Where to Find a Glyph Portal in No Man’s Sky: A Comprehensive Guide

The quest for Glyph Portals in No Man’s Sky is a pivotal step for many travelers looking to explore the vast, procedurally generated universe. These portals are not just gateways; they’re keys to unlocking the ability to visit specific planets by inputting unique Glyph Addresses. Finding them, however, can sometimes feel like navigating a maze. This article provides a definitive guide on how and where to locate these elusive gateways.

The short answer? Every planet and moon in No Man’s Sky has exactly one portal. These portals each have a unique address composed of glyphs. The challenge lies in locating them.

How to Locate a Portal

Finding a portal isn’t always straightforward, but here are the key methods to employ:

1. The Traveller Method

This is the most well-known and arguably the first method most players encounter:

• Find a “Traveller” Alien: These unique alien NPCs are usually found at Space Stations or in Trading Posts on planetary surfaces. They appear as a shimmering, ghostly form.
• Interact and Pay: Talking to a Traveller requires a small payment, typically in Nanites. In return, they will direct you to a Monolith on a nearby planet.
• Solve the Monolith Puzzle: Once at the Monolith, you’ll need to solve a simple dialogue puzzle. Correctly answering it will reveal a portal’s location, typically through a secondary interaction after the first.
• Locate the Portal: Once the Monolith has guided you, a portal marker will appear, making it easy to pinpoint on the planet’s surface.

2. Using an Exocraft and Signal Booster

Another efficient way to locate portals is through the use of your Exocraft:

• Signal Booster Upgrade: Equip your Exocraft with the Signal Booster upgrade.
• Scan for Alien Structures: In the quick menu of your Exocraft, select the option to scan for Alien Structures. If there is a Monolith nearby it will be highlighted and once you reach that Monolith, the path to the Portal will open.
• Follow the Waypoint: The scan will mark a location on the planet – usually a Monolith or Ruin, after which a portal is not too far behind.

3. Monoliths and Ruins

Monoliths are the key to finding Portals. They also come up as an option when using your ships’ scanner.

• Planetary Surface Focus: Remember that Monoliths and Ruins only appear on planetary surfaces.
• Scan Using Signal Scanner or Analysis Visor: Use the Signal Scanner and its Alien Structure scanning function on your ship, or use your Analysis Visor on foot to locate Monoliths in your vicinity.
• Alien Contacts: Sometimes, alien NPCs in space stations will offer information that leads to Monoliths if you interact with them.

4. Cartographer Charts

If you’re having trouble locating a Monolith or are short on Nanites to pay the Travellers, purchasing a Chart may be your solution.

• Space Station Cartographer: Head to the Cartographer located in any space station or in the Anomaly.
• Settlement Charts: Purchase a Settlement Chart for five Navigation Data. While this chart will lead to a Settlement, most often you’ll find a Monolith nearby.
• Follow Guidance: Using the chart will guide you to the new location of a Settlement with a chance of a Monolith.

Preparing to Use a Portal

Once you’ve found a portal, keep in mind the following:

• Charge the Portal: Portals need to be charged with various resources, such as Cadmium, Emeril, or Indium, depending on the planet. Have a stack of one of these in your inventory before leaving to look for the Portal.
• Glyph Address: You’ll need a 12-glyph address to use a portal to travel. If you’re looking to find glyphs for these addresses, you need to find a Traveller at a Space Station or Trade Outpost. Each time you speak to one, it will send you to a grave marker where you will get one glyph at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify portal usage and location:

1. Do all planets have a portal?

Yes, every planet and moon in No Man’s Sky has exactly one portal.

2. How many glyphs do I need to use a portal?

You need a 12-glyph address to use a portal to travel to a specific location.

3. Can I travel back through a portal?

Yes, portals offer two-way travel. You can always go back through the portal to where you entered it from.

4. How do I get all the glyphs for portal addresses?

You obtain glyphs by interacting with Travellers and following the graves to get them. Each time you speak to one, it will send you to a grave marker where you will get one glyph at a time.

5. What resources do I need to charge a portal?

You’ll typically need Cadmium, Emeril, or Indium to charge a portal, depending on the specific planet.

6. Can I find portals using the ship’s scanner?

Yes, while you cannot directly scan for portals, you can use the ship’s scanner or your own on foot, to scan for nearby Monoliths or Ruins.

7. Do portals appear in the same location for all players?

Yes, portals are consistent across all players in the same game mode on the same planet. Everyone using the same address is sent to the same Portal.

8. Can I build a base near a portal?

Yes, you can build a base near a portal. This is a popular tactic for easier access to specific locations.

9. Do portals work in multiplayer?

Yes, portals function in multiplayer. You can travel with friends to shared locations.

10. What happens if I input an incorrect glyph address?

If you input an incorrect address, the portal will not activate, and you will not be able to travel.

11. Can I use a portal without first finding a Traveller?

You can find portals via the Exocraft or Signal Booster, Monoliths and Ruins and other means, even without encountering a Traveller. You only need to talk to the Travellers to gain glyphs needed to use the Portals.

12. Are portals found in space?

No, portals are only found on planetary surfaces.

13. Do portals allow me to travel to different galaxies?

No, portals only allow travel within the same galaxy. To travel to other galaxies you would need to complete the “Artemis” main mission.

14. How do I find rare planets using portals?

The color of the star system does have some correlation with the type of planets found there. Red Star Systems have the highest chance of exotic planets, followed by Blue Star Systems, and lastly Green Star Systems have the lowest. However, by using a Portal, you can visit any planet, no matter the Star System color.

15. Are portals necessary for completing the game?

While not strictly required, using portals significantly enhances exploration and story progression. The use of Portals becomes vital if the player is trying to find the Multi-Tool and Ships they are looking for online.

Conclusion

Finding and utilizing Glyph Portals in No Man’s Sky is a crucial aspect of unlocking the game’s potential for inter-planetary exploration. While the search can sometimes be challenging, the methods detailed above provide a solid foundation for any player to master the art of portal discovery. With patience and these techniques, you’ll be zipping across the universe in no time, unlocking new adventures and discovering all that the No Man’s Sky universe has to offer. Happy exploring!