Staring at the Stars for Fun and Profit: Cracking the Order Initiate Riddle in The Outer Worlds 2
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Jeff dives into the celestial puzzles of The Outer Worlds 2, explaining how to crack the Alexandra Monastery's orrery riddle for a permanent damage-boosting collectible.
Right, so I’ve been poking around the Arcadia system lately, and honestly, the sheer scale of the cosmos is enough to make a wizard's head spin. But you know what’s even more dizzying? Space puzzles. You know the type—the ones that stop your interstellar rampaging dead in its tracks because you suddenly need to remember which rock is orbiting which slightly larger rock.
I’ve been tinkering with this latest mystery in *The Outer Worlds 2* all morning, and bloody hell, it’s a proper head-scratcher if you aren’t paying attention. It seems the good folks at Obsidian haven't lost their love for making us work for our loot. I spotted a brilliant breakdown of this specific cosmic conundrum over at **Polygon**, penned by the observant **Paulo Kawanishi**, and I reckon it’s worth a deeper look—mostly so you don’t end up staring at a rotating green wall until your eyes bleed.
### The Order of Business
If you’ve found yourself wandering through the Alexandra Monastery on Golden Ridge—probably during the 'On the Trail of the Traitor' quest—you’ll have stumbled upon the 'Order Initiate Scavenger Hunt.' It sounds like a bit of fun, doesn't it? A little spiritual enlightenment mixed with some light trespassing. But, as with everything in the *Outer Worlds* universe, there’s a corporate-flavored catch.
You’re looking for a three-digit code to open a locked door in the observatory. Now, I’m all for a bit of mystery, but when the game starts asking me about the orbital patterns of planets I’ve only just heard of, my inner skeptic starts twitching. It’s like being asked to solve a quadratic equation while a marauder is trying to chew on your leg.
### Reading the Digital Tea Leaves
The puzzle centers around an orrery—that’s a fancy wizard word for a mechanical model of a solar system. To get that code, you’ve got to play amateur astronomer and find three specific numbers:
1. **The number of moons orbiting Elysium.** (Why does every planet need so many moons? It’s just showing off, really.) 2. **The number of moons hanging out between Dorado and Elysium.** 3. **The number of times Eden orbits Elysium before Praetor and Cloister finish a single rotation.**
Now, here’s where my gentle skepticism kicks in. We’re Earthlings—or at least, we’re playing as people who probably have better things to do than count space rocks. The Arcadia system isn't exactly second-hand knowledge unless you've spent your life huffing stardust. You have to wander around the observatory, identifying these planets by sight. It’s a classic bit of 'look at the pretty world we built' design, which I can appreciate, even if it feels a bit like a primary school field trip.
### The Solution (For the Impatient Wizard)
Look, I love the atmosphere of the Alexandra Monastery. It’s got that lovely mix of high-tech sheen and 'we’re all doomed' spirituality that Obsidian does so well. But sometimes, you just want the shiny thing behind the door.
If you’ve been watching the orrery and it’s making your head spin faster than the planets, you can take the shortcut. The magic numbers you’re looking for are **4-1-4**. Punch that into the terminal and—presto—the door yields like a well-behaved apprentice.
### Why Bother? The Carrot on the Stick
Is it worth the effort? In this case, I’d say yes. Beyond the usual bit cartridges (the space-monies we all crave), you get a Pitchball Card: **Feargus Urquhart**.
For those of you who aren't steeped in gaming history, Feargus is the head honcho over at Obsidian. Finding his likeness as a collectible card is a cheeky bit of meta-humor that I absolutely adore. But more importantly for your gameplay, this card gives you a permanent **one percent damage buff**.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. 'Jeff, mate, one percent? That’s barely a tickle.' And you’re right, on its own, it’s not exactly world-shattering. But this is where the wizardly wisdom comes in: in these types of RPGs, it’s all about the cumulative 'power creep.' You find ten of these things, and suddenly you’re hitting ten percent harder. It’s a permanent, automatic buff—no equipment slots required. It’s the kind of subtle power-scaling that makes my inner min-maxer purr with delight.
### The Human Story Behind the Hype
What I find genuinely interesting here isn’t just the puzzle, but how Obsidian uses these small interactions to flesh out the world. The 'Order' isn't just a quest marker; they’re a group with their own bizarre celestial obsessions. It’s a reminder that even in the vastness of space, people will find ways to make things complicated and slightly weird.
It’s also a clever way to handle collectibles. In a world where every other game is trying to sell you 'battle passes' or 'limited-time digital assets' (we see you, Web3 dreamers), there’s something refreshingly honest about a hidden room with a card that just... makes you better at the game. No blockchain required, just a bit of curiosity and a willingness to look at the stars.
### Final Reckoning
*The Outer Worlds 2* seems to be leaning into that 'controlled chaos' vibe I love so much. Puzzles like the Order Initiate Scavenger Hunt are a gentle nod to the classic RPG era, where you actually had to pay attention to your surroundings rather than just following a golden waypoint until you hit something.
So, if you’re out there in Golden Ridge, take a moment to look at the orrery. Appreciate the craft. Then punch in **4-1-4**, grab your Feargus card, and go show those automechs who’s boss.
Just remember: the universe is big, scary, and full of people trying to sell you something. But as long as there are secret doors and damage buffs to be found, we’re going to be just fine.
Tags: The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian Entertainment, RPG Guides, Gaming Lore
Original article: Polygon