No Man’s Sky: 10 Best Exotic Planets

Key Takeaways

No Man’s Sky is a fantastic open-world survival game set in the far-off future where you’re free to explore the furthest reaches of the galaxy. The planets number in the thousands, each of them having unique characteristics that set them apart from the rest.

Among these planets are Exotic planets that bring their unique features to new heights and are centered on a themed biome with a special name depending on their intensity. While the other planets are great in their own right, these exotic planets deserve a list of their own.

10 Bone Spire

The Bone Spire Exotic planets are newer variations that are characterized by large, cross-shaped spines protruding from the ground as well as tentacle-like plants. The tentacle plants give off a red-orange glow from indents along the stalk, while the spines produce yellow light through ring-shaped crevices.

While the larger spines can be impressive, you’ll be pleased to know that you can collect smaller versions of the spined protrusions for display within your base or laboratory. Bone Crawlers can make an appearance via burrowing through the ground, a method of travel likely to have spooked a number of explorers when unnoticed.

9 Beam Planets

These planetary anomalies are also called Aurora or Pillars of Aurora and cover the surface of a planet in beams of light emitting from fissures. The fissures resemble an unfolded umbrella and are often accompanied by green mist while emitting blue-green light into the sky.

Like the other Exotic planets, there are trophies to be obtained for display in your base, this time taking on the appearance of the Light Fissures. The planet can also be home to Living Geysers and Living Plasma balls on occasion.

8 Contour Planets

These planets are mysterious due to their surface being covered in Living Cable Pods that will sometimes roll away from you upon approaching. The most creepy of the Living Pods will be atop a tendril with an oscillating texture, giving it an eerie appearance. The pods themselves are covered in cables.

Like with most other Exotic planets, the Cable Pods on Contour planets can be collected for display. Interestingly enough, the Cable Pods can be found on other planets, most commonly underwater on oceanic planets.

7 M Structure Planets

Covered in virus-like anomalies, the M Structure planets are incredibly odd looking due to the calcified shells called Living Mollusks that litter the landscapes. The purple virus anomalies are also very intriguing to look at and leads one to wonder how exactly these floating beings came into existence.

The Living Mollusks have miniature versions that can be collected for study or display. The virus-like structures can’t be interacted with and simply float around as you explore. Some white shells have a core inside of them that can light up when aimed at, furthering the intrigue.

6 Shard Planets

As one of the most popular Exotic planets around, Shard planets are home to the largest of the Exotic trophies available to gather. The trophies are so large, in fact, that a two-story housing area is needed to contain the anomaly. The rectangular slabs dotting the surface are gold with black scorch marks covering them and levitate above the ground.

Most notably, though, creatures called Crystal Elementals randomly appear and roam the landscape in all of their pure golden glory. Shard Crawlers also appear occasionally and can spook the unwary traveler if you’re not paying attention.

5 Wire Cell Planets

Wire Cell Planets are covered in screens and displays of varying condition. Some are completely dead while others are colored and held up wire cells that are always bent rather than structured. The local flora utilize the screens and wires to cover themselves during development and begin to disintegrate along with the structure upon reaching a specific height.

An anomaly called Zimbaites can occur around the wire cells and hover independently. There are small Electric Cubes littering the ground to collect and take home with you as a souvenir.

4 Irri Shell Planets

The phenomena visible on this planet are awe-inspiring due to the size difference between you and the Irri Shells. As you land, it’s hard to miss the large capillary shells protruding from the ground. The Capillary Shells can be collected for display.

Despite most of the surface being barren and dead, there are Animated Shells located around the planet that float and move throughout the air of the anomalous planet. Their eerie dancing adds a lot to the atmosphere and makes the planet far more intriguing.

3 Fract Cube Planets

Fract Cube Planets, aka Metallurgic Planets, are covered in large metallic structures called Redbraite. The floating ones are active and floating while emitting red or green light while the inactive ones have dimmed and are embedded in the ground. The smaller variants called Terbium Growths can be taken home and do not emit any light.

It’s theorized that the Growths do not emit light as to fuel their growth, rather than spending energy on emitting light. Occasionally, the Terbium Cores can escape their metallic prison and roam freely while sometimes discharging energy in the nearby air.

2 Bubble Planets

By far, this is one of the most fun planets to explore. Unlike some other entries and planet types, the Bubble Planets don’t carry a sinister implication or any sort of eerie undertone. As the name implies, the planet is covered in bubbles both large and small. Bubble Clusters can be found around the surface to collect and display, giving your base a fun and lighthearted look.

There also exists another bubble type called the Bloodballoon, but don’t let the name dissuade you from visiting. The running theory is that these bubbles carry organic compounds within them, and the compounds refract light to give it a red tinge.

1 Glitch Planets

These planets are a mashup of every Exotic biome put together on a single planet and remain the rarest of the Exotic planets. You can never be sure of what you’ll encounter on these planets due to the amalgamation of the biomes. You’ll see the bubbles floating around the sky, accompanied by Redbraites from the Fract Cube planets.

Do note that the newer Exotic planets may not be a part of these planets yet but it is confirmed that the older Exotics are included in the portfolio. This planet type also carries the most diverse name generation when it comes to the prefixes.