Onboarding

Onboarding is the early-game progression phase that teaches the player how to survive, gather resources, and begin expanding the first base in Astroneer. It starts immediately after landing, with the Shelter providing the only initial power through its built-in RTG. From there, the player is expected to explore the starting area, unlock basic modules, and use the first printed items to extend range and reach new deposits.

The earliest priorities are usually Resin and Compound, since they support the first wave of base construction and utility printing. Tethers are especially important because they let the player move farther from the starting base without worrying about running out of oxygen, and they also make it possible to cross gaps or descend toward cave floors while staying connected. Small Solar Panels and Small Wind Turbines are useful early power sources for a small base, before larger production modules become available.

A typical early route is to establish the core base modules, beginning with a Research Chamber and then, after earning enough Bytes, a Smelter. Research is a major part of onboarding: the player should use any Research Samples found in the field, or bring Research Items back to the Research Chamber, to accelerate unlocks. Exploring nearby terrain is also the main way to collect enough Resin and Compound to keep building and printing.

As the player advances, the onboarding loop expands from simple survival into resource processing and wider exploration. The Smelter turns raw resources into refined resources, which are then used to craft better structures and vehicles. This makes cave exploration especially valuable, since deeper areas contain new resources needed for further base growth. Eventually, the player can build a Small Shuttle, opening the path to other planets and more advanced progression.

A few early-game goals stand out:

• Print Tethers and Containers early to improve mobility and inventory handling.
• Use Small Solar Panels and Small Wind Turbines to keep small bases running.
• Establish a Research Chamber quickly and feed it with found samples or research items.
• Build a Smelter once enough Bytes are available, then start refining raw resources.
• Expand into caves for better materials and to support later upgrades.
• After reaching space travel, use a Solid-Fuel Thruster to obtain resources from other planets.

Onboarding gradually introduces the larger systems of Astroneer: power management, refining, vehicle construction, and interplanetary logistics. Items such as the Portable Oxygenator and Packager arrive later in this progression, helping the player extend exploration or move entire modules to a new planet once the first base is stable.