What is the Portal in No Man’s Sky Used For?
In No Man’s Sky (NMS), portals are ancient, inactive structures that serve as a crucial method of interstellar travel, allowing players to instantly jump to specific locations within the vast universe. They function as a sort of stargate system, enabling you to explore new and distant star systems, visit player-built bases, and access unique resources otherwise unreachable through conventional warp drives.
Delving Deeper into Portal Functionality
Portals are not immediately usable. First, you need to find one. Secondly, you need to activate it by supplying it with the necessary resources to power each of its glyph slots. Each portal requires a specific sequence of glyphs to activate a jump to a particular destination. These glyphs are obtained by interacting with the graves of fallen travelers scattered throughout the game.
Once activated, the portal creates a temporary link to another system. Upon traveling through, you’ll arrive at the desired location. Keep in mind that traveling through a portal temporarily limits some of your actions in the destination system. You will not be able to create a permanent base, warp to other systems from there, or summon your freighter. This restriction is lifted once you return to your origin system through the portal. Think of it as a scouting trip, an exploration voyage to see a planet that a friend shares with you.
The primary function of a portal is to allow players to visit specific locations by inputting a Portal Address, a 12-glyph sequence that corresponds to a unique system coordinate. These addresses are often shared online by players who have discovered interesting planets, resources, or bases, allowing others to quickly and easily visit them. Portals provide a bridge, connecting players across the galaxy to share experiences and discoveries.
Benefits of Using Portals
- Instant Travel: Bypass long warp drive journeys to reach distant systems.
- Access to Unique Locations: Visit systems with rare resources, thriving player communities, or unusual planet formations.
- Community Sharing: Explore bases and discoveries shared by other players via Portal Addresses.
- Expeditions: Many Expeditions require portal travel to specific locations to complete objectives.
- Quicker Achievement Hunting: Access specific planets needed for milestone completion or achievement unlocking.
Limitations of Portal Travel
- Temporary Restrictions: Unable to build a base, warp to other systems, or summon your freighter in the destination system.
- Glyph Requirement: Requires collecting all 16 glyphs before using a portal effectively.
- Finding Portals: Locating portals can sometimes be challenging, requiring the use of alien monoliths and their puzzles.
- Resource Costs: Activating a portal requires specific resources for each glyph, which can sometimes be scarce.
- Limited Interactivity: Your ship is not available at the destination, limiting certain exploration and combat activities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About NMS Portals
H2 Finding and Activating Portals
H3 Where can I find portals in No Man’s Sky?
Portals are typically found on planets and are identified by their large, circular structure. To find a portal, you usually need to locate a monolith first. Monoliths are ancient alien structures that, when interacted with correctly (often requiring a specific alien language learned through knowledge stones), will reveal the location of a nearby portal. Use a planetary chart from the Cartographer in a space station to search for alien structures. Keep trying different planets if you have bad luck.
H3 How do I activate a portal once I find it?
Activating a portal requires charging each of its glyph slots with specific resources. The resources needed vary, but they are typically common elements found on planets, such as copper, cadmium, emeril, indium, or chromatic metal. Once all slots are charged, the portal will activate, allowing you to enter a 12-glyph address.
H3 What are glyphs, and how do I obtain them?
Glyphs are symbols used to represent coordinates within the No Man’s Sky universe. You obtain glyphs by interacting with the graves of fallen travelers. These graves are found randomly on planets and are marked by a glowing orb. Interacting with them will grant you one glyph at a time, in sequential order. Another method is to complete the Artemis questline. This can be a quick method of unlocking all 16 glyphs, and can be done alongside base building and space exploration.
H2 Using Portals for Travel
H3 How do I enter a Portal Address?
Once the portal is activated, a glyph interface will appear. You’ll need to input a 12-glyph sequence known as a Portal Address. This address can be found online on websites dedicated to No Man’s Sky, shared by other players, or sometimes provided as part of an in-game mission.
H3 Can I travel back through a portal to my original location?
Yes. After travelling through a portal, a return portal will appear at the destination. This allows you to easily return to your original system whenever you wish. Simply interact with the portal to travel back.
H3 What are the limitations of traveling through a portal?
As mentioned earlier, travelling through a portal imposes temporary restrictions. You cannot build a base, warp to other systems, or summon your freighter in the destination system. This is designed to encourage exploration while preventing permanent settlement in potentially overpowered locations.
H2 Portal Mechanics and Features
H3 Are portals the same across all game modes (Normal, Survival, Permadeath, Creative)?
Yes, portals function identically across all game modes. A portal address will take you to the same location regardless of the game mode you are playing.
H3 Can I use portals to travel to other galaxies?
While portals can take you to vastly distant locations within the same galaxy, they cannot be used to directly jump between galaxies. To travel to other galaxies, you need to use methods such as completing the main storyline, reaching the center of the galaxy, or using the Nexus mission terminal.
H3 Do portals ever break or require repairs after use?
No, once activated, portals do not break or require further repairs. They remain active and available for use as long as the player recharges the glyph slots with the necessary resources each time they want to open a new portal address.
H2 Portal Addresses and Sharing
H3 Where can I find Portal Addresses to visit interesting locations?
Many No Man’s Sky communities and websites exist where players share portal addresses. Search online for “[No Man’s Sky] Portal Address” followed by keywords related to what you’re looking for (e.g., “lush planet,” “S-class freighter,” “cool base”). The No Man’s Sky subreddit is a fantastic resource for finding portal codes.
H3 How can I share my own Portal Address with other players?
Your Portal Address is displayed when you use your scanner while standing near a portal. It appears as a 12-glyph sequence. You can then share this address on social media, forums, or dedicated No Man’s Sky websites.
H3 What do the different glyphs in a Portal Address represent?
Each glyph represents a specific coordinate within the galaxy, defining the star system and planet you’ll travel to. The 12 glyphs combine to form a unique identifier for a specific location in the game. Understanding how each glyph affects location is complex and not necessary for using portals, as you simply need to enter the complete, correct sequence.
H2 Advanced Portal Usage
H3 Can I use portals to skip ahead in expeditions?
Yes, portals are often used to skip ahead in Expeditions, allowing players to quickly reach specific systems or planets needed for objectives. This can significantly reduce the time required to complete Expedition milestones. However, be aware that this can also detract from the intended exploration experience.
H3 Is there a limit to how many times I can use a portal?
There is no limit to how many times you can use a portal. As long as you have the resources to charge the glyph slots and know the Portal Address of your desired destination, you can travel through portals as often as you like.
H3 Can I use portals in multiplayer to travel to my friends’ locations?
Yes, portals are an excellent way to travel to your friends’ locations in multiplayer. Have your friend share their Portal Address with you, enter it into a portal, and you’ll instantly arrive in their system. This makes it easy to coordinate and explore the galaxy together.