Can You Grow Plants on a Freighter in No Man’s Sky? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely! You can indeed grow plants on your freighter in No Man’s Sky. This is a fantastic way to establish a portable, self-sustaining farming operation that you can take with you anywhere in the galaxy. Utilizing your freighter as a mobile farm is not only convenient, but also a highly profitable and rewarding aspect of the game. Forget settling down on a single planet; your crops can travel with you among the stars.
How to Start Freighter Farming
Building Hydroponic Trays
The key to growing plants on a freighter lies in Hydroponic Trays. These specialized planters can be constructed on the second floor and higher within your freighter, allowing you to stack farms vertically for maximum efficiency. You’ll need to first unlock the blueprint for Hydroponic Trays. This can be obtained through the Construction Research Station located at the Space Anomaly for a cost of 3 Salvaged Data.
Once you have the blueprint, you’ll need the necessary materials to craft them. These include:
- 30 Pure Ferrite
- 2 Metal Plating
- 20 Carbon
With the required materials and the blueprint, you can begin construction of your freighter farm.
Acquiring Plant Blueprints
Before you start planting, you’ll need the blueprints for the crops you wish to grow. These blueprints can also be purchased from the Construction Research Station in the Space Anomaly using Salvaged Data. Simply browse through the options to find the plants that suit your farming goals.
Planting and Harvesting
Once you have your Hydroponic Trays constructed and your plant blueprints, you can begin planting. The plants will grow over time. No Man’s Sky continues to run even when you’re offline, so your plants will continue to grow even if you’re not actively playing. Once mature, simply harvest your crops.
Why Farm on a Freighter?
There are numerous advantages to setting up your farm on a freighter. Here are some key reasons:
- Portability: Your farm can travel with you to any system or galaxy. No need to return to a specific planet for harvest.
- Efficiency: You can stack farms vertically within your freighter, maximizing space usage and crop output.
- Convenience: Everything is in one place, making it easy to tend to your crops and manage your resources.
- Profitability: Farming can be a lucrative way to generate income in the game, and a freighter farm allows you to operate on a grand scale.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the benefits of freighter farming compared to planetary farming?
Freighter farming offers unparalleled portability and efficiency. You’re not tied to a single location, and you can stack your farms vertically within the freighter to maximize space. Planetary farming can be more aesthetically pleasing but requires you to stay on a planet. Freighters also allow for more enclosed and controlled environments.
2. Do plants grow while I’m offline in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, absolutely! The game world continues to run even when you are offline. This means your plants will continue to grow, your fleets will continue their missions, and your base will still be active. Plants grow even when you are offline.
3. Where do I get the blueprints for Hydroponic Trays?
You can purchase the blueprint for Hydroponic Trays from the Construction Research Station at the Space Anomaly for 3 Salvaged Data.
4. Can I grow all types of plants on my freighter?
Yes, you can grow all types of plants on your freighter using Hydroponic Trays, regardless of their preferred climate. Unlike on planets where you need to match the plant’s environment, hydroponics provide a controlled environment that allows you to grow any plant.
5. What materials are needed to build a Hydroponic Tray?
You’ll need 30 Pure Ferrite, 2 Metal Plating, and 20 Carbon to build a single Hydroponic Tray.
6. What is the best crop to farm for profit on a freighter?
Some of the best crops for profit include Venom Urchin and Gravitino Balls. They have good sell values and are relatively quick to grow. You can also combine harvested materials to craft high value commodities.
7. Where can I get plant blueprints?
Plant blueprints can be purchased at the Construction Research Station on the Space Anomaly, using Salvaged Data.
8. Is it possible to hire a farmer for my freighter farm?
No, the Farmer NPC can only be hired at an Agricultural Terminal located at a planetary base, not on freighters. So, you’ll need to harvest your freighter plants manually.
9. How do Bio-Domes compare to Hydroponic Trays for freighter farming?
Bio-Domes are more suited for planetary farming, and while they can be built on freighters they are less space efficient than Hydroponic Trays which can be stacked more effectively.
10. What are the optimal ways to arrange hydroponic trays for maximizing space?
Stacking them vertically is the best way to maximize space on your freighter. Create large blocks of trays for an efficient production line. Focus on building on the second floor and above in your freighter to avoid clutter on the ground floor.
11. Are there any limitations to how large I can build my freighter farm?
Yes, there are some limitations. You can extend your freighter with up to 13 extra floors above the ground floor, and the size of the rooms can be limited by the freighter type, with system freighters being narrower than Capital freighters.
12. Do I need a power source for Hydroponic Trays on my freighter?
No, Hydroponic Trays do not require a power source to operate on a freighter. This makes them incredibly convenient compared to some planetary farming setups.
13. How can I make even more money with freighter farming?
Once you have collected your crops, you can process them into more complex items for increased sale value. Also, try farming multiple valuable items, so you can create the best end-game products and sell them in large quantities.
14. Can I move my freighter farm to another freighter?
No, you cannot move a pre-existing freighter base to another freighter. When you obtain a new freighter, your old base will be deleted and you will have to rebuild in your new freighter. This can be avoided if you only use base building to build your crops. This is because the core base building components of your freighter remain when you exchange it.
15. Is freighter farming a viable way to get rich in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, freighter farming can be a very profitable way to accumulate Units in No Man’s Sky, particularly with the right crop selection, and by crafting high value goods from your harvest. With a well-organized freighter farm, you can generate a substantial income stream. By creating trade routes between systems, you can take advantage of economic disparities. Also, look out for markets that are willing to buy your goods for more than the average price.
In conclusion, farming on your freighter in No Man’s Sky is not only possible but also highly advantageous. It provides a portable, efficient, and profitable way to manage your agricultural endeavors. By utilizing Hydroponic Trays and selecting the right crops, you can create a thriving mobile farm that accompanies you on all your interstellar adventures.