Explore the Spaceport, Restore the Gelatonium Pumps, and Hitch a Ride with the Smuggler are missions in Tools of Destruction taking place in the spaceport and gelatonium plant on Cobalia. After crashing in the Cobalia outskirts Ratchet and Clank manage to make their way to a local spaceport, where they meet the Smuggler.
Walkthrough[]
There is very little to do here for now other than talk to the GrummelNet Industries' weapons vendor, who sells the expensive Tornado Launcher for 40,000 bolts and the more affordable Plasma Beasts for 15,000 bolts. The former creates a controllable tornado that can damage enemies nearby, while the latter is effectively a mine glove, creating beasts that will attack enemies in the vicinity. The Plasma Beast is worth purchasing, although there is minimal use for it on Cobalia specifically.
You can also choose to invest what little raritanium you have for weapon upgrades, which grant various passive bonuses to your weapons. These include increased ammo capacity, rate of fire, range, damage, and the amount of bolts or raritanium gained from enemies, as well as others. Purchasing all upgrades lets you buy the final one, which grants a unique one to each weapon.
Destroy the nearby crates, preferably by using Comet Strikes to avoid getting in range of the red explosive crates. When done, approach the Smuggler at the other side of the spaceport.
Restore the Gelatonium Pumps[]
After the cutscene, you will have received the Gelanator and can now enter the gelatonium plant. Speak with the Smuggler to sell your single leviathan soul for 2,000 bolts, while optional dialogue reveals more about the general situation in the Polaris Galaxy. Once you're ready, enter the plant and locate the nearby receptacle to fill the Gelanator, as you cannot enter without a full Gelanator (nor exit with one). Once filled, the Gelanator has unlimited ammo and can be used to create gel cubes that allow Ratchet to jump high into the air. Combine gel cubes three times to increase jumping height, which is necessary to scale the towering interior walls.
After three high jumps, you will reach a large pool of gelatonium. Firing gel cubes into the pool will make them function as jumping pads, enabling you to traverse across. On the other side, you'll encounter a small group of tumfoids, harmless robots that attempt to consume your gel cubes. This sets a time limit on their usability. Before proceeding straight, go left to explore a small side path containing several crates and a pair of raritanium chests. Then return to the split.
Use the Gelanator to climb the wall, eliminate the group of Cerullean swarmers, and ascend the pump's grav-ramp using your Gravity Boots. Once atop the pump, use the OmniWrench 3000 on the bolt crank to fix it. In the next chamber, you'll need to create gel cubes in the flowing gel rivers using the Gelanator and quickly jump across before the cubes fall. This process must be repeated at the much larger river at the top. Note that in all instances, you can create a full-sized gel cube and glide across if preferred.
The last room houses the second pump and another group of swarmers. Use the nearby bolt crank to fix the grav-ramp, and then turn the bolt crank atop the pump to fix it. Destroy nearby crates for bolts, and use the receptacle in the next room to empty your Gelanator, allowing you to exit the plant through the elevator.
Hitch a Ride with the Smuggler[]
Upon re-entering the spaceport, you'll encounter a vendor offering devices, which are single-use items with various effects. Currently, the vendor, a grummel, only sells the Groovitron and Leech Bomb for 500 and 1,000 bolts, respectively (although they may have been picked up from raritanium chests). The Groovitron forces anything within its effective radius to uncontrollably dance, making it a powerful crowd control option. The Leech Bomb drains health from enemies to heal yourself. Considering their price, and the lack of strong enemies early in the game, it is better to pick up devices from chests at this point.
To continue the story, you can use the nearby bridge to talk to the Smuggler and leave the surface, traveling to Stratus City on planet Kortog. This will initiate the "Escape Tachyon's Forces" mission. However, restoring the plant unlocks the mission "Search Cobalia". Additionally, discussing your leviathan soul with the Smuggler unlocks the "Hunt for Leviathan Souls" mission. It is recommended to complete both missions at this time.
Lastly, you can visit the nearby armor vendor to purchase the Blackstar armor for 30,000 bolts, provided you have acquired such funds. The 25% damage reduction is useful, but not truly necessary yet.