To get the hoverboard in Astroneer, you must complete the “Prototype” mission, which is part of the Exo Biology Lab questline. This requires you to travel to the desert planet Calidor, gather specific resources like copper and zinc, and track down the mysterious Exo Vehicle Data Recorder. Once finished, you will unlock the Hoverboard schematic, allowing you to print this super-fast personal vehicle using your backpack.
Imagine walking across a giant, colorful planet. You see a mountain in the distance. You want to explore it. But your legs move so slowly. Your oxygen line holds you back. You wish you could fly across the dirt. In this cosmic sandbox game, movement is everything. If you cannot move fast, you will waste a lot of time. Many players ask how to solve this issue early in the game.
Fortunately, there is a tiny, personal device that solves all your travel issues. It lets you slide over hills like a pro surfer. If you want to master this amazing movement style, you are in the right place. This guide will teach you how to get Hoverboard Astroneer quickly. We will walk you through the entire process, step by step.
This guide covers everything you need to know. We will look at the missions you must complete. We will show you which planets to visit. We will also talk about the fuel and items you need to keep your board running. By the end of this read, you will be zooming across the cosmos. Let us dive into the details and learn how to get Hoverboard Astroneer!
Key Takeaways
- Start the MAT Mission: You must activate the “Prototype” mission via your Logbook to begin your search.
- Visit Calidor: Key steps of the questline take place on the sandy planet of Calidor, so prepare your shuttle.
- Gather Exo Chips: You will need to find and blow up Exo Caches to get Exo Chips for the mission.
- Print from Backpack: Once unlocked, you can print the hoverboard directly from your backpack printer using one Exo Chip.
- Power Source Needed: The hoverboard drains 1 Unit of power per second, requiring a portable generator or QT-RTG.
- High Mobility: It allows you to glide over terrain quickly and ignore fall damage while active.
📑 Table of Contents
What is the Hoverboard in Astroneer?
The hoverboard is a personal vehicle. It was added in a major game update. You can read about this update in the Shacknews Jet-Powered update patch notes. Unlike massive rovers, this board fits in your pocket. You can carry it in your backpack. When you equip it, you slide just above the ground. It makes travel incredibly fun.
Key Benefits of the Hoverboard
There are many reasons to learn how to get Hoverboard Astroneer as soon as possible. First, it is very fast. It lets you move much faster than sprinting. Second, it does not care about gravity. If you fall from a high cliff while riding, you take zero fall damage. This means you can jump into deep caves without fear. Finally, it works with other items. You can use it while carrying heavy objects with your cursor.
How It Handles
Riding the board feels smooth. It glides over rough soil, grass, and rocks. You do not have to worry about getting stuck in small cracks. It also keeps your hands free. You can still use your terrain tool to mine resources while you slide. This makes it the ultimate tool for gathering rare minerals on alien worlds. Once you know how to get Hoverboard Astroneer, you will never want to walk again.
Requirements to Unlock the Hoverboard
You cannot craft this item right away. You must unlock its recipe first. This requires you to play through the game’s mission system. The missions are easy to follow, but they take some travel. You will need a reliable shuttle and some basic survival gear to figure out how to get Hoverboard Astroneer.
How to Get Hoverboard Astroneer? — key points at a glance
Starting the Mission Chain
Your journey starts on the home planet of Sylva. Open your mission log. You can find this log on the side of your landing pad. You can also view it from your quick menu. Look for a mission called “In Search of Answers.” This is the start of the questline. It will lead you to a strange, wrecked structure on your home world. This is the first major step in how to get Hoverboard Astroneer.
Required Tech and Resources
Before you leave Sylva, make sure you have a few things. You will need a solid-fuel thruster for your shuttle. You will also need copper and zinc. These resources are easy to find in the caves of Sylva. Having a few oxygen filters in your bag is also a great idea. You will be doing some walking in wild areas as you learn how to get Hoverboard Astroneer.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Hoverboard Astroneer?
Now, let us get into the exact steps. Follow this guide to complete the missions quickly. If you want more help, you can check the detailed walkthrough on the Game Rant hoverboard guide.
Step 1: Locate the MAT on Sylva
The first step of the mission is to find the Mysterious Assembly Theta. Players call this the MAT. It is a large, metallic structure. It will show up as a green beacon on your compass. Walk or drive to this location. Once you arrive, you will need to activate it. The mission log will ask you to plug in a small battery. This battery is easy to print at your base.
Step 2: Collect the Rare Materials
Once the MAT is active, it will ask for resources. You need to feed it. It will ask for one copper and one zinc. Place these items into the slots on the machine. This will trigger the next part of the quest. You will get a new mission called “Prototype.” This is the core quest for how to get Hoverboard Astroneer.
Step 3: Fly to the Desert Planet Calidor
Pack your bags and hop into your shuttle. You must fly to Calidor. This planet is a hot, sandy desert. It is full of deep canyons and cactus hazards. Make sure you bring a beacon with you. It is easy to get lost here. Once you land on Calidor, look at your compass. You will see a new signal. This signal points to the Exo Vehicle Data Recorder.
Step 4: Recover the Data Recorder
Travel to the green beacon on Calidor. You will find a crashed capsule. This is the data recorder. To unlock it, you must blow it open. You will need a piece of dynamite. You can find dynamite in wrecked ships on Calidor. You can also craft it back at your base. Place the dynamite on the container. Walk back and activate it. The explosion will open the crate. Grab the data chip inside.
Step 5: Return to the MAT
Now, fly back to Sylva. Go to the MAT structure. Insert the data chip into the machine. The MAT will process the data. It will then award you the Hoverboard schematic. This is the final step in how to get Hoverboard Astroneer. You will also get one free hoverboard as a reward!
How to Print and Craft Your Hoverboard
Now that you know how to get Hoverboard Astroneer, let us look at how to replace it if you lose it. What if you lose your free hoverboard? Do not worry. You can always print a new one. The recipe is saved in your backpack. You do not need a large printer for this task.
The Crafting Recipe
To print a new hoverboard, open your backpack printer. You only need one resource:
- 1x Exo Chip
Exo Chips are special items. You cannot mine them from the ground. You must find them in the world.
Where to Find Exo Chips
You can find Exo Chips inside green Exo Caches. These caches look like locked metal boxes. They are scattered across all planets. To open them, you must use dynamite. Just place the dynamite on the cache and set it off. The box will blow up and leave behind one or two Exo Chips. If you want a visual guide on finding these caches, you can view the Steam Community guide on Exo Caches. Keep some dynamite in your storage at all times.
Crucial Tips for Using the Hoverboard
Knowing how to get Hoverboard Astroneer is only half the fun. You also need to know how to use it safely. It behaves differently than other vehicles in the game.
Manage Your Power Needs
The hoverboard requires power to run. It uses one unit of power per second. If your backpack runs out of power, the board stops working instantly. This can cause you to fall. To prevent this, you need a constant power source. The best option is a QT-RTG. This tiny generator fits in your backpack. It provides infinite power. You get a few of these from missions. You can also use a small wind turbine or a small solar panel on your shoulders.
Master the Controls
To start riding, double-tap the jump key. Your character will hop onto the board. To stop, double-tap the jump key again. You can steer with your normal movement keys. It is very fast, so be careful near cliffs. Even though you do not take fall damage, you can still slide into deep holes.
The Ultimate Mobility Combo
Do you want to fly? You can combine your board with a jetpack. First, activate your hoverboard. Then, start your jetpack. This allows you to fly forward at extreme speeds. It is the fastest way to travel in the entire game. For more details on vehicle combos, read the official wiki pages on the Astroneer Wiki Hoverboard page.
Conclusion
Learning how to get Hoverboard Astroneer completely changes how you play the game. No longer will you have to walk slowly across dusty plains. With just a quick trip to Calidor and some dynamite, you can unlock unparalleled speed. Just remember to pack a reliable power source like a QT-RTG. That is all you need to know about how to get Hoverboard Astroneer. Happy sliding, explorer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take fall damage while riding the hoverboard?
No, you do not take any fall damage while actively riding the hoverboard. You can slide off the highest mountains and land safely on the ground below.
What power source is best for the hoverboard?
The best power source is a QT-RTG because it fits in your backpack and provides infinite power. This ensures your hoverboard never runs out of energy while you are sliding.
Can you use a jetpack with the hoverboard?
Yes, you can combine the hoverboard with a hydrazine or solid-fuel jetpack. This allows you to fly forward at incredible speeds across the terrain.
Where do you craft a new hoverboard?
You can craft a new hoverboard directly inside your backpack printer. It does not require a medium or large printer station.
What resources do you need to craft a hoverboard?
You only need one Exo Chip to craft a hoverboard. You can get Exo Chips by blowing up Exo Caches with dynamite.
Do you have to visit Calidor to get the hoverboard?
Yes, you must travel to Calidor to find the Exo Vehicle Data Recorder. This is a mandatory step in the Prototype mission chain.
