Prophecies in Voidtrain are single-use totems that nudge the odds of what you’ll see and collect in your next stretch through the Void. Each one pairs a benefit with a drawback: more resources or loot on the line, but with a higher chance of mines, chases, or extra sharks. They’re optional, temporary, and designed to let you steer a cycle toward farming or risk.
Unlock prophecies and the Artifact pedestal (Prediction quest)
The prophecy system comes online with the main story quest “Prediction” at your 10th Depot. Inside the Depot, you’ll find a non-functional Soothsayer/Fortune Teller Machine and an Artifact pedestal. Restore power to the machine by following its cable to a fuse box, repairing it, then switching the machine on. Each functioning Fortune Teller Machine dispenses one Prophecy and then powers down. Mount the pedestal on the front of your locomotive to use the prophecies you collect.
How prophecies apply to a cycle
Prophecies only affect the next cycle after you leave a Depot. Slot one into the Artifact pedestal, depart, and the totem vanishes while its effects take hold for that run through the Void. If you don’t want the tradeoff, leave the pedestal empty; the quest and your departure still proceed without any changes. You can preview a prophecy’s full set of effects by placing it in the Artifact menu before deciding.
Positive effects you can roll
| Prophecy name | What it changes |
|---|---|
| More Chemicals in the Void | Higher spawn rate of chemical resource nodes. |
| More Common Items in the Void | Higher spawn rate of common materials floating in the Void. |
| More Fuel Lumps in the Void | More gasoline lump spawns. |
| More Items in the Void | Higher overall item spawn rate in the Void. |
| More Loot at the Outposts | Increases the amount of loot you can find at outposts. |
| More Metal in the Void | Higher spawn rate of scrap metal. |
| More Rare Items in the Void | Higher spawn rate of rarer material drops in the Void. |
| More Wood in the Void | Higher spawn rate of wood. |
| More abandoned wagons | Greater chance to encounter abandoned trains in the Void. |
Negative effects you can roll
| Prophecy name | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Chances of being chased | Increases the likelihood of a train chase event. |
| Chances of encountering mines | Greater chance to pass through minefields. |
| Chances of encountering sensor mines | Greater chance to encounter sensor-triggered mines. |
| Chances of encountering outposts | Increases how often outposts appear during the cycle. |
| Frequency of leeches | Higher chance to encounter leeches in the Void. |
| Frequency of shark attacks | More frequent shark attack events. |
| Sharks are more aggressive | Shark behavior becomes more hostile. |
| Speed of swimming in the Void | Reduces your swimming speed by a set percentage. |
| The number of sharks in the Void | Adds one additional shark to the Void. |
Why use prophecies (and when to skip them)
The upside is straightforward: push a cycle toward the materials or encounters you need. If you’re short on core crafting inputs, “More Metal,” “More Wood,” or “More Chemicals” make resource runs faster. “More Items” and “More Rare Items” are broad boosts when you’re chasing a general refill or hunting higher-tier drops. “More Loot at the Outposts” suits players ready to take on those areas for a bigger haul. And “More abandoned wagons” increases the odds of finding abandoned trains for their unique rewards.
The cost is friction. More chases, mines, sharks, and leeches slow your progress and drain ammo and plates. Some negatives stack with how you prefer to play: if you swim frequently, the reduced swim speed debuff is disproportionately punishing; if you’re efficient at shark hunting, the +1 shark can be a quick source of fat and meat rather than a problem. Because prophecies only last one cycle, you can tailor when to accept the trade: slot one when you plan a deliberate farm run, leave the pedestal empty when you want a cleaner push to the next story beat.
Quick answers
- Are prophecies required? No. The pedestal can be left empty; your cycle proceeds normally.
- How long do effects last? One cycle after leaving a Depot. The totem disappears as its effects activate.
- Can I see all effects before committing? Yes. Place a prophecy in the Artifact to view its full positive and negative list.
- Can I change my mind? You can remove a prophecy from the pedestal before departing the Depot if you decide against using it.
- How many prophecies per machine? Each Fortune Teller Machine dispenses one prophecy, then it shuts down.
If the system feels punishing early on, simply bank your totems and wait until your train, weapons, and supplies can absorb the added noise. Once you’re comfortably stocked, prophecies are an efficient way to bias the Void toward what you actually need next.
