How to Find a Trading Post in “No Man’s Sky”: A Galactic Trader’s Guide

So, you’re looking for a trading post in the vast, procedurally generated universe of No Man’s Sky? Excellent choice, interloper! Trading posts are vital hubs for commerce, offering a reliable source of income, access to valuable resources, and a chance to snag that perfect S-Class starship. The quickest method involves using Economy Scanners installed on your starship. Activate the scanner while in space, and it will highlight nearby trading posts on the planet’s surface. Alternatively, you can locate them through observation towers, often revealing the locations of nearby structures including trading posts after interacting with them. Let’s dive deeper and explore the nuances of finding these lucrative locations.

Decoding the Galactic Economy: Your Path to Trading Posts

Locating trading posts efficiently can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. While stumbling upon them randomly is possible, relying on specific strategies will save you valuable time and resources. There are several reliable methods to pinpoint their locations, each catering to different stages of your interstellar journey.

Method 1: Embrace the Economy Scanner

The Economy Scanner is your most reliable friend in the search for trading posts. This handy piece of tech, installable on your starship, gives you the ability to scan planetary surfaces for economic activity. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Acquire the Blueprint: You can obtain the Economy Scanner blueprint from the Space Anomaly by interacting with the Multi-Tool Research vendor. You’ll need Nanites, so make sure you’ve been completing missions and uploading discoveries.
2. Gather Resources and Install: Once you have the blueprint, gather the required resources (usually chromatic metal, carbon nanotubes, and ionized cobalt) and install the scanner in your starship’s technology slots.
3. Scan from Space: Fly into space above the planet you want to explore. Open your ship’s quick menu and activate the Economy Scanner. The scanner will highlight all nearby trading posts on the planet’s surface with a distinctive icon.
4. Fly to the Post: Select a trading post icon, and your ship’s navigation system will guide you to the location.

Method 2: Cartographer’s Delight: Planetary Charts

The Cartographer found at space stations sells planetary charts. Specifically, you’re looking for Secure Site Charts. These charts have a chance to lead you to trading posts, though they can also point to other secure locations like manufacturing facilities or depots.

1. Purchase Secure Site Charts: Visit the Cartographer in any space station and purchase several Secure Site Charts. Each chart costs Navigation Data, which can be found in damaged machinery or by completing missions.
2. Activate the Chart: Land on the planet you want to explore and activate a Secure Site Chart from your inventory.
3. Follow the Marker: The chart will generate a marker on your HUD leading you to a secure location. If you’re lucky, it will be a trading post. If not, activate another chart and try again. Persistence is key!

Method 3: The Observation Tower Advantage

Observation towers are scattered across planetary surfaces and can reveal the locations of nearby structures, including trading posts. This method requires a bit more exploration, but it’s a viable alternative if you don’t have an Economy Scanner or Secure Site Charts.

1. Locate an Observation Tower: Explore the planet’s surface until you find a small, cylindrical structure with a landing pad. These are observation towers.
2. Interact with the Terminal: Inside the tower, you’ll find a terminal. Interact with it, and you’ll be presented with a puzzle or a question.
3. Solve the Puzzle: Successfully solving the puzzle will reveal the location of a nearby structure. There’s a chance this structure will be a trading post.
4. Navigate to the Revealed Location: If the revealed structure is a trading post, your navigation system will guide you there.

Bonus Tip: Utilizing Signal Boosters

While not as reliable as the other methods, deploying a Signal Booster can sometimes reveal the location of nearby structures, including trading posts. You’ll need the resources to build the Signal Booster, and the results are not guaranteed, but it’s worth trying if you’re in a pinch.

Unlocking the Trading Post Potential

Once you’ve found a trading post, you’re ready to start reaping the benefits. Remember that each trading post has a unique inventory and demand for goods, so experiment to find the most profitable trade routes. The ships landing at the post will also offer varying grades and inventory, so it’s a great place to acquire a new ship or trade resources.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I find trading posts in every star system?

Yes, theoretically. Every star system has planets, and almost every planet has a chance to have a trading post. However, some planets might be barren or lack the necessary infrastructure for one to exist.

2. Are trading posts the only places to trade in No Man’s Sky?

No. You can also trade at space stations, planetary outposts, and with freighter captains. However, trading posts are generally more convenient and offer a wider range of trading opportunities on a planet’s surface.

3. What’s the advantage of trading at trading posts vs. space stations?

Trading posts typically offer better prices for resources due to local demand and supply. They also have more frequent ship landings, giving you more opportunities to buy and sell goods, and potentially find new ships. Space stations offer a more stable, but often less lucrative, trading environment.

4. Do trading posts offer missions?

No, trading posts do not offer missions directly. Missions are typically found at space stations, the Space Anomaly, or from the Guild Envoys you can find in some stations.

5. Can I build my own trading post?

No, you cannot build a trading post. These structures are procedurally generated and cannot be created or modified by players.

6. How often do ships land at trading posts?

Ships will generally land at a trading post every few minutes. The frequency can vary depending on the planet’s economy and the overall activity in the system. Patiently waiting will usually reward you with a diverse range of ships.

7. What affects the price of goods at trading posts?

The price of goods is affected by several factors, including the planet’s economy, local demand, and the amount of the resource currently available. A high demand for a particular resource will drive up its price.

8. Can I claim a trading post as my base?

No, you cannot claim a trading post as your base. You can, however, build a base nearby to take advantage of the trading opportunities it offers. Consider placing a teleporter at your base to quickly travel to other locations.

9. Do all trading posts look the same?

While the basic structure of trading posts is similar, there can be variations in size, layout, and surrounding terrain. They all generally have a central landing platform and several landing pads for ships.

10. How important is the Economy Scanner for finding trading posts?

The Economy Scanner is arguably the most important tool for efficiently finding trading posts. It provides a direct and reliable method for locating them on a planet’s surface.

11. Can I find trading posts using Exocraft?

While you can’t directly use Exocraft to scan for trading posts, they are excellent for exploring planets and stumbling upon them. The Exocraft Scanner can locate certain structures, but is not reliable for finding a trading post.

12. Are there any specific types of planets where trading posts are more common?

Trading posts are generally found on planets with a developed economy, like trade economies or industrial economies. However, they can appear on any planet type, including barren and desolate worlds, but with much less frequency.

By utilizing these methods and understanding the dynamics of the galactic economy, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master trader in No Man’s Sky. Happy trading, interloper! May your pockets be full of units and your starship loaded with valuable goods.