Classification
Classifications, or Classes for short, are groupings of related species of fauna. NMS Discoveries classifies all fauna by their ID tags, as listed in the current game code. This system of classification replaced the previous usage of genera when it was removed from the game code with the Origins update.
The following rules were used when determining class and subtype names:
- Class names are directly derived from creatures' ID tags, as listed in the game code.
- Creature ID tags which include a simpler class name as a base are considered a subtype of the broader class. For example "FloatSpider" is considered a subtype of "Spider".
- When determining Subtype names derived from ID tags, names are converted to the closest adjective form of the original. For example creatures with the ID tag of "FloatSpider" use "Floating" for their subtype of the "Spider" class. For another example, creatures with the ID tag of "TwoLegAntelope" use "Two-Legged" for their subtype of the "Antelope" class.
- Subtypes which are not explicitly named in the game code but represent the bulk of a class's species use "Standard" for the subtype name.
- Subtypes are otherwise determined from major divisions listed and named in each class's game file.
Class List
Rarities listed represent the level listed for each class in the game code, and not necessarily what is most often encountered during surveys. Note that each class has a chance to spawn smaller or larger than average for their species. Smaller species may have a lower rarity while larger species will often have a higher rarity level. Many class subtypes will also have a different rarity than regular members of their class with those known being listed. Megafauna will always be found with their rarity boosted to Rare.
Ground Classes
- Antelope ☺ - Standard Antelope are Common and Two-Legged Antelope are Uncommon. Robot Antelope are limited to certain worlds in Empty systems.
- Beetle §☺ - Uncommon.
- Blob ‡☺ - Rare.
- Cat ☺ - Standard Cats are Common, and Six-Legged Cats and Plant Cats§ are Uncommon, and Bone Cats are Rare.
- Cow ☺ - Standard Cows are Common Six-Legged Cows are Uncommon.
- Drill - Rare.
- Grunt ☺ - Rare.
- Mole - Rare.
- Plough - Rare.
- Protodigger ‡ - Rare.
- Protoroller - Rare.
- Rock Creature - Special; not considered ecosystem creatures.
- Rodent ‡☺ - Common.
- Sandworm - Special; not considered ecosystem creatures.
- Spider ‡☺ - Standard Spiders are Uncommon and Floating Spiders are Rare.
- Strider ☺ - Uncommon.
- Trex ☺ - Uncommon.
- Triceratops ☺ - Uncommon.
- Walking Building ☺ - Rare; limited to certain worlds in Empty systems.
- Weird † - Restricted to Exotic worlds. Common (usually bumped up to Rare due to size).
† Weird species from Irri Shell Exotic worlds are similar to butterflies, but still belong to the Ground ecosystem.
‡ Some specific species of these classes will only spawn Underground.
§ Marked classes and subtypes are considered rarer than there base Rarity settings due to having extra spawning limitations.
☺ Some classes allow for their members to be adopted as Companions.
Underwater Classes
- Crab ☺ - Common.
- Fish - Common.
- Jellyfish - Uncommon.
- Shark - Common.
- Swimming Cow - Subtype of Cows. Rare.
- Sea Snake - Uncommon.
- Swimming Rodent - Subtype of Rodents. Rare.
Flying Classes
- Bird - Standard Birds are Common and Flocking Birds are Uncommon.
- Butterfly - Flocking Butterflies are Uncommon and Large Butterflies are Rare.
- Flying Beetle - Subtype of Beetles. Rare.
- Flying Lizard - Common.
- Flying Snake - Rare.
- Protoflyer - Rare.
Properly identifying a creature's class
Each class page includes detailed descriptions and important stats, provided to assist in their proper identification. Additional help identifying a particular species can be obtained by following the questions and answers provided on the Creature Identification Key.
Additional Information
- For an alternative/additional classification system of fauna, please see Creature Cladogram.
- See Archetype for a list of planetary archetypes, which determines each world's selection of creatures.