism

Pro Tip: The required combination varies per run. Common requirements include 2 yellow + 1 green, 3 yellow, or just 2 green cards. Loot everything early to maximize options.

Step 3: Unlock Bridge Shutter

Location: Sealed bridge entrance Action: Submit required keycards at the blue locking device Outcome: Shutter opens, granting bridge access

Step 4: Hack Terminal at Laser Barrier

Location: End of bridge near lift shaft Action: Interact with blue UESC terminal beside the red laser barrier Outcome: Initiates lengthy hacking process that triggers UESC bot assault

Step 5: Survive UESC Bot Onslaught

Location: Bridge area Action: Defend position against waves of UESC bots while hack completes Outcome: Barrier drops after successful hack completion

Critical: This area offers minimal cover. Stock up on ammo and healing before initiating hack. Solo players will find this extremely challenging without another team having already cleared the area.

Step 6: Access Lift or Ladders

Location: Bridge end Action: Call lift down or use side vent ladders for stealthier approach Outcome: Access to Pinwheel Base center (Dormitories route requires scaffolding climb)

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Method 2: Conveyance Request at Drone Wing

Difficulty: Low | Reliability: Very Low (item dependent) | Combat Intensity: Medium

Step 1: Acquire Conveyance Request

Location: Random loot across Outpost Action: Loot Priority Items throughout your run Outcome: Rare Conveyance Request item (completely random drop)

Step 2: Navigate to Drone Wing Control Room

Location: Small white control room under Drone Wing arm Map Position: Northwest of Processing, south of ‘E’ in ‘DRONE WING’ label Action: Reach the control room with orange terminal Outcome: Access to drone lift control

Step 3: Activate Drone Lift

Location: Orange terminal inside control room Action: Interact with terminal while holding Conveyance Request Outcome: Drone lift lowers into bay below

Step 4: Ride Lift to Drone Wing

Location: Lift platform Action: Jump onto lift and ride it upward Outcome: Direct access to Drone Wing section of Pinwheel Base

Warning: Drone Wing typically has heavy UESC bot and turret patrols. Prepare for immediate combat upon arrival.

Strategic Note: This method is incredibly safe but entirely dependent on finding the rare Conveyance Request early. If you loot one in the first 10 minutes, this should be your priority entry method. Otherwise, focus on keycard collection.

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Method 3: Destroyed Wing Climb [TEMPORARILY DISABLED]

Status: ⚠️ DISABLED as of Update 1.0.0.4 (March 11)

Original Difficulty: Low | Original Reliability: High | Original Combat Intensity: Low

Official Statement from Bungie: “We are temporarily disabling the ‘Broken Wing’ entrance into the Pinwheel while we make some tuning changes to it. In its current state it trivializes entrance into the Pinwheel. We are making some tweaks to maintain the spirit of the ‘silent’ entrance while better matching the risk / reward of the Pinwheel.”

Historical Method (For Reference)

Original Steps:

1. Navigate to Orientation area
2. Locate and shoot 4 white control boxes with red lights
3. Boxes spawn randomly on Destroyed Wing exterior and ruined interior
4. All boxes destroyed → red barriers deactivate
5. Climb to top of destroyed platforms and enter through door

Why It Was Nerfed: This method required no special items and provided near-silent entry, making it the dominant strategy for most players. Expect it to return with increased difficulty or resource requirements.

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High-Risk Mechanics and Failure Triggers

Critical Failure Points

Pinwheel Base Entry

• Keycard RNG: Required colors/quantities are random per run. Unlucky spawns can make entry impossible without rerolling.
• Hack Defense: The bridge hack triggers relentless UESC bot waves with minimal cover available.
• Lift Competition: Another team may unlock the lift before you arrive, allowing free access but also competition for loot.
• Disabled Route: Destroyed Wing entrance currently unavailable - don’t waste time attempting it.

FTL Array Scanning

• Scan Duration: 10-15 second scan time creates vulnerability window
• Death Resets Progress: Dying or extracting before scan completion fails the objective
• Contract Priority: Must have “Welcome to Tau Ceti” set as active contract

Missable Content Warnings

• Keycard Despawn: Some reports suggest keycards may despawn if too many players collect them
• Terminal Cooldown: Unknown if terminals have cooldown periods after use by other teams
• Loot Competition: Pinwheel Base contains high-value items that other teams will contest

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FTL Array Scanning at UESC Radio Tower

This contract objective trips up many players because the game provides minimal direction. Here’s the complete walkthrough.

Prerequisites

• Active Contract: “Welcome to Tau Ceti” must be set as your current contract
• Map: Perimeter
• Location: Station area

Scanning Process

Step 1: Navigate to Station

Location: Perimeter map, Station zone Action: Make your way to the Station area shown on your map Outcome: Reach the orange platform zone

Step 2: Locate Orange Platform

Visual Markers: Long orange platform with large wire tubes attached Action: Identify the distinctive platform structure Outcome: Find the base of the tower access staircase

Step 3: Climb to Tower

Location: Edge of orange platform Action: Find and ascend the staircase leading upward Outcome: Reach the blue UESC Radio Tower

Step 4: Initiate FTL Scan

Location: UESC Radio Tower terminal Action: Interact with tower terminal and insert FTL Comms Chip Duration: 10-15 seconds Outcome: Contract objective completion

Critical Success Factors

• Stay Alive: The scan duration creates a vulnerable window - position defensively before starting
• Contract Order: Some players report needing to defeat 3 UESC bots before the scan registers
• No Interruptions: Extraction or death before scan completion = failed objective

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Rewards, Optional Loot, and Hidden Unlocks

Pinwheel Base Loot Table

Source	Reward Type	Notes
Drone Wing	High-tier weapons	Heavy bot presence
Central Control	Quest items	Multiple contract starters
Storage Areas	Crafting materials	Bulk resource nodes
UESC Caches	Rare keycards	May contain red cards
Locked Rooms	Premium loot	Requires additional access

FTL Array Contract Rewards

• Primary: Contract completion credit
• Secondary: Progress toward “Welcome to Tau Ceti” chain
• Tertiary: Potential rare item drops from tower area

Strategic Loot Routes

1. Early Game: Focus on keycard collection for guaranteed Pinwheel access
2. Mid Game: Use Conveyance Request if found for safe Drone Wing loot
3. Late Game: Contest unlocked lifts from other teams for free access

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Marathon - Complete Guide Hub

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