The bunker’s console missions don’t work without a Color Monitor, and you won’t reliably loot one off a shelf. Plan on unlocking the blueprint in J‑Lab’s blue access area, then crafting it. That path is gated by the Blue Keycard, and some cartridges are tucked away in specific J‑Lab rooms with low spawn rates. Here’s a clean, repeatable route that covers all of it.
Color Monitor: what it is and why you need it
The Color Monitor enables the bunker console’s mini‑games that several missions require. In practice, you’ll acquire the blueprint behind J‑Lab’s blue access doors and then craft the monitor at your workbench. Direct world spawns of a finished monitor are not something to count on; treat the craft as the intended route.
Get the Blue Keycard (Farm Town and the Mine Manager)
- Farm Town’s X and O secret rooms: The Blue Keycard can spawn inside these two secret rooms. Bring both secret keys and check each room in one run.
- Mine Manager (boss) drop: The Mine Manager near the southeast gas station in Farm Town can drop the Blue Keycard. The drop chance is low, so expect repeats.
- Route order that saves time: Hit both secret rooms first; if you still don’t have the card, push to the Mine Manager on the same raid. Extract once you have the card.
Find the Color Monitor blueprint (J‑Lab blue access)
- Enter J‑Lab and use the Blue Keycard to open the blue access section.
- The Color Monitor blueprint is inside the blue area. Players consistently locate it in the “blue room,” often just beyond the blue entrance.
- You’re looking for a blueprint pickup. Treat a fully built monitor spawn as unlikely.
If you’re short on time, prioritize grabbing the monitor blueprint first, then sweep nearby rooms for cartridges before heading to an exfil.
Craft the Color Monitor at your workbench
- Back at base, research the Color Monitor blueprint at the workbench.
- Craft the Color Monitor once research is complete and materials are available.
- Install it to use the bunker console for mini‑game missions.
The workbench also handles repairs and dismantling, so consolidate your crafting errands while you’re there.
Find console cartridges that gate missions
- Duck Miner cartridge: Check the J‑Lab screening room with the projector near the northern exfil. It typically spawns on a table to the left, but the appearance rate is low.
- “Color bubble” game: This cartridge can also appear in that same screening room on subsequent runs.
- Future console and controller: Commonly found in the Supermarket in Farm Town.
These items are tied to RNG. If a room is cold on one run, revisit it on your next J‑Lab raid.
Efficient two‑run plan (minimal backtracking)
- Run 1 — Farm Town: Bring both secret keys. Check the X and O rooms for the Blue Keycard. If it doesn’t appear, push to the Mine Manager for a chance at a drop. Extract once you secure the card.
- Run 2 — J‑Lab: Use the Blue Keycard to access the blue section and pick up the Color Monitor blueprint. On your way to a northern exfil, detour through the projection screening room to look for Duck Miner (and the color bubble game). Extract.
- Back at base: Research and craft the Color Monitor at the workbench, then clear console‑related missions.
| Item | Primary location | Access requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Keycard | Farm Town (X and O secret rooms), Mine Manager near SE gas station | Secret keys for X/O rooms; combat‑ready for Mine Manager | Low drop rate from boss; check both secret rooms before engaging the boss |
| Color Monitor blueprint | J‑Lab blue access area (“blue room”) | Blue Keycard | Expect blueprint pickup; plan to craft the monitor |
| Duck Miner cartridge | J‑Lab screening room with projector (near north exfil) | None beyond room access | Spawns on a left‑side table; appearance is RNG and can be rare |
| Color bubble game cartridge | J‑Lab screening room (same space as Duck Miner) | None beyond room access | May appear on a later run even if it didn’t on the first |
| Future console & controller | Farm Town Supermarket | None beyond area access | Frequently found here; sweep shelves and counters |
Troubleshooting the grind (RNG and timing)
- If you’re missing the Blue Keycard after several boss kills, rotate back to the X and O secret rooms on fresh spawns; it can appear there.
- If the screening room is empty, don’t linger—finish your route and check it again on the next raid.
- Treat the finished Color Monitor as a craftable goal. If you see a world spawn, that’s a bonus, not a plan.
You’ll make better progress by committing to short, targeted raids instead of stretching one run to do everything. Grab the key, grab the blueprint, check the screening room, and get out.
