The Prototype is your lifeline in Pathologic 3’s most dangerous areas. This essential device lets you neutralize plague tornados, stun the terrifying Shabnak creatures, and safely traverse infected districts that would otherwise be death traps. But here’s the catch: it needs regular refilling, and running dry at the wrong moment can leave you trapped, infected, or worse.
Keeping your Prototype stocked isn’t just good practice—it’s survival 101. Whether you’re clearing infection markers to unlock new pathways or simply trying to reach a quest objective through contaminated streets, a fully charged Prototype often makes the difference between completing your mission and restarting the day.
Let’s break down exactly how to keep this crucial tool operational throughout your time in the plague-torn town.
The Refilling Process in Pathologic 3
Refilling the Prototype requires three specific ingredient types, and you’ll need one of each category:
The Three Required Components:
- Stimulant – Most commonly Ox Bile
- Anaesthetic – Most commonly Novocaine
- Toxin – Most commonly Belladonna
Notice the pattern here: these aren’t single items but categories. While Ox Bile, Novocaine, and Belladonna are the standard ingredients you’ll use most often, other items in these categories can also work. However, for practical purposes, you’ll be using these three specific items in the vast majority of your refills.
Once you’ve gathered one of each ingredient type, you need to find the right machine to actually perform the refill.
Where to Refill: The Stillwater Machine
You cannot refill the Prototype from your inventory or just anywhere in the world. You must use a specific machine located in the Stillwater—your home base throughout the game.
Finding the Machine:
Head to the ground floor of the Stillwater and look for the room with multiple desks. The refilling machine is located in this same room. If you completed the tutorial for the Prototype, you’ve used this machine before—the process is identical each time.
Interact with the machine, and as long as you have the three required ingredients in your inventory, you’ll be able to load the Prototype back to full capacity.
Navigation Tip: Early in the game, especially before the Stillwater is fully cleared and organized, the machine can be surprisingly hard to spot among all the clutter and sheets covering everything. If you’re having trouble locating it, activate Concentration Mode to highlight interactive objects. The machine will stand out immediately.
This limitation—requiring you to return to the Stillwater for refills—adds strategic depth to your planning. You can’t just top off in the field, so you need to manage your Prototype charges carefully and plan routes that account for potential refill trips.
The Easiest Way to Get Ingredients: Meet Khorkhoy
While you can scavenge the three ingredient types from various locations around town, there’s a much more reliable method that becomes available early on.
Recruiting Your Personal Supplier:
On Day 3, you’ll encounter an odongh (those distinctive beings with the large heads) standing outside the Stillwater. Approach him and start a conversation. When given the option, allow him to take up residence inside the Stillwater. This is Khorkhoy, and he’s about to become your best friend.
What Khorkhoy Offers:
Once he’s settled in, Khorkhoy sets up shop in the same room as the refilling machine—how convenient! He functions as a trader who consistently stocks large quantities of the exact ingredients your Prototype needs:
- Ox Bile (Stimulant)
- Novocaine (Anaesthetic)
- Belladonna (Toxin)
His inventory refreshes daily, meaning you have a reliable source for refills throughout your entire playthrough. No more desperately searching contaminated buildings or hoping you stumble across the right items.
Strategic Stocking Advice:
On days when you know you’ll be doing extensive exploration through infected districts—maybe you’re planning to clear multiple infection markers or investigate areas deep in contaminated zones—visit Khorkhoy first and stock up. Grab enough ingredients for 3-4 refills if possible.
Yes, this requires spending resources on Khorkhoy’s goods, but the peace of mind and mobility you gain is absolutely worth the cost. Running out of Prototype charges mid-mission and having to backtrack through dangerous areas to refill (or worse, attempting to proceed without it) costs far more in health supplies and time.
Practical Usage Tips
Now that you know how to refill, here are some practical strategies for managing your Prototype effectively:
Before You Leave the Stillwater:
Always check your Prototype charge before heading out on missions. If it’s not full, refill it. Even if you’re just planning a quick trip, circumstances change rapidly in Pathologic 3. That “quick trip” can suddenly require you to detour through an infected district, and you’ll be grateful for a full charge.
Carry Spare Ingredients:
Once you’ve established Khorkhoy as your supplier, get in the habit of keeping at least one set of spare ingredients in your inventory. If you completely drain your Prototype in the field, you’ll need to return to the Stillwater anyway (since that’s where the refilling machine is), but having spares ready means you can immediately refill without needing to trade with Khorkhoy first. This saves valuable time when you’re in a hurry.
Know Your District Threats:
Some districts become heavily infected on specific days, while others remain relatively safe. Before venturing out, consider which areas you’ll be traveling through. Planning a route through the Factory district on a day when it’s crawling with plague tornados? Definitely stock up. Just visiting the relatively clear Stone Yard? You can probably get by with whatever charge you currently have.
Don’t Waste Charges:
The Prototype is powerful, but its charges are finite until you refill. Don’t use it frivolously on minor threats you could avoid by simply walking around them. Save your charges for situations where using the Prototype is significantly safer or more efficient than the alternative. Stunning a Shabnak blocking your only path forward? Absolutely use it. Clearing a plague tornado that you could easily walk around? Maybe reconsider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refill the Prototype anywhere other than the Stillwater?
No, the Stillwater machine is your only option for refilling. This is a deliberate design choice that forces you to plan your expeditions carefully. You can’t just top off in the field, so resource management and route planning become important skills. Think of it like a hub-based system—the Stillwater is your safe base where you prepare for missions, and you need to return there when your equipment needs servicing.
What happens if I run out of Prototype charges in an infected district?
You’re not completely helpless, but your options become severely limited. You can still attempt to run through infected areas using the Mania speed boost strategy covered in our beginner’s guide, but plague tornados and Shabnak become significantly more dangerous without the Prototype. Your best bet is to carefully retreat to safer territory and return to the Stillwater for a refill. This is why carrying spare ingredients is so valuable—it eliminates the trading step when you get back.
Are there alternative ingredients besides Ox Bile, Novocaine, and Belladonna?
Yes, technically other items in the Stimulant, Anaesthetic, and Toxin categories can work, but Ox Bile, Novocaine, and Belladonna are by far the most common and reliable options. You’ll occasionally find other items that fit these categories, and they’ll work in a pinch. However, since Khorkhoy reliably stocks the standard three, there’s rarely a reason to use alternatives unless you’re in a resource emergency. Stick with what works.
How many Prototype charges should I aim to have before major missions?
A full Prototype is your baseline—never leave the Stillwater without one. For routine travel and minor objectives, this is usually sufficient. For major missions that you know will involve heavy infected district navigation—particularly story-critical quests or days when you’re planning to clear multiple infection markers—carry enough spare ingredients for at least one or two additional refills. This gives you three full Prototype loads total, which should handle almost any situation the game throws at you.
The Prototype is one of your most valuable tools in Pathologic 3, but only if you keep it operational. Now that you know how to reliably refill it through Khorkhoy’s trading services, you’ve got one less thing to worry about while navigating the plague-torn town.
Make friends with that odongh on Day 3, stock up before major expeditions, and never venture into infected districts without a full charge. Your future self—the one who isn’t frantically fleeing from Shabnak with an empty Prototype—will thank you.
Need help with other early-game challenges? Check out our guide on diagnosing the Herb Bride, your first proper medical case in the game.
Stay safe out there, Bachelor. The plague waits for no one.
