Helmet mods

[Radiac]

I just finished a run of the game on Ranger difficulty, without the DLCs. I noticed that there is a three-tiered family of helmet mods, namely the (tier 1) Tactical H.U.D., the (tier 2) Targeting Processor, and the (tier 3) Threat Intelligence mods, that give +10%, +18%, and +25% damage, respectively, when applied to a helmet and worn.

Now, making a tier 1 mod of this type requires a LED Matrix crafting component. Making the tier 2 mod requires and consumes one copy of the tier 1 version, which has to be a separate item and not actually applied to a helmet when consumed, AND an Optical Sensor crafting component. Finally, making a tier 3 mod requires and consumes a tier 2 item plus a Combat Analysis Processor crafting component.

So, to make and use these mods, assuming you'd want all six rangers on the active squad to have a mod of the best available tier at any given time, you need to actually make 18 tier 1s, 12 tier 2s, and 6 tier 3s. Because you can't upgrade mods that are already applied to helmets. They're "bind on equip" as it were.

I noticed that by the end of my run, I was level 25-26 on my active roster guys, and had found enough Combat Analysis Processor chips to make 6 of the (tier 3) Threat Intelligence mods, but had no Optical Sensors. I apparently only found enough Optical Sensors to make the six (tier 2) Targeting Processors I had equipped and never found any more.

As such I had to decide between making and using the tier 2s or stockpiling them and consuming them to make tier 3s. I didn't realize at the time that that was going to be what my options were, but since I made and applied the tier 2s, I was never able to make any tier 3s.

Is there any way to grind for more Optical Sensors at all? I don't recall getting any crafting components out of safes or containers, only from fallen enemies, and then very rarely. Would I get more of them if I were to destroy all the bots in the commune? Does the DLC solve this problem at all?

[LordNibbler]

First of all you certainly don't need this mod for everyone; you will be fine with other mods (or none at all).

There is, however, a certain "trader" in Steeltown that you can "acquire" and send him to your base, who will then sell crafting parts when he is in the base, BUT - I don't know if he has these specific parts; he had a lot of crafting mats, so quite possible, but can't say with certainty... Just requires you to play through the DLC to get him (dependent on how you solve things there either completely or just until that part). he is called "Handcraft", and can be found in the garage of a guy called "Blue"; unmissable as it's story related Else you might try your luck with the robots (maybe search random robot encounters, but that might be very tedious)...

[Radiac]

Thanks.