Navigating the post-apocalyptic wilderness of Oregon in Days Gone presents constant danger, making survival upgrades essential for Deacon St. John. Discovering NERO Research Sites is one of the most effective ways to boost Deacon's stats, gain valuable IPCA Tech, and collect lore audio logs. Keeping up with daily gaming news can help players track down hidden secrets and conquer open-world survival games more efficiently.
Understanding NERO Research Sites and Their Rewards
Unlike NERO Checkpoints, which require starting generators and managing fuel, NERO Research Sites are isolated locations scattered across caves, mountain peaks, and abandoned camps. Each research site features a white medical injector box containing a permanent stat boost for Health, Stamina, or Focus. Choosing the right stat upgrades early on makes navigating tough Freaker hordes and ambush camps much easier.
Along with NERO Injectors, these locations often contain IPCA Tech items, which are required to craft a secret endgame weapon. Players can also find audio recorders that offer deeper insight into the mysterious fall of civil society and NERO's secret operations. Thoroughly searching every site ensures Deacon stays well-equipped with rare crafting materials and ammo supplies.
Cascades and Belknap Research Site Locations
The Cascades region contains several accessible research sites tucked inside dark caves and hidden behind environmental obstacles. One notable site rests inside a Freaker cave near the Horse Lake Checkpoint, requiring players to clear out Freakers before retrieving the injector. Another site can be reached by boosting Deacon's bike off a cliff ramp onto a crashed helicopter island.
In the Belknap territory, research sites often demand upgrading your motorcycle's nitrous system to clear long chasms. The site near the White King Mine resides deep within a cave system that serves as a Freaker horde sleeping spot during the day. Visiting these locations during daylight hours requires stealth, while nighttime exploration offers a safer path while the horde roams outside.
Lost Lake and Iron Butte Research Site Locations
As you progress into Lost Lake, NERO Research Sites become more hazardous and strategically placed around high-threat zones. A prominent site is located near the Deerborn ambush camp, perched high up on a rocky ledge that requires precise bike jumping. Another injector rests inside a cave near the Metolius Lava Cave, surrounded by dense Freaker populations.
Iron Butte features research sites integrated into industrial ruins and secluded canyon pathways. One site sits at the edge of a steep cliffside jump, testing your driving skills and bike speed upgrades. Collecting these injectors provides crucial stamina boosts right before entering mid-game narrative missions.
Crater Lake and Highway 97 Research Site Locations
The southern regions of Crater Lake and Highway 97 hold some of the most dangerous research sites in the entire game. Several sites in these snow-covered areas sit directly inside active horde caves or near massive Swarmer feeding grounds. Reaching the site on the island near Spruce Lake requires maxing out Deacon's bike speed and nitro to clear the water gap.
Clearing every research site in the southern map sectors awards the final set of injectors needed to max out Deacon's attributes. Fully upgrading Health, Stamina, and Focus dramatically enhances combat survival against elite Freakers like Breakers and Reachers. Completing all locations unlocks the ultimate survival potential for late-game open-world exploration.
