The Waveform Focuser N56-P

The Multi-tool is one of the main pieces of technology in No Man's Sky.

The Multi-tool is the general term used for the mining tool and weapon that every player possesses.

Its primary functions are to locate and harvest resources for the player. Players may own up to three Multi-Tools, and can switch the active Multi-Tool via the Quick Menu in the Utilities section. Owned Multi-Tools may be traded in to offset the purchase price of a different one. New players begin the game with the default Waveform Focuser N56-P model.

A Multi-tool for sale on a Space Station

A Multi-tool in need of extensive repair (NEXT)

Players begin the game with a Multi-tool. New models may be purchased at the Multi-tool merchant within every Space station. They may also be purchased on every Space Anomaly and at every minor outpost attached to a landing pad. Some NPCs may gift you a new Multi-tool. These Multi-tools will be damaged and require a number of repairs, similar to what is needed to restore a crashed starship.

Each Multi-tool has its own price in units associated with it. When you purchase a new model, the price of your current model will be deducted from its purchase price. Every time you receive a new Multi-tool you will lose all installed technology upgrades (though you will have a chance to dismantle technologies on your old Multi-tool for a partial resource refund before you trade it in for the new one).

After manual saving/reloading, multi-tools found in space stations and planets may change their models, but not class or number of slots (for pistols it can't be more than 10; Small Rifles max at 16; Large Rifles max at 24).[1][2]

Each planet/moon and space station in a system has its own pool of 2-4 multi-tool models. Saving and loading on the surface of a planet switches the pool from which that system picks multi-tools. Using a Base Teleport Module, a Portal, or warping into a system also counts as loading and changes the loot-pool.

These links provide a cross-reference to tools discovered/documented in No Man's Sky.

Specifications page (Living Ship)

Multi-tools come in a wide range of potencies. The specifications used to describe the potency of a Multi-tool are organized into Class and Type, number of Inventory Slots, the values of Class Bonuses, and figures for Damage Potential and Scanner Range.

Class is a category that dictates the strength of Class Bonuses. There are four classes, from weakest to strongest: C, B, A, and S. The Class Bonuses for a Class C Multi-tool are typically zero, but some models have bonuses in the teens. The Class Bonuses for a Class B Multi-tool are typically less than or equal to ten, but some models have bonuses in the twenties or thirties. The Class Bonuses for a Class A Multi-tool are typically in the teens, but some models have bonuses in the thirties. The Class Bonuses for a Class S Multi-tool are atypical, with models having bonuses ranging from zero to one-hundred. To upgrade it's class, you can go to the multi tool upgrade console on space stations and use nanites to upgrade it, similar to a spaceship.

The Waveform Focuser N56-P is Class C.

Multi-tool Types

NOTE: The type of the multitool was displayed prior to the Living Ship release.

Type is a category that dictates the distribution of class bonuses. There are four types: Alien, Experimental, Pistol, and Rifle. Pistols typically have relatively low bonuses to scanning and damage, and low to middling slot counts, but they have good mining bonuses. Rifles have low bonuses to mining and scanning, middling to high damage bonus, and middling to high slot counts. Alien and experimental devices, much less common than pistols and rifles, receive high to very high bonuses to damage, mining, and scanning, though alien devices favor damage and experimental devices favor scanning. The latter two's slot counts can vary from very small to very large depending on physical size.

The Waveform Focuser N56-P is a pistol.

Inventory Slots [ edit | edit source ]

A Multi-tool with 24 slots (NEXT)

Inventory slots are used for technology and technology companion units; they cannot store resources. Each Multi-tool has a set number of inventory slots. Similar to the Exosuit and starship inventory, new slots can be purchased for units. The slots have no effect on the Multi-tool other than allowing more or less technology to be installed on it. The minimum number of Multi-tool inventory slots is 5 and the maximum is 24. Just like spaceships, you can purchase new slots for multi tools on space stations at the multi tool upgrade console

The Waveform Focuser N56-P can have 5 or 6 inventory slots.

Class Bonuses [ edit | edit source ]

NOTE: These values were displayed prior to the Living Ship release.

Class Bonuses are bonuses to Damage, Mining, and Scanning values, given as percentages, with higher being better. These bonuses are static and do not change. The lowest bonus values are 0% and the highest are 100%. Damage bonus increases the damage dealt by Multi-tool weapons such as the Mining Beam. Mining bonus increases the speed with which resources are mined. Scanning bonus increases the radius of the area covered by the Scanner's quick-scan function.

The Waveform Focuser N56-P has three bonuses of +0%.

Damage Potential [ edit | edit source ]

Damage Potential displays the Multi-tool's damage output, equal to the damage output of its most effective weapon. The white bar reflects the base damage output of the most effective weapon plus bonuses from its upgrades. The yellow bar reflects the Damage Class Bonus. Both bars will increase in length as more powerful weapons are installed and upgraded. The Multi-tool you possess will also display a numeric value indicating the damage output of the most effective weapon. It reflects the combined data of both bars in numerical form, therefore it too will increase as the Multi-tool gains more powerful weapons and weapon upgrades.

The Waveform Focuser N56-P's Damage Potential depends on which weapons are installed in addition to the Mining Beam (only the Damage Potential associated with the most effective weapon applies):

Scatter Blaster: 1070.7

1070.7 Pulse Spitter: 959.6

959.6 Boltcaster: 447.9

447.9 Other Weapons: 333.3

Scanner Range [ edit | edit source ]

Scanner Range displays the Multi-tool's current Scanner radius. The white bar reflects the base radius of the device plus bonuses from Scanner upgrades. The yellow bar reflects the Scanner Class Bonus. Both bars will increase in length as the Scanner is upgraded. The Multi-tool you possess will also display a numeric value indicating the current radius, in units distance, of quick scans. It reflects the combined data of both bars in numerical form, therefore it too will increase as the Scanner is upgraded.

The Waveform Focuser N56-P has a Scanner Range of 150.0 units distance.

The Multi-tool is an exploration aid and as such it offers a variety of functions. There are three pieces of technology that come installed on all purchased Multi-tools and these represent the primary uses of the tool: Analysis Visor, Mining Beam, and Scanner. However, operation of the Multi-tool is broken into a variety of methods. It is logical to categorize the functions of the Multi-tool by how it is operated rather than by its uses.

Scanning tools are different from the other tools in that they can be used anywhere and at any time. You are prevented from drawing your Multi-tool while indoors, but the scanning tools operate without drawing and therefore may be used in more situations.

Analysis Visor [ edit | edit source ]

The Analysis Visor is a device that inserts an overlay on the user interface, with the overlay displaying copious amount of information about the player's location and condition and about local resources. The overlay also has a reticule in its centre which can be used for scanning flora, fauna, and minerals and for tagging destinations revealed by the Analysis Visor. The Analysis Visor can be upgraded with Analysis Visor Upgrades (which increase the value of discovery data).

The Analysis Visor is activated by holding / + / + (PS4/PC/Xbox) to zoom.

The Scanner is a device that highlights a selection of resources within its scan radius. These resources are more limited than what is revealed with the Analysis Visor, being mostly Carbon, Oxygen, Sodium, and their relations, plus Jetpack-boosting Deuterium Rich Plants and Di-hydrogen crystals. Once triggered the Scanner begins a cool down period during which it cannot be used again. The resources that it revealed will maintain their identifying icons over them until the end of the cool down period, at which point the icons vanish. The Scanner can be upgraded with Analysis Visor Upgrades (which increase its scan radius) and with a Waveform Recycler (which decreases the cool down period and increases scan radius).

The Scanner is activated by pressing / / (PS4/PC/Xbox).

The Weapon Indicator

There are a variety of beams and projectiles which the Multi-tool can emit. They are often called "weapons". Only one weapon may be selected for use at a time. The selected weapon is displayed in the Weapon Indicator, which is part of the user interface while an avatar is on foot. It is found in the upper right corner of the screen, where there is a bar with two boxes beneath it. The Weapon Indicator itself is the box on the right and also includes the dots to the right of the box. The selected weapon is named in the box. The dots indicate how many weapons are installed and which number is selected.

To switch which weapon is selected, press / / (PS4/PC/Xbox). This action will select the next weapon that is installed, and continuously repeating the action will loop back to the first item installed and then repeat.

To use the selected weapon, hold / / (PS4/PC/Xbox). To reload the clips of weapons that consume Projectile Ammunition, press / / (PS4/PC/Xbox).

Mining Beam [ edit | edit source ]

The Mining Beam is a weapon which fires an intense laser beam at its target. The beam is primarily used to extract resources from a variety of nodes (most notably from flora and minerals) but can secondarily serve as an emergency weapon, used against Sentinels and other threats. The Mining Beam depletes an internal energy supply as it is used. When the supply is fully depleted the Mining Beam needs to be recharged with Carbon, Condensed Carbon, or Phosphorus. The Mining Beam can be upgraded with Mining Beam Upgrades (which increase the duration the beam can be fired, shorten its cool down, and increase its yield) and Advanced Mining Laser (which increases mining speed and enables the extraction of large and tough minerals).

The Boltcaster, the only dedicated weapon which the player always knows how to craft, fires heavy bolts at its target. It is useful for assaulting Sentinels and for destroying reinforced doors on planets. It is often compared to an assault rifle. The Boltcaster draws rounds from an internal magazine as it fires. When the magazine is empty, the Boltcaster needs to be reloaded with Projectile Ammunition. The Boltcaster can be upgraded with Boltcaster Upgrades (which increase damage and magazine size and decrease reload times) and with a Barrel Ioniser (which improves accuracy).

Blaze Javelin [ edit | edit source ]

The Blaze Javelin is a dedicated weapon which shoots energy bolts at high speed and increases in power based on how long its shots are charged before firing. Once fired the Blaze Javelin begins a short cool down period during which it cannot be fired again. The weapon draws energy for its shots from an internal energy supply which, when depleted, must be recharged with Carbon or Condensed Carbon. The Blaze Javelin can be upgraded with Blaze Javelin Upgrades (which increase damage and decrease time required to reach full charge) and with a Mass Accelerator (which increases damage).

Pulse Spitter [ edit | edit source ]

The Pulse Spitter is a dedicated weapon that fires three projectiles simultaneously and that all travel in a triangle formation toward the target at the same speed. Its high fire rate makes it best used against targets that move rapidly through a weapon's sight. The Pulse Spitter draws rounds rapidly from an internal magazine as it fires. When the magazine is empty, the Pulse Spitter needs to be reloaded with Projectile Ammunition. The Pulse Spitter can be upgraded with Pulse Spitter Upgrades (which increase the fire rate and clip size and decrease reload times) and with Amplified Cartridges (which increases magazine size).

Scatter Blaster [ edit | edit source ]

The Scatter Blaster is a dedicated weapon that fires a spray of projectiles. The spread on the weapon makes it best used in close combat. It is often referred to as a shotgun. The Scatter Blaster draws rounds rapidly from an internal magazine as it fires. When the magazine is empty, the Scatter Blaster needs to be reloaded with Projectile Ammunition. The Scatter Blaster can be upgraded with Scatter Blaster Upgrades (which increase damage, magazine size, and bullets per shot and which also decrease reload times) and with a Shell Greaser (which decreases reload times).

Terrain Manipulator [ edit | edit source ]

The Terrain Manipulator is a "weapon" with four modes, Mine, Create, Flatten and Restore, all of which fire a soft laser beam at its target. Incapable of dealing damage to flora, fauna, minerals or Sentinels, the beam is used either to extract ores from Resource Deposits or to modify planetary surfaces (especially to dig at the site of Crashed Freighters) respectively. The Terrain Manipulator draws energy from an internal energy supply during use. When the supply is fully depleted the Terrain Manipulator needs to be recharged with Ferrite Dust, Pure Ferrite, Magnetised Ferrite or Silicate Powder.

Solar Ray [ edit | edit source ]

The Solar Ray is a "weapon" acquired during the mission Starbirth which fires a soft laser beam at its target. Incapable of dealing damage to flora, fauna, minerals or Sentinels, the beam is used primarily to transmute resource deposits into Liquid Sun, though it can also function as a general digging tool. The Solar Ray draws energy from an internal energy supply during use. When the supply is fully depleted the Solar Ray needs to be recharged with Sodium or Sodium Nitrate.

Animus Beam [ edit | edit source ]

The Animus Beam is a weapon acquired during the mission, Starbirth, which fires a potent laser at its target. It is primarily used to hunt planetary fauna, producing Fragmented Qualia. It can also be used as an alternative to the mining laser, though is incompatible with Mining Laser Modules and thus unsuited to harvesting large minerals or breaching reinforced doors. Once depleated, it is recharged with Di-hydrogen or Deuterium.

Secondary Weapons [ edit | edit source ]

The Secondary Weapon Indicator

The Multi-tool can host triggered devices that don’t function in the same way as weapons. It can also host a weapon whose use requires a mode-switching function. These items are secondary weapons. Only one secondary weapon may be selected for use at a time. The selected secondary weapon is displayed in the Secondary Weapon Indicator, which is found to the left of the Weapon Indicator.

To switch modes or secondary weapons, press / / (PS4/PC/Xbox). This action will select the next mode or installed secondary weapon, and continuously repeating the action will loop back to the first item installed and then repeat. Alternately, open the Quick Menu, go to Utilities > Change Secondary Weapon and select a specific secondary weapon to equip that weapon (this method works even while holding a primary tool with multiple modes).

To use the selected secondary weapon, press / / (PS4/PC/Xbox).

Combat Scope [ edit | edit source ]

The Combat Scope is a secondary "weapon" which adds a zoom feature while holding a weapon and which stabilizes recoil of those tools. This does not work with the blaze javelin.

Plasma Launcher [ edit | edit source ]

The Plasma Launcher is a secondary weapon that fires bouncing plasma shells at its target. It is useful for assaulting Sentinel Quads and Sentinel Walkers, but is unable to destroy terrain. It is often referred to as a grenade launcher. The Plasma Launcher draws from an internal plasma supply as it is used. When the supply is fully depleted the Plasma Launcher needs to be recharged with Unstable Plasma. A fully charged Plasma Launcher can fire twenty times before the plasma supply is fully depleted. The Plasma Launcher can be upgraded with Plasma Launcher Upgrades (which increase the damage, blast radius, and number of bounces before exploding).

Geology Cannon [ edit | edit source ]

The Geology Cannon is a secondary weapon that fires plasma shells at its target which explode on impact, dealing damage and destroying terrain. It causes considerably more terrain damage than the Terrain Manipulator. The Geology Cannon draws from an internal plasma supply as it is used. When the supply is fully depleted the Geology Cannon needs to be recharged with Unstable Plasma. The Geology Cannon can be upgraded with Geology Cannon Upgrades (which increase damage and blast radius).

Personal Forcefield [ edit | edit source ]

The Personal Forcefield is a secondary "weapon" that puts up a temporary barrier which absorbs all incoming fire directed at you from the front. Its protection only works against projectiles --- other sources of damage will still affect the player normally. The Personal Forcefield depletes Life Support as it is used and while in use the Multi-tool cannot perform any other function (except reload).

Manipulator Mode [ edit | edit source ]

The Manipulator Mode is used to toggle the Terrain Manipulator between the Mine, Create, Flatten and Restore modes. The alternate tool automatically selects Manipulator Mode whenever the selected primary tool is the Terrain Manipulator.

Technology Blueprints & Upgrade Modules [ edit | edit source ]

Tech Layout - 4. Multi-Tools

Technology Blueprints [ edit | edit source ]

Upgrade Modules [ edit | edit source ]

Info & pictures provided by Craig Mark of facebook.com/groups/NMSResources Module Name Stats Drawn Module Improves C-Class B-Class A-Class S-Class Min Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Scanner C 1-2 B 2 A 2-3 S 3 Scan Radius 5 10 10 20 20 30 30 40 Flora Scanned 1000 2000 2500 5000 5000 9999 6500 9999 Fauna Scanned 1000 2000 2500 5000 5000 9999 6500 9999 Mining Beam C 1-2 B 2-3 A 3-4 S 4 Mining Speed 5 10 5 15 10 20 15 20 Fuel Efficiency 0 10 10 15 15 20 20 Heat Dispersion 5 15 15 20 20 40 40 50 Overheat Downtime 5 10 10 15 10 15 15 20 Boltcaster (Needs Testing Desolation) C 1-2 B 2-3 A 3-4 S 4 Damage 1 1 2 2 3 1 1 Reload Time 5 10 10 15 10 20 10 20 Fire Rate 0 10 5 10 10 15 10 15 Burst Cooldown 15 Shots Per Burst 1.2 1.4 Clip Size 2 4 6 8 Blaze Javelin C 1 B 1-2 A 2 S 2 Damage 30-40 (1) 40-50 (2) 50-60 (3) 60-75 (4) Time To Full Power 5 10 10 15 10 20 10 20 Pulse Spitter (Needs Testing Desolation) C 1-2 B 2-3 A 3-4 S 4 Damage 1 1 2 1 3 2 (6) 3 (9) Reload Time n/a 0 10 0 10 5 10 Fire Rate 0 10 0 10 5 10 10 15 Clip Size 12 12 12 12 Scatter Blaster C 1-2 B 2-3 A 3-4 S 4 Damage 1 1 3 2 4 2 3 Reload Time 5 10 10 15 15 20 20 25 Fire Rate n/a 0 5 5 10 10 15 Clip Size n/a 8 8 8 Plasma Launcher C 1-2 B 1-3 A 2-3 S 3 Damage 10 20 20 30 30 40 35 40 Explosion Radius 0 5 5 10 5 10 10 15 Projectile Velocity 100 200 100 300 100 300 200 300 Bounce Potential 1 1 2 2 3 3 Geology Cannon C 1 B 1-2 A 1-2 S 2 Damage 10 20 20 30 30 40 35 40 Explosion Radius 10 20 20 30 30 50 40 50 Projectile Velocity 100 200 100 300 100 300 200 300

Optimum Tech Layout & Guides [ edit | edit source ]

Tech Layout - 4. Multi-Tools

Multi-tool Optimum Tech Layout

Multi-tool Types & Bonuses

How to swap between your Multi-Tools

According to the Armourer, some Vy'keen believe that their faction should be the only sentient race allowed to use Multi-tools.

Historical Information [ edit | edit source ]

Sean Murray said in an interview with GamesRadar, "In a lot of sci-fi games, all their weapons are basically AK-47s with some red stripes down the side. We don't like that; we want something that feels advanced and cool. So you have this multitool, which is a little bit like a tricorder." [3]

Release history [ edit | edit source ]

Pre-release - term "Multi-tool" was not used, called "Weapon" instead; Mining Beam was "Lazeas" and Scanner was "Rezosu"

Release - Pre-Release names were abandoned; addition of Boltcaster and Plasma Launcher

Pathfinder - addition of Classes and Types; addition of Blaze Javelin, Pulse Spitter, and Scatter Blaster

Atlas Rises - addition of Terrain Manipulator; improved differentiation of Multi-tools; replaced circular data charts with bar charts and numeric values

NEXT - controls added for Xbox; addition of Combat Scope, Geology Cannon, and Personal Forcefield

Synthesis - added the ability to own multiple Multi-Tools

Living Ship - addition of Solar Ray, can now own three tools (formerly only one)

Origins - Multi-tools can have their inventory slots upgraded