You finally make it back to Koboh. You’ve got your fancy new gear, you’re feeling like a real Jedi Knight, and then the game throws you into the Devastated Settlement Jedi Survivor players love to hate. It’s a massive, crumbling industrial site perched on the edge of a canyon, choked with sulfur pools and those annoying BX droids that just won't quit. Honestly? It’s one of the most frustratingly brilliant pieces of level design Respawn has ever put together.
It's not just about the combat. This place is a giant environmental puzzle that requires you to juggle the Koboh Grinder, the thermal vents, and your own patience. Most people get stuck here because the game doesn't exactly hold your hand when it comes to the thermal beams. You’re soaring around on a Relter, trying not to fall into the abyss, while looking for a way to melt that pesky crystal growth. It’s a lot.
Getting Your Bearings in the Stone Spires
When you first land in the Devastated Settlement, the scale is intimidating. You’re looking at the Stone Spires, a sub-region of Koboh that feels completely disconnected from the cozy vibes of Rambler's Reach. This isn't a stroll through the woods. It’s a vertical gauntlet.
The first thing you’ll notice is the heat. Not physical heat for Cal, but the visual heat of the lava and the sulfur. You need to find the High Republic research base, but the path is blocked by that purple-ish crystalline gunk we’ve all grown to despise. To clear it, you need the thermal beams. These aren't just for show; they are your primary "key" to unlocking the rest of the map.
You’ll start at the bottom. The first puzzle involves a beam and a Koboh Grinder. You've got to aim that laser at the wall, then use BD-1 to spray a trail of matter from the point of impact over to the crystals. If you've played Portal, it feels a bit like that, but with more lightsabers and fewer cakes. If your trail breaks, the fire goes out. It’s finicky. You have to be precise.
The Relter Mechanics Are Key
You cannot survive the Devastated Settlement Jedi Survivor offers without mastering the Relter. These prehistoric-looking birds are your only way to navigate the updrafts. But here’s the catch: the updrafts aren't always strong enough.
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To boost the thermal vents, you have to direct the thermal beams into them. This is the core loop of the area.
- Find a beam.
- Use it to clear an obstacle.
- Re-aim it into a nearby vent.
- Ride the newly strengthened updraft to the next higher platform.
It sounds simple. In practice, it’s a dizzying dance of flight and platforming. If you miss a vent, you’re likely falling into a pit or landing in a nest of Goroccos. Those things hit like a freight train on Grandmaster difficulty. Seriously, watch the overhead slams.
What Most People Miss: The Hidden Orbs and Treasures
There is a specific spot in the Devastated Settlement that drives completionists insane. It involves a hidden chamber tucked behind a waterfall of sand. To get there, you actually have to manipulate a beam from across the canyon. It’s one of those "I can see the chest but I can't reach it" moments.
The Persistence of the Koboh Grinder
A lot of players think the Koboh Grinder trail has a short shelf life. It actually lasts longer than you’d think, but it can’t turn sharp corners well. When you’re trying to clear the crystals in the central spire, try jumping while spraying. It sounds weird, but it helps you maintain the line over uneven terrain.
Dealing with the Bounty Hunters
Expect company. The Haxion Brood loves this area. You might run into Kip Ostar here, a bounty hunter who uses a shield and loves to kite you into the open. Don't let him. Force Pull the shield, or better yet, use the Blaster stance to chip away at his guard from a distance. The verticality of the settlement means you can often knock enemies off cliffs, which is arguably the most satisfying way to win any fight in this game.
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The Lore Behind the Ruin
Why is this place so wrecked? If you’re paying attention to the Force Echoes, you’ll realize this was a major High Republic mining and research operation. Santari Khri and Dagan Gera spent a lot of time here. The "Devastated" part of the name isn't just flavor text; it refers to the chaos that erupted when the Nihil attacked and the Abyss became a point of contention.
You’re walking through a graveyard of ambition. The crumbling architecture and abandoned droids tell a story of a Golden Age that ended in fire. It’s a nice contrast to the more "lived-in" feel of the rest of Koboh. Here, you're a scavenger in a place that forgot it ever existed.
High-Level Tips for the Boss Fights and Encounters
You’re going to run into some heavy hitters. The Bedlam Raiders have a presence here, and they aren't friendly.
- Vary your stances: The Dual Wield stance is great for the quick BX droids, but when a Bedlam Smasher shows up, switch to Crossguard. You need the impact to break their poise.
- Use the Environment: There are plenty of explosive canisters lying around. Don't waste Force energy on a Push if you can just blow something up.
- The Turgle Factor: Okay, Turgle isn't here, but his spirit of "just barely surviving" should be your guide. Don't be afraid to run away from a fight to find a meditation point. The run-backs in the settlement can be brutal if you haven't unlocked the shortcuts.
Solving the "Impossible" Beam Puzzle
The final part of the Devastated Settlement Jedi Survivor questline involves getting to the Grand Courtyard. This requires a three-beam setup. You have to align the beams from three different spires to hit the central collector.
Most people mess up the second beam. You have to use the Grinder to clear a path inside the cave first, then rotate the beam 180 degrees to hit the vent outside. It feels counter-intuitive to point the laser away from your goal, but that’s the trick. You need the lift to reach the third spire.
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Once you get all three beams hitting the center, the thermal vent becomes a massive geyser. This is your ticket to the top. The view from the Grand Courtyard is incredible, but don't get distracted—there’s usually a fight waiting for you the second your feet hit the stone.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
If you’re currently stuck or just starting this section, follow this logic to save yourself some headache. First, focus entirely on the beams. Don't worry about the collectibles on your first pass. Unlock the meditation points at the Stone Spires and the Devastated Settlement entrance immediately.
Second, upgrade your Force Pull. There are several sections where pulling a grapple point or an object is time-sensitive. Having a deeper Force pool makes these platforming sections way less stressful.
Third, check the walls. There are several "hidden" paths that are just cracks in the rock. If you see blue light or hear a humming sound, there's a High Republic artifact nearby. These are essential for buying perks from Zee back at the cantina.
Finally, don't ignore the flying creatures. While the Relter is your friend, there are hostile birds that will knock you out of the sky. If you see them circling, land and take them out with a lightsaber throw before trying to cross a large gap.
The Devastated Settlement is a test of everything you've learned. It’s about movement, timing, and using BD-1 as more than just a health dispenser. Once you clear it, the rest of Koboh feels like a breeze. Just keep your eyes on the vents and your thumb on the dodge button.
To finish your run effectively, head back to Doma's shop after clearing the settlement. You'll have enough Datadiscs by then to unlock the Mysterious Keycode, which opens the door in the back of her shop. Inside, you'll find a Stim Canister upgrade that is basically mandatory for the late-game boss fights. Clearing the settlement gives you the mobility to find the remaining discs scattered across the spires, so do a final sweep before leaving the area for good.