What Can You Do With Old Ships in No Man’s Sky?
In the vast, procedurally generated universe of No Man’s Sky, you’ll inevitably accumulate a collection of starships as you explore. But what happens to your old ships when you find a newer, shinier model? The good news is that your old ships don’t simply disappear; you have several options for managing them. They can be scrapped for parts, traded in for discounts, or even kept as part of your growing fleet. This article will delve into each of these possibilities, providing a comprehensive guide on what to do with your old starships in No Man’s Sky, along with some frequently asked questions to help navigate the intricacies of ship ownership in the game.
Scrapping Your Old Ships
One of the most straightforward options for dealing with an old ship is to scrap it at a Space Station. This process effectively breaks down the ship into its component parts, providing valuable resources and, most importantly, Nanites.
How to Scrap a Ship:
- Claiming a Crashed Ship: You can find crashed ships throughout the galaxy. Often, the launch thruster and pulse engine are damaged. If you choose not to repair the Launch Thruster and the Pulse Engine, this method will transfer the ship to a Space Station, but you have to fly to the Space Station with another ship from your collection.
- Travel to a Space Station: Once you’ve claimed a ship you wish to scrap, fly it to the nearest space station. Ensure you have enough free space in your exosuit inventory to hold the items you will receive.
- Locate the Ship Scrapping Terminal: Within the space station, find the ship scrapping terminal, which is usually near the ship upgrade vendors.
- Select “Scrap Ship”: At the terminal, interact with it and select the “Scrap Ship” option for the ship you wish to dismantle.
- Collect Your Rewards: The ship will be destroyed, and you’ll receive materials and Upgrade Modules in return. The Upgrade Modules can then be sold for Nanites.
Scrapping is a particularly useful way to generate Nanites, the valuable currency used to purchase upgrades, blueprints, and other items. It’s arguably the most efficient way to farm Nanites early on in the game. However, you will need enough Exosuit Inventory space to carry all the materials and upgrade modules. If you do not have enough Exosuit inventory space, you will be unable to scrap the ship. Also remember that when you scrap a ship another ship from your pool will appear on the station launch pad, usually your first ship, or the one you traded it for.
Trading In Your Old Ships
Another practical option is to trade in your old ship when purchasing a new one. This process allows you to offset some of the cost of your desired new starship.
How to Trade a Ship:
- Find a Ship You Want to Buy: At space stations and trading posts, you can see NPCs landing with their ships. You can interact with these NPCs and view their ships.
- Initiate a Trade: Interact with the NPC and examine their starship. If you’re interested in purchasing it, select the trade option.
- View Trade-In Value: The game will automatically apply a trade-in value for your current ship.
- Accept or Decline the Trade: Carefully consider the trade offer. If the new ship has a “zero” cost, then it is equal to or more likely worth less than your current ship. You will not be refunded the difference, so always trade up.
Trading in ships can be a useful strategy for upgrading your fleet while avoiding the steep costs of purchasing ships outright. However, always be mindful of the trade-in value offered and make sure you are, in fact, trading up.
Keeping Your Old Ships: Building a Fleet
Instead of scrapping or trading, you can also keep your old ships as part of your personal fleet. You can own up to 12 starships at any one time in No Man’s Sky, offering you flexibility in ship selection depending on your current task. You do not need a freighter to own more than one ship. You can select which ship you want to summon with the “X” sub-menu. Your most recently used ship will be the active ship but your other ships can still be summoned.
Managing Your Fleet:
- Summoning Ships: You can summon your ships using the quick menu at any time, whether on a planet surface or in space.
- Switching Active Ships: The ship you summon will become your active ship.
- Ship Roles: Different ships excel in different roles. Having a fleet allows you to quickly switch between an Explorer for its jump distance and economy or a Fighter for its combat efficiency.
Having a diverse fleet allows you to always have the right tool for the job. You can keep an Explorer for travel, a Fighter for combat, a Hauler for cargo, and other types of ships for different situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about managing old ships in No Man’s Sky:
How many ships can I own in No Man’s Sky?
You can own up to 12 starships at any one time.
Can I lose my ships in No Man’s Sky?
No, you cannot permanently lose your ships. Even if you get destroyed in space, you will respawn and your ships will be accessible in your fleet.
What happens to my old ship if I just leave it?
While you are in the system and have not reloaded the game, your ship will remain exactly where you parked it. However, once you change systems or reload the game, it will be added back to your fleet.
Can I have multiple freighters?
No, you can only own one freighter at a time.
How do I get a free freighter?
After a certain number of warp jumps, you’ll encounter a freighter under attack by pirates. If you defeat the pirates, the freighter captain will offer it to you for free.
Can I find crashed ships?
Yes, crashed ships appear on your starship scope as red dots. You can stumble across them while exploring planets.
What is the best type of ship in No Man’s Sky?
The Explorer type starship is often considered the jack-of-all-trades. They have good stats all around and great warp distance, and can max out their storage.
What is the rarest type of ship in No Man’s Sky?
The Squid-shaped Exotic ship is the rarest to find. They are very difficult to come across.
Does everything transfer to a new freighter?
Yes, everything in your freighter base will transfer to your new freighter including your fleet and squadron.
Can I loot derelict freighters?
Yes, you can board derelict freighters and collect information and loot. You need to interact with the airlock computer to unseal the freighter.
Can I become a pirate in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, you can become a pirate by attacking freighters or other ships. This will cause Sentinels to engage in combat.
What is the best way to get Nanites?
Scrapping ships and selling the Upgrade Modules you receive is one of the best ways to farm Nanites.
How do I upgrade my Exosuit?
You can upgrade your Exosuit at the Exosuit vendor in any space station. They sell armor blueprints and upgrades.
What are Solar Ships good for?
Solar ships are great for traveling within a solar system. They have high fuel efficiency for the pulse drive.
What is the best early ship to get?
Hauler ships have a shield absorb bonus, and superb inventory space, making them a good choice early on, although they lack maneuverability.
Conclusion
In No Man’s Sky, old ships are not just relics of the past; they are valuable resources and assets. Whether you choose to scrap them for valuable resources, trade them in for discounts, or keep them as part of your growing fleet, your old starships play an integral part in your journey. Understanding these options and how to manage your ship collection effectively will significantly enhance your gameplay experience. So, next time you find yourself eyeing a newer model, remember that your old ship isn’t worthless—it’s just another opportunity for advancement in the vast universe of No Man’s Sky.