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No Man's Sky

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Where to Find All Crafting Materials

By
Scott Peers

This page details where to find all crafting materials in No Man’s Sky, and a brief overview of their use outside of crafting, refining or cooking where relevant. Note that some of the materials require specific technologies to access, such as Frost Crystals, Solanium, Gamma Roots, and Star Bulbs, all of which require the Haz-Mat Gauntlet Exosuit upgrade to harvest from their respective flora. In addition, some elements can only be found in specific star systems, such as Activated Cadmium (red star systems), Activated Copper (yellow star systems), Activated Emeril (green star systems), and Activated Indium (blue star systems). To venture to these systems, you’ll need specific upgrades for the Hyperdrive system in your Starship or Freighter. If you want to know where you can find these, see our pages on technology upgrades, listed below.

All Crafting Materials in No Man’s Sky

Compressed Atmospheric Gas

Icon Element Location Uses
NMs_Nitrogen.png Nitrogen Present in all star systems, harvested as a secondary item from some flora, mined from deposits, or harvested from toxic and lush planet atmospheres Used in crafting, refining, and cooking recipes
NMS_Radon.png Radon Present in all star systems, particularly on frozen and radioactive planets, extracted from environment with Atmosphere Harvesters, found in some flora Used in crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Sulphurine.png Sulphurine Present in all star systems, particularly on scorched and desert planets, extracted from environment with Atmosphere Harvesters, found in some flora Used in one crafting recipe (Thermic Condensate) and numerous refining recipes

Harvested Agricultural Substance

Icon Element Location Uses
NMS_Cactus_Flesh.png Cactus Flesh Present in all star systems, particularly on desert or barren planets, mined from deposits and minerals using the Mining Laser Used in numerous crafting, refining, and cooking recipes
NMS_Faecium.png Faecium Produced by various fauna on planets after feeding them Creature Pellets, also grown from the Gutrot Flower Used in numerous crafting, refining, and cooking recipes
NMS_Frost_Crystal.png Frost Crystal Requires the Haz-Mat Gauntlet Exosuit upgrade, allowing you to harvest Frost Crystal from Frostwort flora on frozen planets Used in crafting, refining, and numerous cooking recipes
NMS_Fungal_Mould.png Fungal Mould Requires the Haz-Mat Gauntlet Exosuit upgrade, allowing you to harvest Fungal Mould from Fungal Clusters on toxic planets Used in crafting, refining, and cooking recipes
NMS_Gamma_Root.png Gamma Root Requires the Haz-Mat Gauntlet Exosuit upgrade, allowing you to harvest Gamma Root from Gamma Weed flora on radioactive planets Used in crafting, refining, and cooking recipes
NMS_Kelp_Sac.png Kelp Sac Present in all star systems, on planets with water, harvested from Candle Kelp flora Used to craft Weatherproof Rubber, numerous refining recipes, and one cooking recipe (Kelp Rice)
NMS_Marrow_Bulb.png Marrow Bulb Present in all star systems, can be harvested from Cave Marrows, which are generally found within caves Used in crafting, refining, and cooking recipes
NMS_Solanium.png Solanium Requires the Haz-Mat Gauntlet Exosuit upgrade, allowing you to harvest Solanium from Solar Vines on volcanic planets Used in crafting, refining, and cooking recipes
NMS_Star_Bulb.png Star Bulb Requires the Haz-Mat Gauntlet Exosuit upgrade, allowing you to harvest Star Bulb from Star Bramble on lush planets Used in crafting, refining, and cooking recipes

High Energy Substance

Icon Element Location Uses
NMS_Deuterium.png Deuterium Produced when refining Di-hydrogen and Tritium or purchased from trade terminals / visiting pilots Used in some crafting recipes, Deuterium Rich Plants provide brief jetpack power boost when consumed
NMS_Di_hydrogen.png Di-hydrogen Present in all star systems, mined from blue crystal minerals, identified with the Analysis Visor Primarily used in crafting recipes for Starship Launch Fuel, but also a number of other crafting and refining recipes

Localised Earth Elements

Icon Element Location Uses
NMS_Ammonia.png Ammonia Present in all star systems, particularly on toxic planets, mined from minerals using the Mining Laser Recharges Hazard Protection Units against Toxic environments, used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Basalt.png Basalt Present in all star systems, particularly on volcanic planets, mined from deposits and minerals using the Mining Laser Used in crafting Voltaic Amplifiers
NMS_Dioxite.png Dioxite Present in all star systems, particularly on frozen planets, mined from deposits and minerals using the Mining Laser Recharges Life Support System and Hazard Protection Units against Cold environments, used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Paraffinium.png Paraffinium Present in all star systems (particularly tropical planets), mined from deposits using the Terrain Manipulator, identified with the Analysis Visor Used in crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Phosphorus.png Phosphorus Present in all star systems, particularly on scorched planets, mined from deposits using the Terrain Manipulator, identified with the Analysis Visor Used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Pyrite.png Pyrite Present in all star systems, particularly on desert or barren planets, mined from deposits and minerals Used in crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Uranium.png Uranium Acquired from Metal ‘Fingers’ resource nodes or as a secondary item in mineral deposits on irradiated planets Recharges the Launch Thrusters on Starships, used in numerous crafting and refining recipes

Metals

Icon Element Location Uses
NMS_Activated_Cadmium.png Activated Cadmium In red star systems, mined from deposits using the Terrain Manipulator, identified with the Analysis Visor Can be refined into Chromatic Metal and Magnetised Ferrite
NMS_Activated_Copper.png Activated Copper In yellow star systems, mined from deposits using the Terrain Manipulator, identified with the Analysis Visor Can be refined into Chromatic Metal and Magnetised Ferrite
NMS_Activated_Emeril.png Activated Emeril In green star systems, mined from deposits using the Terrain Manipulator, identified with the Analysis Visor Can be refined into Chromatic Metal and Magnetised Ferrite
NMS_Activated_Indium.png Activated Indium In blue star systems, mined from deposits using the Terrain Manipulator, identified with the Analysis Visor Can be refined into Chromatic Metal and Magnetised Ferrite
NMS_Cadmium.png Cadmium In red star systems, mined from deposits using the Terrain Manipulator, identified with the Analysis Visor Can be refined into Chromatic Metal and Magnetised Ferrite, used in numerous crafting recipes
NMS_Chromatic_Metal.png Chromatic Metal Refined from most metal sources such as Copper, Cadmium, Emeril, Indium, Pure Ferrite, and Gold Used in numerous crafting and refining recipes, and one cooking recipe (Silicon Egg)
NMS_Copper.png Copper In yellow star systems, mined from deposits using the Terrain Manipulator, identified with the Analysis Visor Can be refined into Chromatic Metal and Magnetised Ferrite, used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Emeril.png Emeril In green star systems, mined from deposits using the Terrain Manipulator, identified with the Analysis Visor Can be refined into Chromatic Metal, Magnetised Ferrite and Gold, used in numerous crafting recipes
NMS_Indium.png Indium In blue star systems, mined from deposits using the Terrain Manipulator, identified with the Analysis Visor Can be refined into Chromatic Metal and Magnetised Ferrite, used in some crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Rusted_Metal.png Rusted Metal Commonly acquired from Damaged Containers, found on most planets scattered through the landscape Can be refined into Ferrite Dust
NMS_Tainted_Metal.png Tainted Metal Found in Derelict Freighter space encounters, traded with Guild Envoys and Scrap dealers in exchange for Crew Manifest and Captain’s Log data Used as a trading item with Scrap Dealers, can be refined into Nanite Clusters

Processed / Subterranean / Metallic / Aquatic Mineral

Icon Element Location Uses
NMS_Chlorine.png Chlorine Present in all star systems, mined from Organic Rock and underwater mineral deposits Used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Cobalt.png Cobalt Present in all star systems, mined from minerals (especially stalactite / stalagmite) primarily found in caves Used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Ferrite_Dust.png Ferrite Dust Abundant in all star systems, mined from the surface and rocks of most planets Used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Ionised_Cobalt.png Ionised Cobalt Purchased from trade terminals and visiting pilots, or refined from Cobalt / Marrow Bulb + Oxygen / Marrow Bulb + Pugneum Used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Magnetised_Ferrite.png Magnetised Ferrite Present in all star systems, mined from deposits using the Terrain Manipulator, identified with the Analysis Visor Used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Pure_Ferrite.png Pure Ferrite Abundant in all star systems, mined from large rocks on most planets Can be used to repair damaged Launch Thrusters, used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Salt.png Salt Present in all star systems, can be mined from underwater minerals and resource deposits Used in numerous crafting, refining, and cooking recipes
NMS_Silicate_Powder.png Silicate Powder Abundant in all star systems, can be mined from soil on almost any planet Used in numerous crafting recipes and can be refined into glass

Refined / Unrefined Organic Element

Icon Element Location Uses
NMS_Carbon.png Carbon Present in all star systems, mined from most flora and found as a secondary item in some minerals Recharges Multi-Tool functions and fuel sources, used in numerous crafting, refining, and cooking recipes
NMS_Condensed_Carbon.png Condensed Carbon Present in all star systems, mined from red crystal minerals, identified with the Analysis Visor Used in numerous crafting, refining, and cooking recipes, good source of fuel for refiners
NMS_Cyto_Phosphate.png Cyto-Phosphate Present in all star systems, primarily mined from underwater flora Used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Hexite.png Hexite A rare material acquired from Local Missions and Guild Envoys as rewards, also looted from Crystal Elements on some Exotic planets Used in the recipe to craft a Consciousness Bridge for the Living Ship, or refined with Faecium to produce Nanite Clusters
NMS_Oxygen.png Oxygen Present in all star systems, mined from red crystal minerals, identified with the Analysis Visor, also harvested from some flora Recharges Life Support System, used in numerous crafting and refining recipes

Unrefined / Refined Catalytic Element

Icon Element Location Uses
NMS_Sodium.png Sodium Present in all star systems, can be harvested from some flora, mined as secondary item from some minerals and deposits Recharges defensive technologies such as shields and Hazard Protection Units, used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Sodium_Nitrate.png Sodium Nitrate Present in all star systems, mined from yellow crystal minerals, identified with the Analysis Visor Efficiently recharges defensive technologies such as shields and Hazard Protection Units, used in numerous crafting and refining recipes

Valuable Asteroid Mineral

Icon Element Location Uses
NMS_Gold.png Gold Present in all star systems, can be mined from asteroids in orbit, or from deposits on Exotic planets Used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Platinum.png Platinum Present in all star systems, can be mined from asteroids in orbit, or sometimes from underground deposits in caves Used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Silver.png Silver Present in all star systems, can be mined from asteroids in orbit, or from deposits on most planets, particularly from minerals in caves Used in numerous crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Tritium.png Tritium Present in all star systems, can be mined from asteroids in orbit, sometimes found as Tritium Hyperclusters Recharges the Pulse Engine on your Starship, used in numerous crafting and refining recipes

Other

Icon Element Location Uses
NMS_Ancestral_Memories.png Ancestral Memories After speaking with Specialist Polo on the Space Anomaly, give Creature Pellets to almost any fauna, then interact with them to harvest their Ancestral Memories Can be handed in to Specialist Polo to complete the Bounds Testing milestone
NMS_Cursed_Dust.png Cursed Dust This item is found as a resource deposit on planets blighted by titan worm activity, as part of Expedition 4: Emergence Collecting it rewards you with the An Indelible Stain milestone
NMS_Fragmented_Qualia.png Fragmented Qualia Extracted from living beings with the Animus Beam Multi-Tool upgrade, obtained during the Starbirth mission Encountered during the Starbirth mission as part of the introduction to Living Ships
NMS_Liquid_Sun.png Liquid Sun Can be extracted from resource deposits using the Solar Ray Multi-Tool tech, which is obtained from Specialist Polo on the Space Anomaly as part of the Starbirth mission Used during the Starbirth mission to craft items such as the Pulsating Core
NMS_Living_Slime.png Living Slime Acquired from Damaged Machinery and Derelict Freighters, sometimes dropped by fauna on Exotic planets, otherwise purchased in trade Can be refined into Runaway Mould, or refined from Viscous Fluids and Hypnotic Eyes
NMS_Mordite.png Mordite Present in all star systems, dropped by various fauna or harvested from Mordite Roots, alternatively mined from Organic Rocks and deposits on marshy planets Used in numerous crafting, refining, and cooking recipes
NMS_Pugneum.png Pugneum Primarily dropped by Sentinels, sometimes found at trade terminals or from visiting pilots Used in crafting and refining recipes
NMS_Residual_Goop.png Residual Goop Commonly found at Abandoned Building sites when interacting with terminals Can be refined into Nanite Clusters from Residual Goop > Viscous Fluids > Living Slime > Runaway Mould
NMS_Runaway_Mould.png Runaway Mould A relatively rare item mined from some curious deposits on planets, also received as a gift from Guild Envoys Can be refined into Nanite Clusters
NMS_Somnal_Dust.png Somnal Dust Can be obtained from Derelict Freighters during Expedition 7: Leviathan Used alongside Liquid Sun and Ancestral Memories to craft the Whalesong Flute, which is used to summon the Leviathan
NMS_Viscous_Fluids.png Viscous Fluids Commonly acquired from Damaged Machinery, found on most planets scattered through the landscape Can be refined into Living Slime
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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Hello Games
  • Platforms,
    PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, XB One, XB X|S
  • Guide Release
    27 April 2022
  • Last Updated
    11 January 2023
    Version History
  • Guide Author

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This ongoing guide for the amazing No Man’s Sky includes the following:

  • Tips and Tricks to get started
  • Technology Upgrades
  • Building a Base guides
  • Crafting Guides
  • Mission Guides
  • Encounters
    As well as this there is also information on the game’s numerous updates, as well as the forthcoming Nintendo Switch version of No Man’s Sky.

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