What Should I Do With Pugneum in No Man’s Sky?

Pugneum, that oily, unsettling liquid that oozes from the circuits of defeated Sentinels, is more than just a creepy byproduct of combat in No Man’s Sky. It’s a valuable resource essential for crafting certain advanced technologies and structures. If you’re wondering what to do with the Pugneum you’ve accumulated, the straightforward answer is: use it for crafting. Specifically, Pugneum is a key ingredient in some very useful blueprints, and understanding these applications is essential for progressing through the game effectively.

The Primary Uses of Pugneum

Pugneum is primarily used as a crafting component. Here’s a closer look at its applications:

Advanced Exocraft Laser

One of the most practical applications of Pugneum is in crafting the Advanced Exocraft Laser. This upgrade for your exocraft provides a powerful mining tool and combat weapon, greatly improving its utility. The recipe requires:

• Pugneum x50
• Chromatic Metal x50

The Advanced Exocraft Laser allows for faster resource gathering and can be a significant advantage when facing aggressive fauna or Sentinels on the ground.

Consciousness Bridge

The Consciousness Bridge is a vital piece of technology that forms part of a larger questline. It requires a significant amount of Pugneum as part of its crafting recipe, which includes:

• Hexite x250
• Pugneum x80
• Korvax Casing x1

This specific technology is critical for progressing in certain aspects of the game and can be a significant hurdle to overcome if you have not been diligent about gathering Pugneum.

Hardframe Left Arm

Pugneum is also used to craft the Hardframe Left Arm, which is:

• Chromatic Metal x50
• Pugneum x40
• Hydraulic Wiring x1

How to Obtain Pugneum

Knowing what to use Pugneum for is only half the battle; the other is knowing how to obtain it in the first place. Here’s how you gather this essential resource:

Defeating Sentinels

The primary, and only, way to acquire Pugneum is by defeating Sentinels. These robotic protectors of the planets will often become hostile when a player mines too many resources or attacks creatures. The game’s description of Pugneum—”oily, unsettling liquid that leaks from the circuitry of Sentinels”—hints directly at its source.

Strategies for Farming Pugneum

• Trigger Sentinels: To farm Pugneum efficiently, seek out planets with a high Sentinel presence. You can trigger Sentinel attacks by mining resources aggressively, destroying flora or fauna, or just attacking a Sentinel directly.
• Increase Sentinel Level: As you engage more Sentinels, the level of the Sentinel attack increases. Higher-level Sentinels often drop more Pugneum. Aim for wave four or five before moving on.
• Space Battles: Sentinel forces will often pursue you into space after a planetary attack has begun. Interceptors in space battles drop Pugneum and other valuable loot.

Important Considerations

It’s important to note that Pugneum is not refined. It drops directly from Sentinels and does not have a refinement path. Therefore, efficient combat and a willingness to engage Sentinels are key to consistent Pugneum acquisition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Pugneum and related resources in No Man’s Sky:

1. How do I attract Sentinels quickly?

Harvesting Gravitino Balls will immediately alert Sentinels. Damaging a planet’s environment and fauna will also cause the Sentinels to become hostile. Be careful about mining too aggressively or harming creatures when Sentinels are nearby, as they may escalate their response.

2. Can I find Pugneum anywhere else besides from Sentinels?

No. Pugneum can only be acquired by defeating Sentinels. There are no alternative means of gathering it in the game.

3. What are the most efficient planets for farming Pugneum?

Planets with high security levels often have a higher number of Sentinels. Look for planets described as “Frenzied,” “Aggressive,” or “High Security” to find the most consistent Sentinel presence. Dissonant systems also usually have an aggressive sentinel presence.

4. How do I refine Platinum?

Platinum can be refined using a Refiner with the following ingredients: Geodesite x1 → Platinum x250. This is known as “Extreme Alloy Separation.”

5. What is the best way to get Dioxite?

Dioxite can be refined using a Refiner with the following ingredients: Condensed Carbon x1 + Sodium Nitrate x1 → Dioxite x2. This is known as “Advanced Carbon Processing.”

6. What is Dioxite used for?

Dioxite is primarily used in crafting recipes for Frost Crystal and Phosphorus, which are, in turn, used for other items.

7. Can I get Platinum on every planet?

While Platinum deposits can be found on some planets, they are not as prevalent as other resources. Look for “Metal Finger” deposits, but understand that these are usually rare and sparse.

8. How do I obtain Silver in the game?

Silver can be created in a refiner using the following resources:

• Dirty Bronze x1 → Silver x250
• Living Slime x5 → Silver x1
• Residual Goop x5 → Silver x1

9. How many ships can I own in No Man’s Sky?

Players can own up to 12 different Starships at any one time. This was introduced in the Fractal update as a quality-of-life feature.

10. How can I become a space pirate?

You can become a pirate by attacking freighters or other ships in a space fleet. This will trigger Sentinel Drone Starships, which you will then have to fight.

11. How do I get a Hyaline Brain?

Hyaline Brains can be looted from crashed Sentinel Interceptors (100%) or by destroying enemy sentinel interceptors in space (15%).

12. How do I find corrupted planets?

To find Corrupted Planets, look for Dissonant systems on the galaxy map. These systems will have “Dissonant” displayed beside their name.

13. Can I claim a planet as my home?

Yes, you can claim a planet as your home world. Scan a planet or system, and look for a red, white, and black marker indicating a habitable base. Go inside the base and you can then claim the planet.

14. Can planets explode in No Man’s Sky?

Yes, planets can explode due to increased tectonic activity. When the pressure beneath the planet’s crust becomes too much to contain, the planet can detonate.

15. Is No Man’s Sky a difficult game to Platinum?

The Platinum difficulty is 2/10 if you use Custom Settings and 3/10 if you don’t. The time to achieve the Platinum trophy can range from 25+ hours, depending on your playstyle.

Final Thoughts

Pugneum is an essential, albeit initially obscure, resource in No Man’s Sky. Its uses for crafting powerful equipment and necessary story-related items make it a vital material to collect. Now that you understand what to do with Pugneum and how to collect it, you can effectively progress and enjoy all that the game has to offer. So, gear up, face the Sentinels, and gather that oily, unsettling liquid to craft something great!