No Man’s Sky: Become a Multi-Base Mogul – Your Guide to Galactic Real Estate
Welcome to No Man’s Sky. The building bug has bitten. Good news awaits. You are now set to thrive. Forget just surviving. Aim for galactic real estate glory. Yes, bases. Multiple of them. One base is just the start of your empire among the stars.
Base Building Bonanza: How Many Bases Can You Actually Have?
Let’s get to the point. You want to know the limits, right? Get ready for some good news. No Man’s Sky allows extensive expansion across the universe.
- Unlimited Bases? Almost. Build “as many bases as you like.” Sounds vast, right?
- Planet Hopping Habitation: But there’s a catch. Maximum of five bases can be on one planet. Enough for most ambitious planners.
- The Grand Total: Big number alert. You can create up to 402 bases total in your save file. This includes your freighter base and any planetary sites. Reality check: That’s 400 planetary bases. Can you fill that hard drive?
Chances are, you’ll exhaust base-building ideas before reaching the actual cap. It’s less about restrictions and more about challenges – can you find 400 worthy planets for your genius?
Base Functionality: More Than Just a Pretty Space Shack
Can you build many bases? Yes. But what are their uses? Beyond being visually stunning, bases in No Man’s Sky are highly functional and adaptable.
- Teleportation Network: Picture your bases as hubs in your teleportation network. Travel between them instantly with a thought (and a teleporter, of course).
- Resource Riches: Perfect for automated farms. Want a steady supply of Star Bulbs? Grow them at your lush planet base. Need minerals? Automated miners at resource-rich locations are perfect.
- Storage Solutions: Running out of inventory space? Bases provide large storage containers. Stash your loot: exotic materials and larval cores included.
- Shields Up! Facing a storm or aggressive sentinels? Your base offers safety. Recharge your hazard protection and shields while inside. It’s your planetary pit stop.
Getting Started: Laying the Foundation of Your Empire
Ready to claim your space? It’s simple.
- Find a Planet: Choose any planet that appeals to you.
- Deploy the Base Computer: Open the build menu (typically ‘Z’ on PC, D-pad up then X for PlayStation, or D-pad up then A for Xbox) and find ‘Portable Technology.’ The Base Computer is your cornerstone – place it wherever you fancy.
- Claim Your Territory: Interact with the Base Computer to establish your base. Boom. You are now a landowner.
Unlocking the Building Blocks: Salvaged Data is Your Friend
Want to expand beyond a basic shelter? You need base parts. Base parts require Salvaged Data, akin to ancient alien blueprints hidden below the surface.
- Buried Treasure: Scan your area (using your analysis visor, ‘F’ on PC) for Buried Technology Modules. They stand out as wire clumps above ground.
- Dig It Up: Use the terrain manipulator to unearth these modules. Salvaged Data is waiting!
- Unlock the Future: Go to your base’s research terminal (the Construction Research Unit). Use Salvaged Data to unlock new parts: walls, floors, furniture, and advanced tech.
Location, Location, Location: Picking the Prime Planetary Postcode
Selecting your base location is a significant part of the adventure. Do you desire stunning views, or prefer resource-rich areas? No answer is entirely correct, but some planets suit builders better than others.
Lush Planets: Paradise Found (and Built Upon)
If you want easy living, choose lush planets. These green worlds entice base builders.
- Hazard-Free Havens: Lush planets usually lack extreme hazards. No constant protection top-ups are needed here. Just pure building joy.
- Resource Richness: These worlds contain useful resources such as Nitrogen, Paraffinium, Star Bulbs, and plentiful water sources. Ideal for early game sustainability and charming landscaping.
Lush planets are popular spots for securing galactic homes.
Starting Planets: Trial by Fire (or Ice, or Radiation…)
Your starting planet won’t be paradise, though. No Man’s Sky tends to plunge you into challenging environments. Expect hostile terrains – extreme heat, frigid cold, toxic fumes, or radiation storms. Treat your first base like a survival boot camp; if you can thrive here, you can thrive anywhere.
Sharing is Caring (Kind Of): Multiplayer Base Etiquette
No Man’s Sky thrives on social interactions. While you can’t co-own a base like a timeshare in space, you can share creations and collaborate with friends.
The Upload Advantage: Galactic Show and Tell
Wish to display your architectural wonder to the galaxy?
- Upload Your Design: Access your Base Computer and use the ‘Upload Base’ option. This sends your base design into the Galactic Atlas.
- Planetary Showcase: Other players on that planet will see your base. It’s like leaving your legacy on the galactic map.
They can admire your work, but they can’t change it. Your base remains under your control.
Friendship Fortification: Building Together (Live!)
Want to collaborate with friends?
- Permission Granted: Adjust your social settings to grant building rights to friends.
- Collaborative Construction: If you’re both online and on the same planet, friends can help build your base, adding their unique flair to your joint project.
This is real-time teamwork. Friends can build while you’re there, but once you log off, the base becomes solely yours again (until you invite them over).
Base Building Mechanics: Mastering the Art of Expansion
Building in No Man’s Sky goes beyond just placing walls. There’s nuance in expanding your base.
Perimeter Power: Expanding Your Territory
- Initial Boundaries: When placing your Base Computer, you obtain a 300u radius perimeter in all directions. That’s a good expanse to start your project.
- Perimeter Proliferation: Need more space? Expand your perimeter in 50u increments. To do so, place buildable objects (like silos or batteries) at the current perimeter boundary. This allows you more area to design.
Terrain Trauma: A Word of Caution (Don’t Dig Too Deep)
Edit: I advise against flattening or removing terrain while building. Over time, terrain reclaims its land, even inside buildings.
with terrain, not against it, for lasting stability.
Settlements: One Town at a Time, Space Mayor
Settlements provide a unique building experience. Instead of creating your own structures, you manage an evolving alien community.
- One Settlement Rule: You can manage only one settlement at a time. Space mayoring is indeed a full-time pursuit.
- Settlement Swap Shop: Want a new scene? Switch settlements at a cost. You need to invest a race-specific resource (like 3 GekNip for a Gek settlement) and relinquish your current mayoral post. Think of it as messy galactic politics.
Your comprehensive guide to conquering the cosmos is complete. Now go forth, explore, build, and become the multi-base mogul you always dreamed you’d be. Just don’t grow too attached to one planet – with 400 bases to explore, galaxies await!
