The Pinwheel Base sits at the heart of the Outpost map in Marathon, and it's one of the most sought-after locations in the game. Three separate roads lead toward it from different directions, but every one of them starts out locked. Knowing which method suits your current loadout and inventory can save you a full run's worth of frustration.
How to Unlock Pinwheel Base in Marathon
Marathon gives you three distinct routes into the Pinwheel Base, each requiring different resources and a different path through the Outpost map. Here's a breakdown of every method before diving into the specifics.
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If you already have a Conveyance Request keycard in your inventory from a previous run, the drone crane method is the fastest way in. No hunting for codes required.
Clearance Code terminal entry
What Are Clearance Codes and How Do You Use Them?
Clearance Codes come in three different types, and the terminal at the Pinwheel Base elevator will ask for either two or three of them. The exact combination is randomized each time, so the terminal might request multiple copies of the same code type. Once you've entered the correct codes, interact with the nearby hackstations to complete the unlock sequence and activate the elevator.
Be ready for a fight immediately after. A wave of UESC enemies spawns at your position once the elevator is triggered, so clear them out before moving deeper into the base.
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The terminal can request more than one copy of the same Clearance Code type. Always carry extras if possible, since running back to farm codes mid-run costs valuable time.
How Does the Drone Crane Method Work?
The Conveyance Request keycard is your ticket into the Drone Wing, where you can call down a drone on an elevator platform. The keycard doesn't spawn in a fixed location on the Outpost map, so you'll need to search for it during your run or bring one over from a previous run if it's sitting in your inventory.
Once you use the keycard at the Drone Wing, a drone descends on an elevator. Ride that elevator up to reach the Pinwheel Base directly. This method skips the UESC enemy ambush tied to the Clearance Codes route, making it a cleaner entry if you have the keycard ready.
How Do You Destroy Generators on the Destroyed Wing?
The third entry point sits above the Orientation area via the Destroyed Wing. The door here is sealed behind a barrier marked by four lights running along the top of the frame. To drop the barrier, you need to shoot out all four lights.
The lights are controlled by white boxes scattered around the Destroyed Wing. These boxes don't have fixed spawn positions, but they always appear attached to the exterior of the Destroyed Wing structure. Scan the outside walls carefully and shoot four of them. Once all four are destroyed, the lights go dark and the barrier drops, giving you access to the center of the Pinwheel Base.
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Most of the white generator boxes are found on the outside of the Destroyed Wing structure. If you're struggling to find all four, circle the exterior walls rather than searching inside.
Generator box on Destroyed Wing
Which Method Should You Use?
The right approach depends entirely on what you're carrying into the run.
- Clearance Codes method works best when you've been actively farming UESC terminals and have spare codes in your inventory. The enemy ambush is manageable if you're prepared.
- Drone crane method is the smoothest entry when you have a Conveyance Request keycard already on hand, especially if you're coming in from a previous run with it stocked.
- Generator destruction is the most accessible fallback since it requires nothing but ammunition and a bit of map awareness. It's the go-to when you arrive at Outpost without keycards or codes.
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All three entry points lead to the same interior, so there's no loot advantage to choosing one route over another. Pick the method that fits what you're already carrying.
Final Tips for Reaching Pinwheel Base
Because the Pinwheel Base sits at the center of the Outpost map, you can approach it from any direction. Planning your entry method before the run starts, rather than improvising mid-map, puts you in a much stronger position. Carry a Conveyance Request keycard when you can, stock extra Clearance Codes as a backup, and always know where the Destroyed Wing is as your last resort option.
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