Can You Get a Second Free Freighter in NMS?
The short answer is no, you cannot get a second free freighter in No Man’s Sky. The game is designed to offer players a single opportunity to acquire a freighter for free through a specific rescue mission. While this might seem limiting, the game’s mechanics ensure that players aren’t locked into their first choice and can upgrade to a better vessel later. Let’s delve deeper into the freighter mechanics within No Man’s Sky and explore the different avenues for acquiring new ones after your initial claim.
The Free Freighter Opportunity
The initial free freighter offer is typically triggered after your fifth warp jump, following approximately three hours of gameplay. A distress signal will activate, indicating a freighter under attack by pirates. Your task is to engage and defeat the pirates. Once the battle concludes, you’ll be invited aboard the freighter by its captain. This is where the crucial decision lies: accept or decline the offer.
Accepting the First Freighter
Choosing to accept the offer will grant you the freighter. It’s important to note that this is a one-time free offer directly tied to this specific scenario. Once you’ve claimed a freighter this way, the game won’t present another free one through this rescue mission again. Your previously owned ship base, if any, is automatically transferred and reconstructed into this new vessel, offering you a seamless transition.
Declining the First Freighter
If you’re not happy with the initial free freighter’s attributes or appearance, you have the option to decline it. This is a strategic move for players hoping to land a better free freighter later. Declining the first free freighter offer is an acceptable and, in many cases, advisable strategy. The freighter battle encounter will keep reappearing after every 3 hours and 5 warps until you accept a free one. This also ensures that the next free freighter will be a guaranteed capital freighter, which offers more slots and more room for base building.
Acquiring New Freighters
While you cannot get a second free freighter through the same rescue encounter, you’re not stuck with your first. The game allows you to purchase new freighters anytime.
How to Buy a New Freighter
When you encounter another freighter battle (which will happen after 3 hours and 5 warps again), instead of having a free option, you can purchase the freighter after you successfully defend it from pirates. The price of freighters varies greatly depending on their class (C, B, A, S) and type (Regular or Capital). S-Class freighters, boasting the highest stats and storage capacity, are the most expensive, so you will need a lot of in game currency to purchase them. The price ranges vary from around 5 million for regular C class freighters to around 178 million units for the S class Capital freighters.
Transferring Your Base
When you buy a new freighter, your existing freighter base is automatically transferred and reconstructed on your new ship. This ensures that you don’t lose any progress or resources, allowing you to seamlessly continue building your mobile command center. You can also reset your freighter base layout at any time from the Freighter Upgrade Control terminal.
The Importance of Economy Scanners
For players seeking the elusive S-Class freighter, having an economy scanner is crucial. These scanners reveal the economic status of systems, helping you pinpoint those with a higher likelihood of spawning better ships, including freighters. While getting an S-Class freighter for free can take considerable time and effort, it’s possible with persistence and strategic warping between systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about freighters in No Man’s Sky, further expanding on the mechanics:
1. Can I own more than one freighter at a time?
No, you can only own one freighter at any given time. If you purchase a new freighter, your old one will be replaced.
2. What happens to my old freighter when I buy a new one?
Your old freighter is effectively traded in for the new one. Any base you’ve built within it is transferred to the new vessel.
3. What are the different freighter classes, and how do they affect gameplay?
Freighters come in classes C, B, A, and S, with S being the best. Higher classes offer more inventory slots, better base stats, and better fleet expedition results.
4. How many frigates can I own?
You can own a maximum of 30 frigates to accompany your freighter. These frigates can be sent on expeditions for resources and other rewards.
5. What are capital freighters, and are they different from regular freighters?
Capital freighters are larger and offer more inventory slots than regular freighters. They are also visually distinct. The free freighter you get after declining your first opportunity is guaranteed to be a capital ship.
6. Can I steal freighters from NPCs?
While not a standard mechanic, some players propose an option to steal freighters through intense battles. However, this is not how the game usually works. You’ll typically need to purchase freighters or accept the free freighter mission.
7. What happens if I reset my freighter in No Man’s Sky?
Resetting your freighter from the settings menu will delete your current base without replacing it with a default layout. This will leave your ship in a non functional state, with missing parts of the interior, so it’s not advisable to reset your base unless you don’t want it.
8. How do I get the best free freighter?
To get the best free freighter, decline your first offer, and then warp between systems every 3 hours and 5 jumps until you get a Capital ship. If you have an economy scanner, look for systems with a high economy. That can increase your odds of finding an S class ship.
9. What is the difference between a starship and a freighter in NMS?
Starships are smaller vessels used for direct exploration and combat. Freighters are large, mobile bases that house your fleet of frigates and provide a platform for base building.
10. How much do freighters cost in No Man’s Sky?
Regular Freighters can range from 5M to 23M units, depending on class. Capital Freighters can range from 26.15M to 178M units. S-Class Capital freighters are the most expensive and can reach nearly 200 million units.
11. Can other players see my freighter?
Yes, other players can see your freighter, however, only one player’s freighter can be summoned (and visible to both players) in any given system. If another player has their freighter already active, you will need to dismiss your freighter to allow them to summon theirs, and vice versa.
12. Are there any rare freighter types or appearances?
Yes, while there are no “rare” freighters in terms of stats, some players look for specific freighter styles that they find visually appealing. This is purely aesthetic and does not affect the ship’s performance.
13. How many storage slots can freighters have?
Regular Freighters usually have between 15-19 slots, while Capital Freighters can have between 24-34 slots. The S-Class ships will have the most slots, so getting those is a top priority.
14. Can I upgrade my freighter’s storage?
Yes, you can upgrade your freighter’s storage by visiting the Freighter Upgrade Control terminal, located on the bridge, near the navigation desk. There you can spend salvaged freighter modules to increase your base storage or increase the freighter’s class.
15. Is it worth waiting for a better free freighter?
Yes, absolutely! Declining the initial freighter offer to secure a better Capital Freighter is a widely used strategy for experienced players. It is usually worth waiting to get the bigger and better freighter and then spend units upgrading the slots, rather than get a lower tier freighter that you will eventually have to replace.
Conclusion
While you cannot get a second free freighter in No Man’s Sky through the same initial rescue mission, you’re certainly not limited to the first one you encounter. The game encourages exploration, upgrades, and trading. By understanding the mechanics and taking your time, you can eventually acquire the freighter that suits your playstyle and preference. Whether you’re aiming for a visually stunning S-Class capital freighter or a more budget-friendly option, No Man’s Sky offers plenty of opportunities to command your very own starfaring fortress.