The Alters: Tabula Rasa or implants?

Should I choose Tabula Rasa or neural implants? It's one of the important choices that you'll have to face while playing The Alters. This walkthrough covers the main quest, A Thread of Hope, which you have to deal with in Act 2. You will learn how to prepare for both variants, which decision is the better one and what the long-term consequences of your choice may be.

• When does the important choice appear in Act 2?
• How to prepare for the Tabula Rasa variant?
• How to prepare for the implants variant?
• When does the choice happen?
• What are the consequences of the decision?

When does the important choice appear in Act 2?

1. During Act 2, you will experience a disturbing scene in the kitchen - the alters will find the dead body of Molly, the sheep. A new main quest will appear, The Value of Life. The first step will be to conduct a Sheep Autopsy, which must be taken care of Jan Scientist.
2. After the research is completed, you will learn from the scientist that the cause of the animal's death was a brain hemorrhage. Jan Scientist will suggest examining all the alters. To do that, you must have an infirmary in the base and produce an MRI Upgrade in the workshop.

1. After building the upgrade, head to the Infirmary. You need to perform two actions here: first, install the MRI (see the screenshot above) and then turn on the device and examine Jan. A cutscene will start and you will have to wait until the next day for the results.
2. While speaking to Jan Scientist, you will learn that all the alters may die and only the "main" Jan is healthy. You need to talk to Lucas about developing a medicine and if the option to call in the Communication Room doesn't appear, just continue your gameplay.

After presenting the facts to Lucas, you will additionally have to wait for a phone call from doctor Maxwell. He will present his idea to you and you will need to talk to Jan Scientist. Two new quests will appear in your journal:

1. A Thread of Hope - Tabula Rasa - this is the first main variant. It involves creating a blank alter, who will be devoid of Awareness, thoughts, and personality traits. This way, the alter's brain cells can be used to develop a cure, but the alter will die in the process.
2. A Thread of Hope - A Second Opinion - this is the second main variant, and this one is associated with implants. They can be produced and implanted in other alters to protect them from impending death. However, the corporation may track the implants and you won't have full control over them.

It's important to know that you can work on both variants at the same time and you don't have to focus only on one of them. It's only later into the story that you'll have to choose between them. Additionally, you can also talk to alters about this choice and get to know their opinions.

How to prepare for the Tabula Rasa variant?

1. Here, Jan Scientist needs to take care of the QC Hacking research project. It's worth giving it the highest priority.

1. After finishing the research, you can visit the Quantum Computer at the base to create a Tabula Rasa alter. You need 20x Rapidium for this and as in the case of other alters, here you will also have to wait a few hours for the process in the Womb Module to be completed. That's where, together with Jan Scientist, you can experience the "birth" of an alter without Awareness.

How to prepare for the implants variant?

1. The first thing to do within this variant is to call Lena. If the option to talk to her is not currently available, try visiting the Communication Room a bit later. Jan can send Lena the results of the MRI and you'll have to wait for a call from her.
2. After hearing out Lena's plan, you will have to produce one implant for each alter residing in the base. Each such item costs 10x Metals, 30x Minerals and 20x Rapidium. The created implants need to be handed over to the Scientist.

When does the choice happen?

1. The crucial decision will be linked to a separate main quest, A Thread of Hope - The Clock is Ticking. After waiting a few days (which give you an opportunity to prepare for both scenarios), you have to participate in a meeting with other alters in the kitchen. It will start with a discussion of the available options. This is also another opportunity to get to know the opinions of others (some of them very radical).
2. At the end of the conversation, you will have to decide the fate of alters (see the screenshot above). You can opt for the Tabula Rasa treatment or using neural implants.

What are the consequences of the decision?

1. The decision on how to treat alters is unfortunately not a choice between good and evil. You must be aware that each of the variants has negative consequences and they cannot be completely avoided.
2. At the end of Act 2, some alters will always leave the base - they will become rebels and create their own camp in Act 3. The game will allow you to find them and renew the relationships. The choice affects who will leave and also whether you will manage to bring the rebel alters back to the base.
3. Choosing between Tabula Rasa and implants also affects the availability of the endings and the relationships with characters from Earth, i.e. with Lena, Maxwell and Lucas.

1. If you have chosen implants, then your choice will lead to the departure of Jan Technician, Jan Worker, Jan Miner, and Jan Shrink (if you created them) after Act 2. Additionally, in the case of Jan Worker, he may die. It will turn out that he didn't accept the implant and you can learn this from Jan Scientist. The only way to save Jan Worker, is to agree to the plan of forcing the implant onto him while he is asleep.
2. The described choice can also lead to a situation where the Tabula Rasa alter embarks on a further journey with you. You can meet him at the base in Act 3, and even attempt to have a conversation with him. Unfortunately, he cannot be assigned any tasks.
3. The implant variant entails improving the relationship with Lena, but you have to take into account that you will break off any contact with Maxwell.
4. Additionally, in Act 3 there will be an opportunity to bring all the rebel alters back to the base (only after you supply them and connect their hideout to your base with pylons).

1. If you chose Tabula Rasa, your choice will lead to the departure of Jan Technician, Jan Refiner, Jan Doctor, and Jan Botanist (if you created them) at the end of Act 2.
2. The Tabula Rasa variant will improve your relationship with Maxwell, who can help you in the final stretch of the campaign. However, you must take into account that Lena will break off any contact with Jan and you won't be able to talk to her or ask her for help anymore.
3. The described choice will also cause the rebels to not want to return with you to the base, even if you bring them supplies and connect their headquarters with your base. You will have to operate in a smaller team until the end of the campaign.

In conclusion, the implant variant is the one that will guarantee you more options and unique interactions. It may also make it easier for you to get through Act 3 by recovering the rebel alters. As a result, the implant variant is the one recommended for your first playthrough.

See also:

1. Game guide
2. Best Alters
3. Is there a point of no return?

The Alters

June 13, 2025

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