Quick Answer
To unlock Underlab upgrades, restore the Hollower’s Guild by rescuing Rhene, then return to the Guild and dig up Drillhardt. Buy Isle Map first, then practical upgrades such as Joule Alembic, Training Dummy, Sidearm tools, and Enhanced Map later.
A guide to Drillhardt and Underlab upgrades, including map, Sidearm, recovery, and cleanup priorities.
How to Unlock Underlab Upgrades
Underlab upgrades are tied to the Hollower’s Guild route in Ossex.
The basic path:
- Reach Ossex.
- Enter the Hollower’s Guild.
- Talk to Muriel.
- Take the free Kear.
- Go south into Southern Outskirts.
- Rescue Rhene.
- Return to the Guild.
- Burrow under the strange mound to reveal Drillhardt.
- Buy Underlab upgrades from Drillhardt.
What Are Underlabs?
Underlabs are checkpoint rooms where Mina can rest and reset. After Drillhardt joins the Guild, Underlabs become more useful through upgrades that improve navigation, Sidearm support, practice, and cleanup.
Think of Underlabs as field bases. The stronger they become, the safer long routes feel.
Best Upgrade Priority
Recommended first-run priority:
- Isle Map
- Joule Alembic
- Training Dummy
- Sidearm Recoverer
- Sidearm Duplicator
- Enhanced Map
- Memory Goggles
- Phonograph
- Cosmetic or completionist tools
Adjust this based on your playstyle.
Isle Map
One of the best early purchases. It helps you understand how Tenebrous Isle connects and makes backtracking easier.
Joule Alembic
Useful if you use Sidearms often. It improves Underlab recovery value and encourages you to use Sidearms more confidently.
Training Dummy
A practical low-risk upgrade that lets you test weapon range, Sidearm behavior, attack timing, and Trinket effects.
Sidearm Recoverer
Useful if your build relies on a favorite Sidearm and you dislike losing setup consistency after deaths.
Sidearm Duplicator
More advanced. Buy it when you use technical Sidearms often or want backups for difficult routes.
Enhanced Map
A major cleanup upgrade. Buy it when you start caring about missed collectibles and region completion. It is less urgent than the basic map, but extremely useful later.
What Can Wait?
Phonograph and completionist tracking tools can wait if your combat and navigation are still weak. Do not spend early Bones on comfort before practical upgrades.
Underlab vs Weapon vs Trinket Bag
Buy weapon upgrades when enemies take too long to kill. Buy Trinket Bags when your build needs flexibility. Buy Underlab upgrades when navigation, recovery, Sidearms, or cleanup are the problem.
Balanced progression is better than pouring every Bone into one system.
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