How to Identify Exotic Ships in No Man’s Sky
Identifying an exotic ship in No Man’s Sky can be both thrilling and rewarding. These spacecrafts, known for their unique designs and relatively rare appearances, are highly sought after by players. The simplest way to identify an exotic ship is by its distinctive physical characteristics and specific class status. Exotic ships always belong to the S-class, the highest tier available for starships, and they possess a set inventory range that is noticeably smaller than other ship types. Visually, they stand out with unique aesthetics, typically featuring a ball cockpit and various configurations of tails, wings, or fins. Let’s delve deeper into what makes an exotic ship stand out and how you can spot one in the vast expanse of space.
Distinguishing Characteristics of Exotic Ships
Unique Physical Design
Exotic ships boast a variety of eye-catching designs that set them apart from the more common Haulers, Fighters, Explorers, and Shuttles. Key features to look for include:
- Ball Cockpit: Most exotic ships feature a prominent spherical or ball-shaped cockpit. This is one of the most defining visual characteristics.
- Tail Variations: Exotic ships can have a range of tail configurations. These can be large, bird-beak-like structures that open during flight, narrow hoods above thrusters, or sometimes no tail at all.
- Double Nose: The Royal exotic is well-known for having a distinctive double nose design.
- Limited Colour Palette: While the colours can vary, exotic ships are generally seen in limited colours of blue, red, orange, yellow, and white/grey.
- Squid Shape: This is considered the rarest ship shape in the game. If you spot a ship that looks like a squid, you’ve found a very special exotic.
Class and Inventory
Exotic ships always belong to the S-class. This is a critical identifier. If the ship you are eyeing is anything other than S-class, it is not an exotic. Another characteristic is the inventory capacity of exotic ships:
- Small Inventory: Exotic ships typically have a smaller inventory capacity, ranging from 15-20 slots (sometimes updated to 25).
- Tech Limit: Exotic ships have a tech limit of 4-6 slots.
Spawn Locations
Exotic ships spawn in every star system, making them accessible to any player regardless of their location. However, they don’t appear all the time. They appear randomly, and the key is patience and timing:
- Space Stations and Trading Posts: These are the two main locations where you will find ships landing. Visit these frequently to encounter a variety of ship types, including exotics.
- System Rotation: Each system has a set ship rotation, which is basically a lineup of ships that will appear over time. Go directly to the space station when you arrive in a system to observe the full rotation as quickly as possible.
- Random Spawn Times: Exotic ships spawn at random times, not based on specific player actions. Therefore, you’ll need to wait and keep your eyes peeled.
Scanning Ships
When at a Space Station or Trading Post, you can scan the ships that land. This provides a quick and easy way to confirm:
- Ship Type and Class: Scanning ships in the air using your analysis visor will reveal the ship’s type and class. Always check for the S-class designation to confirm an exotic.
- Stats: You can also see basic ship stats, which will confirm that the exotic ship has the limited inventory and tech slots that are typical for the ship type.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Exotic Ships Rare?
No, exotic ships are not rare in the sense that they are system-dependent. Every system has one exotic ship that will appear at some point. The challenge is in the wait time and the random nature of their appearance.
What is the Rarest Ship in No Man’s Sky?
The Squid-shaped exotic ship is considered the rarest ship in No Man’s Sky. Players can play for hours without encountering one, making it a coveted find.
How Many Exotic Ships Are There?
The variety of exotic ships is more about the configurations of parts than distinctly unique named models. You will find a limited colour palette and variations of the ball cockpit style, with different tail and wing configurations. However, the number of unique types is not huge, with a limited number of designs, but their random colour variations make finding an exotic ship unique each time.
Does Every System Have an Exotic Ship?
Yes, every system has at least one exotic ship that spawns randomly. The key is to have patience and to give the game enough time to cycle through the different possible ship spawns.
What are the Colors of Exotic Ships?
Exotic ships are available in a limited colour palette, including blue, red, orange, yellow, and white/grey.
How Many Ships Can I Own?
You can own up to 12 different starships at one time, allowing you to build a diverse fleet.
Is There a Class Above S in No Man’s Sky?
No, S-class is the highest class for starships and modules in No Man’s Sky.
What Are C-Class Ships?
C-class ships are the lowest class, featuring the fewest inventory spaces and a class bonus of no more than 20%.
How Do I Find Cool Ships in No Man’s Sky?
To find various ships, use an economy scanner to find a trading post on a planet. Land there and wait for ships to land. You can scan the ships in the air to identify their class and type. Reloading your game at the trading post can sometimes bring in new ships if you don’t see any you want.
What is the Best Ship in No Man’s Sky?
The Explorer-type starship is often considered the jack-of-all-trades, excelling in most areas and allowing players to maximize their storage.
Can You Find a Living Ship in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, Living Ships can be acquired by purchasing a Void Egg from the Space Anomaly and completing the Starbirth quest.
What is the Largest Starship in No Man’s Sky?
Hauler ships are the largest, featuring high inventory space and a shield absorption class bonus.
Can You Own Two Freighters in No Man’s Sky?
No, you can only own one freighter. However, you can have up to 30 frigates that operate with your freighter.
Where Do Exotic Ships Spawn?
Exotic ships commonly spawn at space stations and trading posts. If no ships are landing, saving and reloading your game can often help make new ones appear.
Are Solar Ships Exotic?
No, solar ships are not considered exotic ships. They are a separate class, and a single system can have more than one solar ship.
By keeping these points in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to identify exotic ships, and you can enjoy the thrill of adding these rare and beautiful spacecraft to your fleet. Happy ship hunting!