No Man’s Sky recently introduced a fascinating new Expedition called Relics. This engaging event centers around uncovering ancient bones and engaging with the unique lore of the game’s universe, effectively transforming players into amateur paleontologists. Building upon existing Expeditions, Relics features a combination of both new and familiar objectives across its phases.
These Expeditions are exclusive events that span just a few weeks. Players participating in the Relics Expedition will have a total of six weeks following its launch to complete the tasks and earn exclusive rewards. Missing the deadline could mean losing out on these unique items, unless the developers choose to rerun the Expedition later on.
Phase 1 Objectives: Relics Expedition in No Man’s Sky
Travelers need to complete seven objectives to successfully progress through Phase 1 of the Relics Expedition. Below is a summary of each objective alongside how to achieve them:
| Objective Name | Objective Task | How To Complete | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echoes of the Past | Join the Galactic Palaeology Society | Enter your starship for the first time | Spawn Location |
| Exhibition Admission | Dig Up 1 Artifact | Locate a dig site, unearth keys, and unlock the artifact chest | Any Spawn Location Planet |
| The Dig: I | Report to the GPS Field Office | Travel to Bicentiu XIV in the Xifenqj II System | Bicentiu XIV (Coordinates: +21.25, -8.55) |
| Junior Field Agent | Collect an Entire Skeleton | Gather 5 bones of the same type | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Do Not Disturb | Defeat an Ancient Guardian | Awaken and then defeat an Ancient Guardian | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Ancient Avian | Reassemble an Ancient Avian | Find and assemble 5 Ancient Avian bones | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Rock Hound | Discover 10 New Minerals | Analyze 10 different minerals | Any rocky planet |
During Phase 1, players will venture across the galaxy, targeting specific systems such as Xifenqj II. Here are some strategic tips for completing this phase in No Man’s Sky:
- Scan all minerals you encounter.
- Mine Chromatic Metal, Carbon, and Ferrite Dust to create warp fuels.
- Focus on unearthing ancient bones.
Players may encounter glitches, particularly related to dig sites. If the Junior Field Agent objective doesn’t unlock, try flying to and from the space station to reset the area, or log out and back into the game. Additionally, ensure that the bones collected constitute a complete skeleton. Often, returning to the dig site to excavate may yield further success, or attempting the objective solo if part of a group may resolve issues.
Phase 2 Objectives: Relics Expedition in No Man’s Sky
Phase 2 presents objectives that mirror some from Phase 1, but with added rewards that facilitate the completion of additional tasks. To progress efficiently, refer to the objectives below:
| Objective Name | Objective Task | How To Complete | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Dig: II | Report to the 2nd GPS Field Office | Travel to Elea Alpha in the Adrielde Cycler System | Elea Alpha (Coordinates: +14.13, +175.84) |
| Associate Field Agent | Collect 5 Ancient Bones | Gather 5 bones of the same type | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Bygone Biped | Reassemble an Ancient Biped | Find and reassemble 5 Ancient Bipedal bones | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Descendants | Discover 10 New Species | Scan 10 new creatures | Any planet with creatures |
| Uprooting | Eliminate 10 Hazardous Flora | Destroy 10 hazardous flora | Any hazardous planet |
| Domestic Relatives | Adopt 1 Creature | Tame 1 creature | Any planet with creatures |
| Bytesized | Recover 5 Records Buried Beneath the Soil | Analyze 5 records | At buried caches |
Travelers must make their way to Elea Alpha to reach the second dig site. Given potential bugs, it may be advisable to engage with this area solo and disable multiplayer features. Here are some efficiency tips for this phase:
- Scan all species observed while tackling other objectives.
- Completing Descendants grants free creature pellets beneficial for Domestic Relatives.
- Damage Hazardous Flora while addressing other tasks.
- Excavate Buried Caches for records and analyze them with your Exosuit.
The Associate Field Agent objective can also experience issues. A useful strategy here is to visit a nearby planet, Ijona 86/S5, where players can dig up ample ancient bones until the objective is completed. Additionally, trading bones with field agents at dig sites helps fill out any missing skeleton pieces.
Phase 3 Objectives: Relics Expedition in No Man’s Sky
In Phase 3, the Expedition shifts focus towards interacting with diverse creatures and trading bones. This phase features Random Number Generation (RNG), which might elongate progression times. Below are the objectives for this phase:
| Objective Name | Objective Task | How To Complete | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Dig: III | Report to the 3rd GPS Field Office | Travel to Maslowel in the Luhabug System | Maslowel (Coordinates: -77.61, +73.96) |
| Senior Field Agent | Collect 5 Ancient Bones | Gather 5 bones of the same type | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Former Four Legs | Reassemble an Ancient Quadruped | Find and reassemble 5 Ancient Quadruped bones | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Snapshot in Time | Photograph 5 Ground Creatures | Take a photo of 5 creatures in one shot | Any planet with creatures |
| Living Fossils | Catch A Bonefish | Fish for Bonefish | Any toxic or water-rich planet |
| Reverse Palaeobo | Scan 15 Plants | Scan 15 different plants | Any planet hosting plants |
| An Arm for a Leg | Trade a Bone with the Trader | Exchange a bone for value | Any dig site or space station |
To expedite progress through Phase 3, consider these tips:
- Travel to creature-heavy planets for the Snapshot in Time objective.
- Ensure at least 5 creatures are included in your Snapshot photo.
- Bonefish drop rates are lower on toxic planets, so craft a Shadow Lure for enhanced chances during night fishing.
The toughest objectives often include fishing and photographing enough creatures at once. Pursuing the Snapshot in Time task first can prove advantageous, as successful completion yields a fishing rod for your multi-tool.
To improve your odds when catching Bonefish, consider crafting a Shadow Lure with the following ingredients:
- 2 Antimatter
- 1 Metal Plating
- 40 Cyto-Phosphate
The Shadow Lure is especially useful as Bonefish venture into deeper waters at night. Fortunately, you only need to catch a single Bonefish to fulfill this objective.
Phase 4 Objectives: Relics Expedition in No Man’s Sky
By this phase, players should have accumulated a variety of Ancient Bones, as they will be crucial for completing the new tasks. This phase emphasizes excavation and culinary tasks. Here’s a summary of the key objectives:
| Objective Name | Objective Task | How To Complete | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Dig: IV | Report to the 4th GPS Field Office | Travel to Noha 39/W6 in the Oishiv System | Noha 39/W6 (Coordinates: +76.67, +148.26) |
| Principal Field Agent | Collect 5 Ancient Bones | Gather 5 bones of the same type | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Reassembled Reptile | Reassemble a Reptilian Skeleton | Find and assemble 5 Ancient Reptilian bones | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Deeper Underground | Excavate 3,500u of Terrain | Dig using the Terrain Manipulator | Any planet |
| The Archaeologist | Excavate 80 Ancient Bones | Dug up 80 ancient bones | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Hearty Stock | Create Delicious Bone Broth | Prepare Bone Broth | Space Anomaly/Personal Base |
| Bone Appetit | Present A Bone Dish To Iteration: Cronus | Prepare and serve a bone dish to Cronus | Space Anomaly |
This phase combines familiar tasks with some new challenges. For the quickest completion, take note of these hints:
- Start digging up bones early to fulfill the Principal Field Agent, Deeper Underground, and The Archaeologist objectives.
- Head to the Space Anomaly and utilize Cronus’ cooking station to conserve time.
- Creating Bone Broth can simultaneously meet both the Hearty Stock and Bone Appetit objectives.
Completing these tasks may require repetitive actions, particularly in collecting bones. Players should strive to have a sufficient quantity of Ancient Bones beforehand to facilitate an easier transition into this phase.
Another focal point of this phase is the crafting of dishes. Players can interact with Iteration Cronus within the Space Anomaly to access the cooking recipes. To prepare Bone Broth, follow these instructions:
- Use a fossil in an ingredient slot to convert it into Softened Marrow, repeating this process.
- Combine the Softened Marrow in two ingredient slots to create Bone Broth.
Finally, present the dish to Cronus. Should Bone Broth be rejected, alternatives like Bone Milk can be made by placing two fossil bones in the same cooking phase. Players can also refine Bone Milk further into Bone Butter by re-processing the cream.
Phase 5 Objectives: Relics Expedition in No Man’s Sky
Finally, Phase 5 offers an exciting culmination with tasks that range from fighting ancient guardians to gathering dung samples. Here’s how to navigate these final objectives:
| Objective Name | Objective Task | How To Complete | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Dig: V | Report to the 5th GPS Field Office | Travel to Amli Tau in the Yugaiati System | Amli Tau (Coordinates: -65.27, +155.48) |
| Master of Bones | Collect 5 Ancient Bones | Gather 5 bones of the same type | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Fixed Forerunner | Reassemble a Protoform Skeleton | Find and reassemble 5 Ancient Protoform bones | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Nose in the Dirt | Search 20 Dung Samples | Feed creatures pellets to obtain samples | Any planet with creatures |
| Written in Stone | Investigate 5 Memory Stones | Interact with 5 Memory Stones | Any planet with ruins |
| Stone Ghosts | Defeat 5 Ancient Guardians | Engage and defeat 5 Ancient Guardians | Any planet with ancient bones |
| Rags and Bones | Sell 2,500,000 Units Worth of Bones | Sell bones at a merchant or space station | Any Space Station or Merchant Hub |
As you approach the last segment of Phase 5, you’ll need a combination of ingredient pellets, an ample bone supply, and a readiness to battle. Here’s how to efficiently tackle these remaining objectives:
- Create Creature Pellets to encourage creatures to defecate for sample collection.
- Seek out planets with Ancient Bones to find and confront Ancient Guardians.
- Complete skeletons for profitable sales.
The task of collecting dung samples may slow progress, but feeding creatures with pellets accelerates this process. Simply use meat to create the pellets at the grill near Cronus on the Space Anomaly if lacking your own base.
Memory Stones can usually be found near planets with ruins or ancient bone deposits. They are identifiable by their luminous blue center. Interacting with five will fulfill that objective.
Ancient Guardians guard sites with Ancient Bones, so players who wish to defeat them will need to find suitable planets. Upon awakening the guardian via the Waking Stones, prepare for a battle; defeating five will complete this objective.
Lastly, to complete the objective of selling 2,500,000 units of bones, assembling skeletons for display and marketing them at a Space Station or merchant near a dig site typically offers significant return value.
Completing all five phases of the Relics Expedition not only signifies the successful completion of this time-limited event but also opens opportunities for additional bone-related missions. Keep an eye on the Nexus for future challenges!