The Callisto Protocol excels at putting the player in claustrophobic environments stuffed with monstrous enemies lurking in the dark, waiting for the opportunity to stop the protagonist, Jacob, dead in his tracks. Nowhere in the game is that more evident than in the mission in question, Below, where Jacob is forced into a survival situation that will lead the player right to an easy-to-miss weapon. Slight spoilers for The Callisto Protocol ahead.
In Below, Jacob finds himself separated from Dani, the only companion he has at this point, after falling into the decrepit structure beneath the colony. In the space below, where this mission gets its namesake, Jacob must scrounge to survive against a new variant of the bio-mutant-zombie-creeps that he has become accustomed to bludgeoning. It’s one of the most pressurized environments in the game. It is also where to find the schematics for The Callisto Protocol's tactical pistol.
Where To Find Tactical Pistol Schematics
While skulking through this underbelly area of The Callisto Protocol, proceed until coming face to face with a room where three enemies are scouring for prey. There are two paths forward beyond these goons. Going dead ahead is suitable enough, but if Jacob is a loot scavenger, it may be best to go to the climbable box reading ‘caution’ off on the right, where there are a few goodies that may help on the journey ahead. Dropping down on the other side will lead to the same place as the route below.
Either path will come to a small crevice indirectly guarded by two enemies in their disturbing cocoons. Just past them into a room on the right is where to find some additional loot (and a jump scare) along with the schematics for the tactical pistol sitting on a desk. They can be easy to miss if the player isn’t paying attention.
What To Do With The Schematics
Proceed forward to the ladder, which will lead to 2a Level 1. Just past the handful of enemies in this room, a reforge station sits ready to download the new schematics. Having them in inventory will automatically download them into the station once interacted with.
The UJC Special Ops “Tactical Pistol” costs 600 callisto credits to forge. It may not take over as a primary weapon in Jacob’s arsenal, but it will certainly help completionists and anyone looking for anything to increase their chances of survival in what is no doubt a brutal game.
The Callisto Protocol is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.