No Man's Sky 2022: Planet - exocraft, maps, signal booster No Man's Sky Guide
In our guide on planetary exploration in No Man's Sky you will find ways to move quickly around the planet - Exocraft, Nacigation Data, Sentinels, maps, Signal Booste.
Last update: 20 February 2024
While exploring the planets in No Man's Sky you will discover many interesting objects. On this page, you will learn how to move faster using the Exocraft, how to summon ships using Navigation Data and what Signal Booster is used for. We also explain where you can meet Sentinels and where to get cartographic maps.
Moving around a planet
Before landing on a new planet, it is better to scan the surroundings several times to find a landmark. This way you will be able to come across abandoned bases (which are a valuable source of rare items), alien colonies or monoliths.
When you want to explore the planet on foot, don't forget to fuel your ship's Launch Thruster. That way, you'll always be able to summon it if you want to quickly return to your base or leave the planet.
You will be able to move faster around the planet with an Exocraft - you can buy the blueprint at the Anomaly station for 4 Salvage Data. To build it, you need:
- 5 pieces of Metal Planting,
- 2 pieces of Ion Battery,
- 50 pieces of paraffin.
Exocraft has many upgrades and modifications. Remember, however, that you will not be able to use the multi-tool while driving in the basic version of the Exocraft. So in order to gather resources or check the contents of discovered remains of machines, you will have to get off it.
When driving an Exocraft, you should also watch out for valuable elements and plants that you may accidentally run over.
Like a ship or multi-tool, an Exocraft needs fuel. You power it with coal, condensed coal or oxygen. You can call your Exocraft (just like your, e.g. ship) as long as it is not more than 750u from your location. Building an Exocraft summoning station on any planet removes the distance condition for the entire system.
Scanner
Scanner is able to find only basic resources and element deposits in the immediate vicinity. Once activated, the scanner enters a cool-down period during which it cannot be reused. The resources revealed by the scanner will briefly show up as colored icons on the screen.
Analysis Visor
The Analysis Visor will help you locate interesting places, fauna and flora of the planet, dangers and various landmarks. Using the visor, you can also scan animals, plants and minerals to find out what they are made of.
When activating the visor, you can see information about your location, time on the planet, weather conditions and many other useful messages. The visor has the function of marking the object that interests us. It also displays information about the distance, and the names under the icons inform you what you will be able to find there.
Signal Booster
Another device that can help you when exploring a planet is a portable signal booster. This instrument sends a signal locating the coordinates of structures and resources.
A single use of the booster will only detect one structure. You can try to use it again elsewhere to discover new landmarks.
Maps
You will find a cartographer at every space station. Maps purchased from them will help you discover one specific structure.
The maps will reveal, among others, coordinates of crashed ships, warehouses or production plants, trade outposts, monoliths, and even special facilities where you will get 1 extra slot for your exosuit for free.
Navigation data
Special terminals, which can be found near larger installations or at trading points, are also worth mentioning. Using navigation data, you can use such a terminal to recall your spacecraft, no matter where you left it.
Animals
As in outer space, many dangers also await you on the planets. In addition to extreme weather conditions, radiation and ubiquitous drones, you will also find aggressive species of animals and even plants! Bloodthirsty plants, of course, are only a threat if you get close enough to them. However, this is completely different with predators.
Animals will chase you, or at best make life unpleasant during extraction or exploration. You can know that they are coming by the red paw icon, accompanied by an arrow indicating the direction from which they are coming. Some, even the most inconspicuous species can deplete your shields in the blink of an eye (especially hunting animals in a herd), so you should always be vigilant and ready to fight.
Fortunately, the vast majority of animals encountered are passive, but this does not mean that they are only decorations. Non-aggressive species are usually quite skittish, but can be tamed with a little food. After feeding the animal, a smiling emote will appear above its head and the creature will lead you to a deposit of some material. Sometimes an animal will dig up a very rare element for you.
Sentinels
On some planets, you can encounter Sentinels who act as the space police. If you use a multi-tool near the drone, it will attack you and call for reinforcements.
On planets with rare items, such as Gravitino Balls, drones will attack you whenever you are near them. You can learn about Sentinels' presence in the planet information window, so if their activity is increased, it will mean that there may be valuable items on that planet.
Drones can also attack colonies that will send you an SOS signal asking for help. After pushing back the attack, you will be able to become the overseer of the rescued settlement.