How To Breed Animals in No Man’s Sky: A Comprehensive Guide
Breeding animals in No Man’s Sky is a fascinating feature that allows players to expand their companion roster and even create unique creatures. Unlike traditional breeding mechanics found in other games, it’s less about pairing two specific creatures and more about caring for and nurturing a single companion to produce an egg. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process.
How to Get Animal Eggs in No Man’s Sky
The process of acquiring an egg in No Man’s Sky is surprisingly straightforward but requires patience:
- Befriend a Creature: Not just any creature will do. You need to befriend an alien species by offering it food that it prefers. Successfully feeding it will give you a prompt to register it as your companion. You’ll see a small heart icon pop up, showing that they’re in your companion list.
- Compatible Habitat: Your companion will only be able to lay an egg if you are on a planet that has similar conditions to the one where you first discovered it. If your companion is from a hot, arid planet, then that is likely the sort of place it will be happy to reproduce. If the conditions are incorrect, your companion will be unable to produce an egg.
- Wait 24 Hours: Once you have a companion on a compatible planet, you will need to wait 24 hours of real-world time. This is a hard limit, regardless of how long you play. Once the countdown timer is finished, your companion will have a prompt to interact with and the game will award you with an egg.
- Single Egg Per Day: It’s important to note that each companion will only lay one egg per 24 hour period. This means that to build up your egg collection, it will require patience and some daily visits to your preferred planets.
Utilizing the Egg Sequencer
Once you have collected your eggs, you can bring them to the Egg Sequencer aboard the Space Anomaly. This is where the real genetic manipulation begins. The Egg Sequencer allows you to:
- Mix Genetic Material: You can remix the genetic material of your growing eggs. This can lead to some unique and even never-before-seen creatures. There are various elements that you can add such as silver, copper, or chromatic metal to change the way the creature looks.
- Alter Creature Traits: Experimenting with the Egg Sequencer can alter traits like size, coloring, and even behavioral patterns of the creature that will hatch. This offers a lot of fun to be had for those who enjoy the collection aspect of the game.
- Create Mutant Pets: The possibilities are vast, and you can create everything from miniature versions of creatures to giant monstrosities. With so much scope for change, each pet you have can be made to be truly unique.
Important Notes on Breeding
- No Pair Needed: As noted, you don’t need two companions to breed. One is enough.
- No Cross-Breeding: There is no way to cross-breed two different creature species. The egg will always be of the same species as its parent.
- Baby Companions: The creatures that hatch from the eggs can also become your companions, and will in turn also be able to produce more eggs. This way, you can build up a collection of unique creatures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Animal Breeding in No Man’s Sky
1. Can you breed any creature in No Man’s Sky?
No, only creatures that have been registered as your companions can produce eggs. You need to first feed them their preferred food and then register them by following the prompt that appears.
2. How often can a creature lay an egg?
A companion can lay only **one egg every 24 hours** of real-world time, provided they are on a compatible planet with similar conditions to where they were discovered.
3. Do I need two creatures to breed?
No, breeding in No Man's Sky requires only a single, befriended creature. They will produce an egg on their own after the 24 hour real-time cycle is complete.
4. What happens if I’m on the wrong planet?
Your companion **won't lay an egg** if the planet's conditions are not similar to the one where it was first discovered. For example, a creature found on a desert planet won't lay an egg on a snow planet.
5. Where do I find the Egg Sequencer?
The Egg Sequencer is located on the **Space Anomaly**. Look for the specific device in the rear of the large structure.
6. Can I alter the traits of the egg?
Yes, using the Egg Sequencer, you can **mix genetic material** and alter the traits of the creatures. This includes aspects such as their size and color.
7. Can I create completely new creature species?
While you cannot create a brand new species, you can create **unique variations** of existing species through genetic manipulation with the Egg Sequencer. This allows for some interesting creations.
8. Can the hatched creatures become my companions?
Yes, the creatures that hatch from modified eggs will also become your companions, and then in turn, will also be able to lay eggs. This can be an endless loop.
9. Can I breed flying creatures?
Yes, all types of creatures, including flying creatures, can be bred. The same rules apply: You need to befriend them, bring them to a compatible planet, and then wait 24 hours.
10. What is the rarest creature to find in No Man’s Sky?
**Rangifae** are one of the rarest land fauna in the game, with only a 0.25% chance of being found on a planet. While this doesn't affect breeding directly, you may wish to put in the extra work to register one if you ever find it.
11. How do I hatch a “living egg”?
The **Active Void Egg** requires you to have a regular **Void Egg** in your inventory. You then need to leave a Space Station or Anomaly and use your pulse drive in space. You will then be prompted to stop and will encounter a deep-space creature, which activates the egg.
12. Can I ride the creatures I breed?
Yes, if they are of a ridable size, all of your companions, including those that you have bred from eggs can be **ridden**. This adds an extra element of fun to the breeding mechanic.
13. Can species become extinct in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, species can become extinct, especially after major game updates. This doesn’t directly impact your ability to breed your companions but does mean that some creatures might become unavailable.
14. Can you cross-breed two different animal species?
No, you can’t cross-breed two different animal species in No Man’s Sky. Any egg laid will be of the same species as the parent.
15. How can I obtain the Sandworm Egg?
The **Sandworm Egg** is awarded to players that complete all 5 expedition phases of the Emergence expedition. Once the egg hatches, the worm can be ridden.
By understanding these breeding mechanics and experimenting with the Egg Sequencer, you can unlock a whole new level of creativity and companionship within No Man’s Sky, resulting in a truly unique gaming experience.