How to Upgrade the Rover in The Planet Crafter

How to Upgrade the Rover in The Planet Crafter

As a seasoned interstellar traveler with countless hours spent behind the wheel of various rovers, I must say that the Rover in Planet Crafter is a marvel of technology and ingenuity. This mechanical beast is not just a tool for traversing the alien landscapes, but a versatile companion that can greatly enhance your survival and exploration capabilities.


In their latest update, the creators of “The Planet Crafter” introduced an authentic vehicle into the game. Although players could navigate fairly effectively with agility boots and a jetpack earlier, the newly added rover boasts some unique characteristics that are not found in typical gear.

Absolutely, it’s important to note that while the rover has its challenges, like navigating a terrain without roads or many flat areas in The Planet Crafter, the developers have addressed these issues and incorporated strategies to make maneuvering the rover smoother. First, let me guide you on how to initially access the rover within the game.

How to Unlock and Craft the Rover

How to Upgrade the Rover in The Planet Crafter

In the game The Planet Crafter, you’ll be able to construct a rover when you unveil the Vehicle Station blueprint, which necessitates 6.5 MTi. This structure usually becomes accessible during the early-mid stage of gameplay, following the unlocking of the rocket pad, but prior to the ice thawing into lakes. To fabricate this station, you’ll require:

  • 3 Aluminum
  • 2 Super Alloy
  • 1 Iridium Rod

Once you establish your base, feel free to situate the station anywhere exterior to it. Just remember that one part of the Vehicle Station is a ramp, and this ramp ought to be aligned facing the direction you wish your rover to face.

On one part of the Spacecraft Hub, there’s a control panel equipped with two screens. The main screen enables you to design rovers and enhancements for those rovers. It is worth noting that the rover requires these modifications in order to function effectively.

  • 2 Rocket Engines
  • 1 Uranium
  • 1 Iron
  • 1 Fabric
  • 1 Silicon

With the correct display, you have the ability to reposition any explorer robot back onto the map. Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to give them names. Instead, the respawn monitor organizes the robots according to their coordinates on the map. You can easily locate your current position by looking at the numbers in the lower-left corner of your screen.

After one use, the “Return to Garage” feature requires a wait of 10 minutes (600 seconds) before it can be utilized again, but importantly, this waiting period is independent for each Vehicle Station. This enables you to strategically place stations throughout the map to help your rover navigate around potential hindrances. Moreover, you can position Vehicle Stations and Teleporters in close proximity to facilitate swift transportation for both yourself and your rover across the map in a jiffy.

How to Upgrade the Rover

How to Upgrade the Rover in The Planet Crafter

With the rover, you can also utilize the Vehicle Station to create various rover enhancements. These improvements offer perks such as increased speed, expanded cargo capacity, and superior headlights. Not all of these upgrades are immediately accessible though. To obtain any advanced vehicle modifications, you’ll need to discover and decipher scattered blueprint microchips. Additionally, two other upgrades require achieving terraforming milestones.

NameUnlock?RecipeBenefit
T1 EquipmentNo
  • 1 Super Alloy
  • 1 Silicon
  • 1 Iridium
5 equipment slots instead of 2
T2 EquipmentMicrochip
  • 2 T1 Equipment chips
  • 1 Obsidian
  • 1 Super Alloy
10 equipment slots
T1 Inventory17.5 MTi
  • 1 Silicon
  • 1 Fabric
  • 1 Super Alloy
48 inventory slots instead of 30
T2 InventoryMicrochip
  • 2 T1 Inventory chips
  • 1 Osmium
  • 2 Fabric
64 inventory slots
T3 InventoryMicrochip
  • 2 T2 Inventory chips
  • 1 Magnetar Quartz
  • 3 Fabric
88 inventory slots
T1 SpeedNo
  • 2 Zeolite
  • 1 Rocket Engine
Doubles movement speed
T2 SpeedMicrochip
  • 2 T1 Speed chips
  • 1 Explosive Powder
Triples movement speed
T3 SpeedMicrochip
  • 2 T2 Speed chips
  • 1 Explosive Powder
  • 2 Blazar Quartz
  • 1 Pulsar Quartz
Quadruples movement speed
T1 LightsNo
  • 1 Sulfur
  • 1 Cobalt
  • 1 Silicon
Provides headlights
T2 LightsMicrochip
  • 2 T1 Lights chips
  • 1 Solar Quartz
Provides stronger headlights
Unlimited OxygenNo
  • 4 Zeolite
  • 2 Oxygen Capsules
Driving the rover replenishes oxygen (even underwater)
BeaconNo
  • 1 Zeolite
  • 1 Osmium
  • 1 Super Alloy
Gain a beacon you can see anywhere on the map
Logistics6.7t Animals
  • 2 Circuit Boards
  • 1 Osmium Rod
  • 2 Bioplastic Nuggets
  • 1 Super Alloy Rod
Can set supply and demand orders for the rover’s inventory

How to Use the Rover

How to Upgrade the Rover in The Planet Crafter

The rover is an intricate device that performs various actions based on its current viewpoint.

  • If you interact with the main cabin in front, you’ll get into the driver’s seat and can start driving the rover around the map.
  • If you click on the black box on the left side of the rover, you’ll open the equipment slots. This is where you can add all your vehicle upgrades.
  • If you click on the blue chest at the back end, you’ll open up the rover’s inventory. This is also where you can add or remove supply and demand orders when you have the Logistics upgrade installed.
  • If you click on one of the two seats in the back, you’ll sit down and become a rover passenger. This is a useful way for players to stick together during a multiplayer game, but these seats have no purpose in a single-player session. Also, passengers don’t get free oxygen even if you have the right upgrade installed.
  • If you have a beacon installed, you can find a display on the right side of the rover. This lets you change the beacon’s color. However, you can’t remove or change the rover outline in the beacon marker.
  • On the back of the rover is a big red button that says “Grab.” If the rover’s inventory is empty, clicking on this button will add the rover to your personal inventory. You can then deploy the rover by right-clicking on its icon.

Rover Driving Tips

How to Upgrade the Rover in The Planet Crafter
  • The rover has trouble climbing over rocks and getting around trees, but water doesn’t even slow it down.
  • The Unlimited Oxygen upgrade has a use even after you reach the Breathable Atmosphere milestone. Swimming underwater still costs oxygen, but you can drive underwater without problems if you have this upgrade.
  • If you manage to flip the rover, and you’re carrying too much to use the Grab button, you can press F4 from the driver’s seat to reset the rover’s location. This places it slightly above and behind your current location, with the wheels pointed down.
  • Another way to retrieve your rover is to head to the nearest Vehicle Station and use the Return to Garage function (see above). Unlike the Grab button, this works even if your rover’s inventory is full.
  • A fully upgraded rover and a fully upgraded jetpack are about the same speed. The real advantage of the upgraded rover is that it’s a mobile outpost.
  • Once you unlock the Logistics upgrade, set your rover’s inventory to “Supply All” as soon as you can. With the right base setup, your drones will empty your rover’s inventory almost as fast as you can fill it.

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2024-10-12 15:03