TARGET CLASS
Recursive Data
Extremely high-HP targets with much larger Data drops.
Chapter 4 · Recursive Systems
FEED THE AI Chapter 4 Walkthrough
Finish the 43.5M Raw Data race, secure the correct Karma range, and separate normal completion from billion-Cash max-tree goals.
- Goal
- 43,500,000 Raw Data
- Systems
- Recursive · Autonomous Core
- Final decision
- Current Karma determines Ending
Exact Game Rule
You do not need GIVE UP CONTROL to finish the game.
Ending Warning
Get Karma into the target range before crossing 43.5M Raw Data.
CHAPTER 4 · FIRST CLEAR
42.1M / 43.5M
Karma +42
Projected Ending
Protector
Final Chapter Route
What Is Your Goal?
This choice changes billion-Cash upgrade guidance, full-tree costs, achievement notes, and the final CTA.
Nine Decisions · Final Chapter
Chapter 4 Quick Route
- 01Unlock Recursive Data
- 02Strengthen Finder Damage
- 03Strengthen AI Damage / Attack Speed
- 04Use Vision and automation against high-HP targets
- 05Skip huge low-ROI Cash upgrades on a first clear
- 06Unlock the final Chapter 4 Perk row
- 07Set Karma to the target ending range
- 08Cross 43.5M Raw Data
- 09Finish the ending and unlock Prestige
For a first clear, Chapter 4 is a Raw Data race plus an ending check — not a requirement to buy every late-game upgrade.
Autonomous Core Online
What Changes When Chapter 4 Starts?
This is a structural change, not only a tougher version of Chapter 3. Progress gradually moves from player-fed combat toward autonomous AI progression.
MOVEMENT ONLINE
Autonomous Core
The AI begins moving independently instead of relying entirely on the Finder.
COLLECTION ONLINE
SUPERINTELLIGENCE
The AI begins attacking and collecting through its own automation.
Recursive Systems
How Recursive Data Works
Recursive Data is not automatically more efficient. The targets pay more, but their base Data-to-HP ratio is much lower.
| Tier | Base HP | Base Data | Data / HP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 3 | 1 | ~0.333 |
| Corporate | 60 | 20 | ~0.333 |
| Government | 1,000 | 300 | 0.300 |
| Recursive | 40,000 | 5,000 | 0.125 |
Recursive becomes stronger when the build can exploit AoE, Vision Zones, AI automation, Virus Helpers, and other high-HP scaling tools.
Recursive Readiness Check
Are Recursive targets dying comfortably?
You're combat-limited.
Recursive targets are surviving too long. Improve both Finder and AI throughput before adding more high-HP targets.
Prioritize
- → Finder Damage
- → AI Damage
- → Finder Attack Speed
- → AI Attack Speed
- → Vision uptime
Best FEED THE AI Chapter 4 Upgrades
Chapter 4 is the first point where AI Damage deserves similar attention to Finder Damage because autonomous movement and attacks can turn it into a second primary damage source.
- 01
Finder Damage
- 02
AI Damage
- 03
Finder Attack Speed
- 04
AI Attack Speed
- 05
Vision / automation synergy
- 06
Recursive progression
- 07
Economy / luxury upgrades
Finder
30,000 Damage · 3.3 AS · 30% Crit
≈ 128,700 expected DPS
AI
30,000 Damage · 2.0 AS
≈ 60,000 DPS
Late-game example before AoE and Vision; these are not fixed Chapter 4 starting stats.
First Clear Priority
Push reliable combat and 43.5M Raw Data. Huge Cash nodes can wait until a completion run.
Two Scaling Systems
Scale Finder and AI with Vision or Virus Helpers
Vision buffs both damage sources
Vision Zones improve Finder and AI Attack Speed and Range at the same time.
1 × (1 + 230% + 190%)
= 5.2 attacks/sec
Percent modifiers add together; they do not multiply.
Vision Orb Mechanics →Virus Helpers scale with Max HP
Virus Helper is not a Malware Orb. Each successful hit deals 20% of the target’s maximum HP.
≈ 5 hits for ~100% Max HP
Before practical movement, targeting, and overkill factors. Tyrant Prestige adds +2 Virus Helpers.
Tyrant Build →Do You Need GIVE UP CONTROL?
No — not for a normal ending.
GIVE UP CONTROL
3,000,000,000 Cash
GIVE UP CONTROL is not the ending trigger. Reach 43.5M Raw Data and secure your target Karma range instead.
+40,000
Discharge Damage
+15
Overload Generation
+50,000
Core Link Damage
−2
Core Link Interval
+200
AI Movement Speed
+4
Data Cluster Size
+50,000
AI Damage
Finishes Chapter 4
43.5M Raw Data
Buys One Upgrade
3B Cash
Do not mix these up. They are different resources and different requirements.
AI Evolution · Not Repair Damage
Chapter 4 Bugs and AI Evolution
Chapter 4 contains 22 unfixable nodes; 21 function as positive AI evolution effects. Do not search for repair buttons for Autonomous Core, SUPERINTELLIGENCE, AI movement, attacks, or system improvements.
Actual Negative Transition
Treat genuine supply reductions as penalties when the game explicitly applies one.
Evolution Nodes
Autonomy, AI attacks, Core Link, Malware, and Overload improvements are intentional progression.
Max-Tree Rule
Unfixable nodes do not block SUPERINTELLIGENCE. The max-tree check explicitly ignores unfixable Bug/Evolution nodes.
Ending Checkpoint
How to Choose Your FEED THE AI Ending
Choose the target before the final Data push. The game reads your current Karma when Chapter 4 completes.
| Ending | Karma |
|---|---|
| Tyrant | −100 to −34 |
| Rational | −33 to +33 |
| Protector | +34 to +100 |
Final Perk Checkpoint
Use the 30.2M Karma Window
The final Chapter 4 Perk row unlocks here. You still have about 13.3M Raw Data before the ending trigger.
30.2M
Final Perk row
13.3M left
Before continuing
- □ Choose your target ending
- □ Set the matching Perks
- □ Complete normal settlements
- □ Verify actual Karma
0 → extreme band
One ±105 settlement
−100 → Protector
−100 → +5 → +100
Rational
Pulls toward zero
Even late in Chapter 4, most alignment mistakes are recoverable — as long as you fix them before crossing 43.5M Raw Data.
Do Not Change Karma on the Same Run That Finishes Chapter 4
If a run crosses 43.5M Chapter 4 Raw Data, the game can complete the Chapter and read current Karma before that run’s normal Karma settlement is applied.
- 01
43.5M reached
- 02
Chapter 4 completes
- 03
Current Karma is read
- 04
Ending is saved
- 05
Normal settlement may be too late
Expected
Current −20 + Protector 105
+85 → Protector
If 43.5M triggers first
Current Karma read: −20
Rational Ending
43.5M Ending Check
How to Finish Chapter 4
Final Ending Check
SAFE FOR PROTECTOR
Current Ending
Protector
Raw Data Remaining
1.4M
Target Requirement
+34 to +100
Current Karma is already inside the Protector range.
Required
43.5M Raw Data
Target Karma range, if you want a specific ending.
Not Required
GIVE UP CONTROL · 3B Cash · max tree · every Evolution node · all achievements · all Prestige paths
Ending and Achievement thresholds are different
| Goal | Karma |
|---|---|
| Tyrant Ending | ≤ −34 |
| Absolute Control | −100 |
| Rational Ending | −33 to +33 |
| Protector Ending | ≥ +34 |
| You’re Safe With Me | +100 |
Rational is a real third route.
Rational Perks pull Karma toward zero; they do not leave it unchanged and never overshoot zero. Example: +50 → pull 15 → +35, while +7 → pull 15 → 0.
How Rational Karma Works →Global Progress Updated
What to Do After Your First Ending
The completed ending is recorded and its Prestige reward unlocks. Run-specific progress resets, while completed endings and Prestige progression are stored separately.
| Ending | Permanent Prestige |
|---|---|
| Tyrant | +2 Virus Helpers +25% Earnings |
| Rational | +15 Finder Chain +25% Earnings |
| Protector | +15 Finder Pulse +25% Earnings |
Simulator Recommendation
Prestige & Playthrough Order →Rational → Protector → Tyrant
Rational-first ranked best across tested expected-value scenarios because Finder Chain gives broad progression value. This is not guaranteed speedrun-optimal for every setup.
Already finished Tyrant or Protector first? Keep going. You do not need to restart your save.
Troubleshooter
Chapter 4 Common Problems
Do I need GIVE UP CONTROL?
No for a normal ending. It costs 3B Cash and matters for the Chapter 4 max-tree goal, not the 43.5M Raw Data ending trigger.
Why can’t I repair these Chapter 4 Bugs?
Most are intentionally unfixable AI Evolution nodes rather than damage that needs repair.
Do unfixable nodes stop SUPERINTELLIGENCE?
No. The max-tree check explicitly ignores unfixable Evolution nodes.
Why are Recursive enemies so tanky?
Recursive starts at 40,000 base HP and only 0.125 base Data per HP, so combat scaling matters before adding more supply.
Why did I get the wrong ending?
Chapter completion can read current Karma before that run’s normal Karma settlement is applied.
Can I still change from Tyrant to Protector?
Yes until the ending locks. A full eight-row alignment moves Karma by 105 per normal settlement.
Do I need 3 billion Cash to finish?
No. 3B Cash buys GIVE UP CONTROL; 43.5M Raw Data finishes Chapter 4.
What happens after an ending?
That ending is recorded, its Prestige reward unlocks, and you can begin another run.
Walkthrough Complete
Choose the Next Guide for Your Goal
Confirm your ending, then plan the next Prestige run.