Exploring the post-apocalyptic wilderness of Days Gone requires players to constantly upgrade Deacon St. John to survive the relentless Freaker hordes. Scouring the map for hidden NERO Research Sites is one of the most effective ways to permanently boost your health, stamina, and focus. These secret camps are scattered across various regions, often tucked away in treacherous caves or isolated islands that demand careful navigation.
Reaching the Wilderness and Cave Sites
A significant number of research locations are hidden deep within dark caverns throughout the Cascade, Belknap, and Lost Lake territories. Players will frequently need to track down these locations during the night cycles when Freakers leave their feeding grounds to roam the open world. Exploring these areas thoroughly ensures you do not miss the distinctive white containers containing powerful NERO injectors.
Some cave networks are incredibly labyrinthine, requiring players to clear out nearby biological hazards before searching the interior. Keeping your flashlight ready and monitoring your mini-map for terrain changes will guide you safely to the hidden technology. Finding these subterranean outposts early in your journey provides a massive advantage for upcoming survival encounters.
Mastering Motorcycle Jumps for Remote Sites
Several advanced research spots are located on isolated cliffsides or broken bridges that are completely unreachable on foot. To access these high-tier rewards, players must upgrade their motorcycle with high-performance engines and powerful nitrous systems. Speeding toward the strategically placed dirt ramps allows Deacon to launch across massive gaps to land safely on the far shores.
Crater Lake and the Highway 97 regions feature some of the most challenging bike jumps in the entire game. Failing these stunts will often send Deacon crashing into deep water or resetting back to the mainland, destroying your vehicle configuration. Upgrading your nitrous capacity before attempting these jumps will ensure you achieve enough velocity to reach the target zones.
Securing Mobile Units and Field Rewards
Beyond the caves and cliffs, smaller makeshift medical camps can be discovered sitting exposed in abandoned valleys and swamp zones. These locations do not require complicated mechanical stunts but are frequently surrounded by wandering infected or hostile human factions. Securing the perimeter first is absolutely vital before attempting to loot the valuable medical supplies.
Every successful extraction grants a micro recorder containing lore regarding the localized outbreak alongside your permanent stat booster. Collecting these files provides critical backstory regarding the downfall of the organization and the degradation of the surrounding Oregon ecosystem. Prioritizing these field checkpoints transforms Deacon into an unstoppable force capable of tackling the largest hordes.