How to Farm Salvaged Frigate Modules in No Man’s Sky: A Comprehensive Guide
Salvaged Frigate Modules are essential in No Man’s Sky for upgrading your freighter and unlocking blueprints for crucial technologies. These technologies allow you to construct things like frigate fuel synthesizers, command rooms, and other essential modules. Acquiring them can be a bit of a grind if you don’t know the most efficient methods. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of how to farm Salvaged Frigate Modules, optimizing your gameplay and minimizing frustration.
Why You Need Salvaged Frigate Modules
Before diving into the farming techniques, let’s understand why Salvaged Frigate Modules are so important:
- Freighter Upgrades: Salvaged Frigate Modules unlock blueprints for upgrading your freighter. These upgrades improve your freighter’s stats, such as hyperdrive range and combat capabilities.
- Frigate Fuel: You need blueprints unlocked by Salvaged Frigate Modules to craft frigate fuel efficiently. Without the ability to synthesize fuel, you’ll be stuck buying it from space stations, which is significantly more expensive and time-consuming.
- Command Rooms: Constructing command rooms on your freighter is necessary for sending out frigate expeditions. Each command room allows you to manage one frigate expedition, so having multiple command rooms allows you to send out more expeditions simultaneously, increasing your rewards.
- Other Essential Technologies: Salvaged Frigate Modules unlock other useful technologies, such as the Matter Beam, which allows you to transfer items directly from your freighter’s inventory to your exosuit, starship, or base storage units, regardless of distance.
Methods for Obtaining Salvaged Frigate Modules
There are several methods for obtaining Salvaged Frigate Modules, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. We’ll explore the most effective strategies below:
1. Attacking Freighter Cargo Pods (The Pirate Method)
This is arguably the fastest and most reliable method, but it comes with a significant reputation penalty with the dominant race in the system. If you’re comfortable playing as a space pirate, this is the way to go.
Pros:
- Fast and Efficient: You can acquire multiple Salvaged Frigate Modules in a relatively short amount of time.
- Guaranteed Drop: Certain cargo pods are guaranteed to contain Salvaged Frigate Modules.
Cons:
- Reputation Loss: Attacking freighters will significantly lower your reputation with the controlling race of the star system. This can make trading and interacting with NPCs in that system more difficult.
- Sentinels: Attacking freighters will attract the attention of Sentinels, which can escalate into challenging space battles.
- Requires Combat Skills: This method requires you to be proficient in space combat, as you’ll be facing freighter defenses and potentially Sentinel ships.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Find a Freighter Group: Warp to a system and look for a freighter convoy. These convoys consist of a large freighter surrounded by smaller cargo freighters. The system’s wealth level (T1, T2, or T3) doesn’t affect the drop rate of Salvaged Frigate Modules, but higher wealth systems may have larger convoys.
- Identify Cargo Pods: Scan the cargo freighters to identify the cargo pods. Look for pods that are rectangular and attached to the sides or bottom of the freighters. Some pods contain valuable materials, while others contain contraband or Salvaged Frigate Modules.
- Attack Cargo Pods: Using your starship’s weapons, carefully target and destroy the cargo pods. Focus on pods that are slightly separated from the main freighter body to minimize accidental damage to the freighter itself. This will reduce the severity of the reputation penalty.
- Collect the Loot: After destroying a cargo pod, collect the floating debris. Salvaged Frigate Modules will appear as a white, cube-shaped item. Fly through the debris to collect them.
- Manage Reputation: Be prepared to deal with the reputation loss. You can mitigate this by offering gifts to the race representative at a space station or by completing missions for that race. Consider using a system you don’t frequent to minimize the impact of the reputation loss.
- Dealing with Sentinels: Be ready for a fight. Sentinels will appear quickly. Either destroy them or escape by warping to another system or landing on a planet.
- Rinse and Repeat: Continue attacking cargo pods until you have acquired the desired number of Salvaged Frigate Modules. Warp to a new system to avoid over-penalizing your reputation in a single location.
Tips for Pirate Farming:
- Upgrade Your Starship: Invest in a powerful starship with upgraded weapons and shields. A well-equipped fighter or explorer ship is ideal for this task. The Infra-Knife Accelerator is considered the best weapon for quickly destroying cargo pods.
- Target Vulnerable Pods: Focus on pods that are easily accessible and less likely to damage the main freighter.
- Use the Economy Scanner: Use the economy scanner to find outlaw systems. These systems don’t have a dominant race so there is no reputation loss when attacking freighters. However, they tend to have higher sentinel activity.
- Fly Fast, Shoot Straight: Use boost to quickly move between cargo pods and avoid incoming fire.
2. Derelict Freighter Missions
Derelict Freighters are abandoned freighters found in space that you can explore. Completing these missions offers a chance to find Salvaged Frigate Modules as a reward.
Pros:
- No Reputation Loss: Exploring derelict freighters doesn’t affect your reputation with any race.
- Other Rewards: Besides Salvaged Frigate Modules, you can find other valuable resources, such as nanites, tainted metal, and freighter upgrades.
- Atmospheric Exploration: Derelict freighters offer a unique and atmospheric exploration experience with environmental hazards and lurking dangers.
Cons:
- Time-Consuming: Exploring derelict freighters can be time-consuming, as you need to navigate through maze-like corridors and deal with hostile creatures or environmental hazards.
- RNG Dependent: The chance of finding a Salvaged Frigate Module is not guaranteed. The rewards are randomly generated.
- Requires Preparation: You’ll need to be prepared for combat and environmental hazards, such as radiation and extreme temperatures.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Acquire an Emergency Broadcast Receiver: You can purchase an Emergency Broadcast Receiver from the Scrap Dealer at any space station for 5,000,000 units. Each receiver allows you to locate one derelict freighter. You can only use one per day, per system. The receiver costs more each time you purchase it in the same system, resetting daily.
- Activate the Receiver: Activate the Emergency Broadcast Receiver in space. This will pinpoint the location of a derelict freighter.
- Fly to the Derelict Freighter: Follow the coordinates provided by the receiver to locate the derelict freighter.
- Dock with the Freighter: Approach the freighter and dock with it.
- Explore the Freighter: Explore the derelict freighter, following the designated path. Be prepared for environmental hazards and hostile creatures. Use your scanner to identify resources and points of interest.
- Access the Engineering Terminal: At the end of the freighter, you will usually find an engineering terminal. This terminal provides a log of the freighter’s history and allows you to claim a reward.
- Claim Your Reward: Interact with the engineering terminal to claim your reward. There is a chance that the reward will be a Salvaged Frigate Module.
- Repeat: Repeat the process by purchasing another Emergency Broadcast Receiver (the price increases each time you purchase one in a system, resetting daily), finding another derelict freighter, and claiming the reward.
Tips for Derelict Freighter Missions:
- Prepare Your Exosuit: Equip your exosuit with environmental protection modules to withstand radiation, extreme temperatures, and other hazards.
- Bring Weapons and Ammunition: Bring a weapon with sufficient firepower to deal with hostile creatures. The Scatter Blaster or Pulse Spitter are effective choices.
- Use Your Scanner: Use your scanner to identify resources, points of interest, and potential dangers.
- Follow the Path: Follow the designated path through the freighter to avoid getting lost.
- Manage Your Inventory: Keep your inventory organized to make room for resources and rewards.
- Learn the Layouts: Different derelict freighters have different layouts and hazards. Learning the common layouts can help you navigate them more efficiently.
3. Frigate Expeditions
Sending your frigates on expeditions is another way to potentially earn Salvaged Frigate Modules. This method is passive, as you don’t need to actively participate in the expedition.
Pros:
- Passive Income: You don’t need to actively participate in the expedition, allowing you to focus on other activities.
- Multiple Rewards: Frigate expeditions can yield a variety of rewards, including resources, nanites, and occasionally Salvaged Frigate Modules.
- No Reputation Loss: Sending out frigate expeditions doesn’t affect your reputation with any race.
Cons:
- RNG Dependent: The chance of receiving a Salvaged Frigate Module is not guaranteed.
- Time-Consuming: Frigate expeditions can take several hours to complete.
- Requires Preparation: You need to have a fleet of frigates and a command room on your freighter.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Build Command Rooms: Construct command rooms on your freighter. You’ll need to unlock the blueprint for command rooms using Salvaged Frigate Modules (ironic, I know). Each command room allows you to manage one frigate expedition.
- Acquire Frigates: Recruit frigates to your fleet. You can find frigates in space and purchase them from their captains. Look for frigates with high ratings in combat, exploration, trade, and industry.
- Prepare Your Expeditions: Access the command room terminal and prepare your frigate expeditions. Choose expeditions that match the strengths of your frigates. Pay attention to the difficulty rating and the potential rewards.
- Send Out Expeditions: Send out your frigate expeditions. Be sure to provide them with enough fuel for the journey.
- Claim Your Rewards: After the expedition is complete, return to the command room terminal to claim your rewards. There is a chance that the reward will be a Salvaged Frigate Module.
- Repeat: Repeat the process by sending out more frigate expeditions.
Tips for Frigate Expeditions:
- Diversify Your Fleet: Build a diverse fleet of frigates with different specializations to handle a variety of expeditions.
- Match Frigates to Expeditions: Choose expeditions that match the strengths of your frigates. For example, send combat frigates on combat expeditions and exploration frigates on exploration expeditions.
- Upgrade Your Frigates: Upgrade your frigates with technology modules to improve their stats and increase their chances of success.
- Monitor Expedition Status: Monitor the status of your frigate expeditions to ensure that they are progressing smoothly.
- Send Multiple Expeditions: Send out multiple expeditions simultaneously to increase your chances of receiving a Salvaged Frigate Module.
4. Nexus Missions
The Nexus, located in the Space Anomaly, offers a variety of missions that can reward you with various items, including Salvaged Frigate Modules.
Pros:
- Variety of Missions: Nexus missions offer a diverse range of objectives, from combat and exploration to crafting and trading.
- Multiplayer Opportunity: You can complete Nexus missions solo or with other players, making it a social and cooperative experience.
- Other Rewards: Besides Salvaged Frigate Modules, you can earn nanites, quicksilver, and other valuable resources.
Cons:
- RNG Dependent: The chance of receiving a Salvaged Frigate Module is not guaranteed.
- Mission Difficulty: Some Nexus missions can be challenging and require a high level of skill and equipment.
- Reliance on Others: If playing with others, the success depends on the cooperation of the team.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Visit the Space Anomaly: Summon the Space Anomaly and dock with it.
- Access the Nexus: Interact with the Nexus terminal in the center of the Space Anomaly.
- Choose a Mission: Select a mission from the available options. Look for missions that offer valuable rewards or that align with your play style.
- Complete the Mission: Complete the mission objective. This may involve combat, exploration, crafting, or trading.
- Claim Your Reward: Return to the Nexus terminal to claim your reward. There is a chance that the reward will be a Salvaged Frigate Module.
- Repeat: Repeat the process by selecting another mission and claiming the reward.
Tips for Nexus Missions:
- Choose Missions Wisely: Select missions that are within your skill level and equipment capabilities.
- Communicate with Other Players: If playing with other players, communicate effectively to coordinate your efforts.
- Prepare Your Equipment: Ensure that you have the necessary equipment and resources to complete the mission objective.
- Utilize the Space Anomaly: Take advantage of the services and resources available in the Space Anomaly, such as the technology merchants and the teleporter.
5. Manufacturing Facilities and Operations Centers
While less consistent than freighter piracy, raiding Manufacturing Facilities and Operations Centers can sometimes yield Salvaged Frigate Modules, especially after cracking the terminal puzzle.
Pros:
- Teaches New Blueprints: Successfully completing the puzzle at the terminal will always reward you with a new blueprint.
- Other Rewards: You also get nanites and other resources.
- Relatively Safe: If you clear the facility before hacking the terminal, you avoid sentinels (unless your wanted level was already high).
Cons:
- Inconsistent Drops: Salvaged Frigate Modules are not a guaranteed reward.
- Can be Confusing: The terminal puzzles can be difficult to solve, and there is a penalty for answering incorrectly.
- Sentinels: Attacking the facility will attract sentinels if not handled carefully.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Find a Manufacturing Facility or Operations Center: Use planetary charts (purchased from the cartographer at space stations) specifically for finding secure sites.
- Land Near the Facility: Land a short distance away to avoid attracting immediate attention.
- Clear the Facility: Eliminate the sentinels guarding the facility. Use cover and your multitool to take them down efficiently. A fully upgraded Boltcaster is ideal.
- Breach the Door: Shoot the door to open it. This *will* alert any remaining sentinels in the area if you haven’t cleared them all.
- Solve the Terminal Puzzle: Interact with the terminal inside the facility. You will be presented with a question or scenario requiring a specific answer. Search online for the correct answer (many resources are available) to avoid the negative consequences of a wrong choice (e.g., reputation loss, sentinel alert).
- Claim Your Reward: After successfully solving the puzzle, claim your reward. Check if you received a Salvaged Frigate Module. If not, you learned a new blueprint, which is still beneficial.
- Repeat: Repeat the process at other Manufacturing Facilities and Operations Centers.
Tips for Raiding Facilities:
- Upgrade Your Multitool: Invest in a powerful multitool with upgrades for damage, accuracy, and reload speed.
- Use Cover: Utilize cover to protect yourself from sentinel fire.
- Learn the Answers: Familiarize yourself with the common puzzle answers to avoid making mistakes.
- Escape if Necessary: If you attract too much attention from sentinels, escape to your ship and fly away to break their pursuit.
Maximizing Your Salvaged Frigate Module Farm
To maximize your Salvaged Frigate Module farm, consider the following strategies:
- Combine Methods: Don’t rely on just one method. Combine different methods to increase your chances of obtaining Salvaged Frigate Modules. For example, attack freighter cargo pods while also sending out frigate expeditions.
- Focus on Efficient Methods: Prioritize methods that offer the highest chance of success and the shortest completion time. Freighter piracy is generally the most efficient method, but it comes with a reputation penalty.
- Manage Your Reputation: If you choose to attack freighters, manage your reputation carefully. Offer gifts to the race representative at space stations or complete missions for that race to mitigate the negative effects.
- Invest in Upgrades: Invest in upgrades for your starship, exosuit, and multitool to improve your chances of success in combat and exploration.
- Be Patient: Farming Salvaged Frigate Modules can be time-consuming. Be patient and persistent, and eventually, you’ll acquire the desired number of modules.
Conclusion
Salvaged Frigate Modules are essential for upgrading your freighter and unlocking crucial technologies in No Man’s Sky. By utilizing the methods outlined in this guide, you can efficiently farm Salvaged Frigate Modules and progress further in the game. Whether you choose the path of a space pirate, an explorer of derelict freighters, or a manager of frigate expeditions, there’s a method that suits your play style. Good luck, and happy exploring!