As we know, salvaging can be a game-changer, so having the option to honk for salvage is a valuable feature. I decided to create a custom method that’s incredibly simple, with the main goal of discovering how early in the game you can get the scanner. Below is the guide I’ve put together based on my findings.
Star Trucker: How to Get Scanner Early
Note: This doesn’t take into account minimizing travel time or number of jumps.
To do this you’ll need two skills: Just in Time Jobs and Valuable Loads, these unlock the Sour Candy and Red Eddie mission lines. Now the jobs that must be done to get the scanner unlocked are below in order.
- Perfect Timing: Sour Candy. From Atlas Prime to Emerald Junction
- Star Prize: Sour Candy. Radio Quiz. Correct answers are. No kidding!
- Fragile Ego: Red Eddie. From Atlas Prime to Edgeburgh
- Shady Business: Sour Candy. Shutter unlock to protect against solar flares. From Tanktown to Heaven’s Rest.
- Ghost Gold: Moon Baby. Meet in Darkside, go to Shatterstone for the mission.
- Reclamations: Moon Baby. Meet in Junk Fields, retrieve 2 junk trailers and bring them back to Moon Baby. First in Emerald junction, second in Redsock.
- Sensory Overload: Moon Baby. Meet in Darkside to get the scanner unlocked.
In custom mode on easiest setting this took me 2.5hrs to do, bypassing all weigh stations and cutting across the system colliding with asteroids. So take your time. I recommend buying some upgrades for your shutters before you get them unlocked, especially if you’re on Mechanic or Hardcore.
You do not have to interact with Barrow or Dusty Bear’s missions at all to get to the scanner, and only run one mission with Red Eddie.