In Starfield, you can't mine large resource deposits in the ground using a simple cutter. This guide will show you the right tools for the job.
Key Points on Mining Ore Veins (TLDR):
Mining resource deposits is crucial for thoroughly exploring a planet. Plus, planets yield a pretty substantial amount of the element the deposit is made of when you extract these resources.
Mining is generally straightforward. Head over to the greenish markings on rocks and grab the glowing chunks of resources by pressing the interaction button, typically "E". However, this method only nets about three chunks per marked rock. If you're looking to tap into an ore vein for more resources, you'll need to use a material extractor.
First, locate the deposit you want to mine using your scanner. Large deposits will highlight in different colors depending on the material. Next, set up an outpost near the deposit.
| Haven’t built an outpost in Starfield yet? Then you must check out our ultimate outpost guide! It covers everything you need to know about building, expanding, and defending your outpost. |
Open the outpost builder menu and check out the "Extractors" tab in the top right corner. Depending on the number of different deposits around your outpost, you'll have one or more extraction options.
To build a typical extractor that mines solids, you'll need:
Place an extractor at the site of the colored ore vein, and if your outpost has enough energy, the extractor will start mining immediately. However, the amount it can mine and store at one time might not be enough—usually, it's 10 chunks. Once full, it stops mining until you remove the materials from the extractor.
To increase the amount it can mine before stopping, you'll need to build additional storage. You can find the necessary storage containers under the "Storage" tab in the top right corner of the building menu. Simply select the transfer container and place it next to the extractor.
Connect them by interacting with the extractor and clicking on the storage container. Alternatively, you can link them by pressing the TAB key in the building menu and then right-clicking to connect the extractor and the storage container.
And just like that, you're set up to passively gather materials from large deposits in Starfield. And if you want to read more guides, please check our article on how to get the Tardigrade Monster Spacesuit in Starfield.
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