Unlocking Anomaly Research in RimWorld

RimWorld’s Anomaly DLC transforms the survival sandbox into a chilling horror experience, introducing a parallel research system centered on capturing and studying bizarre entities. To access this **Anomaly research tree**, players must first locate and interact with a unique structure called the Fallen Monolith, then prioritize a new work type known as Dark Study.

Locating and Activating the Fallen Monolith

Every new colony map generated with the Anomaly DLC active features a Fallen Monolith, a towering, ominous structure that spawns randomly on the map. For older saves or colonies without one, a special quest will soon deliver this key landmark. Use the map overlay or explorer mode to scout its position, often hidden in remote corners amid harsh terrain.

Once found, assign a colonist—ideally one with high Intellectual skill—to investigate it. The game issues stern warnings: this action is irreversible and unleashes a cascade of supernatural events, raids, and entity incursions. Select “Keep focusing” to evolve the structure into a Void Monolith, instantly unlocking the Entity Codex (detailing 27 discoverable horrors) and the Anomaly research tab in the Research menu.

• Tip: Choose a pawn without critical roles; the process is safe but commits your colony to heightened threats.
• Post-activation, expect immediate entity attacks—prepare defenses like turrets and melee specialists.

Prioritizing Dark Study for Research Progress

Unlike traditional research at science benches, **Dark Study** occurs directly at the source: the Void Monolith, obelisks, or contained entities. Assign researchers via the Work tab, setting Dark Study above regular Research in priorities. Progress accrues every two days per entity, with more powerful ones yielding superior study points for basic or advanced projects.

Combine roles if possible: position anomaly labs near containment areas for efficiency. Early bottlenecks arise from limited study cycles, so capturing multiple entities accelerates unlocks, though it risks breaches.

Building Secure Containment Facilities

Post-monolith attunement (after discovering five then 12 entities), containment becomes paramount. Start with basic Holding Spots for downed entities, tending wounds to prevent death. Research **Entity Containment** first to unlock Holding Platforms, Electric Inhibitors, and Shard Inhibitors—essential for housing aggressive horrors like Shamblers or Sightstealers.

Harvest **bioferrite**, Anomaly’s core resource, from contained entities. Early game relies on steel doors and simple pens; scale up with bioferrite doors and double walls as supplies grow. Feed captives appropriately—raw meat for Ghouls via hunting—to maintain viability.

• Proximity Detectors reveal invisible entities.
• Multi-room setups with killboxes funnel breaches outward.

Essential Early Research Projects

The Anomaly tree demands strategic picks. After monolith activation, switch tabs and queue these:

1. Entity Containment: Platforms and inhibitors for safe housing.
2. Bioferrite Harvesting & Shaping: Process the resource for buildings and gear.
3. Void Provocation: Rituals to summon new entities deliberately.
4. Proximity Detector: Spot stealthy foes.
5. Ghoul Infusion: Create loyal undead workers from corpses.

Advanced paths unlock post-attunement, tying progress to entity variety.

Harnessing Bioferrite: The Lifeblood of Anomaly Tech

**Bioferrite** fuels nearly all DLC content—from containment to rituals and weapons. Harvest periodically from entities; stronger ones provide more. Farm via Fleshbeast summons or sustained captives. Shape it into doors, walls, and mechanitor gear for durability against breaches.

Maintain stockpiles: early shortages hobble expansion. Combine with traditional steel for hybrid defenses.

Mastering Void Rituals for Colony Advantage

Research unlocks **psychic rituals** adapting Ideology mechanics for horror utility. Examples:

• Blood Rain: During sieges, drive enemies mad.
• Void Provocation: Force new entity spawns for study.
• Fleshbeast Summon: Generate harvestable bioferrite sources.

Ritual success scales with participant mood and skill; site near monoliths for potency.

Entity Codex and Monolith Attunement

Each discovered entity populates the Codex, tracking behaviors and research value. Attune the monolith twice—post-5 and post-12 entries—for tiered threats and projects. Higher tiers introduce deadlier foes but richer rewards.

Overcoming Common Pitfalls

• Breaches: Use firebreaks, EMP grenades on tech entities.
• Study Stalls: Rotate captives, attune for variety.
• Resource Crunch: Ghoul laborers handle harvesting; burn corpses for fuel if needed.

Advanced Strategies for Anomaly Mastery

Leverage Ghouls as multi-tools: melee tanks, haulers, even one-man armies with upgrades. Build harbinger tree farms for passive threats-turned-resources. Prepare energy grids for inhibitors; corpses fuel crematoriums doubling as power plants.

Melee pawns shine against entities weak to close quarters—equip plasteel or bioferrite for edge.

FAQs

How do I start Anomaly content?

Find and investigate the Fallen Monolith with a colonist, confirming despite warnings.

What’s the best first research?

Entity Containment for secure holding.

How to get more bioferrite?

Capture and harvest from diverse, high-tier entities; summon Fleshbeasts.

Can I turn off Anomaly after activation?

No—monolith investigation is permanent.

Are Ghouls worth it?

Absolutely: immortal workers via Ghoul Infusion.