Navigating the Cosmic Abyss: Do Black Holes Take You Closer to the Core in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, black holes in No Man’s Sky (NMS) unequivocally take you closer to the galactic core. They act as a form of faster travel compared to traditional hyperdrive jumps, though with a notable trade-off. While hyperdrives allow for precise navigation over relatively shorter distances, black holes act as unpredictable shortcuts that thrust you closer to the center of the galaxy. However, these cosmic shortcuts come at a price, introducing elements of chance and risk into your interstellar journey.
How Black Holes Function in NMS
Black holes in NMS aren’t just static entities; they’re dynamic transportation portals. By flying into one, you’re essentially initiating a warp that bypasses standard travel limitations. Think of them as random slingshots that hurl your ship a considerable distance toward the center of the galaxy. It’s critical to understand that while these black hole jumps consistently move you towards the core, they don’t offer the pinpoint accuracy of hyperdrive jumps. This means you can’t specifically chart a path with them.
The Cost of Cosmic Shortcuts
While black holes offer a rapid way to reach the galactic core, they come with a significant caveat: ship damage. Each time you utilize a black hole for travel, it’s almost guaranteed that some part of your ship’s technology will sustain damage. This damage is usually not permanent, meaning your modules won’t be deleted, but the repairs add another layer to the cost of using a black hole. To minimize the damage, you need to ensure your starship technology modules are installed in the technology slots of your ship, not the main inventory. Doing so will protect them from the effects of a black hole jump.
The Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Faster Travel: Black holes are undeniably one of the fastest ways to get to the galactic core compared to standard hyperdrive travel. This makes them an attractive option for players eager to explore other galaxies.
- Unique Experience: Navigating black holes provides a unique, thrilling experience compared to conventional travel methods in the game. This gives the game a much-needed risk/reward option, making travel something you need to consider when in the galaxy.
Disadvantages
- Ship Damage: As mentioned previously, this is perhaps the biggest drawback. Relying heavily on black holes means constantly needing to repair ship components. This means that it’s vital to carry the needed materials or be prepared to return to a space station for needed repairs.
- Unpredictable Destination: Black hole jumps don’t provide you the accuracy offered by conventional travel. It’s very much a gamble as to where you end up. You’ll always get closer to the core but not in any controlled manner.
Are Black Holes Essential for Core Travel?
Black holes are not essential for reaching the galactic core, but they are a significant shortcut. You can reach the core through traditional hyperdrive jumps alone, but doing so will take considerable time, effort, and resources. With all your upgrades, you can expect to gain a maximum of about 1600 linear light years per jump, yet because of how the systems operate, you will usually only gain about 300ly of progress. This equates to several hundred individual jumps. In contrast, black holes provide larger steps towards the center, making the overall journey significantly shorter. The choice between using black holes and hyperdrive primarily boils down to personal preference and player priorities; risk and time are factors to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much closer to the center does each black hole jump take you?
While the game’s community has noticed it puts you about 1000-2000ly closer to the center, this number is inconsistent, and exact distances vary.
2. Can I use any ship to travel through black holes?
Yes, you can use any ship to travel through black holes, but be prepared for the repair costs that come with doing so.
3. Does the ship type affect how far a black hole takes me?
No, the type of ship does not affect how far a black hole will take you. The distance moved is consistent regardless of your ship.
4. Are there other ways to get to the galactic core quickly?
Yes, you can also use a combination of a fully upgraded hyperdrive to make jumps using portals that send you nearer to the core. The best option is to use black holes when you can, and portals for the times you can’t.
5. How many galaxies can you travel to in NMS?
There are currently 256 unique galaxies in No Man’s Sky, each with their own unique properties and challenges.
6. Can you return to a galaxy you’ve already visited?
Yes, you can return to any previously visited galaxy by using Space Stations or your own crafted base teleporting devices, assuming you have bases in those galaxies.
7. What is the point of reaching the galactic core?
Reaching the galactic core will allow you to travel to the next numerical galaxy, this is the only way to travel between galaxies. This changes your game experience by changing the universe you’re in.
8. What happens when you reach the center of a galaxy?
Reaching the core sends you to a new galaxy. In doing so, it will damage all your ship, multi-tool, and Exosuit’s upgrades. Be sure to travel in a ship that doesn’t have a lot of upgrades.
9. Is there a way to avoid ship damage when using black holes?
No, there is no way to avoid ship damage entirely, but installing all ship technology into the technology tab will minimize it.
10. How many jumps with a hyperdrive does it take to reach the core?
Approximately 425 jumps with a fully upgraded hyperdrive. As discussed before, the linear distance of 1600 ly per jump usually only translates to around 300-400ly in distance towards the core.
11. Can you fly into a star?
No, you cannot fly into a star in No Man’s Sky. Your ship’s instruments will glitch, and it won’t be a pleasant experience.
12. Is Earth in NMS?
No, the planet Earth does not exist as a specific location in the game. The universe in the game is procedurally generated.
13. What is the significance of the number 16 in NMS?
The number 16 has significant meaning in the game’s lore; the whole game takes place in a 16 real-time minute window as well as the planet count is a calculation using 16^16. This number is used in several aspects of the game.
14. Does NMS have an ending?
No Man’s Sky does not have a definitive ending. You can always reach new galaxies, build new bases, and explore new planets. It is a game without end.
15. What are the rarest types of ships in No Man’s Sky?
Squid-shaped exotic ships are the rarest type of ships in the game. These ships are very hard to find, even after several hours of playtime.