Can Your Ship Go Underwater in No Man’s Sky? Exploring the Depths
Yes and no. A spaceship in No Man’s Sky, in its default configuration, is not designed for prolonged underwater use. While you might momentarily dip beneath the surface, your standard starship isn’t going to become a submarine. However, the game offers dedicated vehicles and mechanics that allow you to explore the oceans of procedurally generated planets. You won’t be retrofitting your starship with hydrodynamic fins, but you can access the underwater world. The key is understanding the game’s mechanics and utilizing the correct tools. The focus shifts from directly using your spaceship underwater to utilizing exocraft built specifically for the task. Let’s dive deeper (pun intended!) into how this works.
Understanding Underwater Exploration in No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky provides players with multiple methods for delving into its aquatic environments. The most prominent is the Nautilon, a submersible exocraft designed explicitly for underwater travel. But there are other creative methods as well.
The Nautilon: Your Personal Submarine
The Nautilon is a craft you can unlock through a series of missions, granting access to dedicated underwater exploration. It’s deployable in any ocean on any planet and can even be docked at underwater bases.
- Functionality: The Nautilon is designed for underwater navigation, combat, and resource mining.
- Blueprint: Acquired through the “The Abyss” storyline.
- Summoning: Can be summoned to any ocean once constructed.
- Upgrades: Can be upgraded for increased speed, depth, and combat effectiveness.
Alternative Underwater Movement Techniques
If you are in a pinch or feel like exploring in a more unconventional way, No Man’s Sky offers a couple of alternative techniques for underwater travel.
- Jetpack Diving: By jetpacking to a decent height, aiming at the water, and falling while holding forward, you can maintain a sort of “fall velocity” underwater. Gradually leveling out prevents you from hitting the bottom, allowing you to move at a speed comparable to melee jetpack jumps.
- Terrain Manipulator: On water worlds, you can use the Terrain Manipulator to dig down to the water table, even creating underwater cave systems.
Base Building Beneath the Waves
No Man’s Sky’s base-building mechanics aren’t limited to dry land. You can construct fully functional bases underwater, providing refuge, research facilities, and even stunning viewing platforms. Underwater base-building was introduced with the “The Abyss” update.
Key Considerations for Underwater Bases
- Power: Solar panels will work to power your base, even underwater and inside enclosed structures.
- Habitat: Cuboid rooms and glass corridors are ideal for underwater construction.
- Resources: Underwater resources can be harvested and utilized within your base.
- Aesthetics: Underwater lighting and decorations can create stunning aquatic habitats.
Exploring Water Worlds
Water worlds are planets almost entirely covered in oceans, often featuring unique flora, fauna, and underwater landscapes.
Characteristics of Water Worlds
- Abundance of Water: Primarily covered by oceans.
- Underwater Caves: Some water worlds have intricate cave systems beneath the continental areas.
- Groundwater Level: All water worlds share a groundwater level with their oceans.
- Terrain Manipulator: Essential for accessing the water table and exploring underwater.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Underwater Exploration in No Man’s Sky
1. Can I upgrade my starship to go underwater?
No, you cannot directly upgrade your starship to function as a submarine. The game requires you to use the Nautilon exocraft or other specific techniques for underwater exploration.
2. How do I obtain the Nautilon blueprint?
The Nautilon blueprint is obtained by progressing through “The Abyss” questline, which is triggered by interacting with underwater structures or distress signals.
3. Do solar panels work underwater in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, solar panels still function to power your base, even when placed underwater or inside enclosed structures.
4. Are there underwater creatures in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, No Man’s Sky features a variety of underwater creatures, some of which can be hostile. You can often find unique fauna by exploring deep oceans and cave systems.
5. Can I build a base entirely underwater?
Yes, you can construct a fully functional underwater base using cuboid rooms, glass corridors, and other base-building components. The “The Abyss” update enabled this feature.
6. What are the dangers of exploring underwater?
Dangers include aggressive underwater creatures, drowning if your life support fails, and running out of power for your exocraft or diving equipment.
7. Can I fight underwater creatures with the Nautilon?
Yes, the Nautilon can be equipped with weapons to defend against hostile underwater creatures.
8. How deep can I go with the Nautilon?
The Nautilon’s depth capacity can be increased by installing upgrades. The upgrades allow you to explore even the deepest ocean trenches.
9. Are there any specific resources found only underwater?
Yes, certain resources are exclusively found underwater, such as Living Pearls, Abyssal Larva, and other unique flora and fauna.
10. Can I use my multi-tool underwater?
Yes, you can use your multi-tool underwater for scanning, resource extraction, and combat, although its effectiveness may be limited compared to specialized underwater tools or the Nautilon’s weapons.
11. What is the best way to find water worlds?
Water worlds are relatively common. Look for temperate planets, as they are the most likely to have large bodies of water. Flying low over the surface will reveal if a planet is largely covered in water.
12. Can I teleport to my underwater base?
Yes, once you have a base teleporter set up in your underwater base, you can teleport to it from any other teleporter in the game.
13. Can I get stuck underwater?
Yes, it is possible to get stuck if your Nautilon runs out of power or if you are exploring on foot without sufficient life support. Always carry backup power cells and be mindful of your oxygen levels.
14. How does underwater visibility work in No Man’s Sky?
Underwater visibility can vary depending on the planet, the depth, and the presence of sediment or algae in the water. Some planets have crystal-clear waters, while others are murky and require upgraded scanners to navigate effectively.
15. Are there any underwater ruins or anomalies to discover?
Yes, underwater ruins and anomalies can be found while exploring, often containing valuable resources, lore fragments, or unique technology. Investigating these sites can reveal secrets about the planet’s history.
In conclusion, while your starship cannot transform into a submarine, No Man’s Sky provides you with diverse methods for exploring its underwater environments. From constructing bases beneath the waves to piloting the Nautilon, you can uncover the secrets hidden in the depths of procedurally generated oceans. Dive in and discover the wonders that await!
Interested in exploring the educational potential of games like No Man’s Sky? Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for insightful research and discussions.