Tales Within the Sand: Strange Territory

Tales Within the Sand features
Constructs	Tools	Provisions	Misc. items	Raids
Strange Territory	Contention Reitr.	Critical Contention	Gitmalutu Gala Race	Trading Post
Tech Tree	Expansional Rewards	Formulating	–	–

Strange Territory is a "sub-mode" in Tales Within the Sand where the player heads into the eponymous region separate from the main campaign's overworld to complete tasks within a given time limit and earn rewards.

Overview[edit]

To enter the Strange Territory, check out the Mail Box, Message Casket, or Discovery Casket which shows available S.T. investigation requests. Accepting a request will cause the player to be taken into the S.T. after the current cycle's Calculation Day and remains there until the skirmish ends. A S.T. request cannot be canceled once accepted, but the player can still carry out preparations before entering the Strange Territory and the request can be changed, but must wait for a while before they can do so again.

The Strange Territory consists of several zones with the Campervan as the Headquarters substitute, and to complete the investigation, the player must have met the Core Goal; Extra Goals are also available, which gives out additional rewards if met. Since Expansion II, the player will receive compensations if they are unable to complete the S.T.'s Core Goal by the end of the skirmish.

The Strange Territory has its own, unique weather, terrain, and enemies, and certain resources can only be reliably obtained in S.T., which includes Crystalline Shards and Seasoning.

The days spent in the Strange Territory is not counted into the campaign days and there are no Calculation Days; the main campaign's process will be paused while the player is in the S.T.. The player will be taken out of the S.T. when:

The time limit of a certain amount of days is reached.
The Campervan in the namesake zone is destroyed.
The player opts to leave the S.T.

Upon leaving the Strange Territory, the player will receive rewards if the Core Goal is met with a bonus if the Extra Goal is met as well, and earns score which will be added to the campaign score on the current cycle's Calculation Day.

Tactical Tendencies[edit]

Tactical Tendencies are buffs that aids the player in the Strange Territory, chosen before entering it. There are three types of Tactical Tendencies and the player may only choose one Tendency out of three for each skirmish.

Tactical Tendencies start at Level 1, but can be improved up to Level 6 by unlocking the "Command Upgrade Tech" nodes in the Tech Tree, which requires the Headquarters to be upgraded to Level 3.

Brutal Fighter

Brutal fighters fear no challenge and especially welcome a head-on clash. They demonstrate a clear advantage in the simplest test of strength.
Level 1	Operators have ATK +10% when blocking
Level 2	Operators have DEF +20% when blocking, Deployment Limit +1
Level 3	Melee Operator Block Count +1, Deployment Limit +1
Level 4	When blocking, Operators take 30% less ranged damage, and Deployment Limit +1
Level 5	When blocking 1 enemy only, Operator attacks ignore 40% of the target's DEF, and Deployment Limit +1
Level 6	Operators have 10% Sanctuary when blocking, Deployment Limit +2

Survival Guru

Survival gurus are masters of the environment and experts at adapting quickly, leveraging factors like weather and terrain on their way to victory.
Level 1	Your units take 50% less damage from [Wild Beasts]
Level 2	Glow Stick duration increased, Deployment Limit +1
Level 3	Get 1 temporary Glow Stick at the start of battle, Deployment Limit +1
Level 4	Unlock 2 random zones when entering Strange Territory, Deployment Limit +1
Level 5	Ranged Operator Redeployment Time -30%, Deployment Limit +1
Level 6	Operators take -80% environmental damage, Deployment Limit +2

Master Architect

Master architects are always prepared, utilizing a variety of items and facilities in battle, making the most out of limited resources.
Level 1	Construct HP +30%
Level 2	Construct SP recovery +0.2/s, Deployment Limit +1
Level 3	Constructs and aiding items have 0 deployment cost, Deployment Limit +1
Level 4	Aiding Item Redeployment Time -60%, Deployment Limit +1
Level 5	Construct DEF +30%, Deployment Limit +1
Level 6	All constructs recover 25% HP after each battle, Deployment Limit +2

Weather[edit]

Land of Thunderstorms	The Strange Territory always experience Cloudburst weathers.
Land of Dry Dust	The Strange Territory always experience Windblaze weathers.
Land of Scorching Heat	The Strange Territory always experience Heatwave weathers.

Terrain[edit]

Smooth Road	The Campervan is connected to at least 3 zones and each zone is connected to more zones than usual.
Treacherous Pass	The Campervan is connected to at most 3 zones and each zone is connected to less zones than usual.
Hills	The Campervan is connected to 3 zones and there are more isolated zones (i.e. only connected to a single zone) than usual.
Secluded Trail	Same as Hills, but the isolated zones are close (2 zones away) to the Campervan.

Enemies[edit]

Native
No changes

Forest
Enemies are made up of those fought in forests and jungles, namely those introduced in The Great Chief Returns and A Flurry to the Flame.

Additional information
Normal
Elite
Serrant Fowlbeasts never come with an Oxmane carcass, but Daimoserrant Fowlbeasts do. (Kouaku) Cautelotaurs never come with a Clawbeast shell.

Mechanic
Enemies are mostly made up of various Machinas, namely those introduced in Dorothy's Vision and Lone Trail.

Normal
Elite

Mercenary
Enemies are made up of Sarkaz ones and their associates.

Normal
Elite
Boss

Sea Monsters
(Expansion II) Enemies are made up of Sea Monsters.

Normal
Elite

Apparitions
(Expansion II) Enemies are made up of Apparitions and their associates.

Additional information
Normal
Elite
Due to the lack of ways to provide Operators with the Hui and Ming attribute, all Ink Spirit enemies are not subject to the Hui and Ming mechanic.

Drones
(Expansion II) Enemies are made up of Drones.

Additional information
Normal
Elite
As all enemies are aerial, many of them will move past walls that would originally reroute the enemy toward their destination.

Inherent[edit]

Inherent Stranger Territory is made up of five different variations with their own properties that are gradually unlocked as the campaign progresses and can be accessed by checking the Message Casket.

Operators have +3% ATK in an Inherent S.T.
Except for #1, Inherent S.T. can be reentered once their Core Goal is met (albeit the rewards will not be given again).
There are no Extra Goals in Inherent S.T.

#1: Rampaging Shellbeast

Starting point	Narutabatim Alkalies: Rugged Trail
Core Goal	Defeat a Spined Shellbeast.
Time limit	3 days
Weather	Land of Thunderstorms
Terrain	Smooth Road
Enemies	Native
Variables	None
Score reward	1000

#2: Six Day Defense Op

Starting point	Narutabatim Alkalies: Hasty Escape
Core Goal	Defend the Campervan for 6 days.
Time limit	6 days
Weather	Land of Dry Dust
Terrain	Smooth Road
Enemies	Native
Variables	Friendly units have +10% maximum HP, ATK, and DEF for each discovered zone.
Score reward	1500

#3: Retrieval and Return Op

Starting point	Eqlumuy Oasis: Originium Slug Invasion
Core Goal	Defeat a Brigand.
Time limit	5 days
Weather	Land of Thunderstorms
Terrain	Smooth Road
Enemies	Native
Variables	Friendly units only lift the Fog of War on the tile they are on and the frontal tile regardless of their attack range and cannot be manipulated by Tech Tree nodes. Enemies within the Fog of War have their MSPD tripled.
Score reward	2000

#4: Miner Escort Op

Starting point	Eqlumuy Oasis: Shrubbery Galore
Core Goal	Escort the allied Diligent Laborer Raid to their destination.
Time limit	6 days
Weather	Land of Dry Dust
Terrain	Smooth Road
Enemies	Native
Variables	The automatic DP generation rate is halved.
Score reward	2000

#5: Performer Hit Job

Starting point	Forbidden Tsalimashtu: Numbly Homebound
Core Goal	Find and defeat the Wandering Troubadour.
Time limit	8 days
Weather	Land of Scorching Heat
Terrain	Smooth Road
Enemies	Native
Variables	Operators will be tired after being brought into an operation for 2 days instead of 1 day.
Score reward	2500

Dynamic[edit]

Dynamic Stranger Territory is unlocked once the Core Goal of all five Inherent Strange Territories are achieved. A new Dynamic S.T. is available at the Mail Box every three cycles with the S.T. itself being completely randomized.

Core Goals[edit]

Conflict

Locate and defeat {target}

There is a price on this target's head. No time to waste. Let's go.

Details	Time limit
Target: Lost Colossus (found on No Man's Land: "Greeting Gallery")	5 days
Target: Timestream Guardian (found on No Man's Land: Alt Taraf of the Spring of Flight)	5 days
Target: Crystalline Titanibeast (found on No Man's Land: Clinking Crystals)	8 days
Target: Zaaro, "Signore dei Lupi" (found on No Man's Land: Crossroads)	5 days
Target: "Forsaken One" (found on No Man's Land: Deep Rift Valley)	5 days
Target: Wandering Troubadour (found on No Man's Land: Tovlama of the Rings of Fire)	8 days
Target: Zümrütrüyası Priestess (found on No Man's Land: Olden Site of the Zümrütrüyası)	8 days
Target: "Gravestone" (found on No Man's Land: "Treasury")	5 days
Target: Crystalline Titanibeast and Crystalline Oberobeast (found on No Man's Land: Predestined End)	8 days

Hunting Hour

Defeat or capture a {target}^⁎

There is rare game here. Happy hunting!

Details	Time limit
Target: Sandfall Crystalhoof	4 days
Target: Spined Shellbeast	3 days

Miscellaneous

Details	Time limit
Annihilation #1: Defeat 1 wave of bandits A group of bandits have holed up in this place. Time to get rid of them.	5 days
Annihilation #2: Defeat 2 waves of bandits A group of bandits have holed up in this place. Time to get rid of them.	7 days
Annihilation #3: Defeat 3 waves of bandits A group of bandits have holed up in this place. Time to get rid of them.	8 days
Defense #1: Protect the forward camp and survive 4 nights Don't let the attacks discourage you. Stand your ground.	5 days
Defense #2: Protect the forward camp and survive 5 nights Don't let the attacks discourage you. Stand your ground.	6 days
Defense #3: Protect the forward camp and survive 6 nights Don't let the attacks discourage you. Stand your ground.	7 days
Escort: Escort Diligent Laborer to the destination A group of trapped inhabitants are requesting help. We decided to escort them to a safer place.	6 days
Rescue: Find the missing Treasure Hunter We received a panicked request to find someone's missing friend. But where could they be?	5 days

Extra Targets[edit]

Combat: Defeat 50 enemies
Construction: Upgrade 2 zones
Hunting: Capture 2 wild beasts

Environmental Pressures[edit]

Environmental Pressures makes the Dynamic Strange Territory more difficult but yields more rewards. At first Level 0 is available, with higher levels being unlocked by completing a Dynamic S.T. skirmish in the preceding level; Level 7 is added in Expansion II.

The effects stack multiplicatively with other similar effects and the bonus score cannot exceed 2400.

Lv.	Information	Score
0	Effects: None Core Goal rewards Completed: 16 , 1–2 , 1–2 Uncompleted: 40 Extra Goal rewards: 4	Core Goal: 960 Extra Goal: 240
1	Effects: All enemies have ATK +10%, HP +10%, DEF +15%, RES +10 Core Goal rewards Completed: 20 , 2 , 5 , 10 , 10 , 2 Uncompleted: 50 Extra Goal rewards: 5	Core Goal: 1200 Extra Goal: 300
2	Effects: Boss enemies have +30% ATK, HP, and DEF Core Goal rewards Completed: 24 , 2–3 , 12 , 12 , 3 , 3 Uncompleted: 60 Extra Goal rewards: 6	Core Goal: 1440 Extra Goal: 360
3	Effects: Ingredient and Provision value reduced when making energy drinks Core Goal rewards Completed: 28 , 2–3 , 7 , 14 , 3 , 3 Uncompleted: 70 , 2 Extra Goal rewards: 7	Core Goal: 1680 Extra Goal: 420
4	Effects: All enemies have ATK +10%, HP +10%, DEF +15%, RES +10 Core Goal rewards Completed: 32 , 3–4 , 8 , 4 , 3 , 3 Uncompleted: 80 , 2 Extra Goal rewards: 8	Core Goal: 1920 Extra Goal: 480
5	Effects: Operator skill SP cost +30% Core Goal rewards Completed: 36 , 3–4 , 9 , 5 , 3 , 3 Uncompleted: 90 , 2 Extra Goal rewards: 9	Core Goal: 2160 Extra Goal: 540
6	Effects: Operator Deployment Cost increased by 50% Core Goal rewards Completed: 40 , 10 , 5 , 4 , 1 , 4 Uncompleted: 100 , 2 Extra Goal rewards: 10	Core Goal: 1920 Extra Goal: 480
7	Effects: All allied units have +3 DP Cost, and DP Cost is randomly shuffled Core Goal rewards Completed: 40 , 10 , 5 , 4–5 , 1 , 4 Uncompleted: 100 , 2 Extra Goal rewards: 10	Core Goal: 2400 Extra Goal: 600
Additional information
Wood, Stone, Iron Ore, and Fresh Water drops are mutually exclusive; only one of the available resources in the pool will drop its corresponding amount. At Environmental Pressure 7, if 5 are dropped, Stone and Iron Ore will never drop.

Feral[edit]

Introduced in Expansion II, Feral Strange Territory is available from the Discovery Casket in the Base Camp from Day 2 and a new Feral S.T. will be available at the Casket in every cycle. Instead of the usual rewards, Feral Strange Territories mostly provide materials related to rare Wild Beasts and Exotic Beasts, Forever Provisions, and rare secondary ingredients to enhance Provision effects.

Feral Strange Territory is identical to Dynamic S.T. but with the following differences:

The Core and Extra Goals are more inclined to hunting, particularly the newly introduced Exotic Beasts.
The Environmental Pressures are unique and independent from those in the Dynamic S.T.
Upon entering the Feral S.T. for the first time, the player will receive the following:
- Iberian Chitin Cube
- 3 Hunting Net Launcher
- 5 Exoskeleton
- 5 Glow Stick Launcher
- 8 Energy Drink