Mastering Welcome to Tau Ceti in Marathon

The Welcome to Tau Ceti contract in Marathon is one of the earliest multi-step missions you’ll encounter. It’s designed to introduce core PvE combat, navigation, and objective interaction on the Perimeter map. While the description looks straightforward, many players get stuck on locating UESC targets, finding an FTL array, or tracking down the correct comms antenna for sabotage.

This guide breaks the mission into clear parts, explains each objective in depth, and offers practical tips so you can complete both stages efficiently and reliably, even in contested lobbies.

What Welcome to Tau Ceti Actually Is

Welcome to Tau Ceti is a two-part faction contract tied to early progression in Marathon. Completing it grants you gear and opens up further contracts and faction interactions. You’ll be playing on the Perimeter map for all objectives.

Each part has its own turn-in step at the faction screen. You must complete and claim Part 1 before Part 2 becomes available.

Preparing for the Contract

While the mission is accessible very early, a bit of preparation makes it smoother:

• Bring a mid-range weapon: UESC bots are tough and dangerous up close. A solid mid-range rifle or accurate SMG lets you fight from safer distances.
• Carry healing or shields: Surviving multiple UESC engagements often comes down to quick recovery between skirmishes.
• Use a mobile loadout: Vertical and lateral mobility helps you reach rooftops and reposition around POIs.
• Check your squad composition: If you’re playing in a group, coordinate kills so everyone working on the contract gets credit.

Understanding UESC Enemies

For Part 1, you must defeat three UESC enemies. These are AI-controlled robots and not player opponents. They’re typically found guarding Points of Interest (POIs) around Perimeter.

Identifying Valid Targets

To make sure kills count toward the contract:

• Look for blue UESC robots: These patrol POIs like relays, stations, and other notable structures.
• Ignore non-UESC creatures: Insect-like or creature enemies do not count for the objective.
• Stick to UESC-heavy POIs: Areas like North Relay, South Relay, and some industrial sections are good bets.

Combat Tips Against UESC Bots

UESC bots behave more like disciplined AI troops than cannon fodder:

• Fight from cover: Peek from corners or behind objects to avoid sustained fire.
• Focus one target at a time: Burst down a single bot quickly to reduce incoming damage.
• Use elevation when possible: Rooftops and raised walkways let you control angles and disengage safely.
• Fall back if overwhelmed: You don’t need to clear entire POIs; three kills are enough to satisfy the contract.

Because this is a PvEvP environment, stay mindful of other players. Fights with UESC bots can expose your position on the map.

Part 1: Killing UESC and Scanning an FTL Array

Part 1 combines two separate objectives: one combat-focused, one interaction-focused. The order in which you complete them doesn’t matter, but most players start with the three UESC kills because that immediately unlocks helpful pings for the second objective.

Step 1 – Secure Three UESC Kills

After loading into a Perimeter run, your first priority is to find and defeat three UESC bots.

Finding UESC Quickly

• Head toward major POIs: Spawn orientation usually places you near one of the big named locations. Move toward the nearest relay or station.
• Follow ambient combat noise: You can often hear UESC engaging other players; use the audio cues to home in on them.
• Check high-value events: Intercept-style encounters or marked high-value targets are more likely to have clusters of UESC units.

Kill Credit in Squads

In group play, kills can be inconsistent if not everyone tags the same targets. To avoid frustration:

• Focus fire so each squadmate gets damage on the UESC bots.
• Communicate which enemies still need to be tagged by others.
• Be patient; with only three required kills, there’s usually enough to go around in a single POI.

Step 2 – Locate and Scan an FTL Array

Once the three UESC kills are done, you need to find and scan an FTL array. This is a specific radio structure tied to UESC facilities.

How FTL Arrays Are Marked

• Proximity pings: When you’re within about a hundred meters of a valid UESC radio tower, an icon should appear on your HUD.
• Quest tracking: After you’ve met the UESC kill requirement, your objective tracker is more reliable at highlighting FTL targets.

Visually Recognizing the FTL Array

FTL arrays tend to be built into or near UESC radio towers. Look for:

• A tower-like structure with a distinct tech profile and blue UESC color accents.
• A console or terminal nearby with which you can interact.
• Placement on rooftops or raised platforms at POIs rather than at ground level.

Scanning the Array

To complete the scan:

1. Approach the terminal associated with the tower.
2. Wait for the interaction prompt to appear.
3. Hold the interaction button until the scan completes.

The scan is usually instantaneous or very quick. Be aware that you’re vulnerable while channeling the interaction, so clear nearby threats first if possible.

Do You Need to Survive the Run?

For this mission, your objective completion persists even if you die afterward. Once the game registers your three UESC kills and the FTL scan, the progress is locked to your account for that part of the contract. However, you still need to:

• Exit to the main interface after the match.
• Open your faction or contracts screen.
• Manually turn in Part 1 to receive rewards and unlock Part 2.

Turning In Part 1 and Unlocking Part 2

Between runs, open the contracts interface for the relevant faction. Welcome to Tau Ceti Part 1 should show as ready to complete once both the UESC kills and FTL scan are done.

Claim the reward, then select the new entry for Welcome to Tau Ceti Part 2. With that active, you’re ready to return to Perimeter with a new goal: sabotaging a comms antenna.

Part 2: Sabotaging a Comms Antenna

The second half of Welcome to Tau Ceti is more surgical: you only need to interact with one comms antenna in a specific POI. Completion again doesn’t require extraction; surviving is optional after the sabotage is done.

Where to Go in Perimeter

The contract typically points you toward either of two key locations:

• North Relay
• South Relay

You only need to hit one of these. Upon spawning, check which relay is closer and push toward that POI to save time and limit exposure to other players.

Finding the Correct Antenna

The comms antenna is visually and functionally distinct from the FTL array:

• Look for a structure with a clear antenna mast rather than a tall radio tower.
• The associated console often features different color highlights from the FTL terminal.
• As you approach within the usual proximity radius, the objective marker on your HUD should guide you to the exact location.

Executing the Sabotage

Once you’ve found the correct console:

1. Clear or avoid nearby enemies to minimize interruptions.
2. Initiate the sabotage interaction when the prompt appears.
3. Maintain the interaction until the short progress timer completes.
4. Watch for a visual cue (such as the antenna detonating or malfunctioning) to confirm success.

As soon as the sabotage finishes, the objective is considered complete. You can continue the match, hunt more loot, or accept death—none of that will undo the contract progress.

Rewards and Why This Contract Matters

Finishing Welcome to Tau Ceti is more than just ticking off a to-do list. It grants access to early-game upgrades and improves your overall account progression.

Weapon Reward

One of the highlighted incentives for this contract is a high-performance SMG often recognized as an excellent early weapon. Its high rate of fire and handling make it ideal for close-quarters engagements and aggressive flanks in both PvE and PvP contexts.

Unlocking Further Faction Contracts

After the comms sabotage, the improved communications capability ties directly into the in-game fiction: your allies can now more reliably contact Sol and coordinate with new partners. Mechanically, this translates into:

• Access to new faction liaison contracts from groups such as NuCaloric and Traxus.
• Additional upgrade paths and gear unlocks within those factions.
• Broader mission variety as more advanced contracts become available.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Even though the objectives are simple on paper, several practical issues trip players up. Here are the most common and how to avoid them.

Issue 1: UESC Kills Not Tracking

If your kill counter seems stuck:

• Confirm the enemy type: Only UESC bots count; creature-like or other AI factions won’t progress the contract.
• Check your squad status: In squads, make sure you deal damage to the bots yourself if credit appears to be shared inconsistently.
• Wait for UI updates: There can be a slight delay in the objective counter updating after a kill.

Issue 2: Can’t Find an FTL Array

When FTL towers seem to be hiding:

• Complete the kill objective first: The FTL objective often behaves better once the UESC requirement is fulfilled.
• Sweep multiple POIs: Don’t tunnel on a single area; radio towers can spawn in different Perimeter locations.
• Check higher ground: FTL arrays frequently sit on rooftops or upper decks rather than at street level.

Issue 3: Part 2 Not Appearing

If you’ve done the Part 1 objectives but don’t see Part 2:

• Verify that you completed both the kills and the scan.
• Return to the faction screen and actively press the button to complete Part 1.
• Only after claiming the reward will Part 2 become selectable.

Efficiency Tips for Fast Completion

If you’re trying to speed-run the contract on a fresh character or alt:

• Prioritize POIs with UESC presence: Run directly toward relays or marked industrial zones on spawn.
• Avoid unnecessary fights: You only need three UESC kills and two short interactions—don’t linger.
• Use vertical routes: Stairs, lifts, and ziplines get you to FTL arrays on roofs quickly.
• Don’t stress extraction: Once objectives complete, dying is acceptable; it saves you from risky late-match PvP.

FAQ: Welcome to Tau Ceti Contract

Do I lose progress if I die before extracting?

No. Once an objective (kills, scan, or sabotage) completes in match, it remains completed even if you die afterward. You only need to survive long enough for the interaction or kill to register.

Can I complete both parts in one run?

Not usually. Part 2 only unlocks after you’ve finished Part 1 and turned it in at the faction screen between runs. So you’ll generally need at least two separate Perimeter matches.

Do squadmates’ kills count for my three UESC kills?

This can vary based on damage tagging and contract implementation. To be safe, make sure you personally contribute damage to each UESC bot you want counted, especially if you notice inconsistent tracking.

What if I can’t see the objective markers?

Check your quest tracking settings, ensure the correct contract is active, and remember that markers often appear only within a certain proximity. If necessary, move between POIs to trigger the HUD pings.

Is the SMG reward worth it?

Yes. The early contract SMG is widely regarded as a strong all-purpose weapon, particularly for close to mid-range engagements, making it a valuable pick-up for new players.

Why This Mission Is a Good Warm-Up for Marathon

Welcome to Tau Ceti functions as a compact training course for Marathon’s broader gameplay loop. Through a handful of focused tasks, it teaches you to:

• Identify and engage AI factions safely in a live, competitive environment.
• Traverse the Perimeter map efficiently and learn key POIs.
• Interact with mission-critical structures under pressure.
• Manage contracts across multiple runs instead of expecting single-match closure.

By the time you’ve wrapped up both parts, you’ll have a better grasp of Perimeter’s layout, a strong SMG in your inventory, and new faction paths to explore. With that foundation, you’ll be far better prepared for more complex contracts and the escalating dangers of Tau Ceti.