User:Trocyte V./Vortex Trials

The Vortex Trials are an Arena-type gamemode in Plants vs. Zombies: Infinite Generation. It is unlocked by talking to [tba] in LEAF-Prime's Infinity Time base and doing a short introductive quest. Afterwards, it can be launched by selecting a large blue node with a stylized escapement gear on the world map for Infinity Time.

The Vortex Trials take place in a combat simulator rewritten to emulate various sets of conditions, noted by some NPCs as distinctly off-the-wall and eccentric at best. Its true purpose, however, is to apply combat data for use in a new line of equipment that, while still situational, is highly modular and does, in fact, provide genuine assistance on the battlefield quite often.

To generate loot, a Centrifugal Telemeter is required.

Centrifugal Telemeter
The Centrifugal Telemeter is the key item used to generate rewards in the Vortex Trials. It takes the form of a small, nondescript, boxy machine with input slots for two data nodes. The Telemeter's "Centrifugal" moniker originates from the mechanical spinning visible within the device when active, rather than any actual centrifugal force or centrifuge function being applied. When the Telemeter is active and the player is in the Vortex Trials, the device is secured to the player character's waist.

To prepare the Telemeter for use in the Vortex Trials, data nodes must be acquired and inserted into the device. Nodes drop at the end of any other activity completion, after which they can be inserted according to the following rules:
 * Slot 1 determines the distribution of the primary stats (mobility, defense, regeneration) of the generated armor piece. Slot 2 determines the secondary stats' distribution.
 * Inserting a node into slot 2 and leaving slot 1 blank will generate a weapon instead of an armor piece.
 * Certain combinations will harmonize with each other once the Telemeter is activated, granting various bonuses to the resulting armor piece.

Loot
Upon finishing a Vortex Trials run, all players will be returned to the starting chamber, where a machine bolted to the wall will become active. The Centrifugal Telemeter can be inserted into the machine to generate a reward.

Trivia

 * The Vortex Trials are an homage to Kamen Rider Build.
 * The Centrifugal Telemeter and its components are a reimagined version of the Build Driver, with the generated loot bearing a resemblance to some of the different armor configurations generated by the Driver.
 * The icon used to represent the Vortex Trials is based off of Build's logo.
 * The name of the activity has its roots in several aspects of Build's terminology.