System Shock Remake: Reactor Self-Destruct Procedure - puzzle description System Shock Remake guide, tips

Activating the Reactor Self-Destruct Procedure is a big mission objective in System Shock Remake. From our guide, you will learn how to find the 6-digit self-destruct code, how to unlock the reactor's secret room and how to enter the combination in the reactor core.

Last update: 15 June 2023

One of the most extensive quests of System Shock Remake is starting the self-destruct procedure of The Citadel's reactor. On this page of the guide, we show when can you unlock the related task, how to obtain a 6-digit self-destruct code, how to successfully reach the reactor's core, and how to input the 6-digit code and initiate the self-destruct procedure.

• Unlocking the Reactor Mission
• Code Fragment #1 - Medical Deck
• Code Fragment #2 - Research Labs
• Code Fragment #3 - Maintenance Level
• Code Fragment #4 - Storage Level
• Code Fragment #5 - Flight Deck
• Code Fragment #6 - Executive Deck
• Reaching the Reactor Control Room
• Reaching the Numpad
• Inputting the Self-Destruct Sequence – Reactor

Unlocking the Reactor Mission

The Reactor is a Level of The Citadel that can be visited during the early phase of the game, but initially, the self-destruct procedure is unavailable. For this mission to appear on your list, you need to sabotage 4 Antenna Relays in Systems Engineering first - we described this task on a dedicated page of the guide (Destroying 4 Antenna Relays)

After that, you should receive a message from Rebecca Lansing that explains the self-destruct procedure - you're going to need a 6-digit authorization code.

Code is randomly generated with each playthrough, so as a result, you'll need to visit rooms with Computer Nodes on Decks 1-6. You get 1 digit of the code at each Deck.

Code Fragment #1 - Medical Deck

Reach the north-eastern part of Medical Deck. You'll encounter an active force field (screenshot). It needs to be turned off - find a cyberspace terminal in the northern room. Destroy the obstacle in cyberspace.

Thanks to your previous actions, the path to CPU Nodes room is now open. Destroy the Nodes in the room. Either use a ranged or a melee weapon. Be careful, though, as the nodes create a small explosion when destroyed.

In this and every subsequent location, after destroying the Computer Nodes, you need to read the digit from one of the screens (exemplary digit in the screenshot). We recommend that you write it down, as it isn't stored in any journal. This is the first of 6 digits needed to complete the autorization code.

Code Fragment #2 - Research Labs

Travel to Computer Room, located in the southern part of the map.

Destroy all of Nodes and read the second digit from one of the screens.

Code Fragment #3 - Maintenance Level

The room with computer nodes is in the south-eastern part of the deck. In Repair Bay, you'll encounter a locked door to Maintenance Office.

To open the door, you need to lower Level Security to 45% or less. This will involve destroying security cameras from this Level, including the "new" ones from side rooms of Maintenance which became open during the repair of Relay 428.

Another obstacle in this area is a retinal scanner.

To fool it, you need to visit the western part of the Deck and find the severed head of Abe Ghiran. Pick it up, add it to inventory, and return to the scanner with it. This will unlock the second door.

Finally, you need to unlock the very Computer Node room. This can be achieved by destroying related obstacle in cyberspace (the terminal is in the same area).

Destroy all Computer Nodes and read the third digit from one of the screens.

Code Fragment #4 - Storage Level

The room with computer nodes is in the north-eastern part of the Deck. There is a force field in there, but the switch is right next to it.

Destroy all computer nodes and read the fourth number from one of the screens.

Code Fragment #5 - Flight Deck

There is no designated room with Nodes on this deck. You must reach the central, radiated, area. Make use of your new implant (Environmental Protection Pack V2) and destroy the only node here.

Read the fifth number from one of the screens.

Code Fragment #6 - Executive Deck

You must reach the southern room, which you've surely passed by after unlocking the southeastern door in the casino. The Computer Nodes here are located behind a force field, which you must first disable.

Destroy all computer nodes and read the sixth number from one of the screens.

Reaching the Reactor Control Room

You have what you need - return to Reactor Deck. Time to explore the Reactor core, which you can access, among others, through the southern and eastern Reactor Core doors. Before you use them, do the following:

1. Prepare good weapons and EMP grenades - In the corridors around the reactor there are several elite machines that you'll need to destroy.
2. Activate Environmental Protection Pack V2 - this will lower health losses due to being in a zone with high radiation.

Get to the northern lever from the room north from reactor core. You can pull it now.

Reaching the Numpad

Using the lever has disabled the forcefield below the reactor. Get to the lower level. You can now use the energy lift - press the dial to travel upward.

Inputting the Self-Destruct Sequence – Reactor

The numpad is right nearby. Enter the 6-digit code you've obtained.

After correctly inputting the numbers, pull the lever. The self-destruction procedure should be initiated.

The next step is escaping from The Citadel and we describe this on a dedicated page (Using the escape pod).