If you are hunting down every last collectible and story item in Dead as Disco, you already know the game does not hand its secrets to you on a silver platter.
One of the earliest and most frustrating items to track down is the Dead as Disco Pocket Reactor. Finding this item is crucial for Dex’s side quest. Here is a complete guide to the exact location, the hidden prerequisites, and the order you need to follow to finally grab the Pocket Reactor Core.
Want to find the rest of the collectibles? Read our Dead as Disco Guide to find them and learn more.
Table of Contents
Quick Guide: Where to Find Pocket Reactor?
| Objective | Location | Spot | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket Reactor Core | Dex’s Standard Story Stage | Starting area, glowing item to Dex’s right on the ground | Progress through Dex’s story stage |
What the Dead as Disco Pocket Reactor Actually Does
In Dead as Disco, the Pocket Reactor is the first key story item tied to Dex’s character arc. It is a proper progression collectible, not just a random pick‑up.
Grabbing it moves his personal storyline forward in The Encore hub. Because this game links character development and rewards to specific items, the Pocket Reactor acts as the trigger for Dex’s narrative. If you overlook it, his dialogue in The Encore stops evolving, and his best rewards will stay locked.
How to Get the Pocket Reactor: The Hidden Prerequisites
Before the Pocket Reactor Core can even spawn, the game quietly checks a few progression flags. If you skip any of them, you can replay the level endlessly and never see the item:
- Clear Dex’s Main Stage: Finish his Idol level so he is rescued and hanging out at The Encore.
- Exhaust His Dialogue: Back at the bar, keep talking to Dex until you stop hearing new lines and his dialogue clearly starts looping.
- Respect the Story Order: Dex’s memory items must be collected in sequence. Start with the Pocket Reactor Core. Do not try to skip ahead to his notes or magazines.
Dead as Disco treats these items as story switches: they only appear when you have reached the exact right point in a character’s arc.
Dead as Disco Pocket Reactor Location
Once your save file meets the requirements above, the actual location is straightforward. The confusing part is the timing.
- Load Dex’s Standard Story Stage: From the level select menu, start his normal level (do not choose a challenge or Infinite Disco mode).
- Check the Starting Area: As soon as the stage loads, stay near the initial arena instead of sprinting forward.
- Look to Dex’s Right: The Pocket Reactor Core will be lying on the ground close to him on the right side. It glows and stands out from the neon background.
You can pick it up immediately. There is no need to defeat enemies or reach a later checkpoint.
Note: If you spawn in and nothing is glowing, it means you missed one of the Encore dialogue triggers. Go back and talk to him again!
What’s Next in Dex’s Side Quest?
Securing the reactor officially unlocks the next stage of his questline. Your next steps to reunite the band are:
Step 2: Find Dex’s “Echolokators” Song Notes. Head back to The Encore. Walk down the short stairs to the right, go down the hallway toward the “MAKE A SCENE” door and look behind the cardboard boxes.
Step 3: Find the Guitar Soldiers Issue. Jump back into Dex’s story level. This one is hidden in the top right corner of the arena during Phase 1 of his pyramid boss fight.
Grab that Pocket Reactor and you will have the whole band synced up in no time!
