Efficient Resource Chains
Optimizing your resource gathering and refining processes is key to sustained progress in No Man's Sky. Establishing efficient resource chains ensures a steady supply of materials needed for crafting, upgrades, and base building, minimizing downtime and maximizing your exploration and combat potential.
In the vast expanse of No Man's Sky, efficiency is paramount. Setting up smart resource chains allows you to continuously produce the materials you need without constant manual intervention. This guide will help you understand how to create self-sustaining systems for crafting, refining, and powering your operations.
Refining Basics
Refineries are your primary tool for creating more valuable resources from raw materials. There are three types:
- Portable Refiner: Small, can be placed anywhere, but has limited capacity and speed.
- Medium Refiner: Larger capacity and faster than portable. Can be placed in bases or freighters.
- Large Refiner: The most efficient, with the largest capacity and fastest refining speed. Essential for large-scale operations.
Key Resource Chains
Here are some of the most effective resource chains:
| Input 1 | Input 2 | Output | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxygen (x250) | Salt (x250) | Chlorine (x1) | Early game money maker. |
| Oxygen (x250) | Chlorine (x1) | Chlorine (x2) | Exponential Chlorine production. |
| Carbon (x2) | Carbon (x1) | Basic Carbon refinement (less efficient). | |
| Carbon (x40) | Oxygen (x20) | Ammonia (x1) | Harvest Ammonia directly or refine. |
| Ammonia (x1) | Nitrogen (x1) | Refining Ammonia. | |
| Nitrogen (x1) | Sulphurine (x1) | Refining Nitrogen. | |
| Uranium (x1) | Antimatter (x1) | Requires blueprint. |
Automated Resource Gathering
For truly efficient chains, consider using automated systems:
- Mineral and Gas Extractors: Place these on planets with rich deposits. They passively gather resources over time.
- Supply Depots: Connect extractors to supply depots to store the harvested materials.
- Pipes: Use pipes to automatically transfer resources from extractors to depots, or directly to refiners.
- Power: Ensure your extractors and depots are adequately powered using Electromagnetic Generators or Solar Panels.
Advanced Strategies
- Fuel Production: Set up chains to produce fuel for your starship, Exocraft, or base power systems. For example, refining Carbon into Condensed Carbon for fuel.
- Nanite Production: While not a direct resource chain, selling high-value refined goods or completing certain missions can yield Nanites, which are crucial for upgrades.
- Circuit Board Manufacturing: Crafting items like Circuit Boards (requires blueprints) from refined materials can be extremely profitable.
By carefully planning and implementing these resource chains, you can establish a robust and self-sufficient operation, freeing you to focus on the more exciting aspects of exploration and discovery in No Man's Sky.