Neural Vacillator

The Neural Vacillator is a one-use building that can be assigned to a Duplicant to permanently alter their genome and grant one of four positive traits at random. Visually, it is a massive synthetic brain suspended in saline solution with a chair attached for a single occupant. Once a Duplicant has completed the process, the device is depleted and must be recharged before it can be used again.

When activated, the Neural Vacillator shuffles the target’s genome and awards one of four traits: Regenerative, Deep Diver’s Lungs, Sunny Disposition, or Beefsteak. These effects are all permanent and stack with the Duplicant’s normal progression.

• Regenerative: +20 Health regeneration per cycle
• Deep Diver’s Lungs: -50 g/s Oxygen consumption rate and -1 g/s Carbon Dioxide production rate
• Sunny Disposition: -20% Stress per cycle
• Beefsteak: +10 Strength

A Duplicant can be sent through the process multiple times to collect the remaining traits. If the target already has all four traits, the Neural Vacillator does not consume its charge and has no effect on that Duplicant. Bionic Duplicants can also receive these traits.

The main limitation is recharge. A spent Neural Vacillator must be refilled with a Vacillator Recharge before it can be used again. In the base game, Vacillator Recharges are rarely found on Space Missions. In Spaced Out!, they can also be obtained by analyzing Artifacts at the Artifact Analysis Station with a Duplicant who has the appropriate art-analysis skill.

Because recharges are limited, it is usually best to prioritize Duplicants who will benefit most from the trait pool. Rocket pilots are especially strong candidates, since all four rewards are broadly useful: Sunny Disposition helps during long missions away from home, Regenerative reduces the impact of rocket exhaust injuries, Deep Diver’s Lungs lowers life support demands, and Beefsteak can improve hauling and cleaning performance. Since rockets are the only renewable source of Vacillator Recharges, early use on key specialists can help build powerful long-term crew members while preserving the colony’s limited supply chain.