How to Get Oxygen in No Man’s Sky: A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of how to get oxygen in No Man’s Sky is fundamental to survival and exploration within the game. Oxygen is a crucial resource needed for recharging your life support system, powering certain base building elements, and even refining other materials. Fortunately, there are several ways to acquire this essential element, each with its own level of efficiency and accessibility. In short, you can get oxygen by:
- Harvesting red plants in the wild: These are often readily available across most planet types.
- Finding it as a secondary element: Certain types of flora when scanned will reveal they contain oxygen.
- Locating it as a primary element in Underground Toxic Hazards: Explore these perilous areas with caution.
- Purchasing it from Galactic Trade Terminals or pilot NPCs: Look for ‘Abundant’ economies.
- Scavenging containers and storage boxes: Find oxygen in outposts, shelters, and other locations.
- Refining Kelp Sacs: Convert Kelp Sacs found in oceans into oxygen.
- Setting up an Oxygen Harvester: Deploy and fuel a harvester for consistent oxygen production.
Let’s delve deeper into each of these methods, discussing their advantages and how to optimize your oxygen collection.
Understanding the Importance of Oxygen
Before we explore the specific methods, let’s emphasize the significance of oxygen in No Man’s Sky. Oxygen is essential for recharging your Life Support, which directly affects your ability to survive in the various environments the game throws at you. Running out of life support means your health will begin to deplete, leading to a potentially fatal situation.
Beyond life support, oxygen is also used in certain crafting recipes and serves as a fuel source for some base-building components like the Biofuel Reactor. Therefore, a reliable supply of oxygen is vital for long-term survival and base building.
Methods for Obtaining Oxygen
1. Harvesting Red Plants
The most basic and commonly available source of oxygen is the red, glowing plants that are found across the majority of planetary biomes. These plants are easily identifiable and can be quickly mined using your multi-tool’s mining laser. This is often the first and most reliable way to accumulate oxygen early in the game. Simply look around your starting location and you should find these plants relatively close by.
2. Secondary Element in Flora
Some plants, when scanned, will reveal they contain secondary resources, and oxygen can be one of them. Look for plants with a scan icon and use your scanner to reveal the additional resources they provide. Mining these plants can provide a smaller but sometimes valuable source of oxygen. These plants are not usually the best source of oxygen, so consider using them as backup sources or a supplement to other methods.
3. Underground Toxic Hazards
Underground Toxic Hazards are areas on planets that are filled with toxic fumes, where oxygen can sometimes be found as a primary element. Be prepared with hazard protection, as prolonged exposure to these areas will deplete your hazard suit charge. These areas can be more dangerous than standard environments, but the oxygen they provide can be a helpful bonus.
4. Purchasing from Trade Terminals and Pilots
Galactic Trade Terminals found at space stations and trading posts are a reliable place to purchase oxygen. Similarly, pilot NPCs who land on space stations or planetary trading posts will often have oxygen to sell. However, the availability of oxygen depends on the economy type of the system you are in. To reliably find oxygen, look for systems marked as “Goods Availability -> Abundant” in the system description.
5. Scavenging for Oxygen
Explore abandoned buildings, outposts, and other points of interest on planets. Oxygen can be found in storage containers, crates, and other places. This method can be a reliable, although not predictable, source of oxygen. Always check these areas when you see them to stock up on oxygen and other useful items.
6. Refining Kelp Sacs
Kelp Sacs are commonly found in underwater environments on most planets and can be harvested from underwater plants like candle kelp. Combining one Kelp Sac with one unit of Carbon in a refiner will produce two units of Oxygen. This is an excellent method to get oxygen if you are near an ocean or lake.
7. Building an Oxygen Farm
For a long-term, consistent source of oxygen, consider building an Oxygen Harvester. This requires a base and the recipe to create the machine itself. Once built, it can continuously extract oxygen from the atmosphere. The oxygen harvester will require fuel, which can be in the form of carbon. Make sure to replenish your harvester with carbon regularly to maintain production.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the fastest way to get oxygen?
The fastest way to get oxygen, especially in large quantities, is by visiting systems that have abundant resources and buying it from the Galactic Trade Terminals or pilot NPCs. You can also quickly harvest from red plants found in the wild.
2. How do I recharge life support in No Man’s Sky?
The easiest way to recharge your life support is by using oxygen. You can also use Life Support Gel, which is a more efficient, crafted version.
3. How do I build an Oxygen Farm?
To build an oxygen farm, you’ll first need to establish a base. Then, you’ll need to build an Oxygen Harvester. This machine will extract oxygen from the atmosphere. Don’t forget to fuel your harvester with carbon.
4. How do you restore health in No Man’s Sky?
Health is restored by interacting with Health Stations or using Health Restoratives.
5. Do I need fuel in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, launch fuel is needed to lift off from planets if you are not on a designated launchpad. This can be done with Starship Launch Fuel or the element Uranium.
6. How do I fuel the oxygen harvester?
The oxygen harvester requires carbon as fuel. Access the harvester menu and insert carbon for fuel, allowing it to run.
7. Can you mine oxygen in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, you can mine oxygen as a primary element from the red plants found in the wild, or as a secondary element from some other types of flora. You can also use a Gas Extractor on planets that have oxygen hotspots.
8. What happens if you run out of oxygen?
If you run out of oxygen, your Life Support System will be depleted, which will cause your health to decrease and can eventually lead to death.
9. How many oxygen harvesters can I have at a site?
The current limit for oxygen harvesters at a single site is six. However, this might change with future updates.
10. Can I get unlimited oxygen?
While you can’t create oxygen from nothing, you can create a highly efficient oxygen farm utilizing multiple Oxygen Harvesters, which will allow you to get a near-unlimited amount.
11. What turns into oxygen in No Man’s Sky?
Kelp Sacs, refined with carbon, will produce oxygen.
12. What is the fuel for the Biofuel Reactor?
The Biofuel Reactor can be fueled with Carbon, Condensed Carbon, or Oxygen.
13. Should I sell oxygen in No Man’s Sky?
It’s generally not recommended to sell oxygen unless you have an enormous excess. Oxygen is a basic necessity and is used in crafting and recharging your life support system.
14. What gives you sodium in No Man’s Sky?
Sodium can be found as a secondary element in minerals or in the form of yellow flowers.
15. How do you get Living Water in No Man’s Sky?
Living Water is obtained from the Child of Helios during the Starbirth mission.
Conclusion
Obtaining oxygen in No Man’s Sky is a multi-faceted process, offering various methods to suit different situations and preferences. From the common red plants to more advanced methods like building an oxygen farm, you’ll have plenty of ways to ensure your survival. By understanding each method, you can ensure that you always have the oxygen you need to survive and thrive in the vast universe of No Man’s Sky. With the information provided here, you’re now equipped to explore the game with a consistent supply of this precious resource.