Looking to locate Autophage settlements in No Man’s Sky? These unique bases, populated by mysterious Autophage NPCs, unlock late-game content and special crafting and this guide will walk you through how to get your Autophage settlement NMS fast.
What Are Autophage Settlements?
With the Beacon update, Autophage settlements in No Man’s Sky are special planetary settlements built by robotic Autophage. They include an Autophage Synthesis Terminal, where you can spend Void Motes to craft Autophage items or buy unique staff components. They’re hidden from normal scanners, cloaked until you reveal them with the right tech.
Step 1: Reach the Late Game
To access Autophage content, you’ll need to complete the base “They Who Returned” questline, usually considered mid-to-late game. Only after finishing it can you receive the invitation for an Autophage settlement NMS and unlock the terminal scan tech needed to reveal the cloaked camps.
Step 2: Trigger the Invitation
Once eligible, your next normal settlement may prompt a derelict signal mission. Players on Reddit confirm:
“If you have a normal settlement there’s a chance … you’ve received a transmission … for an Autophage settlement”.
You can also go to an Autophage camp itself and use the Synthesis Terminal to exchange Void Motes for an Autophage settlement chart. Then, use that chart like a navigation beacon to spawn the settlement on the Galactic map.
Step 3: Use the Chart
Take your settlement chart and follow the mission marker. When you land, use your Scan Harmonizer or Polyphonic Core to decloak the camp, revealing the settlement and its NPCs.
These camps are most often found at abandoned POIs like drop pods, beacons, or crashed freighters, and scanning them reveals a yellow Autophage icon.
Step 4: Become Overseer
Once you’ve found the cloaked settlement, interact with the central overseer terminal to claim it. Now you’re the Overseer of an Autophage settlement NMS style. From here, you can manage settlement features, defend against raids, and access the Autophage Synthesis Terminal seen in the Beacon update notes.
Tips & Notes
Use a Void Mote hoard, you’ll need several to buy charts.
These settlements are endgame-focused: clear story missions first.
Reddit users warn of a bug where newly created settlements can be broken if not fully loaded. If your camp resets or lacks an Overseer office, revisit or retire and reclaim it.
You can have up to four settlements, including Autophage ones.
TL;DR
Autophage settlements in No Man’s Sky are late-game, robotic NPC camps with exclusive crafting
Get them by finishing story missions, using charts or invitations
Use your scanning tech to find them on planets
Claim the settlement and manage it with the Overseer terminal
Be prepared for minor bugs; patches are rolling out
