No Man's Sky: How to Find Settlements and Become Overseer

Settlements were added into No Man's Sky as part of the Frontiers update. Since then you can find Alien villages and become Overseer, allowing you to manage them. Here's how to find Alien Settlements in No Man's Sky, and how to become Overseer. We'll also take a look at owning multiple settlements and finding one on non-extreme planets.

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No Man's Sky: How to Find Settlements and Become Overseer

To find your first settlement in No Man's Sky you just need to get in your ship and fly into space. You will then receive a Distress Signal, and a Beacon will be marked on a nearby planet.

Once you have reached the Settlement you will need to speak to one of the villagers. Sentinels will spawn that you must defeat. Afterwards, you will be directed to take over as Overseer at a terminal in the centre of the area.

Seize control of the Settlement to become its leader. you will then be lead through a series of objectives that help expand the village.

Can You Have Multiple Settlements?

You can only be Overseer for one Settlement at a time. Taking control of a new one will relinquish the one you are already running. This will get rid of the old Settlement, and you will need to build up the new one from scratch.

Switching Settlements

If you'd like to switch Settlements, maybe because your first one was on a hostile planet, go to a Space Station and speak to the Cartographer. You can purchase Planetary Maps of Settlements for 5 Navigation Data a piece. Head down to a desirable planet and open the map. This will mark a Settlement on the planet, allowing you to become Overseer. Note that after your first Settlement, taking over new ones will cost resources, usually related to the dominant race in a given system. You may be asked to give 3 Vy'Keen Daggers for instance.

You can also use the advanced scanners on certain Exocraft to look for Settlements. You will need the Tau upgrade for Exocrafts like the Roamer.

That's all you need to know about starting your journey as Overseer in No Man's Sky Frontiers. For more help with the game be sure to check out our guide on getting a free freighter. Elsewhere there's our guide on getting Emeril.