Map

The Map is an in-game function designed to help you explore during your travels in the Heleus Cluster.

Overview[]

While the Map may sound like an intuitive concept, there are a number of features and functions that aren't explained during gameplay.

The Map can be accessed from the Main Menu during gameplay and provides an overhead view of the current area in which you are located.

Overhead Map[]

This is an overhead view of the current area in which you are located.

You are able to move around the map and to zoom in/out.
Different symbols are placed initially on the map and others are added during exploration or through other gameplay features. Symbols on the overhead map stay once discovered. Not all locations will have a symbol. Sometimes a symbol will not be on the overhead map but will appear on the heads-up display (HUD) Compass.
The Fog Of War initially covers the overhead map with opaque black until you explore an area and reveal what is hiding underneath the fog.
Each major planet as well as other gameplay missions will have their own overhead map (potentially with different levels).
Planets where viability can be increase will have a percentage complete indicator and color coded bar on the upper left side of the screen.
Fast travel can be accessed while the overhead map is open by hovering over a fast travel symbol.

Levels[]

Each overhead map may have several levels or "floors". These levels may be different areas, different elevations, or other landscape variations that cause them to be distinct maps that you can select. You are able to move up or down through the levels.

Levels are indicated in the bottom right corner of the map and consist of a stack of transparent hexagons.

Each level has its own hexagon.
The level that you are currently located on will have a small Player symbol and arrow next to that hexagon.
The level that you are currently viewing will be slightly larger when selected and will have a light blue glow around the hexagon.

A rounded rectangle at the bottom of the map screen will list at the top the name of the level you are currently viewing in white text. If you are located on a different level, the name of the level that you are located on will be in light blue (below the white text).

Legend[]

The Legend is one of the least explained functions of the game. There is an in-game Legend that lists in game symbols that you can toggle on and off while in the map screen but no explanation of what the symbols mean is given. There are only very brief names next to each map symbol. The Legend doesn't even list all of the symbols that you will encounter during your travels. Sometimes symbols are used for different functions.

The list below is all of the map symbols that you will encounter during your travels. There are expanded descriptions and when symbols might be encountered. Some symbols are used very frequently while others are hardly used at all. Some of the symbol names match the Legend but others are merely speculative because the Legend never lists a name. Symbols may or may not show up on the overhead map and HUD Compass.

Symbol Name	Function	How/Where The Symbol Is Used
Ally	This symbol helps you determine who is friend or foe during battle.	This symbol will appear above your squadmates when you order them to take a position. This symbol is also used to mark Danny Messier, Andraknor, and Jataa during their respective missions.
Base	This symbol marks a base.	This symbol marks the Kett Base on Voeld. This symbol is only used in that location.
Cave	This symbol marks a cave.	This symbol can be used to mark an extended cave system for exploration. Not all caves use this symbol.
Deactivate	This symbol is used for computer terminals or other items.	This symbol is found during missions where you are required to deactivate or interact with a piece of technology. This symbol points you to the exact item you are supposed to be interacting with.
Destroy	This symbol is used for items that have to be destroyed or killed.	This symbol is usually associated with random spawn missions items that have to be destroyed. You have to come within the proximity of the item for this symbol to appear. This symbol may or may not show up on the overhead map. A few missions also use this symbol to mark a boss level enemy.
Down	This symbol is used to indicate methods to travel down.	This symbol is associated with methods of travelling down such as elevators, ladders, staircases, gravity wells, etc. This symbol may or may not change to the opposite Up symbol when you reach the bottom of where you are travelling to.
Enhanced Mining Zone	This symbol marks an enhanced mining zone.	This symbol will be added to maps at all appropriate locations when you acquire the cryo pod perk Expanded Field Analysis. Additional resources can be mined from this location.
Fast Travel	This symbol marks a location where fast travel is possible.	This symbol indicates a location that can be fast travelled to. Fast travel allows bypassing the need to travel to the location in real time. This symbol when found is always attached to the lower right corner of the following map symbols: Forward Stations, Outposts, certain Points of Interest, and/or the Tempest.
Forward Station	This symbol marks a Forward station.	This symbol marks the location of a forward station. Bringing down a forward station will give a small bonus to viability and AVP as well as allowing you to fast travel to different locations. Forward stations also act as supply caches to restock your supplies, a Loadout terminal to make changes to your loadout, and are safe zones to restore Life Support depleted from hazards. Potential locations are marked in white; placed forward stations are in blue.
Hidden	This symbol marks a hidden cache.	This symbol will be added to maps at all appropriate locations when you acquire the cryo pod perk Reconnaissance. These are well hidden containers that contain level dependent items. These are usually rare and valuable items. Containers do not respawn. The contents of a container are not fixed until you come within a certain proximity of the container. Saving before approaching the area with a container will allow you try again for better items by reloading your game if you don't like the items in the container. This symbol is also used to mark the secure storage room during the optional sub-mission Kett Base Attack encountered in Remove the Heart.
Interact	This symbol is used for items that have to be interacted with.	This symbol is associated with random spawn missions items that have to be interacted with for a mission to start or continue. You have to come within the proximity of the item for this symbol to appear. This symbol may or may not show up on the overhead map.
Investigate	This symbol is used for items that have to be investigated.	This symbol is associated with random spawn missions items that have to be investigated for a mission to start or continue. You have to come within the proximity of the item for this symbol to appear. This symbol may or may not show up on the overhead map.
Loadout	This symbol is used to mark the location of a Loadout terminal.	This symbol marks the location of a loadout terminal where you can change weapons, armor, squadmates, etc. Strangely, loadout terminals normally aren't marked with this symbol. This symbol is found a number of times on H-047c and a very small number of other locations.
Lock	This symbol is used to mark a location that isn't currently accessible.	This symbol marks an entryway that is locked and can't currently be opened. This symbol is found on Aya on several doors before entry to the city is possible and small number of other locations. The menu lock icon is similar to the map lock icon and indicates functions that currently aren't available to use. Multiple menus in singleplayer and multiplayer use this icon.
Merchant	This symbol is used to mark the location of a merchant.	This symbol marks the location of a merchant that you can interact with to buy and sell goods.
Monolith	This is the symbol used to mark the location of a Monolith.	This symbol marks a location that has a Monolith. Monoliths unlock the vaults that are related to missions that remove planetary hazards and increase viability.
New Mission	This is the symbol used to mark the start of a new mission.	This symbol marks a location where you can interact in some form or fashion to get a new mission. This might be talking to someone, reading a datapad, interacting with an object, etc.
Nomad	This is the symbol used to mark the current location of the ND1 Nomad.	If you have the Nomad deployed, this symbol will mark the current location.
Objective	This is the symbol used to mark inactive mission objectives.	This symbol marks locations that deal with missions. This symbol shows up when the associated mission is not the current "tracked" or active mission. If you hover over the symbol, you will be given the mission and a small amount of detail related to that inactive mission. There is also the option to make that mission the active mission.
Optional	This is the symbol used to mark an optional mission objective.	This symbol marks an optional objective dealing with a specific mission. This symbol shows up when optional choices or actions can be performed. These objectives are entirely optional and may or may not effect the outcome of that specific mission.
Outpost	This is the symbol used to mark the location of an Outpost.	This symbol appears on a planet when you have met the conditions and completed the related outpost creation mission.
Player	This is the symbol used to mark the current location of the player.	This symbol appears on the map where you are currently located. A small triangular shape next to the symbol will be pointing in the direction you are currently looking.
Point Of Interest	This symbol marks the location of something to be investigated.	This is sort of a catch all symbol. This could be a doorway, a crashed ship, etc. This symbol is mainly used to get you to investigate a location. Whatever is at this location may or may not be important to be investigated.
Rare Mining Zone	This symbol marks a rare mining zone.	This symbol will be added to maps at all appropriate locations when you acquire the cryo pod perk Expanded Field Analysis II. Additional resources can be mined from this location.
Remnant Area	This symbol marks a Remnant location.	This symbol marks a location where you will find a Remnant structure or something dealing with Remnant forces. This symbol isn't always used with Remnant areas. You may find that the overhead map doesn't have this symbol for an associated area but the HUD compass does have it (and vice versa). Vaults will be marked with this symbol.
Security	This symbol marks a security alarm terminal.	This symbol marks the location where you will find a terminal that can silence an activated security alarm. A small number of missions have objectives dealing with security alarms. As long as a security alarm is ringing, enemies will continue to attack you. Silencing the alarm with the security alarm terminal will stop the attacks.
Structure	This symbol marks a structure.	This symbol marks the location of a structure of some sort or another. This could be a base, building, house, or other construction that may or may not be related to a mission. Not all structures that you can visit use this symbol. It is actually used infrequently. You may find that the overhead map doesn't have this symbol for an associated area but the HUD compass does have it (and vice versa).
Sub-Mission	This symbol is used to mark objectives during an active mission.	This symbol is only used during the mission Dismantled. Because there is already an active set of navpoints to mark different planetary locations, the only way to differentiate between additional navpoints at the current location and other locations is to use this modified navpoint.
Tempest	This symbol marks a landing location for the Tempest.	This symbol marks the location of a landing zone for the Tempest. Some planets will have more than one location that you can land the Tempest.
Tracked Objective	This is the symbol used to mark active mission objectives.	This symbol marks locations that deal with missions. This symbol shows up when the associated mission is the current "tracked" or active mission. If you hover over the symbol, you will be given the mission and a small amount of detail related to that active mission. The game is not consistent with naming with this symbol. The game calls this symbol a navpoint and is referred to as such numerous times but the Legend calls it a Tracked Objective.
Travel To	This symbol is used to mark a location where you can travel to a different location.	This symbol marks a location where you can change to a different location. Usage of this symbol doesn't always make sense. Normally this is when you go from one major area to another like Kadara Port to Kadara and vice versa but sometimes it's used for simple things like long ramps or gravity wells. Hovering over the symbol will tell you which location you can travel to.
Unknown	This symbol is used to mark something that isn't discovered yet.	This symbol marks a location that you haven't investigated yet. When you get close enough to this location, the unknown symbol will change to a different symbol of whatever is at that location.
Unlock	This symbol is used to mark a location that uses the unlocking or hacking process.	This symbol is very infrequently used. During the mission Defeating the Kett this symbol is used to mark a console you have to interact with to unlock the facility door. You are then required to stay with a white circle Hack Zone. This symbol can also show up during mission portions that require you to stay within the Hack Zone and you leave the Hack Zone. The Hack Zone will have the symbol above it indicating where you have to be located. When you are inside the Hack Zone, the symbol is gone.
Up	This symbol is used to indicate methods to travel up.	This symbol is associated with methods of travelling up such as elevators, ladders, staircases, gravity wells, etc. This symbol may or may not change to the opposite Down symbol when you reach the top of where you are travelling to.
Waypoint	This symbol marks a waypoint location.	This symbol can be placed on the map in any location to help you find a location. Placing a waypoint on the overhead map will place a real world beacon on the ground. This waypoint will appear as thin transparent blue column of light into the sky to guide you to your chosen location. A waypoint can be added and removed at your whim.

Map Symbol Color[]

This feature isn't explained at all during game play. Map symbols will be white when you first encounter them. When you have completed all of the tasks, collected all of the items, mined all of the resources, and/or explored everything at a symbol-marked location, the symbol will turn blue. A variation of this rule applies to forward stations. Projected drop points are white; once the forward station has been established, the symbol will change to blue.

This coloring function is more than likely designed to help you quickly look at the overhead map to see which areas you still need to explore, complete tasks, etc.

Certain symbols will not turn blue such as merchants, travel up/down, etc.

Note that there are a few locations that will still be marked in white even when all related missions have been completed and all loot has been collected. These include, but are not limited to, two Remnant locations on Eos and two outlaw structures on Kadara.

Heads-Up Display (HUD) Compass[]

During gameplay, at the top of the screen, a heads-up display (HUD) compass with tick marks will show the direction you are facing as well as map symbols.

As you turn in a 360 degree circle North (N) will always correspond to the top of the overhead map, East (E) to the right, West (W) to the left, and South (S) to the bottom.
Symbols will appear depending upon your proximity to the symbol marked location. The closer that you are to the location, the larger the symbol will be and smaller is further away.
You aren't able to see every marked location on a large planet at the same time with the compass but you can see hundreds of meters into the distance. The symbols will disappear from the compass if you move out of the "zone of seeing". Approaching close enough again and the symbols will reappear.
Small white arrows can appear either above or below symbols on the compass. This is to indicate if the place that the symbol is representing is above or below your current elevation.
Sometimes the overhead map will have a symbol but the Compass will not have the symbol and vice versa.
Non-hostile Remnant will appear as light blue circles on the compass.
Hostile creatures/enemies will appear as red circles on the compass.

Notes[]

When starting a New Game +, certain map functions carry over to the next playthrough while others are reset. Refer here for a detailed list.