No Man’s Sky: How to Complete Scales of Fire Milestone

No Man's Sky: How to Complete Scales of Fire Milestone

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent exploring the endless universes of No Man’s Sky, I can confidently say that the Aquarius update has brought a whole new level of excitement to this already captivating game. The Scales of Fire milestone, specifically, has been quite the challenge!


In the wake of the Aquarius update, No Man’s Sky now offers a plethora of new elements including mechanics, technologies, and activities. One such activity is fishing, where players can devote significant time to catching the most elusive fish in the cosmos. Although amassing over 160 different species of fish using your Lost Angler’s Rig might seem like a Herculean endeavor, most players will likely find themselves investing numerous hours in pursuit of a specific catch.

Among all the aquatic creatures in No Man’s Sky’s Aquarius Expedition, particularly during Phase 5, the enigmatic Fire Scale Fish has caused more puzzlement among players than any other marine life. Although catching this fish is random, there are several strategies you can employ to increase your likelihood of fulfilling the Scales of Fire milestone. Today’s tutorial will concentrate on methods to complete this objective effortlessly.

How to Complete Scales of Fire Milestone in No Man’s Sky

No Man's Sky: How to Complete Scales of Fire Milestone

In the game No Man’s Sky, the mission Scales of Fire might seem a bit mysterious at first. It mentions you have to locate the scorching scales of the Angler’s heritage and then cast your line in a fitting water body using the Exo-Skiff. To clarify, what they’re pointing towards here is a legendary creature called “The Angler”. Contrary to what the name might suggest, it’s not a fish, but rather an octopus with extraordinary traits!

Using Bait to Boost Fish Rarity in No Man’s Sky

No Man's Sky: How to Complete Scales of Fire Milestone

Consequently, to enhance your odds of catching rare fish and potentially encounter legendary ones, consider using an enhanced bait. Among the basic baits, the Bionic Lure stands out as it offers a substantial 64% rarity increase when fishing. However, remember there are alternative items to traditional bait that you can use. Some players have discovered that cooking certain items with the Nutrient Processor yields even better results, though it may require more effort and time to acquire these items.

  • Caramel Ice Cream (76% rarity boost):
    • 1x Viscous Custard + 1x Frozen Tubers + 1x Crunchy Caramel
  • Cheese-and-Flesh Stew (74% rarity boost):
    • 1x Mystery Meat Stew + 1x Partially-Liquid Cheese
  • Mucal Doughnut (72% rarity boost):
    • 1x Lumpen Doughnut + 1x Sweetened Mucous

Finding a Suitable Body of Water in No Man’s Sky

No Man's Sky: How to Complete Scales of Fire Milestone

In the context of “No Man’s Sky“, the term “suitable body of water” is used to describe deep waters. Players tend to do well when they fish in bodies of water that are at least 50 to 77 units deep (and sometimes even deeper). There are planets with oceans covering most of their surface, but you can also increase the depth of the sea using the Terrain Manipulator tool. This tool not only helps create deeper seas but also aids in completing the Freediving milestone during Phase 3.

At this water depth, employing your top baits and the Exo-Skiff, the only remaining task for you is to keep fishing until The Angler takes the bait – this might take some time, either way.

Using Automated Traps in No Man’s Sky

No Man's Sky: How to Complete Scales of Fire Milestone

Should you find yourself investing excessive hours chasing The Angler in No Man’s Sky, consider setting up Automated Traps instead to help you catch it. This way, you can devote your time to achieving other Aquarius Expedition objectives. You can acquire these automated traps by exchanging one Salvaged Data at the Construction Research Station within the Space Anomaly, or by completing the Tales of the Waves milestone in Phase 3, which follows immediately after obtaining the Gone Fishing: 3 milestone. To assemble an Automated Trap, gather these materials:

  • 50x Salt: Found as a secondary element in some minerals, as a primary element in underwater minerals, or inside Resource Deposits. You can also craft it by using the Refiner with the following ingredients:
    • 1x Chlorine
    • 1x Di-hydrogen + 1x Oxygen
  • 3x Metal Plating: Build it using 50x Ferrite Dust.
  • 1x Ion Battery: Build it using 5x Ferrite Dust and 10x Cobalt.

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2024-09-09 13:03