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Cracking the Code: What To Do With Survey Data in Starfield

So, you’ve braved the vacuum of space, scanned countless planets, and now your inventory is overflowing with survey data. What exactly is this digital treasure, and what in the cosmos are you supposed to DO with it? In short, your Starfield survey data is primarily used for selling for profit and completing mission objectives, especially those given by Vladimir Sall at The Eye. Selling it to organizations like the Constellation will provide you with much needed credits to buy weapon and ship upgrades. That’s the short and sweet answer. But trust me, there’s more depth here than meets the eye (especially the orbital one). Let’s dive deeper into how to squeeze every last credit (and ounce of satisfaction) out of your hard-earned survey data.

Decoding Your Starfield Survey Data

Surveying planets in Starfield is more than just a scenic tour. It’s a meticulous process of scanning flora, fauna, minerals, and even unique points of interest on a planetary surface. Each scanned element contributes to a percentage complete on the planetary survey. A fully completed survey yields valuable data that you can then leverage.

The Data Itself: More Than Just Numbers

The survey data isn’t just a simple “Planet X Surveyed” entry. It encapsulates a detailed snapshot of the planet’s resources, ecological composition, and any potential anomalies. This information is valuable to various factions and individuals in the Settled Systems.

Key Elements of Survey Data

Resource Mapping: Highlights the locations of valuable minerals like Iron, Helium-3, and more exotic elements crucial for crafting and outpost construction.
Flora and Fauna Catalog: Documents all the plant and animal life discovered on the planet, including their unique traits and potential uses (or dangers).
Anomalies & Points of Interest: Records the coordinates of any unique locations found during the survey, such as crashed ships, abandoned settlements, or mysterious structures.

Maximizing Profit: Selling Survey Data

The most straightforward use for survey data is, of course, selling it. Credits make the universe go ’round, and selling your survey data is a reliable source of income. But not all vendors are created equal.

Who to Sell To: Optimizing Your Returns

Vladimir Sall (The Eye): Vladimir, located at The Eye, is your primary contact within Constellation for survey-related missions. He provides an initial payout for the data and starts subsequent missions based on your findings. This is the best option for most players.
Trade Authority Kiosks and Vendors: Found in most major settlements, Trade Authority representatives offer a decent price for survey data. They are a readily accessible option for quick sales.
Faction-Specific Vendors: Certain factions, like Ryujin Industries or the UC Vanguard, might offer slightly better prices for survey data related to planets within their territory or of particular interest to their research.

The Art of Negotiation: Getting the Best Price

While Starfield doesn’t have a robust bartering system, your Persuasion skill can still influence the price you receive for your survey data. High charisma and well-placed dialogue choices can nudge vendors to offer a more generous payout. Also, consider investing in skills that improve trading prices.

Factors Affecting Sale Value

Completeness of Survey: A 100% completed survey will fetch a much higher price than a partial one. The more detailed and thorough your scan, the greater the reward.
Rarity of Resources: Planets with rare or unique resources will command a premium price.
Demand: Some factions or vendors might have a specific need for data from certain planets, driving up the price temporarily. Check the vendor’s inventory and what they sell to glean some insight.

Beyond Credits: Mission Objectives and Reputation

Selling survey data is fantastic for padding your wallet, but it also serves crucial functions for progressing through quests and improving your standing with various factions.

Constellation Missions: The Path to Artifacts

Vladimir Sall at The Eye is the key to unlocking Constellation missions related to planet exploration. By providing him with survey data, you not only earn credits but also progress the main storyline, discover new artifacts, and uncover the mysteries of the universe.

Faction Quests: Earning Loyalty and Rewards

Several factions offer side quests that require you to survey specific planets or gather data on particular resources. Completing these missions earns you faction reputation, unlocking access to unique rewards, specialized gear, and advanced missions.

Outpost Development: Finding the Perfect Location

Survey data is invaluable for identifying optimal locations for establishing outposts. The resource maps generated during the survey process allow you to pinpoint areas rich in valuable minerals, ensuring your outposts are strategically positioned for maximum resource extraction.

Practical Tips for Efficient Surveying

To maximize your profit and efficiency when collecting survey data, consider the following tips:

Upgrade Your Scanner: Invest in scanner upgrades to increase the range and accuracy of your scans. This will save you time and effort in the long run.
Use the Hand Scanner: For detailed flora and fauna scans, the hand scanner is your best friend. Get up close and personal with each species to ensure a complete scan.
Pay Attention to Anomalies: Don’t ignore those mysterious points of interest. They often lead to unique discoveries, valuable loot, or even hidden quests.
Plan Your Route: Before landing on a planet, analyze its biome distribution and potential resource locations. This will help you plan an efficient route for surveying the entire planet.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Selling Incomplete Data Too Early: Resist the urge to sell partial survey data. Completing the survey will always yield a higher overall profit.
Ignoring Anomalies: Missing anomalies means missing out on potential quests, loot, and unique discoveries.
Underestimating the Hand Scanner: The hand scanner is essential for fully cataloging flora and fauna. Don’t rely solely on the ship scanner.
Not Checking Faction Needs: Before selling survey data, check if any factions have specific requests for data from that planet. You might get a better price by fulfilling their needs.

FAQs: Your Burning Survey Data Questions Answered

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of survey data in Starfield:

FAQ 1: How do I actually start surveying a planet?

Simply approach a planet in your ship and enter orbit. A scan will automatically begin, revealing basic information. To get detailed survey data, you must land on the planet and use your scanner (accessed via the left bumper button on Xbox controllers or the F key on PC).

FAQ 2: What’s the difference between a ship scan and a hand scan?

The ship scan provides a broad overview of the planet’s resources and biomes. The hand scan, on the other hand, is used for detailed scans of individual flora and fauna.

FAQ 3: How do I know if I’ve fully scanned a creature or plant?

The scanner interface will indicate the progress of the scan with a percentage. Once it reaches 100%, the creature or plant is fully scanned.

FAQ 4: Is it worth surveying every planet I encounter?

Not necessarily. Some planets are barren and offer little in terms of resources or unique discoveries. Focus on planets that show promise based on their initial scan. Planets with multiple biomes typically yield greater rewards.

FAQ 5: Can I survey a planet even if it’s dangerous?

Yes, but it comes with risks. Be prepared for hostile creatures, environmental hazards, and potential pirate encounters. Bring appropriate gear and consider leveling up your combat skills.

FAQ 6: How much can I realistically earn from selling survey data?

The amount varies widely depending on the planet, the completeness of the survey, and the vendor. However, a fully completed survey of a resource-rich planet can easily fetch tens of thousands of credits.

FAQ 7: Does my crew affect my ability to survey planets?

Certain crew members, particularly those with skills in surveying or botany, can enhance your scanning capabilities and increase the amount of data you collect.

FAQ 8: Is there a limit to how much survey data I can carry?

No, survey data doesn’t take up inventory space. So, feel free to hoard as much as you can!

FAQ 9: Can I use survey data for crafting?

No, survey data itself cannot be used directly for crafting. However, the information it provides helps you locate the resources needed for crafting.

FAQ 10: What happens if I accidentally sell survey data I need for a quest?

Don’t panic! Vendors often restock their inventories. You can simply buy the survey data back, though you might lose a few credits in the process.

FAQ 11: Are there any unique rewards for completing a certain number of surveys?

While there aren’t specific achievements tied directly to the number of surveys completed, progressing through Constellation missions by providing Vladimir Sall with data will eventually unlock unique artifacts and story progression.

FAQ 12: Does the difficulty setting affect the value of survey data?

No, the game’s difficulty setting does not directly affect the value of survey data. The value is determined by the completeness of the survey, the rarity of resources found, and vendor demand.

Ultimately, mastering the art of planet surveying in Starfield is a key to unlocking the game’s full potential. It’s not just about earning credits; it’s about exploration, discovery, and contributing to the vast knowledge of the Settled Systems. So, grab your scanner, fire up your engines, and get out there – the universe is waiting to be explored!