Finding Crashed Ships, Villages, Dungeons, and Bases on the Moon
Overview
This guide covers how to locate the major generated structures on the Moon in the Stellaris mod. Each structure type has its own spawn rules, spacing limits, and search strategy, so knowing these details will save you time and fuel while exploring the lunar surface.
Moon Destroyed Spaceship
The Moon Destroyed Spaceship is a common target for scavengers. It generates in all moon biomes. The mod attempts to place one per 60x60 chunk region, but enforces a minimum distance of 40 chunks between any two destroyed ships.
Because of the 40-chunk minimum, you will never find two wrecks close together. When searching, fly or walk in a straight line for at least 40 chunks before expecting to find another one. A good method is to pick a direction and travel 50-60 chunks, then turn 90 degrees and search a parallel strip. This covers the 60x60 region efficiently without overlapping your previous search area.
Moon Destroyed Village
Moon Destroyed Villages are more frequent than ships. They also generate in all moon biomes, with one attempt per 60x60 chunk region. However, the minimum spacing is only 20 chunks apart.
This tighter spacing means you can find several villages within a moderate area. When exploring, you can zigzag across the surface, checking every 20-30 chunks. Villages often contain useful loot and building materials, so they are worth a dedicated sweep. Because they share the same 60x60 region size as ships, you may find a village and a ship in the same general area, but not within 20 chunks of each other.
Moon Dungeon
Moon Dungeons are the rarest structure on the Moon. They generate in all moon biomes, but the placement attempt is only one per 100x100 chunk region. The minimum spacing is a strict 60 chunks.
This makes dungeons the hardest to find. You should not expect to stumble upon one by accident. Instead, plan a grid search: divide the moon into 100x100 chunk blocks and methodically travel through each block. Move in long, straight lines of at least 60 chunks, then turn and sweep adjacent lanes. Carry extra fuel and supplies, as this search will take a long time. If you find a dungeon, mark its coordinates immediately, as you will not see another one for a very long distance.
Moon First Landing
The Moon First Landing site is a unique historical structure. It generates in all moon biomes with one attempt per 50x50 chunk region, and a minimum spacing of 25 chunks.
This structure is moderately common. Because the region is smaller (50x50) and spacing is 25 chunks, you can find one by exploring in a simple grid pattern with 25-30 chunk intervals. It is often a good landmark for navigation, as you can use it as a reference point for other searches.
Moon Launchpad
Moon Launchpads share the same spawn rules as the First Landing site: one attempt per 50x50 chunk region, with at least 25 chunks between them.
Launchpads are functional structures, so finding one is very useful for travel. Since they are as common as First Landing sites, you can expect to encounter them at a similar rate. When searching, use the same 25-30 chunk grid pattern. A launchpad may be your best option for a quick return trip or for launching further expeditions.
Moon Space Base
Moon Space Bases are large, important structures. They generate in all moon biomes, with one attempt per 50x50 chunk region. However, the minimum spacing is 40 chunks apart, making them rarer than launchpads or landing sites despite the same region size.
To find a space base, you must cover more ground than for a launchpad. Travel at least 40 chunks in one direction before turning. A good strategy is to combine your search for a space base with a search for a destroyed ship, since both have a 40-chunk minimum. This lets you cover two objectives in one long-distance expedition.
General Search Tips
- Always bring a map or compass and record coordinates for every structure you find.
- Search during clear lunar conditions to spot structures from a distance.
- Prioritize dungeons last, as their 100x100 region size means the least chance of success per hour of travel.
- If you find a village or launchpad, use it as a temporary base to resupply before continuing your search for rarer structures.
Covers the mod’s in-game guide topics: Moon Destroyed Spaceship Moon Destroyed Village Moon Dungeon Moon First Landing Moon Launchpad Moon Space Base
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