Genetic Sampler

The Genetic Sampler is an On Foot tool to collect and index samples from living organisms.^[1] It is equipped with the Artemis Suit. Data collected with the Genetic Sampler unlocks Codex entries for the related species, and can be sold at Vista Genomics for Credits.^[2] It was introduced in ED: Odyssey.

Usage[]

Using the Genetic Sampler first requires equipping a Loadout with the Artemis Suit. While On Foot, the Genetic Sampler's "Scan Pulse" survey can be used to locate valid specimens, and the "Sample Mode" can be used to extract a partial sample from a single specimen of alien flora.

Controls[]

Function	Control Binding Menu Item
Select Tool	On Foot > Select Suit Specific Tool
Sample	On Foot > Fire Weapon/Use Tool
Scan Pulse	On Foot > Aim Down Sights

Collect Samples[]

Aim the tool at a specimen at close range and activate Sample Mode by holding the assigned control binding until the sample collection animation is complete. The Genetic Sampler will automatically scan and collect 1 partial sample of genetic material from the specimen.^[3] A total of 3 partial samples are required for a complete specimen.

The Genetic Sampler can hold only 1 species at a time. Scanning a different species before completing 3 samples of the current species loses all samples of the latter.

To provide the necessary genetic diversity, the 3 samples must be from different specimens of the same species that are outside of that genus' clonal colony range (shown in its Codex entry and the table below). For example, if an organism with a clonal colony range of 100 metres is sampled, then the next two samples must be taken from specimens at least 100 metres away from the first. The scan pulse shows valid targets (in green), and the compass at the top of the HUD shows distance markers where the samples were collected.

Once 3 samples are collected to complete the specimen, the full canister is automatically removed from the tool and a new empty one is loaded. The tool can then be used to sample specimens of a different species. Completed specimens can be sold at any Vista Genomics location, which also counts towards increasing the Exobiologist rank.

Scan Pulse Survey[]

To locate valid specimens, the Genetic Sampler has a scan pulse function with a range of 750 meters^[4] that is activated by a single press of the assigned control binding. The area immediately surrounding the user will be temporarily highlighted in different colors:

Green for specimens not yet sampled
Blue for specimens already sampled
If at least 1 partial sample currently in the Genetic Sampler:
- Purple for specimens of a different species (sampling will discard current species samples)

Species[]

Main article: Species

The following species can be sampled with the Genetic Sampler:

Genus	Clonal Colony Range
Aleoida	150m
Amphora Plant	100m
Anemone	100m
Bacterium	500m
Bark Mound	100m
Brain Tree	100m
Cactoida	300m
Clypeus	150m
Concha	150m
Crystalline Shard	100m
Electricae	1000m
Fonticulua	500m
Frutexa	150m
Fumerola	100m
Fungoida	300m
Osseus	800m
Recepta	150m
Sinuous Tuber	100m
Stratum	500m
Tubus	800m
Tussock	200m

Nomenclature[]

The flora nomenclature in ED: Odyssey roughly has three levels: genus (displayed by the DSS and determines clonal range), (morpho-)species (determines the shape), (chromo-)variant (determines the color). Not every organism has all three levels. A breakdown of some names follows.

Name	Genus	Species	Variant
Stratum Paleas - Lime	Stratum	Paleas (meaning "husk")	Lime
Bacterium Informem - Red	Bacterium	Informem (meaning "formless")	Red
Albidum Sinuous Tuber	Sinuous Tuber	(none)	Albidum (meaning "white")
Roseum Bioluminescent Anemone	Anemone	(none)	Roseum (meaning "red") Bioluminescent
Crystalline Shard	Crystalline Shard	(none)	(none)

Notes[]

If the CMDR dies before selling collected samples at a Vista Genomics location, they are permanently lost and must be recollected.
There is no in-game display showing the currently unsold samples in a CMDR's inventory, other than at Vista Genomics.
The v4.2.1.0 Type-11 Prospector Update to Elite Dangerous: Odyssey released on 29 September 2025 increased the scan pulse range from 75 to 750 metres.^[4]