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An image of a finished has extractor in The Planet Crafter
Image via Timien YouTube

How to Get Methane and Nitrogen Cartridges in The Planet Crafter

Gaaaaas, gas, gas!

Methane and Nitrogen Cartridges are valuable but not easily obtained resources in The Planet Crafter, with many important roles. Here is a guide on how to get Methane and Nitrogen Cartridges in The Planet Crafter.

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How to farm Methane and Nitrogen Cartridges in The Planet Crafter

To farm Methane and Nitrogen Cartridges in The Planet Crafter, you must build Gas Extractors that efficiently balance gas production, usually yielding three Methane units for every one Oxygen. This ratio is crucial for planning resource allocation and recycling, especially considering Oxygen can be converted into cobalt using a Recycling Machine.

The blueprint for the Gas Extractor becomes available at 100 mPa. Place this extractor on regular terrain (not on rocks or buildings) to start harvesting gases. Here is the recipe for constructing a T1 Gas Extractor in the game:

Gas extractor recipe in The Planet Crafter
Image via Timien YouTube
  • 3 super alloys
  • 2 zeolite
  • 1 iridium rod

Beyond providing a minimal heat output, its primary function is to collect Methane and Oxygen.

In The Planet Crafter, progressing through terraforming stages unlocks new materials like Methane and Nitrogen Cartridges, which are important for various advanced processes. At first, it didn't occur to me how to obtain them as the way isn't as straightforward as I was used to.

What is Methane used for in The Planet Crafter?

In The Planet Crafter, Methane is a key ingredient in the Biolab for crafting essential items like Fertilizer T2, Mutagen, and Pulsar Quartz. While Fertilizer T2 enriches Tree Spreaders, Mutagen is indispensable for generating diverse tree seeds and insect larvae. Pulsar Quartz, although unlocked at a later stage (175 GTi), relies exclusively on Methane for production. Given Methane's significant role in later terraforming phases, ensuring a steady supply is crucial.

Related: Best resources in The Planet Crafter

Obtaining Nitrogen Cartridges in The Planet Crafter

Once you achieve Breathable Atmosphere status, the Gas Extractor becomes your source for Nitrogen. Early versions of the Gas Extractor may produce Nitrogen sporadically, but upgrading to Gas Extractor T2 allows for the selection of Nitrogen extraction specifically. This upgrade streamlines the production process, making it more predictable and efficient. Here is a recipe for the Gas Extractor T2:

Gas extractor T2 recipe in The Planet Crafter
Image via Timien YouTube
  • 2 Super Alloy
  • 1 Circuit Board
  • 2 Zeolite
  • 1 Iridium Rod

While it requires more resources to build, its yield of Nitrogen, which is significantly harder to get, makes it worth it. I recommend switching to building T2 Gas Extractors as soon as you get the chance.

Here are some practical tips for gas extraction I'd like to have had when I was just starting out:

  1. To maximize efficiency, place multiple Gas Extractors across different locations.
  2. Regularly monitor and empty the Gas Extractor's container slots to maintain consistent production.
  3. Consider upgrading to Gas Extractor T2 as soon as possible for targeted Nitrogen extraction.
  4. Use drones for automated resource collection, especially when managing multiple extractors.

Looking for more guides and terraforming tips for The Planet Crafter? You've come to the right place! Check out Where to Find Uranium in The Planet Crafter (& What It’s Used For) and Is there multiplayer in The Planet Crafter? here on Pro Game Guides!


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Author
Image of Luka Rakočević
Luka Rakočević
Luka Rakocevic works as a full-time staff writer at Pro Game Guides and is a new-generation gamer. Backed with old-school gaming knowledge, his oldest gaming memories are on SNES, trying to beat Super Mario. Games are his big inspiration, and he frequently draws from that well to create new art. He prefers narrative-driven games like God of War, Killzone, Half-life, Uncharted and similar. Luka mainly writes science fiction in his free time. When he's not home banging away at his computer keyboard, you will most likely find him at a local pub or a metal concert in the middle of a mosh pit.