Can You Get a Different Ship in No Man’s Sky? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Yes, absolutely! In No Man’s Sky, acquiring new starships is a core element of the gameplay, offering a sense of progression and customization. You are not stuck with your starting ship. You can obtain and own up to 12 different starships, each with its own unique attributes and aesthetics. This article delves deep into the mechanics of ship acquisition, exploring the various methods, types, and considerations when expanding your personal fleet in No Man’s Sky.
How to Acquire New Ships
Purchasing Ships from NPCs
One of the most common ways to get a new ship is by purchasing it directly from NPC pilots who land at various locations. These locations include:
- Space Stations: These are hubs found in every star system, and a great place to browse a wide variety of ships.
- Trading Posts: These planetary structures attract many pilots, providing another opportunity to buy a ship.
- Outposts: Smaller planetary locations may also see ships landing, although less frequently.
When an NPC lands, you can approach their ship and interact with the pilot. If you have enough units (the in-game currency), you can purchase the ship. The price of the ship is determined by several factors, including:
- Archetype: Ships are categorized into types like Fighters, Haulers, Explorers, Shuttles, and Exotics, each having unique performance characteristics.
- Class: Ships come in varying classes, ranging from C to S, with S-Class ships having the best base stats.
- Inventory Slots: More slots mean higher prices.
Finding Crashed Ships
Another method of obtaining a new ship, often at a lower cost, involves finding and repairing crashed ships on planetary surfaces. These ships can be located by:
- Transmission Towers: Solving the puzzle inside a Transmission Tower reveals the location of a nearby crashed ship.
- Random Encounters: While exploring planets, you might stumble upon a crashed ship by chance.
Once located, you can claim the crashed ship and decide to repair it or scrap it for parts. This option provides a cost-effective way to expand your fleet, but you will need to gather resources to fully repair it.
Obtaining Living Ships
For a more unique experience, you can embark on a quest to acquire a Living Ship, an organic starship with distinctive abilities and aesthetics. This involves obtaining a Void Egg from the Space Anomaly and then completing a series of missions. Living Ships are a special type of ship and offer a different gameplay experience.
Managing Your Fleet
Swapping and Storing Ships
You can own up to 12 ships at a time, but only 6 of them can be actively displayed in your freighter hangar. You can easily swap between your owned ships using the Quick Menu. When you purchase a new ship or claim a crashed ship, your old ship remains where you left it until you either change systems or reload the game. This allows for a grace period to decide what you want to do with your old ship.
Scrapping and Trading
Your older ships can be used for other purposes:
- Scrapping: You can scrap your ships at a space station, receiving resources and potentially valuable upgrades. This is useful for ships with little resale value.
- Trading In: When purchasing a new ship from an NPC, you can trade your existing ship to reduce the purchase price, however, the trade-in value is often reduced.
Ship Types and Their Roles
Each ship archetype is designed for different playstyles:
- Fighters: Great for combat, featuring bonuses to damage and shields, making them ideal for early game progression.
- Haulers: Offer the most inventory space and good shielding, perfect for resource gathering and trading.
- Explorers: Designed for long-distance travel, offering increased hyperdrive range and fuel efficiency.
- Shuttles: Versatile but more balanced ships that don’t excel in any particular area but are generally inexpensive.
- Exotics: Unique and rare ships with unusual designs and impressive performance, often offering an advantage in one or more areas.
- Living Ships: These organic ships have special abilities and are a unique addition to any fleet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I have more than one starship at a time?
Yes, you can own up to 12 starships simultaneously in No Man’s Sky.
2. What happens to my old ship when I get a new one?
Your old ship will remain where you left it until you change systems or reload the game. You can swap back to it later.
3. Where can I buy new ships?
You can purchase ships from NPC pilots at Space Stations, Trading Posts, and Outposts.
4. How are ship prices determined?
Ship prices depend on the Archetype, Class, and number of inventory slots. S-Class ships are the most expensive and offer the best performance.
5. What’s the difference between ship classes?
Ships are graded on a scale from C to S, with S being the highest. Higher class ships have better base stats.
6. What are the different ship types in No Man’s Sky?
The main ship types are Fighters, Haulers, Explorers, Shuttles, Exotics, and Living Ships, each designed for different purposes.
7. Can I find and repair crashed ships?
Yes, crashed ships can be found on planets using Transmission Towers or through random exploration. They can be repaired and added to your fleet.
8. Can I trade in my old ship when buying a new one?
Yes, you can trade in your old ship to reduce the price of a new purchase, but the trade-in value is usually lower than the ship’s full value.
9. How many ships can I keep in my freighter?
You can keep a maximum of 6 of your 12 owned ships in your freighter’s hangar at one time. You can swap the others using the quick menu.
10. What are Living Ships?
Living ships are organic starships that are acquired through a special quest and possess unique abilities.
11. Does the appearance of a ship matter?
While each ship has a different aesthetic, its appearance doesn’t greatly impact its performance within its given archetype. Performance is mainly determined by the class and upgrades installed.
12. How do I get a specific ship I’ve seen before?
The order of ships that appear in a Space Station is often consistent. If you see a specific ship, you can wait for it to reappear, often as an S-Class model.
13. What happens if I scrap a ship?
Scrapping a ship will grant you resources and potentially upgrade modules.
14. What is the best beginner ship in No Man’s Sky?
Fighter ships are excellent for beginners due to their strong damage and shield bonuses, as well as their maneuverability.
15. What is the rarest freighter type in No Man’s Sky?
S-Class Freighters are the rarest and highest rated. They can be acquired for free with patience and the help of an Economy Scanner.
Conclusion
The ability to acquire and manage multiple starships is a fundamental aspect of No Man’s Sky. Whether you prefer to buy ships, salvage crashed ones, or embark on quests for unique designs like Living Ships, the options are abundant. By understanding the mechanics of ship acquisition, types, and storage, you can build the ultimate fleet to explore the vast universe of No Man’s Sky.