Can You Upgrade Your Ship to S-Class in No Man’s Sky? A Comprehensive Guide

The burning question for many budding intergalactic travelers in No Man’s Sky is whether you can transform that trusty, but perhaps less-than-stellar, ship into a top-tier, S-Class vessel. The short answer? Yes, absolutely! You can upgrade your starship to S-Class, although it comes with a few caveats and considerations. This article will delve into the process, costs, and alternatives to help you make the most informed decision for your galactic adventures.

How to Upgrade Your Ship’s Class

Upgrading your ship’s class is not about finding some magical mechanic in space. Instead, it’s an investment of Nanite Clusters, a valuable resource in No Man’s Sky. This process is fairly straightforward:

1. Locate the Starship Outfitting Terminal: These terminals can be found at most Space Stations and some Trading Posts.
2. Interact with the Terminal: Once at the terminal, select the ‘Upgrade Ship Class’ option.
3. Pay the Nanite Fee: The cost will depend on your ship’s current class and the target class. Upgrading from C-Class to B-Class will be cheaper than going from A-Class to S-Class. Be prepared to spend a significant amount of Nanites for higher-tier upgrades.
4. Confirm the Upgrade: Once you pay the Nanite Clusters, your ship is officially upgraded, and its stats will improve.

Understanding the Cost of Upgrades

The Nanite Cluster cost increases drastically with each tier of upgrade. If you are starting with a C-Class ship, the cost will be substantial for the S-Class upgrade. It is important to note that while Nanites upgrade the ship’s class, Units are used to expand the ship’s inventory slots, and the price per slot increases dramatically as you acquire more. Plan carefully before deciding to go for the S-Class.

Is Upgrading to S-Class Always the Best Choice?

While having an S-Class ship is undoubtedly prestigious, it’s not always the most efficient option, especially for newer players. Here’s why:

• Nanite Intensive: The amount of Nanites required to go from lower classes to S-Class is immense. These can be better spent on other upgrades, modules, or blueprints.
• Diminishing Returns: While stat improvements happen with each class upgrade, the jump from A to S is usually not as dramatic as it is from C to B.
• S-Class Hunting: Rather than upgrading, you can sometimes have much better luck just finding S-Class ships at trading posts in wealthy systems. It can save you time and resources.

The Alternative: S-Class Starship Hunting

As an alternative to upgrading, many players prefer to hunt for S-Class ships. This method involves:

1. Using an Economy Scanner: Equip your ship with an Economy Scanner.
2. Locating Trading Posts: Use the scanner to find Trading Posts within wealthy star systems (3-star economy).
3. Waiting and Scanning: Land at a Trading Post, and wait for ships to arrive. Scan the ships as they fly in to see their class. The odds of S-Class spawning is 2% in a 3 star system.
4. Reloading if Necessary: If an S-Class doesn’t appear within a reasonable timeframe, reload your game at the same trading post to reset the ship spawns.

This method is often preferred due to:

• No Nanite Cost: You just need the units to purchase the ship.
• Variety: You have the chance to find the specific ship type you like, be it an explorer, fighter, hauler, or exotic.
• Early Access to S-Class: New players can still get an S-Class this way if they get lucky, without having to grind up nanites.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much does it cost to upgrade a ship to S-Class?

The cost varies greatly depending on the starting class. It can be tens of thousands of Nanites to go from C-Class to S-Class, with the cost increasing significantly at each tier.

2. Can you upgrade Exotic ships to S-Class?

Exotic ships are always S-Class by default, so they do not need upgrades.

3. What are Nanites used for?

Nanite Clusters are a currency used for buying blueprints, upgrading your ship, and improving modules. They are a key part of progression.

4. How do you get Nanites?

You can get Nanites by uploading discoveries, completing missions, refining certain materials, and selling upgraded modules.

5. How does ship wealth level affect spawning of S-Class ships?

Wealth level of the system directly impacts S-Class ship spawns. 1-star systems will rarely spawn an S-Class. 2-star systems have a 1% chance of spawning an S-Class, while 3-star systems have a 2% chance.

6. How many ships can I own in No Man’s Sky?

You can own up to 12 Starships at a time, which allows for a diverse collection for different purposes.

7. Can I sell my old ship after upgrading?

You cannot sell your ship directly. Instead, you can trade it for another ship at a Trading Post or space station, which is often the cheapest way to obtain a new ship. You can also scrap a ship for trade in materials.

8. What are the best types of ships in No Man’s Sky?

Different ship types serve different purposes. Explorers are good for hyperdrive range and scanning, Fighters excel in combat, Haulers have extensive storage, and Exotics offer high base stats. Solar ships are fuel-efficient, and Living Ships are biological and unique.

9. Can you customize the appearance of your ship?

Unfortunately, you cannot customize the appearance of your starship, you must find the design you like and then purchase it.

10. What is the best way to find S-Class ships?

The best method is by visiting **Trading Posts** in wealthy systems and reloading saves when an S-Class doesn't spawn quickly.

11. Is there a class higher than S in No Man’s Sky?

No, **S-Class** is the highest possible ship class in the game.

12. Do all ships have an S-Class version?

Yes, every ship design has an **S-Class** variant, although it may take time and luck to find.

13. Can I upgrade my freighter to S-Class?

Yes, **Freighters** can also be upgraded to **S-Class**. However, they are much rarer than starships and take a lot more effort to find and purchase. This is typically done by warping to different systems.

14. Can I find crashed S-Class ships?

Yes, it's possible but extremely rare. Most crashed ships will be low to mid-tier ships and usually require repairs.

15. What happens to ships when you reach the limit of 12?

Once you have 12 ships, you can’t purchase a new one. You’ll have to trade one in or scrap it at a space station in order to acquire a new one.

Conclusion

While upgrading your ship to S-Class using Nanites is possible, it is often less resource-efficient than hunting for an S-Class ship at Trading Posts. Both methods have their merits, so choose the option that best fits your current game progress, resources, and preference. Ultimately, the goal is to soar through the galaxies in style and with a ship that matches your needs. Now, get out there and find your perfect S-Class starship!