Research and crafting are at the heart of survival in The Alters. While most materials become readily available once you’ve set up mining outposts and linked them to your mobile base, the most advanced upgrades and gear require a rare resource: Planetary Samples.
These aren’t found by messing about—there are attached to a very particular progression path that begins at the Scientist Alter. Below is everything you should know about unlocking and farming Planetary Samples effectively.
Unlocking Planetary Samples
In order to even begin collecting Planetary Samples, you’ll need to build the Scientist Alter first. This Alter is required to unlock the Research Lab module. Without a Scientist, you won’t be allowed to work with anomalies or construct the equipment that you’ll use to research them.
The sequence in which you should build Alters is this:
- Technician – Always your first.
- Scientist – Should be second if you want research features right off the bat.
Once you send out your Scientist, they will start to sense unusual anomalies spread across the surface. The anomalies are your key to discovering Planetary Samples. You’ll need to venture out and search, watching them closely to proceed.
Eventually, you’ll discover a new type of anomaly called an Interal. It appears as a vibrant green glow attached to rock surfaces or embedded in the landscape. These are what you’ll be targeting to extract Planetary Samples.
How to Harvest Planetary Samples
Your Scientist will ultimately create a critical device called the Luminator, and this one must be researched at the Research Lab and then constructed in the Workshop. This device is used to find both access to special resources and to remove obstructions that impede major terrain features.
Having the Luminator constructed, you are free to begin the actual collection process:
- Find an Interal – You can identify them by their green glow. They will appear regularly as you travel through different sections.
- Activate the Luminator – Approach the Interal and scan it using the left trigger.
- Remove the Anomaly – Press and hold the right trigger to activate and destroy the anomaly.
- Uncover Concealed Flora – Once the anomaly is removed, a ghostly line of vegetation will be visible, only with the aid of the Luminator beam.
- Trace the Path – The path leads to a massive luminous structure resembling a biological cell.
- Harvest the Specimen – The Luminator is employed once more to remove the Planetary Sample from the structure.
Tips and Warnings
- Battery Life: The Luminator uses up your suit’s power very fast. Always equip additional suit batteries prior to venturing out to explore anomalies.
- Don’t Wait: Getting the Luminator early makes exploration much easier. It eliminates environmental dangers and provides access to inaccessible resources such as mining nodes.
There are more appear over time: Planetary anomalies occur more often as the sun moves towards your location. You can anticipate finding more Interals the longer you reside in a location.
Why Planetary Samples Matter
Planetary Samples are a unique currency used to unlock some of the game’s most advanced research upgrades. These might include improvements to your base systems, enhanced crafting capabilities, and vital survival gear. If you’re aiming to stay ahead of environmental threats and fully optimize your playthrough, prioritizing their collection is a must.
