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Who Are The Atlas?
What's an Atlas Interface?
Atlas Seeds
Finishing The Atlas Path
No Man's Sky is a vast game that allows players to explore an unlimited amount of planets. While the game does primarily focus on freedom, there are a few story paths that the player can follow. The Atlas is the most obvious and will be introduced after the player completes the tutorial of fixing their ship.
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With all the updates and changes to the game, though, even veteran players may be a bit confused when trying to completely start the game over and follow the Atlas Path. Below is everything you need to know about the Atlas, including how to complete the story route.
Updated November 7, 2023, by Sean Murray: If you're prepared to follow the Atlas Path in No Man's Sky, this guide is here to help with improved formatting, a new table of contents, and links to other helpful NMS topics.
Some spoilers for No Man's Sky's final quest can be found ahead.
Who Are The Atlas?
The Atlas are mysterious creatures that are essentially the gods of No Man's Sky. Once upon a time, they were even worshiped by the Korvax (many still hold these beliefs, as well). There was also a cult centered around the Atlas in Gek society, too. This has led both alien species to now widely worship the Atlas, in comparison to the Vy'keen, who hold no reverence for the Atlas.
In reality, though, Atlas is essentially a computer program that controls the simulation that the Traveler is imprisoned inside. The Atlas is being helped by a security system called Telemon which monitors Atlas to ensure that it doesn't go berserk. It's also revealed that it is not the Atlas that is interacting with players, but the Telemon instead.
In addition, the Atlas is the one that helps the player learn language throughout the game. On Atlas Stations, players can learn words from the strange orbs located on board. Atlas does have a language of its own, but players won't need to learn it in order to interact with them. Instead, they simply need to use the Atlas Interface.
What's an Atlas Interface?
If the player chooses to follow the Atlas storyline, then they will come across strange space stations run by the Atlas. Upon entering the station, they will be able to interact with the Atlas using the Atlas Interface located inside the station. Upon interacting with the Atlas Interface, players will need to select that they wish to continue following the Atlas story route.
If they have met the needed goals for progressing the route, then they will receive a blueprint for making an Atlas Seed.
These replaced the Atlas Seeds that players needed to collect before the Atlas Rises update. If a player still has an Atlas Seed, then the item will not be able to be used to help complete the quest.
Here are the milestones players will need to reach in order to unlock all the Atlas Seed blueprints:
Captured Nanode | 5 Milestones |
|---|---|
Englobed Shade | 10 Milestones |
Noospheric Orb | 15 Milestones |
Dark Matter | 20 Milestones |
Dawn's End | 25 Milestones |
Photic Jade | 30 Milestones |
State Phasure | 35 Milestones |
Novae Reclaiment | 40 Milestones |
Modified Quanta | 45 Milestones |
Heart of the Sun | 50 Milestones |
Essentially, a new blueprint can be received from the Atlas Interface every five milestones. Players can unlock new milestones in the game by completing tasks like learning words and surviving on hazardous planets.
You Must visit ten different Atlas Interfaces to get all the blueprints.
When warping, the player will be shown areas where another Atlas station is present. If the player does get sidetracked by choosing to explore new galaxies for a while, it isn't a problem. An Atlas Station will eventually pop up again, allowing them to continue on with the story.
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Atlas Seeds
Just like with any other blueprint you are given, you will need to craft the Atlas Seeds. Below are the materials needed for all ten Atlas Seeds:
Materials | ||
|---|---|---|
Captured Nanode | 100 Chromatic Metal | |
Englobed Shade | 1 Captured Nanode | 100 Pure Ferrite |
Noospheric Orb | 1 Englobed Shade | 100 Ionised Cobalt |
Dark Matter | 1 Noospheric Orb | 5 Magnitiesed Ferrite |
Dawn's End | 1 Dark Matter | 25 Chromatic Metal |
Photic Jade | 1 Dawn's End | 100 Copper |
State Phasure | 1 Photic Jade | 100 Cadmium |
Novae Reclaiment | 1 State Phasure | 100 Emeril |
Modified Quanta | 1 Novae Reclaiment | 100 Iridium |
Heart of the Sun | 1 Modified Quanta | 100 Gold |
Keep in mind that there is no real use for these special items outside crafting other Atlas Seeds, and they will only net you 1,000 units if you choose to sell them.
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Finishing The Atlas Path
Once the player finishes and gives the Heart of the Sun, the interface will ask them to pick from two options:
- Birth a Star
- Return to the Current Galaxy
It is heavily recommended that you birth a star to get the Star Seed blueprint. Doing so will move you to a new galaxy, far away from the one that you were in right before you selected to birth a star. In addition, you will now be able to see black holes on your path, which can be incredibly useful when exploring the universe.
The Star Seed blueprint you receive allows you to craft the Star Seed health item, which can be a huge help when exploring the new planets ahead of you.
Next: No Man's Sky: Squadron Guide
