Black Holes in No Man’s Sky: A Traveler’s Guide
In No Man’s Sky, black holes are not just cosmic curiosities; they are functional portals that can drastically alter your journey across the galaxy. They serve as shortcuts to the galactic core, offering a unique and sometimes risky method of interstellar travel. These spatial anomalies are marked by their intense gravitational pull and the potential for both reward and peril. Encountering a black hole in No Man’s Sky is a unique experience, offering both benefits and potential drawbacks for intrepid travelers.
Finding and Using Black Holes
Locating Black Holes
There are two primary ways to find black holes in No Man’s Sky:
- Space Anomaly Encounter: By interacting with Specialist Polo at the Space Anomaly, you can ask for “a shortcut to the center”. If you choose this option, Polo will mark the location of a nearby black hole on your galactic map. This location will appear as a Waypoint at the top of your list.
- Stumbling Upon Them: Sometimes, while exploring, you might randomly discover a black hole within a Black Hole System. These systems are not marked on the galactic map in advance, so they require a bit of luck and exploration to encounter.
Navigating Black Holes
Once you find a black hole, you can use it to travel to a new location within the galaxy. Unlike warp drives, which have a more predictable path, black holes transport you to a random fixed star system closer to the center of the galaxy.
Black Hole Travel: You will notice that a black hole is represented in-game by a swirling vortex. To enter it, simply fly your starship into the center of the vortex. After passing through the event horizon, you will emerge in a new system.
The Risks of Black Hole Travel
Using black holes is not without risk. Traveling through a black hole almost always damages a random technology module within your starship’s general inventory. These modules are not automatically repaired. Modules stored in the dedicated “Technology” tab of your ship’s inventory, however, are safe from this damage. This means you might be faced with repairing various ship systems shortly after each black hole transit.
The Lore and Science Behind Black Holes in NMS
What are Black Holes?
Black holes in No Man’s Sky, like their real-world counterparts, are regions of spacetime exhibiting such strong gravitational effects that nothing, not even light, can escape. They are formed from the collapsed cores of supermassive stars, compressing an immense amount of matter into an incredibly small volume. This extreme density creates a gravitational field so intense that it warps spacetime. While the game doesn’t portray all of the intricacies of real black holes, it does capture the essence of a powerful gravitational well that alters the user experience.
The Singularity Engine
In No Man’s Sky, a Singularity Engine is a freighter technology that generates and warps a freighter through a Black Hole. This technology is essential for bringing your huge capital ship through those spatial anomalies.
Understanding the Consequences
While black holes can greatly reduce the travel distance to the core, they can damage your technology. When venturing into a black hole, make sure your most important technology modules are safely tucked away in the Technology tab. Being prepared for damage after each jump will save resources and time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I See a Black Hole in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, black holes appear as visible swirling vortexes in space. While a real black hole would be invisible to the human eye, because light cannot escape its gravity, the ones in No Man’s Sky are designed to be visually striking for gameplay purposes.
2. Do Black Holes Always Lead to the Same Place?
No, black holes lead to a random fixed star system each time, closer to the center of the galaxy. They do not lead to the same system twice. The systems are selected via procedural generation.
3. How Do I Avoid Ship Damage When Using Black Holes?
To minimize damage, store your most important technology modules in the dedicated **Technology tab** of your ship’s inventory. Modules placed here will not be affected by the black hole's gravitational pull. Only the **General Inventory** modules can be damaged.
4. Can My Freighter Go Through Black Holes?
Yes, with the **Singularity Engine** technology installed on your freighter, you can warp your freighter through black holes. This allows you to bring your entire capital ship and fleet along with you.
5. What Happens if I Fly Into a Black Hole With No Technology in My Ship?
If your ship has no technology modules in its **General Inventory**, you will still travel through the black hole. However, you will not suffer any damage.
6. Are There White Holes in No Man’s Sky?
No, **white holes** are not present in **No Man’s Sky**. White holes are theoretical objects that are considered to be the opposite of black holes, but are not thought to exist.
7. Can I Get Stuck in a Black Hole?
No, black holes in No Man’s Sky are designed for traversal. You will always emerge in a new star system after passing through.
8. How Close do Black Holes Bring Me to the Galactic Core?
Black holes move you closer to the galactic core than standard hyperdrive jumps do. Each jump will bring you a significant step closer to the center, making them a popular way to quickly reach it.
9. Is There a Limit to How Many Black Holes I Can Use?
No, there is no limit to the number of black holes you can traverse. You can use them continuously to get closer to the galactic core.
10. Can I Use Black Holes to Go Backwards Away From the Galactic Core?
No, the black hole mechanic only sends you forward towards the galactic center, even though it is a random system. You cannot use a black hole to backtrack.
11. Is there a Way to Predict Where a Black Hole Will Take Me?
No, the destinations are generated procedurally, and are random, with no way to predict where they will go.
12. Are Black Holes the Fastest Way to the Center of the Galaxy?
Yes, black holes are the fastest way to reach the center of the galaxy due to the significant distance reduction each jump offers, but at the cost of possible ship damage.
13. Are Black Holes Dangerous?
Black holes are dangerous in the sense that they damage your technology. However, they do not pose a threat to your ship’s health or your character, as long as you take care to make sure your technology is safe from damage.
14. Can I See Other Players Near a Black Hole?
Yes, you can see other players near black holes if they are in the same multiplayer session as you. However, due to the nature of black holes, you may not see players repeatedly near the same one unless they too, are trying to use it repeatedly.
15. Do Black Holes in No Man’s Sky Resemble Real Black Holes?
While inspired by real black holes, the ones in **No Man's Sky** are stylized for gameplay purposes. They are intended to be easily identifiable and offer a functional element within the game, rather than being a perfectly accurate scientific simulation.
By understanding the mechanics, dangers, and rewards associated with black holes, you can use them effectively to accelerate your journey through the vast expanse of No Man’s Sky. Safe travels, Interloper!