Beginner's Guide to No Man's Sky

New to No Man's Sky? This guide covers everything you need to survive and thrive in the universe.

First Steps

  • 1Repair your ship by gathering Carbon, Ferrite Dust, and Di-hydrogen.
  • 2Mine yellow plants for Sodium to recharge Hazard Protection.
  • 3Use your Scanner to find nearby resources and points of interest.
  • 4Follow the tutorial missions -- they teach core mechanics and give rewards.
  • 5Seek shelter in caves during extreme weather storms.

Essential Resources

  • 1Carbon (plants) and Ferrite Dust (rocks) are your two most basic resources.
  • 2Oxygen keeps your life support running. Mine it from hazardous plants.
  • 3Sodium recharges hazard protection. Always carry a stack.
  • 4Di-hydrogen (blue crystals) is needed for launch fuel.
  • 5Tritium from asteroids fuels your Pulse Engine for in-system travel.

Ship & Travel

  • 1Your starter ship has limited slots. Save up for an upgrade at space stations.
  • 2Pulse Engine lets you travel between planets quickly. Hold boost in space.
  • 3Install the Economy Scanner to find wealthy systems for better ships.
  • 4Hyperdrive uses Warp Cells to jump between star systems.
  • 5Visit space stations in new systems for free Exosuit inventory slots.

Upgrades & Progression

  • 1Install the Analysis Visor ASAP. Scanning creatures and plants earns Units.
  • 2Upgrade your Multi-Tool at space stations using Nanites.
  • 3Place upgrade modules adjacent to each other for synergy bonuses.
  • 4S-class modules are the best but most expensive.
  • 5Visit the Anomaly (summon with quick menu) for blueprints and multiplayer.

Economy & Units

  • 1Upload discoveries at space stations for Nanite rewards.
  • 2Ancient Bones and Salvageable Scrap on some planets sell for high Units.
  • 3Trade commodities between systems for profit (buy low, sell high).
  • 4Crafting valuable items like Stasis Devices is the best endgame income.
  • 5Refining Chlorine with Oxygen is an easy early-game money method.