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Exobiologist is a career that involves On Foot scientific activities. A Genetic Sampler of the Artemis Suit is used to collect samples of alien species. The data can be sold to Vista Genomics. Your ship should be equipped with a Detailed Surface Scanner to find exobiology. This career is recognized by the Pilots Federation.

Ranks[]

Exobiologist Elite icon

Exobiologist Elite icon

The exobiologist can advance in rank by giving complete biological samples to Vista Genomics. The "Profit from Organic Data" of each transaction counts towards rank progression.

The rank thresholds post-update 14 are provided by Aunty Sledge in 2023.[1] Most are confirmed, some are estimated.

Rank Total Profit Required Cosmetic Unlocks
Directionless 0 Artemis Suit Body Suit Livery (Vibrant Green)
Mostly Directionless 22,500,000 Artemis Suit Torso, Arms, and Legs Livery (Vibrant Green)
Compiler 83,475,000 Artemis Suit Helmet Livery (Vibrant Green)
Collector 210,560,000 Artemis Suit Body Suit Livery (Vibrant Blue)
Cataloguer 532,800,000 Artemis Suit Torso, Arms, and Legs Livery (Vibrant Blue)
Taxonomist 1,144,000,000​ Artemis Suit Helmet Livery (Vibrant Blue)
Ecologist 2,262,600,000 Artemis Suit Body Suit Livery (Vibrant Red)
Geneticist 3,996,000,000 Artemis Suit Torso, Arms, and Legs Livery (Vibrant Red)
Elite 8,425,000,000 Artemis Suit Helmet Livery (Vibrant Red)
Elite I 12,969,000,000
Elite II 17,425,000,000
Elite III 21,925,000,000
Elite IV 26,070,000,000
Elite V 30,553,600,000

Sample Values & Details[]

Vista Genomics redemption values for samples obtained with the Genetic Sampler are listed below. Values are fixed, but samples that qualify as "First Logged" will reward quadruple (x4) the sample's base value as a bonus. Also listed are the Clonal Colony Range(CCR), the minimum distance a player must travel before there is sufficient genetic diversity to scan a second or third sample, as well as any primary attributes that can help determine on what type of planet they will usually be found. Credit values in italic may be outdated.

More information in Exobiology Sample Values and Details or Potential Samples by Planetary Type

Genus Species Value (CR) CCR Traits
Aleoida Arcus 7,252,500 150
Aleoida Coronamus 6,284,600 150
Aleoida Gravis 12,934,900 150
Aleoida Laminiae 3,385,200 150
Aleoida Spica 3,385,200 150
Amphora Plant N/A 3,626,400 100
Anemone Blatteum Bioluminescent 1,499,900 100 B or O-Class Stars
Anemone Croceum 3,399,800 100 B or O-Class Stars
Anemone Luteolum 1,499,900 100 B or O-Class Stars
Anemone Prasinum Bioluminescent 1,499,900 100 B or O-Class Stars
Anemone Puniceum 1,499,900 100 B or O-Class Stars
Anemone Roseum 1,499,900 100 B or O-Class Stars
Anemone Roseum Bioluminescent 1,499,900 100 B or O-Class Stars
Anemone Rubeum Bioluminescent 1,499,900 100 B or O-Class Stars
Bacterium Acies 1,000,000 500 Neon
Bacterium Alcyoneum 1,658,500 500 Ammonia
Bacterium Aurasus 1,000,000 500 CO2
Bacterium Bullaris 1,152,500 500 Methane
Bacterium Cerbrus 1,689,800 500 Water, SO2
Bacterium Informem 8,418,000 500 Nitrogen
Bacterium Nebulus 9,116,600 500 Helium
Bacterium Omentum 4,638,900 500 Nitrogen, Volcanism
Bacterium Scopulum 8,633,800 500 CO2, Volcanism
Bacterium Tela 1,949,000 500 Helium, Volcanism
Bacterium Verrata 3,897,000 500 Water, Volcanism
Bacterium Vesicula 1,000,000 500 Argon
Bacterium Volu 7,774,700 500 Oxygen
Bark Mound N/A 1,471,900 100 near nebula (SNR)
Brain Tree Aureum 3,565,100 100 Guardian Sites
Brain Tree Gypseeum 3,565,100 100 Guardian Sites
Brain Tree Lindigoticum 3,565,100 100 Guardian Sites
Brain Tree Lividum 1,593,700 100 Guardian Sites
Brain Tree Ostrinum 3,565,100 100 Guardian Sites
Brain Tree Puniceum 3,565,100 100 Guardian Sites
Brain Tree Roseum 1,593,700 100 Guardian Sites
Brain Tree Viride 1,593,700 100 Guardian Sites
Cactoida Cortexum 3,667,600 300 Orion-Cygnus Spiral Arm
Cactoida Lapis 2,483,600 300 Outer Scutum Spiral Arm
Cactoida Peperatis 2,483,600 300 Inner Scutum Spiral Arm
Cactoida Pullulanta 3,667,600 300 Perseus Spiral Arm
Cactoida Vermis 16,202,800 300 Norma Spiral Arm
Clypeus Lacrimam 8,418,000 150
Clypeus Margaritus 11,873,200 150
Clypeus Speculumi 16,202,800 150
Concha Aureolas 7,774,700 150
Concha Biconcavis 16,777,215 150
Concha Labiata 2,352,400 150
Concha Renibus 4,572,400 150 CO2
Crystalline Shard N/A 3,626,400 100
Electricae Pluma 6,284,600 1000 White Dwarfs, Neutron Star
Electricae Radialem 6,284,600 1000 White Dwarfs
Fonticulua Campestris 1,000,000 500 Argon
Fonticulua Digitos 1,804,100 500 Methane
Fonticulua Fluctus 16,777,215 500
Fonticulua Lapida 3,111,000 500 Nitrogen
Fonticulua Segmentatus 19,010,800 500 Neon, Neon-Rich
Fonticulua Upupam 5,727,600 500 Argon-Rich
Frutexa Acus 7,774,700 150 CO2
Frutexa Collum 1,639,800 150
Frutexa Fera 1,632,500 150
Frutexa Flabellum 1,808,900 150
Frutexa Flammasis 10,326,000 150
Frutexa Metallicum 1,632,500 150
Frutexa Sponsae 5,988,000 150
Fumerola Aquatis 6,284,600 100
Fumerola Carbosis 6,284,600 100 CO2 Geysers
Fumerola Extremus 16,202,800 100
Fumerola Nitris 7,500,900 100
Fungoida Bullarum 3,703,200 300
Fungoida Gelata 3,330,300 300 CO2
Fungoida Setisis 1,670,100 300
Fungoida Stabitis 2,680,300 300
Osseus Cornibus 1,483,000 800
Osseus Discus 12,934,900 800 Geological Activity
Osseus Fractus 4,027,800 800
Osseus Pellebantus 9,739,000 800
Osseus Pumice 3,156,300 800 Argon
Osseus Spiralis 2,404,700 800 Ammonia
Recepta Conditivus 14,313,700 150
Recepta Deltahedronix 16,202,800 150
Recepta Umbrux 12,934,900 150
Sinuous Tuber Albidum 3,425,600 100
Sinuous Tuber Blatteum 1,514,500 100
Sinuous Tuber Caeruleum 1,514,500 100
Sinuous Tuber Lindigoticum 1,514,500 100
Sinuous Tuber Prasinum 1,514,500 100
Sinuous Tuber Roseus 1,514,500 100
Sinuous Tuber Violaceum 1,514,500 100
Sinuous Tuber Viride 1,514,500 100
Stratum Araneamus 2,448,900 500
Stratum Cucumisis 16,202,800 500
Stratum Excutitus 2,448,900 500
Stratum Frigus 2,637,500 500
Stratum Laminamus 2,788,300 500
Stratum Limaxus 1,362,000 500 CO2
Stratum Paleas 1,362,000 500 Ammonia, CO2
Stratum Tectonicas 19,010,800 500 High Metal Content Planets
Tubus Cavas 11,873,200 800 CO2
Tubus Compagibus 7,774,700 800
Tubus Conifer 2,415,500 800
Tubus Rosarium 2,637,500 800
Tubus Sororibus 5,727,600 800
Tussock Albata 3,252,500 200
Tussock Capillum 7,025,800 200 Argon
Tussock Caputus 3,472,400 200
Tussock Catena 1,766,600 200
Tussock Cultro 1,766,600 200 Ammonia
Tussock Divisa 1,766,600 200
Tussock Ignis 1,849,000 200
Tussock Pennata 5,853,800 200
Tussock Pennatis 1,000,000 200 CO2
Tussock Propagito 1,000,000 200
Tussock Serrati 4,447,100 200
Tussock Stigmasis 19,010,800 200
Tussock Triticum 7,774,700 200
Tussock Ventusa 3,277,700 200
Tussock Virgam 14,313,700 200
Thargoid Spires 2,247,100 100 Thargoid Spire
Thargoid Mega Barnacles 2,313,500 100 Thargoid Spire
Thargoid Coral Tree 1,896,800 100 Thargoid Spire
Thargoid Coral Root 1,924,600 100 Thargoid Spire

Basics of exobiology[]

Prerequisites[]

Exobiologist is an integral part of exploration. The Full Spectrum System Scanner (FSSS) and the Detailed Surface Scanner (DSS) are essential. All ships are equipped by default with a FSSS. The DSS is optional, but required to detect exobiology on the surface of an astronomical body (planet or moon). Many exobiological organisms exist in rough and hilly terrain. Thus it is more convenient to conduct exobiology in a small and fast ship which can easily land in small landing spots. For example the Imperial Courier, Dolphin and Diamondback Explorer can park anywhere due to their small footprint. The Imperial Courier can go 800m/s with large shields. The Asp Explorer has a nice cockpit view for skimming the surface. Use a FSD SCO to quickly travel to and from the surface. Fast ships make it easier to skim the surface for bios. They can cross the planet and if you can't find a sample then leave the planet and go to the next one. A shield generator protects the ship's hull if you misjudge your landing speed and hit the ground.

Every small ship has limited internals and tradeoffs. The Dolphin has the most internals, but it is weak for any combat. The Dolphin can be equipped with a big scoop and a class 4 FSD booster for a decent jump range. It can also be equipped with an SRV bay and A class 4 shield. The Adder is only useful for short ranges, but it needs carrier support. The Viper Mk IV is better for long-range without a carrier.

If you have a Drake-Class Carrier then you don't need to worry about fuel scooping, jump range nor an Auto Field-Maintenance Unit to repair damaged modules.

The Artemis Suit is essential, because only this suit has a Genetic Sampler. It can be purchased at stations or outposts in the Pioneer supplies store. Occasionally, in such stores you can find level 2 or 3 suits. Sometimes they are pre-installed with engineer modifications, but not all modifications are equally useful. The basic keyboard mapping for the sampler/scanner is 5.

Search for specific places[]

Familiarize yourself with the locations of specific species. Either you could fly in a random order to explore everything in a row, or search with Inara or EDSM for the parameters (star class, gravity, atmosphere), star system and planet and fly to the specified destination. You could also use the star class filter on the Galaxy Map.

It is best to search for exobiology species away from inhabited star systems or on astronomical bodies suitable for atmospheric landing that have not yet had First Footfall (displayed on the system map when hovering over an astronomical object). The reward for primary finds in such places will be 4x higher.

If you plot around to discover a sector, in the galaxy map go to User Data mode and disable the filter to show only unvisited stars.

Biologicals group in a certain area - if a star sector has a group of biologicals, the chances are high that other stars in the neighbourhood will have the same types and groups. Bookmark systems with good exobiology planets and look around the bookmarked areas.

How to[]

In the system view, check planets with an atmosphere (it shows a blue atmosphere around the planet icon) and that it's landable (quarter arc icon around the top left of a planet). The 3rd tab on the right of Planetary Information under Features at the bottom will list if there are biologicals.

Fly towards the sunny side of the planet to map that so that it's easier to land there later. If the planet is over ~4000 Ls away from a star, don't bother, because the star light will be very faint which makes it difficult to find stuff on the surface.

Map the planet with the surface scanner. Shoot the probes at the white targets on the 4 corners and one at the back to map the whole planet. If there are multiple biologicals select 1 with the least surface area. Chances are high that the signals will overlap so that you'll find all the signal sources around the same place.

Look for the greenish grey colour - blue and light indicate there are biologicals in the area, while greenish blue indicates the location. The heat map may show a green gray colour with the selected biological.

As you approach the planet, switch between combat mode and go to the terrain type where it's most likely to find the biological.

Disembark from your ship, walk to the biological and sample it with the Genetic Sampler (by default press 5). You must take 3 samples of the same biological. Each biological type has a different distance between them to sample again. If the samples are too close you'll get an insufficient diversity error. The lights on the Genetic Sampler canister increase with each collected sample.

You can fly around for more biologicals. You can slow down quickly with the landing gear and cargo scoop deployed.

Selection[]

To collect genomes you need to find worlds with tenuous atmospheres or a non-atmospheric world with the Full Spectrum System Scanner. When detected on a planetary body or after a complete system scan on the System Map choose a specific planetary body. The number of outstanding signals « Biological » will be indicated in parentheses for this body including the life forms. For a particular genus, only 1 type can be available such as 1 type of bacterium or stratum. After discovering a body with biological types of signals, fly to it and map the surface. If you don't do this then even if this place is full of exotic species, you will not be able to detect a single species. After mapping, when the Analysis mode is enabled, the planetary body will reveal areas with probable habitats of these life forms from blue to greenish. The greenish color indicates the highest density of biological life forms. The gamma and color saturation may vary slightly due to the graphics settings and features of your monitor.

Switch from Analysis Mode to Combat Mode and back, choose the place with the right topography to land within the most suitable color spot. The inclined mountain or hilly surface may be indicated in a more favorable color due to the larger surface area that is visible from the ship. If the species is found not only in mountainous or hilly terrain, it is preferable to land in a flat area.

Search for types to collect[]

This can be the most tiring stage, since some species are only determined from a height (e.g. Bacterium). Some that grow in the highlands are detected using a set of external cameras (e.g. Fungoida). You could use an SRV if the distance takes long such as 1 hour. However, usually the exobiology species grow in open areas.

If a cluster of species is detected, you can land and use the SRV and then go On Foot to collect 3 parts of a copy of each genus (if the genus is not one) with the Genetic Sampler. Each part, depending on the type of exobiology, is located at a certain distance up to 1 km.

Species Location
Bacterium on the flat areas outside of craters - invisible with night vision, dark puddles ~200m, become their natural colour ~100.
Cactoida rocky hills, small round pebbly things
Concha hilly / rocky, pretty small.
Electricae on plains
Fonticulua Flat bits outside craters / rocky terrain - giant mushroom
Frutexa plains / rockside in mountains / hilly area - fly low - bushes
Fumerola on rocks on flat areas
Fungoida on high mountain sides, very small, night vision helps little dots ~200m, more define ~100m
Osseus on rocky areas of large flat plains. They look like big standing round flat mushrooms. Easy to confuse with rocks, but are much rounder. Night vision helps ~300m
Tubus on plains - sometimes on rocky terrain
Tussock on plains / flat areas in mountains - small grasses, fly low

Wait for the sample to register on the screen by the game (Observatory Botanist registers faster) before boarding your ship and searching for the next sample. When you have 3 samples, wait for the Sampler canister replacement animation to finish before sampling again.

Payouts[]

Higher payouts are given when you make 1-3 firsts: first discovered, first scanned and First Footfall. Planetary bodies are usually already discovered in the Core Systems. If there are undiscovered biologicals then you will get a first discovery bonus of 4x the hand in prize. When you hand in, you will first receive the normal prize and then on the first discovered page you will get extra big payouts.

The "first logged" bonus: if your sample is the first of a species from a terrestrial body then a bonus is granted. If a system contains similar species across multiple bodies then it may be worth sequencing all of them.

Development[]

The Exobiologist career path and ranks were added with the ED: Odyssey expansion in May 2021. Thus exobiology on planets with tenuous atmospheres requires Odyssey.

Videos[]

Gallery[]

  1. Elite Dangerous Exobiology threshold rebalance information - by Aunty Sledge - Frontier Forums - Jan 2, 2023
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