Does an EMP bomb have to be placed on a particular location?

[Bill Garthright]

I'm trying to get blueprints, of course - just a few, since I've had quite poor luck hacking natural leaks (typically, just succeeding with the same cross-piece part over and over again).

Earlier, I tried to use an EMP bomb at a Terran station to get a computronic substrate production module. I tried over and over again, without ever getting any data leaks.

But, eventually - note that this MIGHT be a spoiler - I saw a spot on the module with a small red square next to a glowing... green square (I think that was the color). They were distinctive, so I set off an EMP bomb there, and it worked great.

Now I'm at an Argon station trying for a hull parts production module. (Note that I've been searching diligently for 'natural' leaks on these modules, finding them, and even being successful, supposedly. At least, that's what I'm told. But I never get the blueprint. And no, I don't already have it. But that's a separate issue.)

I've searched all over for something like I found on the previous module, SOMETHING that looked different, that looked like it might be electronic, that might be where I was supposed to place the EMP bomb. But nothing is obvious, and nothing that I've tried has actually produced any data leaks.

So what's the deal? Is it entirely random? Or do you just have to guess at the right place to place the EMP bomb. Because none of the bombs I'm setting off are doing anything at all (except for getting station security upset).

And no, I'm not using the wrong kind of bomb. I don't even HAVE other bombs. So what am I missing here?

Thanks.

[conrado.lacerda]

The EMP bomb can go anywhere on the desired module, and one of the four data leaks that it creates will give you the blueprint. Just be careful that sometimes the leaks appear inside the module and you can't get to them, so save before.

BUT, first you need to complete the necessary research at the PHQ, or else you won't be able to hack the blueprint.

[ayrtep]

Yes, there are some locations that don't work for EPM planting. For troublesome modules its best to target the connection piping around the module rather than the main producing area. For example, it took me ages to find the spot for the swamp plant module.

If your EPM bomb seems to have travelled further than you expected, you can detach it, and "o" it back into your inventory. Then try elsewhere.

Key skill to lean: Zoom map so you can only see the station. Now select the object list tab. You can open the station and look at a list of its modules, if you select the module you want it will be highlighted in the main map. You can then drag the map around to see the extent of the module you are targeting.

[trooperrob]

save before hand.
I find sometimes it doesn't give data leaks.
it might be something related to other missions being available on that station, but just a guess.

Try to do it on a flat surface. Scan to make sure you are on the right module, you look a fool if you actually explode on the next door one.

Make sure you have the relevant research.
If it doesn't work, reload (if bothered) and try again on another station.
It may help if you pick a blind spot that can't be seen, but not sure.

Also, on some modules they can sink under the surface etc and be difficult / impossible to scan.

[Doom]

> Does an EMP bomb have to be placed on a particular location?

Yes, and no.

"No", meaning there's no special place on the module that results in anything different.

> So what's the deal? Is it entirely random?

EMP blast generates up to 4 leaks (normally 4) and one of them is guaranteed to grant you a blueprint. However, if surrounding geometry is "interesting" the leaks may fail to spawn, spawn Cthulhu knows where, appear below surface and a lot of other fun stuff can happen.

So, technically "Yes". In the sense "location where it won't glitch".

You want to fire an EMP at:
* A large flat area.
* With no pipes and visual junk nearby.
* That includes "below surface"
* It wouldn't hurt to check the place, because SOMETIMES that large flat area is ABOVE collision mesh.
* Meaning you can "stick your head into it", and that's where EMP leaks are gonna spawn. BELOW the geometry and obscured by it.
* And definitely quicksave before detonating or firing.

When leaks spawn below surface, you can hear them, you can see the "spectrogram" indicator indicating where they're, if you're lucky you may be able to fly under the visible surface and see them, or spot the reflected red glow of invisible light of the leak. Aside from that they can be completely obscured by the surface. So, quicksave first.

[Bill Garthright]

Originally posted by Doom:

When leaks spawn below surface, you can hear them, you can see the "spectrogram" indicator indicating where they're, if you're lucky you may be able to fly under the visible surface and see them, or spot the reflected red glow of invisible light of the leak.

Thanks for the very quick replies. First, THIS did not happen. I flew all around the module with my ship in scan mode, and there was no indication that there was a data leak anywhere nearby.

For the rest, yes, I've researched all of the module hacks. And I checked the station, highlighting that particular module. It IS the one I need, and I know exactly how far it extends.

Finally, a flat surface and the connection piping seem a bit contradictory, but I'm pretty sure I've tried all of that. Well, I'll probably just wait until I have enough money to buy the blueprint.

Meanwhile, maybe I'll head to Terran territory and try on another one of theirs.

Thanks again.

[conrado.lacerda]

Oh, another thing: you need to scan the data leaks while flying in your space suit, else you won't get the blueprint.

[Doom]

Originally posted by Bill Garthright:

Finally, a flat surface and the connection piping seem a bit contradictory, but I'm pretty sure I've tried all of that.

They're not contradictory, because the criteria is "location that does not glitch" The other guy tried pipes and verified it to work, I preferred flat areas.

I suggest to quicksave, because sometimes leaks do not spawn and EMP cost money/resources. If they do not instantly appear around the blast location, reload and try another spot. If you blow up the bomb from 50-100 meters (from inside your ship), you'll instantly see if leaks appeared.

And yes, you only get blueprint from spacesuit scans.

[herocrafter]

As been said, you need to have completed the correct research. While in scan mode the sparklers (data leak) may give you the blueprint but probably not. Instead you'll get discounts or missions. I think but not sure that if the data leak give you a blueprint its the blueprint the module is on; that would be consistent with the other method. Which is using an EMP bomb. If you want the blueprint of a Boron small container storage you need to place the EMP on a Boron small container storage module and not on, say, a cross piece. Save before you leave the ship to place the EMP bomb. Find a flat spot and bigger is better here for when you trigger the EMP bomb it will spread out. One of the four will will give you the blueprint of the module it is on. So even if one or more of the data leaks created by the bomb is inaccessible one of the others may be the one your looking for. If not well you reload the save and find a better spot. You'll get the hang of it rather quickly.

[Bill Garthright]

In some modules - notably hull production from non-Terran stations and habitation modules in Terran stations - I can't find any place which will work. I've tried it over and over again in multiple locations (and yes, I do have the research).

In others, though, it works just fine if I place the bomb on that small red square on the module. It doesn't work anywhere else, as far as I can tell. And, unfortunately, some modules don't seem to have that (although it's not always red, so it can be hard to see, sometimes).

I've gotten Terran large storage blueprints that way, for example - all three types. But again, I can't find a spot on their small habitation module which will work. Oh, well.

PS. I've spent TONS of time scanning stations and hacking the data leaks which appear naturally. And sometimes, that's successful. But it always seems to be the same blueprint I already have. At least, even when it appears to be on a new module, and it says I'm successful, I don't actually get anything from it. (I check my blueprints, just to be sure.) So that really hasn't been worth my time.

[Bobucles]

Station hitboxes are absolute turbojank. Look for places where modules like turrets and shields attach. They tend to be flat and decent enough.

The leaks that randomly spawn have a very small chance to roll a blueprint. It's only successful if the tech is unlocked. Duplicate blueprints are replaced with a permanent trade subscription, and after that ya get nothing.

The EMP pops 4 leaks. Each leak has a random rare chance for blueprint, but various sites say that 1 leak is a guaranteed blueprint. You still need the research for it to succeed.

Those hundred million credit wharf and shipyards have an inaccessible research for them. Their blueprints can not be stolen in normal play. I don't think any space ship blueprints can be stolen, there's no obvious research for it.

EMP bombs are worth millions of credits a piece in terms of getting blueprints. Lodestone is the rarest ingredient. It drops as a rare bonus loot from mining ships, but only in sector. The mining ships will not take it. Set your own scout ships on "repeat order" so they can "collect drops", then stay in the mining sector while you manage the map.

[Laserak]

Crazy to me, that this is STILL a problem in 2025.

[Doom]

Originally posted by Bobucles:

EMP bombs are worth millions of credits a piece in terms of getting blueprints. Lodestone is the rarest ingredient. It drops as a rare bonus loot from...

You do know you can buy EMPs on pirate stations, right? 120-150k per bomb. Lodestones too. Sometimes. You might need to revisit the trader (and the station) until you get the r ight stock.

[Bill Garthright]

I just look for lodestones as I visit traders in the game. They don't show up too often, but they're cheap, so I buy them whenever I can. And I get detonators from pirate stations - 40k to 50 k, I think. So that hasn't been a problem.

I was hoping to hack blueprints from natural data leaks, but that's really been a waste of time - still OK for awhile, but not for as long as I've been doing it. :)