How To Get Inside a Crashed Freighter in No Man’s Sky: A Comprehensive Guide

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The allure of a crashed freighter in No Man’s Sky is undeniable. These hulking wrecks, scattered across planetary surfaces, promise valuable resources and a sense of discovery. But accessing their cargo and secrets requires a bit of know-how. This guide will walk you through the process of getting inside a crashed freighter and what you can expect to find within.

Gaining Access to a Crashed Freighter

The method for accessing a crashed freighter’s interior isn’t about walking through a door; it’s about excavating the cargo pods. Here’s how you do it:

1. Locate a Crashed Freighter:

   • Signal Scanners: The most reliable way is using a Signal Scanner on a planet’s surface. Select “Distress Signal” and if a crashed freighter is nearby, it will be marked on your HUD.
   • Exploration: You may also stumble upon them while exploring planets, especially in more desolate areas. Keep a sharp lookout for large, metallic structures partially buried.
   • Analysis Visor: Scan your surroundings using the Analysis Visor. This will highlight points of interest, including nearby crashed freighters.
   • NPCs: Sometimes, talking to aliens in space stations can give you clues or locations of crashed freighters.

2. Approach the Freighter: Once you have found a crashed freighter, land your starship nearby and approach the wreck on foot.

3. Identify Cargo Pod Locations: Crashed freighters have fixed spawn locations for their cargo pods. There are four cargo pods in total, generally clustered in the freighter’s mid-section. Two are above ground and two are buried. Look for large, cylindrical containers, often slightly damaged and distinct from the surrounding wreckage.

4. Excavating the Pods: Here is where your tools come in handy.

   • Terrain Manipulator: This is the most versatile tool. Use it to dig out the two underground pods. Carefully sculpt the earth around them until they are fully revealed.
   • Plasma Launcher or Geology Cannon: If terrain sculpting isn’t your style, or you need to clear significant earth quickly, the Plasma Launcher or Geology Cannon can blast the earth away. Be cautious, as these tools can also damage the pods if you’re not careful.
   • Careful Aim: Aim for the terrain surrounding the pods rather than the pods themselves to avoid accidental destruction.

5. Accessing Cargo: Once exposed, you can interact with the cargo pods to collect the contents. These pods typically contain Nanite Clusters or Units, both very useful in No Man’s Sky.

• Repeat: After looting the exposed pods, carefully examine the wreckage for more access points. While there are only 4 cargo pods on crashed freighters, you may be able to uncover more in derelict freighters.

What to Do With Destroyed Freighters

It’s important to differentiate between crashed freighters and derelict freighters. Crashed freighters are the ones found on planets that we’re discussing here. Derelict freighters are found in space.

Derelict freighters are static, unresponsive to hailing, and you cannot exit your starship while onboard. They can be explored, but only from your ship, by destroying doors and looting the containers within. You cannot access the full interior of a derelict freighter, but can obtain valuable items by shooting through the destructible doors.

While you can’t “destroy” a freighter like a ship, shooting freighter cargo pods is considered “destroying” them in-game and you will collect the items inside.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 FAQs that address common questions about crashed freighters, as well as related aspects of freighters in No Man’s Sky:

Locating and Claiming Freighters

1. How do I find crashed freighters more easily? The most efficient way to locate them is by using the Signal Scanner and selecting “Distress Signal.” Also, keep an eye out while exploring planets.
2. Can I claim a crashed freighter as my own? No, you cannot claim a crashed freighter. These wrecks are static and only good for looting cargo pods.
3. How do I claim a freighter in No Man’s Sky? You must respond to a distress call when warping into a new system. If you successfully defeat the pirates attacking the freighter, the captain will offer you free command of the vessel.
4. Should I accept the first freighter I’m offered? It’s advisable to decline the first freighter and claim the second one as the second is usually better. The first is almost always a C-class small freighter, while the second is more likely to be a larger, more powerful class.

Freighter Types and Capabilities

5. What are the different types of freighters? There are two main types: regular freighters and capital freighters. Capital freighters are larger and more detailed. Regular freighters are commonly the first few you come across in the game.
6. What is the largest freighter in the game? The Oculus-class is the largest known regular freighter. There are also Capital-Class freighters, which vary in size, some of which can be quite large.
7. What is the rarest freighter? S-Class freighters are the rarest and highest-rated freighters available. You can find them by using an Economy Scanner and constantly warping into new systems.
8. Can I fly a freighter? Yes, freighters come equipped with a Freighter Warp Map on the bridge that allows you to pilot the freighter to other star systems.
9. Can I have a living freighter? Yes, through the completion of fleet missions, and the use of the Dream Aerial.
10. Can I have more than one freighter? You can only own one freighter at a time. You can have up to 30 frigates in your fleet that are managed from the bridge of your freighter.

Freighter Bases and Customization

11. Do I lose my freighter base when I buy a new one? No, your existing freighter base is automatically transferred and reconstructed onto your new freighter. You can also reset it at any time.
12. Can I place Exocraft on my freighter? Yes, with the Orbital Exocraft Materialiser technology you can summon your Exocraft to the planet when your freighter is present in the same star system.

Other Related Questions

13. Can you destroy freighters? No, not like starships. You can disable their guns, and destroy their cargo pods, but the game considers that “destroyed”.
14. How do I find where I died? An icon resembling a settlement or monument will be present where you died. Look towards this marker.
15. How many ships can I own in No Man’s Sky? You can own up to 12 starships at once.

Conclusion

Exploring crashed freighters in No Man’s Sky is a rewarding experience that can lead to valuable resources and a deeper understanding of the game’s lore. Remember to use the right tools, and be aware of the difference between crashed freighters and derelict freighters. With the knowledge in this guide, you will be well-equipped to tackle these planetary wrecks and enhance your journey across the cosmos. Happy exploring, Interloper!