Extraction timers & party exits

Missive XIII describes a 30-second countdown inside an active Extraction Zone. Completion makes you eligible to leave; you must still interact with the balloon. Leaving the radius reverses timer progress gradually instead of immediately resetting it.

The extraction zone becomes active when the balloon reaches the ground. Its descent is visible across the region, so other players can anticipate the route. The first balloon arrives early; the final balloon timing varies. Reviewed against Missive XIII on 12 October 2026.

The first party member starts the group countdown. Teammates entering that zone inherit its progress, but each player must interact with the balloon individually. One person leaving does not extract the others.

The closed-beta changelog specifies extraction smoke when two or more parties are within 100 metres. This updates the earlier general description of parties inside an Extraction Zone. No smoke does not prove a safe approach: an ambusher can wait outside detection. The final balloon begins a ten-minute end-of-expedition countdown. Some Masteries unlock an additional hidden exit.

Only some potential landing sites are selected in each expedition. Our map markers are reported locations, not guaranteed active exits. These are developer-announced rules from 4 September 2026, reviewed 6 October; verify them in the current test.

Before deploying, choose a resource, objective or mechanic to learn. When it is secured, reassess your medicine, ammunition and exit route. Past effort alone is not a reason to continue. After extraction, record one observation and one change for the next run. This is planning advice, not an additional extraction rule.