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S-Class Multi-Tool

★★★★☆ Late Game

24-slot experimental/royal multi-tool. Find at space stations, settlements, sentinel pillars.

1. Overview

The S-Class Multi-Tool is the single most important piece of equipment in No Man's Sky after your Exosuit and starship. It is your primary tool for mining resources, defending yourself against hostile creatures and Sentinels, harvesting flora, and manipulating terrain. While every player starts with a basic C-class Multi-Tool, upgrading to a 24-slot S-class experimental or royal variant is a transformative experience that turns your Multi-Tool from a Swiss Army knife into a precision instrument of destruction and efficiency.

Multi-Tools in No Man's Sky come in four classes: C, B, A, and S. Each class increase provides higher base damage, faster mining speed, larger scanner range, and more inventory/technology slots. An S-class Multi-Tool has 40% higher base damage than a C-class, mines resources 35% faster, and can have up to 24 slots (compared to 10 for C-class). But the class is only half the story — the type of Multi-Tool also matters enormously:

  • Pistol: Compact, 10 slots max. Highest base mining bonus. Good for early-game resource gathering but limited weapon and tech space.
  • Rifle: Balanced, 24 slots max. Good all-rounder with solid damage and mining stats.
  • Experimental: 24 slots max. Highest scanner and mining bonuses in the game. Ideal for explorers and farmers who prioritize resource detection and extraction speed. Distinctive organic/alien appearance.
  • Royal/Alien: 24 slots max. Highest damage bonus in the game. Ideal for combat-focused players. Crystalline, ornate appearance with bone-like structures.
  • Sentinel: 24 slots max. Balanced stats with unique Sentinel-inspired appearance. Requires the Interceptor update content to unlock.

For most players, the ideal endgame Multi-Tool is either a 24-slot S-class Experimental (for scanning/mining) or a 24-slot S-class Royal (for combat). Many experienced players carry one of each and swap depending on the activity. This guide covers how to find, evaluate, and claim an S-class Multi-Tool of any type, including the specific coordinates and methods that have the highest success rates.

Unlike most items in this guide, you do not craft an S-class Multi-Tool — you find one. S-class Multi-Tools spawn at specific locations in the galaxy and remain at those locations for all players. When you find one, you swap your current Multi-Tool for the new one at the acquisition point. The main spawn locations are: Space Station Multi-Tool cabinets, Minor Settlement weapon racks, and Sentinel Pillar Harmonic Camps. Each location has a different discovery method and spawn mechanic.

The key mechanic to understand is the Multi-Tool 'pool' system. Each star system has a hidden pool of 2–4 Multi-Tool variants that can spawn in that system. When you visit a Space Station or Minor Settlement, the game randomly selects one tool from that system's pool. The class of the tool that spawns is determined by the system's economy tier and conflict level:

  • Wealthy/High Economy systems (3-star wealth): Higher chance of S-class spawns. These systems are marked with a filled-in economy icon on the Galaxy Map.
  • High Conflict systems: Slightly higher chance of S-class Multi-Tools, especially Royal/Alien types.
  • Minor Settlements on wealthy planets: These have independent pools from the station, effectively doubling your chances per system.

This means the optimal S-class Multi-Tool hunting strategy is to identify wealthy, high-conflict systems and check both the Space Station cabinet and every Minor Settlement on every planet. With the right approach and a bit of luck, you can find an S-class Multi-Tool in 30–60 minutes. This guide provides the exact route to maximize your odds.

2. Recipe & Blueprint

Since S-class Multi-Tools are found rather than crafted, the 'recipe' section covers how to spawn, identify, and claim them. There is no inventory crafting involved — instead, you must understand the spawning mechanics and use them to your advantage.

Where S-Class Multi-Tools Spawn

Location 1: Space Station Multi-Tool Cabinet

Every Space Station has a Multi-Tool cabinet on the right side of the main concourse (when facing the station core from the landing bay). It appears as a wall-mounted display case with a holographic Multi-Tool floating inside. Interacting with it shows the currently spawned tool. The tool in the cabinet refreshes every time you reload your save or warp into the system from elsewhere.

The Space Station cabinet draws from the system's primary Multi-Tool pool. This pool contains 2–4 tools that are fixed for that system. The class of the spawned tool is random but weighted by the system's economy tier. In a wealthy 3-star system, there is approximately a 5% chance of an S-class spawning in the cabinet on any given refresh.

Location 2: Minor Settlement Weapon Rack

Minor Settlements are small outposts found on planetary surfaces. They contain a weapon rack behind the main desk that holds a Multi-Tool. This rack draws from a different pool than the Space Station — effectively giving each planet its own independent chance at an S-class spawn. A system with 4 planets could have 4 different Minor Settlement pools plus the station pool, giving you 5 chances per system.

To find Minor Settlements, use an Exocraft with Signal Booster upgrades or purchase Settlement Charts from the Cartographer on space stations (requires Navigation Data). Fly to the marked location, enter the building, and check the weapon rack behind the NPC at the desk.

Location 3: Sentinel Pillar Harmonic Camps

Introduced in the Interceptor update, Harmonic Camps are special structures associated with Sentinel Pillar sites. After clearing a Sentinel Pillar and collecting its Shard, you may find a Harmonic Camp nearby. These camps contain unique Sentinel-class Multi-Tools that cannot be found anywhere else. The pool is small but the tools have distinctive black-and-red Sentinel aesthetics.

Location 4: Abandoned Buildings

Some abandoned buildings contain damaged Multi-Tools in storage containers. These are almost always low-class (C or B) and are not worth hunting for S-class spawns. However, they can be a source of early free Multi-Tools if you are just starting out.

How to Force an S-Class Spawn (Save Scumming Method)

The most reliable method for getting an S-class Multi-Tool is known as 'save scumming' or 'save reloading'. This exploits the fact that Multi-Tool classes are randomly determined when you first visit a location:

  1. Create a manual save at a Save Point or Beacon before visiting the target location (Space Station or Minor Settlement).
  2. Visit the location and check the Multi-Tool cabinet/rack.
  3. If it is not S-class, reload your manual save. This resets the random roll.
  4. Repeat until an S-class spawns. In a wealthy system, this typically takes 10–30 reloads.

This method is time-consuming but guaranteed to work eventually. For best results, use wealthy 3-star systems where the S-class spawn rate is highest. Bring a book or podcast — you will be reloading a lot.

How to Claim Without Losing Your Current Tool

When you interact with a Multi-Tool cabinet and accept a new tool, your old tool is gone forever. There is no inventory storage for old Multi-Tools. To avoid losing a good tool:

  1. Always check the new tool's slot layout and class carefully before accepting.
  2. If the new tool has fewer slots than your current one, it is probably not worth it unless the class jump is massive (e.g., C10 to S24).
  3. Consider carrying a cheap 'disposable' C-class tool for exploration, keeping your main tool safe in your inventory until you find a worthy upgrade.

3. Materials & How to Get Them

What You Actually Need (It Is Not Materials)

Finding an S-class Multi-Tool requires preparation, not crafting materials. Here is your actual preparation checklist:

🧭 Navigation Data

Total needed: 10–15

Source: Drop Pod coordinate data, Cartographer on stations, Signal Booster scans

Notes: Used to purchase Settlement Charts from the Cartographer. Each chart marks a Minor Settlement on your current planet.

💰 Units (for comparison shopping)

Total needed: 0 (Multi-Tools are free to claim)

But: Carry 5+ million Units to buy upgrade modules once you get your new tool.

Notes: The Multi-Tool itself is free, but you will want to buy S-class upgrade modules immediately.

💎 Nanites

Total needed: 5,000–10,000

Source: Upload discoveries, refine Platinum, complete missions

Notes: Each S-class Multi-Tool upgrade module (Boltcaster, Mining Beam, Scanner, etc.) costs 480 Nanites. You will want 10–20 modules.

⏱️ Patience

Total needed: Infinite

Source: Within

Notes: Save scumming takes 10–30 reloads on average. Up to 100+ in unlucky cases.

Multi-Tool Upgrade Modules to Buy Immediately

Once you claim your S-class Multi-Tool, head to the Space Station Multi-Tool Technology Merchant (the NPC near the Multi-Tool cabinet). Purchase S-class upgrade modules for:

  • Boltcaster S-Class Upgrade (×3): +15% damage each, max +45% with adjacency bonus. Essential for combat.
  • Mining Beam S-Class Upgrade (×3): +15% mining speed each. Turn your tool into a resource-harvesting monster.
  • Scanner S-Class Upgrade (×3): +10,000% scan value per fauna/flora. A single creature scan can yield 500,000+ Units with full upgrades. This is one of the best income sources in the game.
  • Plasma Launcher S-Class Upgrade (×2): For terrain manipulation and Sentinel combat.
  • Waveform Recycler (if available): Reduces Mining Beam heat generation, allowing continuous fire.

4. Optimal Farming Route

This route maximizes your odds of finding an S-class Multi-Tool in the shortest possible time. It leverages the system's economy tier, checks multiple spawn points per system, and uses save scumming to guarantee results. Estimated time: 30–90 minutes.

Phase 1: System Selection (5 minutes)

  1. Open the Galaxy Map — Press M. Ensure you have the Economy Scanner installed on your starship (purchased from the Starship Technology Merchant for Nanites).
  2. Filter for Wealthy Systems — Look for systems with a 3-star economy rating (the icon shows three filled dots or a 'wealthy' descriptor). These have the highest S-class spawn chance. Also look for 2-star or 3-star conflict levels.
  3. Warp to a target system — Choose a wealthy, high-conflict system within your warp range. If you have the Indium Drive or Emeril Drive, you have more options. Even Cadmium Drive systems can work — the economy tier matters more than the star color.
  4. Note the system name and economy type — Write it down or take a screenshot. If this system does not work, you will want to remember which ones you have checked.

Phase 2: Space Station Check (10 minutes)

  1. Fly to the Space Station — Dock and exit your ship to create an autosave.
  2. Create a manual save — Use the station's Save Point (usually near the teleporter) to create a manual save. This is your scum point.
  3. Check the Multi-Tool cabinet — Walk to the right side of the concourse. Interact with the cabinet. Note the tool's class, type, and slot count.
  4. If not S-class: reload manual save — Open menu → Options → Reload Manual Save. The cabinet will reroll.
  5. Repeat up to 30 times — If no S-class spawns after 30 reloads, this system's primary pool may not contain a high-tier tool. Move to Phase 3.
  6. If S-class: evaluate before claiming — Check the slot layout. An S-class with only 10 slots is a Pistol type and not worth it for endgame. Look for 20+ slots (Rifle, Experimental, or Royal).

Phase 3: Minor Settlement Sweep (30–60 minutes)

  1. Purchase Settlement Charts — Talk to the Cartographer NPC on the station (near the Mission Board). Buy 5–10 Settlement Charts using Navigation Data. If you lack Navigation Data, scan for artifacts using your Signal Booster on each planet.
  2. Visit each planet — Land on Planet 1. Use a Settlement Chart from your inventory. It will mark the nearest Minor Settlement with a waypoint.
  3. Fly to the Settlement — Land, enter the building, and check the weapon rack behind the NPC at the desk.
  4. Save scum each settlement — Before entering the building, create a manual save with your portable Save Point (crafted from 1 Metal Plating). Check the rack. If not S-class, reload. Repeat 10–20 times per settlement.
  5. Check all planets — A system with 4 planets has 4 Minor Settlement pools. Each is independent. Check them all before giving up on the system.

Phase 4: Sentinel Pillar Check (Optional, 20 minutes)

  1. Clear a Sentinel Pillar — If you have already unlocked Sentinel Pillar encounters (see our Sentinel Exosuit guide), clear one in the current system.
  2. Check for Harmonic Camp — After clearing, search the surrounding area (within 500 units) for a Harmonic Camp structure.
  3. Check the Multi-Tool — Harmonic Camps have their own Multi-Tool spawn points. These are always Sentinel-type tools and can be S-class.

Phase 5: Move to Next System (If Needed)

  1. Return to the Galaxy Map — Find another wealthy, high-conflict system.
  2. Repeat Phases 2–4 — Most players find an S-class Multi-Tool within 3–5 systems.

With persistence and this methodical approach, you will have a 24-slot S-class Multi-Tool within a few hours. The satisfaction of finally seeing that golden 'S' class icon after 25 reloads is one of the best feelings in No Man's Sky.

5. Gotchas & Pro Tips

⚠️ Your Old Multi-Tool Is Gone Forever

When you claim a new Multi-Tool, your old one is permanently deleted. There is no storage system, no way to keep it as a backup. Always check the new tool's slot count and type carefully. If you have a beloved A-class Experimental with 23 slots and perfect upgrades, think very hard before swapping it for an S-class Pistol with 10 slots. The class letter is not everything — slots and type matter just as much.

⚠️ Not All S-Class Tools Are Equal

An S-class Pistol with 10 slots is objectively worse than an A-class Experimental with 24 slots. The type and slot count are just as important as the class. When evaluating a potential upgrade, use this priority list:

  1. Slot count (24 is max — aim for 20+)
  2. Type (Experimental for scanning/mining, Royal for combat, Rifle for balanced)
  3. Class (S is best, but A with more slots is often better)
  4. Slot layout (adjacent clusters are better for upgrade module placement)

⚠️ Upgrades Do Not Transfer

All upgrade modules installed on your old Multi-Tool are lost when you swap. You will need to repurchase every S-class upgrade module for your new tool. This is why you should carry 5,000+ Nanites when hunting — so you can immediately outfit your new find. The Multi-Tool Technology Merchant sells random S-class modules each day, so you may need to visit multiple stations or wait for restocks.

⚠️ Reloading Changes the Pool

Save scumming at a Space Station works because the cabinet rerolls from the same system pool each time. However, reloading after visiting a Minor Settlement can sometimes change which pool the station draws from. If you check a settlement, reload, then check the station, the station may show a different tool. Use this to your advantage — visiting settlements 'unlocks' their tools for the station pool too.

💡 Pro Tip: Check the NMS Coordinate Exchange

The No Man's Sky community maintains a massive database of confirmed S-class Multi-Tool coordinates. Visit the NMS Coordinate Exchange subreddit or use community tools to find portal coordinates for systems with guaranteed S-class Experimental or Royal spawns. Using a Portal (unlocked via the Artemis Path) with the correct glyph sequence, you can travel directly to a known S-class system and claim the tool in minutes instead of hours.

💡 Pro Tip: Carry Two Multi-Tools

While you cannot store old Multi-Tools, you can own two simultaneously and switch between them at any Multi-Tool cabinet. Many endgame players carry one S-class Experimental (fully upgraded for scanning and mining) and one S-class Royal (fully upgraded for combat). Swap based on activity. To set this up, find a cabinet with a free Multi-Tool (often a C-class), claim it as your second slot, then hunt for your ideal second tool.

💡 Pro Tip: Scanner Upgrades Are the Best Income

Three S-class Scanner upgrades on an Experimental Multi-Tool make fauna scanning ludicrously profitable. A single rare creature scan can yield 500,000–700,000 Units. Scanning a full planet's fauna (12–15 creatures) can net 5–8 million Units in 20 minutes of exploration. This is faster than Chlorine farming and requires zero setup. Always prioritize Scanner upgrades on your hunting tool.

6. Free Benefits & What This Unlocks

Claiming an S-class Multi-Tool unlocks a cascade of gameplay improvements that touch every aspect of No Man's Sky. Here is everything you gain:

Immediate Benefits

  • +40% Base Damage: S-class Multi-Tools deal 40% more damage than C-class right out of the cabinet, before any upgrades. This makes a huge difference in early-to-mid game combat.
  • +35% Mining Speed: Harvest resource deposits in seconds rather than minutes. Large Gold or Activated Indium deposits that take 30 seconds with a C-class tool take 10 seconds with an S-class.
  • 24 Technology Slots: Fit three full sets of S-class upgrade modules (Boltcaster, Mining Beam, Scanner) with room to spare. C-class tools max at 10 slots — barely enough for one weapon and the mining beam.
  • Expanded Scanner Range: Detect fauna, flora, and minerals from much farther away. Red planet exploration time by half.

Unlocked Activities

  • Fauna Scanning for Profit: With three S-class Scanner upgrades, scanning fauna becomes one of the highest income-per-hour activities in the game. A Lush planet with 14 fauna species can yield 6–8 million Units in under 20 minutes. No farming, no refining, no crafting — just walk around and scan.
  • Sentinel Combat Farming: S-class Boltcaster upgrades let you destroy Sentinel Drones in a single eye-shot and Quads in 3–4 hits. This makes Sentinel Pillar farming and 5-star wanted level survival actually profitable rather than suicidal.
  • Rapid Resource Extraction: S-class Mining Beam upgrades turn your tool into an industrial harvester. Large deposits disappear in seconds. Essential for Activated Indium farm construction where you need thousands of metal units.
  • Terrain Manipulation at Scale: With a Plasma Launcher and S-class upgrades, you can reshape entire mountains in minutes. Useful for base building, road construction between bases, and creative landscaping.

What This Unlocks for Later

  • Endgame Combat Builds: With 24 slots, you can install a full Boltcaster suite, a full Scatter Blaster suite, and a full Mining Beam suite simultaneously. No more swapping weapons at cabinets — you have everything in one tool.
  • Explorer's Income Stream: The Scanner upgrade path turns every new planet into a potential 5–10 million Unit payday. Combined with the Stasis Device/Fusion Ignitor crafting chain, you can generate 50+ million Units per hour.
  • Sentinel Technology Synergy: The S-class Royal Multi-Tool pairs perfectly with the Sentinel Exosuit upgrades (see our Sentinel Exosuit guide). The combined damage output makes you unstoppable against any enemy in the game.