Astroneer Part 1: A Beginner's Guide To The Cosmos

Hey guys! Ready to dive into the captivating world of Astroneer? This game is a sandbox adventure that lets you explore, build, and reshape distant worlds. If you're just starting, don't worry! This guide, Astroneer Part 1: A Beginner's Guide to the Cosmos, is designed to get you off the ground and thriving among the stars. We'll cover the essentials, from setting up your base to gathering resources and unlocking new technologies. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on an awesome cosmic journey!

Landing and Initial Setup

So, you've just crash-landed on a new planet! What's next? The initial moments in Astroneer are crucial for establishing a foothold and ensuring your survival. First things first, take a look around and get oriented. You'll notice your landing pod, which serves as your initial base of operations. It contains essential equipment, including a printer for crafting basic items and a power source to keep things running.

Your primary task is to gather resources. The most readily available resource at the start is compound, which can be found scattered around the landing site. Use your terrain tool (the vacuum-like device attached to your backpack) to suck up the compound. This tool is your best friend in Astroneer, allowing you to mine resources, shape the terrain, and build structures. With compound in hand, head back to your landing pod and use the printer to create tethers. Tethers are vital for extending your oxygen supply and exploring further from your base. Place the tethers in a line, connecting them back to your landing pod to create a safe path. These tethers act like an umbilical cord, supplying you with precious oxygen as you venture into the unknown. Remember, running out of oxygen is a quick way to meet your demise in Astroneer, so always keep an eye on your oxygen level and ensure you're within range of your tethers. Don't forget to collect resin too, it is as important as compound for your initial survival.

As you explore, you'll encounter other resources like resin and organic material. Collect these as well, as they'll be needed for crafting other essential items. Resin, for instance, can be used to create platforms, which expand your base and provide space for additional equipment. Organic material can be refined into power, which is essential for running your base and crafting advanced items. Managing your power supply is a key aspect of Astroneer, so start thinking about sustainable power sources early on. As you get more familiar with the game, you will realize the importance of planning your base layout. Think about where you want to place your printers, research chambers, and storage units. A well-organized base will make it easier to manage your resources and progress through the game. Remember, this is just the beginning of your Astroneer adventure. There is a whole universe out there waiting to be explored!

Gathering Resources

Resource gathering is the backbone of Astroneer. Without resources, you can't build, research, or explore. So, mastering the art of resource acquisition is paramount to your success. Your terrain tool is your primary means of gathering resources. It can suck up loose materials like compound, resin, and organic material, but it can also be used to mine larger deposits of minerals like copper, iron, and aluminum. To mine these deposits, simply point your terrain tool at the resource and hold down the button. The terrain tool will slowly break down the material, allowing you to collect it.

Different planets have different resource distributions. Some planets may be rich in certain minerals but scarce in others. Learning which resources are available on each planet is essential for planning your expeditions and optimizing your resource gathering efforts. As you explore, you'll also discover special resources like research samples and power cells. Research samples can be analyzed in a research chamber to unlock new technologies, while power cells can be used to store and transport energy. These special resources are often found in caves, wrecks, or other points of interest. So, keep an eye out for them as you explore the world around you. Always be mindful of your backpack space. Your backpack has a limited capacity, so you'll need to manage your inventory carefully. Prioritize collecting the resources you need most and consider building storage units at your base to store excess materials. You can also use rovers or trucks to transport larger quantities of resources over long distances.

As you progress through the game, you'll unlock new tools and technologies that make resource gathering easier and more efficient. For example, you can unlock automated mining units that will automatically extract resources from deposits. You can also unlock improved terrain tools that can mine faster and more efficiently. Investing in these upgrades will greatly improve your resource gathering capabilities and allow you to focus on other aspects of the game. Don't be afraid to experiment with different resource gathering techniques and strategies. The more you explore and experiment, the better you'll become at finding and acquiring the resources you need to thrive in Astroneer.

Expanding Your Base

Once you've gathered enough resources, it's time to expand your base. A well-developed base is essential for crafting advanced items, researching new technologies, and preparing for long-distance expeditions. Start by creating platforms. Platforms provide a stable surface for placing equipment and organizing your base. You can create platforms using the printer in your landing pod or by using the habitat module, which you can unlock later in the game. Place the platforms strategically, creating separate areas for crafting, research, storage, and power generation. Consider the layout of your base and how you want to organize your equipment. A well-organized base will make it easier to find what you need and streamline your workflow.

Next, start building essential equipment. The printer is your primary means of crafting items, so make sure it's easily accessible. You'll also want to build a research chamber, which allows you to analyze research samples and unlock new technologies. Other important equipment includes smelters for refining raw materials, chemistry labs for creating advanced compounds, and atmospheric condensers for generating gases. As you progress through the game, you'll unlock even more advanced equipment that will allow you to automate your base and produce complex items.

Power generation is a critical aspect of base expansion. You'll need a reliable source of power to run your equipment and keep your base functioning. Early on, you can rely on small generators that burn organic material. However, these generators require a constant supply of fuel and are not very efficient. As you progress, you'll want to transition to more sustainable power sources like solar panels and wind turbines. Solar panels generate power during the day, while wind turbines generate power when it's windy. Combine these power sources with batteries to store excess energy and ensure a consistent power supply, even when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing. Don't be afraid to get creative with your base design. Astroneer allows you to shape the terrain and build structures to your liking. Experiment with different layouts and designs to create a base that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Research and Technology

Research is the key to unlocking new technologies and advancing in Astroneer. By analyzing research samples in a research chamber, you can gain access to new tools, equipment, and vehicles that will greatly enhance your capabilities. Research samples can be found scattered around the planets, often in caves, wrecks, or other points of interest. Keep an eye out for these samples as you explore, and be sure to collect them whenever you find them. Once you have a research sample, bring it back to your base and place it in the research chamber. The research chamber will slowly analyze the sample, consuming power in the process. Once the analysis is complete, you'll unlock a new technology. The technologies you unlock can range from new crafting recipes to entirely new vehicles and equipment.

Prioritize researching technologies that will benefit you the most. For example, researching the rover will allow you to explore further and transport more resources. Researching the smelter will allow you to refine raw materials into more valuable resources. And researching the atmospheric condenser will allow you to generate gases, which are needed for crafting advanced compounds. As you progress through the game, you'll encounter more and more complex technologies. Some technologies will require you to combine multiple resources and components to create. These advanced technologies often unlock powerful new capabilities and allow you to progress further in the game.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different research paths. There are many different technologies to unlock in Astroneer, and it's up to you to decide which ones you want to pursue. Consider your play style and your goals when choosing which technologies to research. Do you want to focus on exploration? Then prioritize researching vehicles and navigation tools. Do you want to focus on building and automation? Then prioritize researching crafting recipes and automated equipment. By carefully choosing your research path, you can tailor your gameplay experience to your preferences and maximize your progress in Astroneer. Keep exploring, keep researching, and keep unlocking new technologies. The more you research, the more powerful and capable you'll become!

Basic Crafting Recipes

Crafting is an essential skill in Astroneer, allowing you to create the tools, equipment, and structures you need to survive and thrive. Here are some basic crafting recipes that you'll need to know as a beginner:

• Tether: Requires 1 Compound. Tethers provide oxygen and allow you to explore away from your base.
• Platform: Requires 2 Resin. Platforms provide a stable surface for placing equipment and organizing your base.
• Small Generator: Requires 2 Organic. Small generators burn organic material to produce power.
• Research Chamber: Requires 2 Compound, 1 Resin, and 1 Organic. The research chamber allows you to analyze research samples and unlock new technologies.
• Smelter: Requires 2 Compound, 1 Copper. The smelter allows you to refine raw materials into more valuable resources.
• Vehicle Bay: Requires 2 Compound, 2 Resin. The vehicle bay allows you to craft vehicles like rovers and trucks.

These are just a few of the many crafting recipes available in Astroneer. As you progress through the game and unlock new technologies, you'll gain access to even more crafting recipes. To craft an item, simply open your backpack, select the crafting tab, and choose the item you want to craft. The crafting interface will show you the required resources. If you have the required resources in your inventory, you can click the craft button to create the item. Be sure to keep a supply of essential resources on hand so that you can craft items whenever you need them. You can also automate the crafting process by using automated crafting units, which you can unlock later in the game. These units will automatically craft items as long as you provide them with the required resources.

Mastering the art of crafting is essential for success in Astroneer. By learning the basic crafting recipes and experimenting with new combinations, you'll be able to create the tools and equipment you need to explore the galaxy and build your own cosmic empire. And remember, you can always check the Astroneer wiki for a comprehensive list of all crafting recipes and resources.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, guys! Your first steps into the amazing world of Astroneer. With these basics down, you're well on your way to becoming a seasoned explorer. Remember to explore, gather resources, expand your base, and unlock new technologies. The universe is vast and full of possibilities, so get out there and discover what awaits you! Keep an eye out for Astroneer Part 2, where we'll dive into more advanced topics like interplanetary travel, automation, and creating a self-sustaining colony. Happy exploring!