Multi-Tool Guide
Types, weapons, upgrades, slots, and S-Class hunting
No Man's Sky Multi-Tool Guide
Your multi-tool is one of the most important pieces of gear in No Man's Sky. It handles scanning, mining, terrain editing, combat, base utility, and more. This guide explains which multi-tool types are best for scanning, mining, and combat, what upgrades to install first, and when to upgrade versus hunt for a better S-Class tool.
Featured Video
Multi-Tools Update for 2025
Quick Multi-Tool Tips
The most useful advice before the full guide.
Your multi-tool is your scanner, mining tool, terrain tool, weapon, and utility platform.
Do not waste too many Nanites upgrading a weak starter pistol or basic rifle.
Experimental and Royal multi-tools are the best scanning-focused choices.
Atlantid multi-tools are the best mining-focused tools once you unlock them.
Sentinel and Staff multi-tools are top combat choices.
A Sentinel multi-tool is one of the best early powerful tools because it can be obtained before full endgame progression.
S-Class scanner upgrades are one of the best early investments because they turn exploration into serious Unit income.
Only upgrade a tool to S-Class if you really like its type, look, layout, and supercharged slot placement.
Basics
What Multi-Tools Are Used For
A multi-tool is not just a weapon. It controls several major parts of your save.
Scanner
Exploration
Use the Analysis Visor to scan fauna, flora, minerals, buildings, hotspots, and points of interest.
Mining
Resources
Harvest resources with the Mining Beam, Advanced Mining Laser, terrain tools, and special mining tech.
Combat
Damage
Fight Sentinels, aggressive fauna, Biological Horrors, and Derelict Freighter enemies with weapon modules.
Best picks
Which Multi-Tool Type Should You Use?
Pick your tool based on what you actually need: scanning income, mining speed, combat damage, or a flexible all-around setup.
Best for combat
Sentinel or Staff
These have top-tier damage potential. Sentinel tools are especially useful because you can get them earlier than Staffs.
Best for mining
Atlantid
Atlantid tools are the strongest mining-focused option and can pair Runic Lens tech with a normal Mining Beam setup.
Best for scanning
Experimental or Royal
These are the best dedicated scanner tools and pair well with S-Class or strong X-Class scanner upgrades.
Best all-around
Sentinel, Alien, Atlantid, or Experimental
These are better long-term choices than a basic pistol or rifle if you want one tool that can handle several jobs.
Tool types
Multi-Tool Types Explained
There are several multi-tool specializations, and each type leans toward a different job.
Pistol
Starter / mining stopgap · Early game only
The starter-style tool. It can be useful for basic mining early, but it is usually not worth heavy Nanite investment.
Strengths
- Common
- Cheap
- Decent early mining
Watch out for
- Poor combat
- Limited long-term value
- Replace eventually
Rifle
Basic combat stopgap · Temporary combat
A common tool with better combat focus than a pistol, but weak mining and scanning make it a poor long-term main tool.
Strengths
- Common
- Can have many slots
- Better combat than pistol
Watch out for
- Weak mining
- Weak scanning
- Usually replace later
Experimental
Scanner specialist · Exploration income
One of the best scanner-focused tools. Great if you want to scan everything and earn strong Units from discoveries.
Strengths
- Excellent scanning
- Good all-around use
- Strong explorer choice
Watch out for
- Rare
- Can be expensive
- Not top combat
Royal / Exotic
Scanner specialist · Scanning and style
Royal tools perform similarly to Experimental tools and are found through Sentinel Pillars. They are also popular for their clean exotic look.
Strengths
- Excellent scanning
- Stylish
- Good general tool
Watch out for
- Sentinel Pillar source
- Mostly color variation
- May need repairs
Alien
Hybrid combat / scanner · One-tool flexibility
Alien tools are strong hybrids with good combat and scanning value. They are a great choice if you want power without over-specializing.
Strengths
- Strong hybrid
- Good combat
- Good scanning
Watch out for
- Rare
- Can be expensive
- Not top mining
Sentinel
Combat all-rounder · Early powerful combat
A top combat option from Harmonic Camps in Dissonant systems. It can be claimed for free, but often comes with damaged slots.
Strengths
- Top damage
- Strong all-rounder
- Can be obtained early
Watch out for
- Dissonant system required
- Damaged slots
- Repair materials needed
Atlantid
Mining specialist · Endgame mining
The strongest mining-focused tool. Atlantid tools use the Runic Lens and are excellent for resource gathering once properly upgraded.
Strengths
- Best mining
- Runic Lens
- Strong utility
Watch out for
- Progression gated
- Korvax Monolith source
- Not your first tool
Staff
Combat specialist · Autophage progression
Staffs are strong combat tools crafted through Autophage progression. They are also visible in third person, which makes them unique visually.
Strengths
- Top damage
- Customizable look
- Unique third-person display
Watch out for
- Autophage progression required
- Not early-game
- Mostly combat-focused
Beginner Multi-Tool Advice
The starter tool is fine temporarily, but your first real upgrades should be chosen carefully.
Do not over-upgrade your starter pistol
Use it while learning, but save major Nanite spending for a better tool type.
Buy scanner upgrades early
Scanner modules can pay for themselves quickly by improving Units earned from scanning.
Pick a purpose
A scanner tool, mining tool, and combat tool can be better than forcing one weak tool to do everything.
Check supercharged slot layout
A good S-Class tool with bad supercharged slot placement may be less useful than it looks.
Scanning
Scanner Upgrades for Units
Scanner upgrades are one of the best early investments because they turn normal exploration into money.
Best early money upgrade
S-Class scanner modules can massively increase the Units earned from scanning animals, plants, and minerals. If you are still building your first money base, this is one of the simplest upgrades to prioritize.
- Install S-Class scanner upgrades as early as possible.
- Place scanner upgrades next to each other for adjacency bonuses.
- Use Experimental or Royal tools if you want a dedicated scanner setup.
- Strong X-Class scanner modules can be excellent if you are willing to roll for good stats.
- Scanner income pairs directly with the No Man's Sky Money guide.
Mining
Mining Setup and Atlantid Tools
If you want a dedicated mining tool, Atlantid is the strongest long-term target.
Dedicated mining layout
A mining setup should focus on mining speed, fuel efficiency, adjacency bonuses, and supercharged placement. If mining is the tool's purpose, prioritize the Mining Beam and its upgrades instead of spreading slots across every weapon.
- Atlantid tools are the best dedicated mining tools.
- Use S-Class Mining Beam upgrades for mining speed and efficiency.
- Put your main mining tech on a supercharged slot if mining is the tool's purpose.
- Atlantid tools can combine Runic Lens value with a normal Mining Beam setup.
- Sentinel tools can also stack their unique mining tech with a normal Mining Beam.
Combat
Combat Weapons and Recommended Loadouts
Weapon preference matters, but these recommendations are beginner-friendly and practical.
Neutron Cannon
Top recommendation
Strong damage, area-of-effect value, and excellent performance in Derelict Freighters and Sentinel fights.
Boltcaster
Strong traditional weapon
Reliable, accurate, and easy to understand. A good choice if you prefer straightforward gunplay.
Pulse Spitter
Rapid fire
Great if you like sustained fire and do not mind managing spread, reloads, and ammo.
Scatter Blaster
Close range
A shotgun-style weapon that hits hard up close, but is less comfortable at longer range.
Blaze Javelin
Niche long range
A charged precision weapon. Useful in specific situations, but less convenient for general combat.
Plasma / Geology Cannon
High risk
Explosive weapons can be powerful, but they can also damage you. Use carefully or skip them.
For most players, the Neutron Cannon is the easiest weapon to recommend because it hits hard, has area damage, and works well in Derelict Freighters and Sentinel fights. If you prefer more traditional gunplay, Boltcaster, Pulse Spitter, and Scatter Blaster are all reasonable alternatives.
Secondary tools
Best Secondary Tools
Secondary tools can support your main weapon, but some are safer than others.
Paralysis Mortar
One of the safest secondary tools because it stuns enemies instead of risking self-damage.
Voltaic Amplifier
Pairs with the Paralysis Mortar by increasing damage against stunned targets.
Combat Scope
Useful if you like tighter aim and recoil control.
Personal Forcefield
Can block incoming fire, but some players prefer stunning enemies instead.
Utility
Must-Have Utility Upgrades
These upgrades are useful even if your multi-tool is not built purely for combat.
Advanced Mining Laser
Essential because many resources cannot be mined without it.
Survey Device
Important for base builders because it finds electromagnetic, mineral, and gas hotspots.
Waveform Recycler
Worth installing on every multi-tool because faster scanner recharge is useful everywhere.
Analysis Visor upgrades
Improves scanning value and supports exploration, money-making, and discovery hunting.
Fishing Rig
Useful for fishing content, Aquarius-related rewards, and Expedition objectives that require it.
Polyphonic Core / Scan Harmonizer
Autophage-related scanner upgrades that can improve scanner utility even outside that questline.
Inventory Slots and Supercharged Slots
Multi-tool power is not just about type. Slot layout matters a lot.
S-Class slot cap
A fully upgraded S-Class multi-tool can reach up to 60 technology slots.
Supercharged slots
S-Class multi-tools can have up to 4 supercharged slots.
Technology only
Multi-tools do not have a cargo section. Their slots are for technology and upgrades.
Layout matters
Good supercharged slot placement can make a tool much stronger for scanning, mining, or combat.
Multi-Tool Archiving and Weapon Racks
Weapon Racks now make collecting tools much easier.
Weapon Rack archiving
Use a Weapon Rack to archive extra multi-tools and free up active tool space.
Installed tech stays
Archived tools keep their installed technology when stored and retrieved.
Do not destroy by accident
Destroying a tool removes it permanently, so only do that when you are sure.
Nanite spending
How to Upgrade Multi-Tool Class
Class upgrades are possible, but they are expensive enough that you should think before spending.
C-Class
B-Class
10,000 Nanites
B-Class
A-Class
25,000 Nanites
A-Class
S-Class
50,000 Nanites
Do not upgrade a random low-class tool just because you can. If you do not love the appearance, type, supercharged slots, and layout, it may be better to use coordinates and hunt an S-Class tool directly.
Finding tools
Where to Find Special Multi-Tools
Some multi-tool types can only be found through specific activities or progression paths.
Royal multi-tools
Found from Sentinel Pillars. Great for scanner-focused players and collectors.
Sentinel multi-tools
Found at Harmonic Camps in Dissonant systems. Strong combat tools, often with damaged slots.
Atlantid multi-tools
Found through Korvax Monolith-related progression after required quest progress.
Staff multi-tools
Built through Autophage progression at Autophage Synthesis Terminals.
Standard tools
Found from space station vendors, settlements, Anomaly cabinets, NPC rewards, crashed ships, and quests.
Coordinate hunting
Use portal coordinates and community finds if you want a specific S-Class tool instead of upgrading a random one.
Expedition and Unique Multi-Tools
Some tools are tied to Expedition rewards instead of normal hunting.
Expedition rewards can include unique Staff-style multi-tools.
Examples from recent updates include tools such as the Atlas Scepter, Pillar of Titan, and Basilisk Crown Staff.
Unique tools are often account reward items, so availability depends on completed Expeditions or reruns.
Common Multi-Tool Mistakes
Avoid these before spending Nanites, slots, or rare upgrades.
Upgrading a bad tool too early
Class upgrades are expensive. Make sure you love the tool before spending 50,000 Nanites on the final upgrade.
Ignoring scanner upgrades
Scanner modules are one of the best early upgrades because they generate Units while you explore.
Using one layout for everything
A scanner setup, mining setup, and combat setup all want different supercharged slots and upgrades.
Buying weak Anomaly tools
Anomaly or station cabinets can be useful, but do not assume every tool for sale is worth buying.
Forgetting utility tech
Advanced Mining Laser, Survey Device, and Waveform Recycler are easy to overlook but very useful.
Destroying archived tools by mistake
Archiving stores a tool. Destroying removes it permanently. Double-check before deleting anything rare.
Keep going
Next No Man’s Sky Guides
Multi-tools connect directly into Nanites, Units, portals, and resource farming.
Nanites Guide
Farm the Nanites needed for modules, upgrades, recipes, and class upgrades.
Money Guide
Build your Unit income so you can afford slots, tools, modules, and resources.
Portals Guide
Use glyphs and coordinates to hunt specific S-Class multi-tools and rare finds.
Resources & Refining
Understand the resources and refining loops that support upgrades and crafting.