The Winch is a traversal tool that pulls you toward an anchor. It attaches to either Throwing Rings you place or to predefined hook points in the world. It’s essential for reaching the Witch Islands and for quick movement between your train and nearby structures.
When the Winch unlocks (main story)
You obtain the Winch during the main story quest “Secrets.” After leaving the depot and traveling a short distance, the path to the first Witch Island opens. This is where the game introduces Throwing Rings and teaches the first practical use of the Winch.
Throwing Rings: first set and crafting more
The story beat that leads toward the Witch Island provides your initial set of Throwing Rings in the void. After that introduction, you can make additional rings at the Workbench under the Consumables category.
- Recipe: 1 Iron Ingot crafts 10 Throwing Rings.
- Category: Consumables at the Workbench.
Tip: If the rings are not visible yet, progress a little farther along the “follow the light” objective toward the Witch Island. The NPC event that grants the first batch can take a moment to appear.
Valid hook points you can attach to
- Anchored Throwing Rings you toss into place.
- Train hook points on your own railcar(s) for fast reboarding.
- Hook Flowers (the bulbous plants along the route to the Witch Islands).
Note: Hook Flowers can occasionally pull you through nearby geometry. If your path looks obstructed, cancel and reattach from a safer angle.
Using the Winch effectively
- Place an anchor: throw a ring where you intend to pull toward, or look for an existing hook point.
- Attach: aim at the anchored ring or hook point until you get an attach prompt, then fire the Winch.
- Reel in: hold to pull yourself in. Release or detach to drop or stop short as needed.
- Chain movement: reattach to another nearby hook or ring to traverse longer gaps.
Practical use cases include crossing void gaps, returning to your train quickly after gathering, and navigating puzzle spaces around Witch Islands.
Winch upgrades (Research)
Two upgrades improve reach and speed. Unlock them via Research to make longer pulls and faster reels.
| Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|
| Winch Drive | Increases maximum reach, letting you attach from farther away. |
| Winch Accelerator | Increases reeling speed so you travel to the anchor point faster. |
Common blockers and quick fixes
- No Throwing Rings yet: travel a bit beyond the depot until the Witch Island segment begins. Continue along the light trail; the first batch of rings is granted during that sequence.
- Rings not showing at the Workbench: complete the initial rings introduction first. After that, check Consumables; the recipe is 1 Iron Ingot for 10 rings.
- Can’t reach a target: research Winch Drive to extend your effective range, or place a Throwing Ring on an intermediate surface and pull in stages.
- Getting pulled into obstacles: cancel the pull and reposition your anchor, especially around Hook Flowers or tight geometry.
Once the Winch is unlocked and the first Throwing Rings are introduced, you can freely combine rings and natural hook points to move through the void with confidence. Research the two upgrades early—greater reach and faster pulls make Witch Island routes and routine train boarding much smoother.
