Excavation

Excavation is a new game mode introduced in Update 14.5 for the Operation Cryotic Front event. This game mode tasks players with searching and then extracting various artifacts buried deep within a planet's surface. This game mode is slated to replace Survival missions that take place on planet surfaces in the future.

Mechanics
Initially, players are tasked with locating a Scanner, which will make landfall upon players approaching its landing site somewhere on the map. Once established, the Scanner will begin to scan the entire map for the location of buried artifacts. Scanners will detect a buried artifact every 25 seconds of scanning, which reveals the artifact's location on another part of the map.

Players will then need to locate dig site, which will drop in an Excavator on the location once players step within the dig site. This Excavator requires 100 seconds to accomplish its task, and must be protected from enemy fire during the duration of its operation. Once its task is complete, all players will receive a random reward. Additionally, the mission's extraction point will be revealed after the first artifact of the mission is successfully excavated.

Both the Scanner and the Excavator require Energy in order to maintain operation, as both machines have a limited operating time determined by their energy level; 1% point of energy equals 1 second of operating time, with Scanners initially starting with 50 Energy, and Scanners with 40. If the Energy levels for these machines reach 0, the machines will stop functioning until additional energy is provided. Energy levels for both machines can be replenished by giving them Power Cells, special items that restore 20% Energy each, which are found from killing designated Power Carrier enemies that visibly carry the Cells on their backs. Like the Datamasses found on Mobile Defense, Deception and Spy missions, Power Cells are large items that must be carried by hand to the appropriate machine, restricting the player carrying it to using their Secondary or Melee weapons. Power Cells are consumed simply by delivering them within a small radius of the desired machine, which will automatically remove the Power Cell from the player and replenish the machine's energy. Finally, delivering Power Cells are the only method available for repairing damaged Excavators with each delivery restoring a portion of the machine's Shields and Health, as said machines are incapable of self-repair or shield replenishment.

Similar to Survival missions, the rewards for every successful excavation stack, and players can claim all artifacts that have been recovered upon extraction. Also, multiple Excavators can be active at once if desired, limited only by the ability of players to defend them.