Signal towers are the primary gateway to unlocking new recipes and blueprints in Outbound. The mechanics behind which craftables appear involve a mix of random number generation (RNG) and specific triggers. Co-op play does not reduce the chances of acquiring new recipes, as any new recipe unlocked is available to all players on that save file. Achieving new milestones, such as lighting campfires or discovering new points of interest, can prompt signal towers to offer new downloads. Recipe downloads are not always tied to specific tower locations, as the same recipes can be received at different towers. Some signal towers may reactivate simply by playing the game, even when the player is not actively engaged. Additionally, collectible blueprints can be found at points of interest or purchased at vending machines using bottle caps.