- Plastic is the Runner cabal's teenage tech specialist in Mirror's Edge Catalyst
- Gadget missions: Plastic builds and upgrades Faith's Disruptor and gear
- Story role: She supports the cabal from the Undermine hideout and hacks KrugerSec systems
- Key unlock: Completing her gadget side missions rewards Chipsets and Disruptor upgrades
- Personality: Sarcastic, brilliant, and often the comic relief of Noah's crew
Who Is Plastic in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
Plastic is one of the supporting characters in Mirror's Edge Catalyst, the 2016 first-person parkour adventure from EA and DICE set in the corporate-controlled city of Glass. She serves as the Runner cabal's resident hacker and gadget engineer — the tech-savvy counterpart to Faith's physical abilities and Noah's leadership. While Faith sprints across rooftops, Plastic works behind the scenes, breaking into KrugerSec networks and building the tools Runners need to stay one step ahead of the Conglomerate's surveillance grid.
Plastic operates primarily out of the Runner hideout in the Undermine district, alongside Noah, Icarus, and Nomad. She is younger than most of the cabal and leans into a sharp, sarcastic demeanor, frequently teasing Faith over comms. Despite the attitude, her technical skills are indispensable: several of Faith's key gadgets in the game trace directly back to Plastic's workshop.
Plastic becomes a consistent presence around the Runner's Hideout after the opening chapters. Progress through the early main missions — Prison Break and the Anchor district deliveries — and her gadget side missions will start appearing on your map as Glass opens up for free roam.
Plastic's Role at a Glance:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Runner cabal (Noah's crew) |
| Base | Runner's Hideout, Undermine district |
| Specialty | Hacking, gadget engineering, KrugerSec intel |
| Personality | Sarcastic, young, highly intelligent |
| Gameplay function | Source of gadget missions and Disruptor upgrades |
Plastic's Gadgets: The Disruptor and Gear Upgrades
Plastic's biggest gameplay contribution is the Disruptor, one of the three core gadgets in Mirror's Edge Catalyst alongside the MAG Rope and Runner Vision. The Disruptor emits an electromagnetic pulse that stuns nearby enemies and disables KrugerSec electronics, giving Faith an escape tool that fits her non-lethal, movement-first combat philosophy.
Because Faith never uses guns in Catalyst, gadgets are how the game lets you handle fights you can't outrun. Plastic's upgrades expand what the Disruptor can do, and her side missions are the natural way to earn the Chipsets needed for the Gear branch of the skill tree.
Chipsets earned from Dashes, Billboards, Security Zone events, and Plastic's gadget missions are the currency for Upgrade Chips. Prioritize the Gear branch early — the Disruptor upgrades and MAG Rope enhancements are among the strongest mobility and utility investments in the game.
Core Gadgets Overview:
| Gadget | Source | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Disruptor | Story progression, upgraded via gadget missions | Stuns enemies, disables electronics |
| MAG Rope | Main story (early chapters) | Grapple across gaps, new swing points |
| Runner Vision | Built-in, enhanced via upgrades | Red path cues showing suggested routes |
Disruptor
- Stuns groups of K-Sec guards
- Disables cameras and drones
- Upgrades expand radius and effect
- Ideal for Pacifist-style playthroughs
MAG Rope
- Grapple to swing points
- Opens shortcuts across districts
- Enhancements extend reach
- Key for Anchor district wall-run chains
Runner Vision
- Red highlighted path cues
- Upgrades make routes clearer
- Great for learning Glass's rooftops
- Can be refined as you master routing
Step-by-Step: Getting the Most from Plastic's Missions
Plastic's gadget missions and the broader side content of Glass reward exploration, and the payoff is a fully upgraded Faith. Follow this route to make the most of her storyline:
Progress the Main Story First
Play through the opening chapters — Prison Break, the Icarus training runs, and the early Anchor missions. Gadget side missions and free-roam activities unlock as Glass opens up, and the Disruptor itself arrives through story progression.
Clear Gadget Side Missions
Check the Undermine and Anchor districts for Plastic's gadget missions. These introduce and expand the Disruptor while rewarding Chipsets for the skill tree.
Farm Chipsets from Side Activities
Run Dashes, Billboard drops, and Security Zone events across the districts. High star ratings pay out Chipsets quickly — the fastest route to unlocking every branch of the skill tree.
Invest in the Gear Branch
Spend Upgrade Chips on Disruptor enhancements and MAG Rope improvements first. These multiply your mobility and escape options more than any single combat skill.
Return for Endgame Clean-Up
After finishing the story, use the Disruptor for stealth trophy runs (such as Pacifist Approach) and GridLeak clean-up across all districts for 100% completion.
Side missions tied to Plastic and the cabal are easy to miss if you rush main missions only. Before leaving the Undermine district, sweep the hideout area for available side quests — several are one-time story-adjacent missions with unique dialogue.
Plastic vs. the Rest of the Cast
Plastic fits into a tight-knit ensemble of characters driving Faith's origin story. Understanding where each character stands helps you follow the cabal's dynamics as the plot unfolds.
| Character | Role | Relationship to Plastic |
|---|---|---|
| Faith Connors | Protagonist, Runner | Frequent target of Plastic's teasing; gadget client |
| Noah Kekai | Mentor, cabal leader | The adult authority Plastic pushes back against |
| Icarus | Young Runner, rival-turned-ally | Fellow junior member of the cabal |
| Gabriel Kruger | Antagonist, K-Sec head | Her hacking targets KrugerSec infrastructure |
Plastic
- Tech genius of the cabal
- Hacks KrugerSec networks
- Builds Faith's gadgets
- Comic relief with an edge
Noah
- Veteran leader and mentor
- Keeps the cabal independent
- Opposes Black November's methods
- Pays a heavy price protecting Faith
Icarus
- Headstrong young Runner
- Clashes with Faith early on
- Grows into a reliable ally
- Mirror of Faith's younger self
Mirror's Edge Catalyst is a rebooted origin story, so you don't need to have played the 2008 original to follow Plastic and the cabal. The game reintroduces the Conglomerate-run city of Glass and the November Riots backstory as fresh plot threads.
Completion Checklist: Plastic-Related Content
Plastic Content to Complete:
- Complete all gadget side missions from the hideout
- Unlock and upgrade the Disruptor fully
- Invest in the Gear branch of the skill tree
- Earn the Tools of the Trade achievement (all gadgets unlocked)
- Use the Disruptor for the Pacifist Approach trophy
- Finish the main story to see the cabal's storyline conclude
The Disruptor ties directly into multiple trophies. Pacifist Approach (complete a mission without knockouts) and Tools of the Trade (unlock all gadgets) both become much easier once Plastic's upgrades are in hand — plan your free-roam clean-up around them.
FAQ
Q: Who is Plastic in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
Plastic is the Runner cabal's young tech specialist and hacker. Based at the hideout in the Undermine, she supports Faith's missions by hacking KrugerSec systems and building gadgets, most notably the Disruptor.
Q: Does Plastic give you the Disruptor in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
The Disruptor is unlocked through story progression, and Plastic is the cabal's gadget engineer whose side missions and upgrades expand its capabilities. Completing gadget-related content strengthens the tool and rewards Chipsets.
Q: What is the best skill branch to pair with Plastic's gadgets?
The Gear branch is the natural pairing. Disruptor enhancements and MAG Rope improvements offer the biggest mobility and utility gains, followed by Traversal skills like Quick Turn and Fast Climb that keep your Flow unbroken.
Q: Can you miss Plastic's side missions in Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
Most side missions remain available in free roam after the story, but it's best to sweep the Undermine and hideout areas between chapters so you don't skip one-time missions with unique cabal dialogue.