Can You Part Ways With Your Companion in No Man’s Sky? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you can absolutely get rid of a pet in No Man’s Sky. The process, however, isn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows, and the initial methods raised quite a few eyebrows within the community. In the early days of companion implementation, the primary way to “remove” a pet was essentially to abandon it. While this method still technically exists, it’s become a less desirable option as the game has evolved, offering more compassionate (and frankly, less guilt-inducing) alternatives.

Understanding Companion Mechanics in No Man’s Sky

Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s briefly touch upon why you might want to part ways with a beloved creature. No Man’s Sky’s universe is vast and ever-changing. You might:

• Find a new, even more desirable companion.
• Realize the pet’s traits aren’t suited to your playstyle (some are great miners, others terrible fighters).
• Simply decide that pet ownership isn’t for you.
• Run out of space on your freighter.
• Have a pet that has reached it’s end and is ready to part ways.

Whatever your reason, the game provides a few ways to handle the situation, ranging from the somewhat harsh to the surprisingly heartwarming.

Methods for Saying Goodbye

The Abandonment Route (Use with Caution)

As the text in the prompt suggests, originally, the main way to remove a pet was to abandon it. This is still possible but not recommended. Navigating to the Pet Menu and hovering over the unwanted companion might reveal a prompt to “hold R3 to abandon.” This action releases the creature back into the wild, removing it from your list of companions.

Why you shouldn’t do this:

• It feels… well, wrong.
• There are better options available.
• It doesn’t sit well with the spirit of exploration and connection that the game fosters.

The “Disappearing Pet” Glitch

There are several forum posts about pets simply disappearing out of player inventories and from their team of companions. This appears to be a glitch that occurs randomly.

Trading Eggs

A more palatable alternative involves focusing on egg trading. Remember that you can breed your companions. This means you can incubate their eggs and then trade these eggs to other players at the Space Anomaly. While you’re not directly “getting rid” of the original pet, you are allowing another player to experience the joy of raising a unique creature from your pet’s lineage.

This has several advantages:

• It’s mutually beneficial – the other player gets a new companion, and you free up a slot.
• It leverages the community aspect of No Man’s Sky.
• It avoids the negative connotations of abandonment.

The Inevitable: Natural End of Life.

Like real-world pets, your companions in No Man’s Sky won’t live forever. They have a life cycle, progressing from child to adult to mature. Each stage lasts a variable amount of time (1-10 days), and eventually, your companion’s time will come to an end. When this happens, there’s a sense of closure and natural departure, eliminating any player-driven decision to “get rid” of them.

Preparing for the Inevitable:

• Enjoy your time with your companions!
• Document their journey with photos and videos.
• Consider keeping an egg from them to continue their lineage.

The Evolving Pet Landscape

It’s important to remember that No Man’s Sky is a constantly evolving game. The companion system, in particular, has seen significant changes since its initial implementation. It’s possible that future updates will introduce new, more refined ways to manage your pet roster, perhaps even allowing for a more formal “release” or transfer system that feels less like outright abandonment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About No Man’s Sky Pets

1. Are pets useful in No Man’s Sky?

Absolutely! Companions can scout for resources, dig up minerals, hunt other creatures, and even mark hazards. Their utility varies depending on their species and individual traits. Some are excellent miners, while others excel at combat or exploration.

2. Do pets age in No Man’s Sky?

Yes, pets progress through three stages: child, adult, and mature. Each stage lasts for a period of 1-10 days.

3. Are the animals in No Man’s Sky randomly generated?

Yes, most of the universe, including the flora and fauna, is procedurally generated. This leads to an incredible variety of creatures, ensuring that each planet feels unique. This ties into the game’s powerful learning potential, a concept explored by the Games Learning Society and their focus on how games can be used to inspire and educate. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights.

4. Can you breed animals in No Man’s Sky?

Yes, you can breed befriended creatures. Interestingly, even single males can lay eggs independently. The companions need to be on a planet with compatible conditions, though.

5. What are the rarest animals in No Man’s Sky?

Rangifae are considered one of the rarest land fauna, with a very low chance of appearing on a planet.

6. Can you tame aliens in No Man’s Sky?

Yes! You can tame, ride, and even milk certain alien creatures if you know how to create the appropriate bait.

7. Does Earth exist in No Man’s Sky?

There’s a planet named Prime Earth within the Prime Sol system on the PS4 version of No Man’s Sky.

8. Has everything in No Man’s Sky been discovered?

Not even close! Less than a tiny fraction of the game’s content has been explored. The universe is incredibly vast and procedurally generated, ensuring that there’s always something new to discover.

9. What is the smallest animal in No Man’s Sky?

Ulsonabas Papiet holds the title of the smallest documented fauna species.

10. Can you have a farm in No Man’s Sky?

Yes, you can create farms to generate resources and Units (the in-game currency). Farming is a great way to earn a steady income and control your profit margin.

11. What should I not sell in No Man’s Sky?

Avoid selling items like Salvaged Frigate Modules, Navigation Data, Salvaged Data, Copper, Sodium, Sodium Nitrate, Oxygen, and Carbon as they are valuable for crafting, base building, or survival.

12. Are there dragons in NMS?

While not officially called dragons, some flying creatures, often referred to as “flying lizards” in the game code, resemble dragons or large birds.

13. What is the rarest planet type in No Man’s Sky?

Pillared planets are considered the rarest planet type. These planets feature a surface covered in unique pillar formations.

14. What is the best planet type in No Man’s Sky?

Lush planets are highly sought after due to their lack of environmental hazards, abundant resources, and overall pleasant conditions for building bases.

15. Can you steal in No Man’s Sky?

Interestingly, attempting to steal from another player’s base will only result in you stealing from your own storage units. The game doesn’t allow for direct player-to-player theft.