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Living Spark, Broken Vessels & How Reviving Works

What happens when a vessel breaks, how a Living Spark returns to the run, and when unsecured loot is lost.

Updated August 12, 2026Sources checked and labelled

Direct answer

A broken vessel does not automatically end your run. Your Living Spark stays with the crew and can search for another vessel to possess, but you must find a new host before the Spark fades. The run is lost only if the entire crew is lost before extraction.

Quick facts

Broken vessel
The Living Spark escapes
Return to play
Possess another vessel
Spark state
Temporary — it can fade out
Full crew lost
Unsecured run loot is lost
Earlier progress
Previously secured resources stay safe

What happens when a vessel breaks?

Your vessel is the physical body carrying your Living Spark. If that vessel breaks, the Spark escapes and remains in the run with the crew. This is a recovery state rather than an immediate game over.

How do you return to the run?

Search for another vessel that your Living Spark can possess. The official Steam description says you can guide your team and look for a new host, but the Spark can fade if it does not get back into a vessel. We do not list an exact timer or button prompt because the official sources do not provide one.

When do you lose your loot?

A single broken vessel does not erase the run. Unsecured loot is lost if the entire crew is lost before extracting. Progress and resources already secured during earlier successful runs remain safe.

Common questions

Is a broken vessel an instant death?
No. Your Living Spark escapes and can search for another vessel to possess.
Can a Living Spark stay outside a vessel forever?
No. The official Steam description says the Spark must find another host before it fades out completely.
Do you lose everything when one vessel breaks?
No. Unsecured loot is lost only if the entire crew is lost before extraction. Progress already secured in previous successful runs remains safe.
Do different vessels matter?
Yes. The official FAQ says different vessels provide different ways to get back into the action, but it does not publish a complete vessel list.

Sources

This page uses official descriptions only. Unconfirmed timers and controls are intentionally omitted.