Materials
Materials are small elements that can be found from a variety of sources that can be used to maintain or enhance the abilities of your ship and SRV.
They do not take up space in cargo racks.[1] Instead, materials have a separate inventory, and are only stored in tiny quantities. The maximum that can be carried at once is 1000 units of materials and 500 units of data.
Materials remain available when switching between vehicles, and in the case of vehicle destruction they are saved by the pilot's escape system.
They are currently used for 3 main purposes: Synthesis, Engineering, and gaining access to technology bought through Technology Brokers .
Material Categories
Materials can be classified into 1 of 3 categories.
Naturally occurring chemical elements.
Salvageable components.
From scanning various sources.
Material Grades
Within each material category, materials come in 5 different grades representing their rarity, with rarer materials providing greater effects when used.
| Symbol | Grade | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Very Common | |
| 2 | Common | |
| 3 | Standard | |
| 4 | Rare | |
| 5 | Very Rare |
