100% Planet Completion

Data accurate through version 1.0.3.

Looking to get that illusive planet completion achievement without spending days of real-life time searching a planet for that one rock you can't seem to find? Here's a guide on how to get it done.

It Says 100%!!!

Just in case you've already found all the animals but you're confused because you didn't get the achievement, turns out there's one more step. I've noticed Twitch streamers forget this a lot.

Physically click the button/status bar that now reads "100% Complete" in order to officially submit the results. Be sure to not click on it before you are finished, otherwise you'll submit it prior to 100%. Also, be sure to submit it before jumping out of the system.

Birds

It's almost impossible to scan a bird from below the creature as it is flying. You have two choices:

• shoot it down then scan the body
• climb to a higher elevation and then scan it as it flies by.

Rocks

There are huge boulders and there are tiny pebbles. You'll need to scan both as you find them. Also, don't forget that the rocks in the cave -- while visually similar to those you already scanned outside the cave -- may be different types of rock.

Stalactites

In every cave, hanging from the ceiling, there are a series of odd polygonal tubes and then one stalactite. Don't forget this lone standout.

That Same Old Plant

There are certain plants that appear on every planet. Some give zinc. Others give thumium. Just because you scanned it on the last planet doesn't me you got it here.

Sprites

Planets have the potential to spawn tons of grass that you can't scan. In the video game world, this fake grass is known as "sprite" and is there simply for the visual. This sprite can cover up the stuff you're looking to scan. To defeat this effect, climb a rock or building so you can look down.

Also it's worth noting that in No Man's Sky sprite always sways with the wind whereas scanable objects do not.

Tiers of Elevation

To help in your search, I want you to picture the planet you are searching like an orange -- but with multiple "skins". Start your search in the sky and then peel away each skin one by one.

• Sky - Looking for flying birds (usually directly overhead) and other flying creatures like squid.
• Mountaintops - Some flora and fauna only live on the tops of mountains, hills, land bridges, or mesas.
• Terra - It's the ground level. This is where most of the things you find are going to be.
• Caves - Certain creatures and plants only exist in caves. Don't forget to search the stalactites as well as the floor.
• Shallow Water - A shallow lake is a great way to scan "most" of what a water world has to offer.
• Deep Water - In areas where you can barely see the coastline (huge lakes or oceans), there are deep fish and sharks to find. However, be careful when searching for these creatures because they have a serious advantage over you and are difficult to scan from above the surface of the water.

Hissing Cousins

Every planet with creatures has the potential to spawn two visually identical creatures that have differing DNA. We can say that one has "evolved" from the other and has tiny differences indiscernible with the naked eye. You may have to travel 10-15 minutes to a new grid in order to spawn the "cousin". Then you simply need to scan him too.

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