BTs

Invisible creatures formed from the dead failing to cross over that cause nuclear voidouts upon consuming the living.

Beached Things, commonly known as BTs, are invisible creatures originating from the 'Beach,' a realm unique to each person typically visited during near-death experiences. Formed when the dead fail to cross over, these entities began roaming Earth following a cataclysmic event that destroyed infrastructure and isolated populations in Knot Cities. Unlike standard enemies, BTs remain unseen until detected by a Bridge Baby or an Odradek sensor, making them a constant, hidden threat to couriers traversing the fractured United States. When a BT consumes a living human, it triggers a 'voidout,' a nuclear-scale explosion that permanently damages the location with an untraversable crater. They also generate 'timefall,' a rain that rapidly ages and deteriorates any armor or cargo it strikes—though this rain does not harm the BTs themselves. These mechanics force players to rely on specialized equipment and careful navigation rather than direct confrontation.

Quick Facts

Detection method: BB Bond; Odradek Device

Lore & Background

BTs are formed when dead humans fail to cross over properly, originating from the Beach which serves as a link to the afterlife. They produce timefall, a destructive rain that accelerates deterioration of everything it touches, including the player's equipment and supplies—but timefall has no effect on the BTs themselves. Their most dangerous trait is their ability to cause voidouts; if a BT consumes a living person, the resulting explosion mimics a nuclear bomb, leaving permanent craters in the landscape. While normally invisible, these entities can be revealed using an 'odradek,' a robotic sensor integrated into Sam's suit that points toward nearby threats. The game also features a specific mechanic where a voidout only occurs if a BT consumes a living human, whereas other deaths simply send Sam to the underwater world known as the 'Seam.' This distinction highlights the unique lethality of BTs compared to standard combat encounters with MULEs or Demens.

Reader's Guide

To navigate BT zones safely, players must rely on the Odradek sensor built into Sam's suit. This device points toward nearby entities, allowing the player to scan the area and reveal the invisible BTs before they can attack. Additionally, carrying a Bridge Baby (BB) is essential for detection, as the BB allows a person to sense the presence of BTs through a mental connection. Players must avoid direct contact at all costs. If a BT consumes Sam, it triggers a voidout that creates an untraversable crater and permanently damages the location. Unlike other enemies, BTs are not defeated by conventional weapons in standard gameplay but must be avoided or managed through careful use of the Odradek. Timefall rain, produced by the BTs themselves, further complicates traversal by speeding up the deterioration of cargo and armor, requiring players to seek shelter frequently.