Helium, also called Helium-3 in the game, is one of the harder resources to collect in StarRupture. You will need it to complete higher-level corporation requests, and you cannot farm it easily like common ores. Helium requires specific locations, special equipment, and some preparation before you can gather it in large amounts. This guide explains every way you can get Helium and how to set up proper extraction without confusion.
How to Get Helium in StarRupture
You can obtain Helium in three different ways. Two of them give very small amounts and are useful only early on. The third method is the main way you will collect Helium once the game opens up.
Getting Helium from Large Meteorites
Arcadia-7 has large meteorites some of which are already recognizable due to their pink or purple coloration. The pink or purple meteorites are the same ones that often give off meteorite hearts. If you find one of these meteorites, aim your harvester at the patches of color.
The result is a tiny quantity of Helium. It is not a good method for big corporation orders but allows you to use it up and possibly grab some early. You will be able to tell that your efforts are very unprofitable as you willWaste time looking for meteorites and getting very little Helium as a reward.
Finding Small Purple Rocks
Another method during the early days was to harvest the tiny rocks that resembled baby meteorites. These rocks come in various colors: white, silver, bronze, and at times, pink or purple. The purple rocks release gas along with Helium.
Harvester can be applied to those rocks for extracting a tiny quantity of Helium. Like with meteorites, this method is very slow and not very effective. However, it is great for beginners who want to learn about Helium or for those who want to collect a few units before unlocking proper extraction.
Using Helium Deposits and Extractors
The best and intended way to get Helium is by extracting it from Helium deposits on the planet’s surface. These deposits look like large pink or purple areas with gas venting out of the ground. They are very easy to spot once you know what to look for.
The closest and easiest Helium deposit to reach is located east of your starting base. There are multiple vents in this area, which makes it ideal for setting up long-term extraction. If you have explored the area before, the deposit will also appear as a bright pink area on your map.
Be careful when traveling to Helium deposits for the first time. Enemies guard these areas, including ranged creatures that spit green venom from a distance. Bring strong weapons, enough ammo, and healing supplies before setting up anything.
Unlocking the Helium Extractor
You cannot extract Helium using standard mining equipment. To harvest Helium properly, you need a Helium Extractor. This machine is locked behind corporation progression.
To unlock the Helium Extractor, you must reach level 6 with the Slenian Corporation. Until you reach this level, you can see Helium vents but cannot use them effectively. Focus on completing Slenian contracts and delivering requested resources to raise your rank.
Once unlocked, the Helium Extractor becomes available to build, just like other specialized extractors.
Setting Up Helium Extraction
When you reach a Helium deposit, you must place the Helium Extractor directly on top of the vent. If it is not aligned correctly, it will not work. After placing it, you need to connect it to a power source.
Because Helium deposits are far from your starting base, it is best to build a small outpost nearby. Place a base core, set up power generation, and then connect the Helium Extractor. You may also want storage containers so you do not need to return constantly to collect Helium.
Once powered, the extractor will begin harvesting Helium automatically. This is the only method that produces Helium fast enough to satisfy large corporation demands.
Additional Tips for Helium Farming
If you plan to farm Helium regularly, secure the area first. Clear enemies around the deposit before building your base. This reduces the risk of damage or interruptions.
There are multiple Helium deposits across the map. Besides the eastern location, you can find others north of the starting lander, past mountainous regions. These areas are more dangerous but useful if you want to scale up production.
Helium areas often contain unique plants and points of interest nearby. Exploring while setting up your extractor can help you gather extra materials and uncover more of the map.
