Can You Exchange Freighters in No Man’s Sky? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, you absolutely can exchange freighters in No Man’s Sky. This is a core mechanic that allows players to upgrade to larger, more powerful vessels as they progress through the game. You aren’t stuck with your first freighter, and the process is remarkably smooth, ensuring your hard work and customization aren’t lost in the process. This article delves into the details of freighter exchange, along with other frequently asked questions to give you a complete understanding.
How Freighter Exchange Works
Exchanging your freighter in No Man’s Sky is similar to trading in starships. You’ll find opportunities to do so when encountering new freighters in space. Typically, these encounters involve defending the freighter from pirates. Once you’ve cleared the area, the freighter captain will usually invite you aboard and offer to let you purchase the freighter, and with the option to trade in your current freighter.
The primary factor in determining the cost of a new freighter is its class (C, B, A, or S) and the number of inventory slots it possesses. S-Class freighters with the maximum number of slots are the most expensive, but offer the greatest capabilities. When you initiate the exchange process, the game will automatically assess the value of your current freighter and deduct that from the cost of the new one. The difference is the amount you will need to pay.
A key detail is that your entire freighter base layout is automatically transferred to the new freighter. This means all the rooms, storage units, and decorations you painstakingly built are seamlessly moved to your new vessel. This is a huge advantage, eliminating the need to start from scratch each time you upgrade.
The Benefits of Exchanging Freighters
- Increased Storage: Larger freighters provide more inventory slots, essential for storing resources, goods, and other items you collect on your journey.
- Better Stats: Higher-class freighters have enhanced base statistics and better warping capabilities, allowing you to travel further and more efficiently.
- Capital Class Superiority: If you’re looking for the biggest and best, exchanging to a capital freighter will give you access to a much larger base and a more impressive ship. These have 24-34 slots as opposed to the 15-19 of common freighters, and they look much more imposing too.
- Aesthetics: You might simply want to upgrade to a better-looking freighter.
Freighter Base Transfer
A key aspect of exchanging freighters is the automatic transfer of your freighter base. This feature was introduced in the Prisms update and has been a boon to players ever since. When you buy a new freighter, your old base is not lost. Instead, it’s entirely reconstructed on the new vessel. This functionality allows players to constantly upgrade to a larger and better freighter, without the burden of re-doing all of the work.
However it is important to note that when you exchange your freighter it does not overwrite your current freighter base. What this means is, if you decide to go back to the original freighter you had and transfer back the original base will still be there, and any progress made on the exchanged freighter will be lost.
Resetting Your Freighter Base
In addition to the automatic transfer, you have the option to reset your freighter base layout at any time. This is done through the Freighter Upgrade Control terminal. Resetting will remove all of your constructed base elements and return the freighter to its default layout. While this deletes the existing base, this can be useful for making major alterations to the structure without requiring a full exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding freighters in No Man’s Sky, offering a deep dive into various aspects:
1. Can I own multiple freighters?
No, you can only own one freighter at a time. The game does not support having multiple freighter bases in your fleet.
2. Can I sell my freighter directly?
There is no direct way to sell freighters in No Man’s Sky. Instead, you must exchange it when buying a new one. The old freighter will not be kept or sold for its base value, and is instead essentially ‘traded in’ for store credit.
3. What happens to my frigates when I exchange my freighter?
Your frigate fleet is linked to your account and will automatically transfer to your new freighter. You won’t lose any of your frigates when you exchange your freighter.
4. What is the largest freighter in No Man’s Sky?
The Oculus-class freighter is considered the largest standard freighter type, with its large spherical center and extra engine at the front.
5. What is the rarest type of freighter?
S-Class freighters are the rarest. These are the highest-rated and most sought-after freighters, requiring a lot of space travel and potentially multiple attempts to find.
6. What is the difference between a capital freighter and a regular freighter?
Capital freighters have larger storage capacities (24-34 slots), more internal space, and a more imposing appearance than regular system freighters (15-19 slots). Capital freighters are always much larger than regular freighters and have the extra bonus of their iconic wedge design.
7. How do I find an S-Class freighter for free?
You can sometimes get an S-Class freighter for free if you first decline the initial free freighter you are offered. After this, after 3 hours and 5 warp jumps you will come across a battle and defending the Freighter may result in that Freighter being free. To increase your chance of finding an S-class for your free freighter encounter focus on 3-star economy systems. If you decline the freighter, you may encounter another free freighter offer again. It may take multiple attempts to find the right one, but it’s a free S-Class freighter. It’s also important to note that you must choose a capital freighter (wedge shaped) for this to happen, as it will not trigger on normal freighters.
8. Are derelict freighters worth exploring?
Yes, derelict freighters are very profitable. They contain valuable loot, resources, and upgrades for your own freighter. However, they are often infested with dangerous creatures, so be prepared for a fight!
9. Can I land on a broken derelict freighter?
Yes, you can land on derelict freighters. You need to approach the airlock area, identified by red lights and four symmetrical landing pads.
10. Can other players see my freighter?
Yes, other players can see your freighter. However, only one player’s freighter can be summoned at a time within a system.
11. Can I still steal ships in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, it is possible to ‘acquire’ ships. You need a bypass chip to hack landing pad consoles, and if there is a ship present on the pad you can take it.
12. Is it worth buying a freighter?
Absolutely. A freighter offers significant advantages including storage, a mobile base, frigate missions, and many other useful features. It is a worthy investment for players.
13. How many ships can I own?
With the Fractal update, players can own up to 12 starships at one time.
14. What are smuggler stations?
These are Outlaw Stations, controlled by pirates and smugglers. They offer services and access to contraband goods that you can buy and sell to make a profit.
15. What happens when I reset my freighter base?
Resetting your freighter base at the Freighter Upgrade Control terminal will delete your current base layout and return the freighter to its default structure. This allows you to start rebuilding from scratch.
Conclusion
Exchanging freighters is a key mechanic in No Man’s Sky that allows you to expand your possibilities and gain access to bigger, better, and more impressive ships. You do not need to worry about losing your custom base, as that comes along with you! With a clear understanding of how the system works, you can make the most of your freighter and continue to explore the vast reaches of space.