Canaan

Canaan is a portal world in Anteverse 168 and the first progression world to feature respawning Military Cots. It appears as a coastal settlement with a nearby swamp overlook, and the available information suggests it is an occupied, Earth-like world inhabited by a small gnostic cult. The group worships the Lodestone, a piece of xenotechnology they believe can free them from physical bondage, and they live under a puritanical regime of self-abasement that treats others as tools of “the enemy.”

The area is not fully dark, but the lighting is low enough that a good light source makes exploration much easier. The world also has a stronger-than-average emphasis on crowd pressure: villagers can run to nearby Bell Towers to raise the alarm, which spawns more enemies from the blackened doorways of the huts throughout the village. Several huts in the settlement cannot be entered, but their doorways become spawn points when the alarm is sounded.

Canaan can be accessed by repairing the Flow Control Modules with a Night Essence and a Snag Vine Seed. Once restored, the portal is activated using a nearby keypad, which requires a Keypad Hacker (Tier 3). A Repair and Salvage Station is needed to complete the portal world, and although one exists in the level, it can be convenient to bring your own. There is a power outlet in the Swamp near the Witches Hut on a small overlook above the rest of Canaan, which makes it a practical place to set up equipment.

The local enemies are durable and often inflict bleeding, so preparation matters. Before entering, it is recommended to bring a strong melee weapon such as a Tech Sceptre or Lightning Spear, or a reliable ranged option like thrown explosives. Acid damage is especially effective, and electric attacks can briefly stun enemies. Headshots are valuable for extra damage. Because severe bleeding and multiple bleeding attacks are common, bringing plenty of bandages is strongly advised.

• Guard: best handled with long-range fire or close-up bashing.
• Woodsman: charges and swings a heavy axe, causing severe bleeding.
• Torchbearer: uses an attack that ignores armor; ranged attacks or hit-and-run tactics with a longer melee weapon are recommended.
• Farmer: has a charging pitchfork attack that can be mistaken for normal movement, making it easy to get caught and pushed back; this attack can also cause bleeding.

By the time Canaan becomes available, the Crystalline Armor Set is also obtainable, and it works well here despite its slow movement penalty. A full set can let the player sneak around without being detected, which is especially useful because many of the villagers are dangerous in groups and can quickly surround an unprepared player.

The area is also notable for its connection to the expedition reports of Lenora Riggs and the broader mystery surrounding Anteverse 168. Little is known for certain beyond Canaan itself, including how the cult arrived there or whether the world represents the past, present, or future of some version of Earth. A zoomed rifle scope or the game files reveal a labyrinth-like pattern on the Moon’s surface in Canaan, similar to the design associated with the Lodestone.