So you’ve been grinding away in StarRupture, leveling up your corporation relationships, and now they’re asking for Helium-3. Here’s the thing—this isn’t your everyday resource like iron or copper. Helium-3 (usually just called Helium in-game) requires some specific know-how and the right equipment to farm efficiently.
Don’t worry though. I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about finding, harvesting, and extracting this valuable gas on Arcadia-7.
What Makes Helium-3 Special?
Unlike basic materials you can grab anywhere, Helium-3 is one of those mid-to-late game resources that corporations love to request once you’ve established yourself. The catch? You can’t just whack some rocks with your harvester and call it a day. Well, you can, but you won’t get very far.
To really stockpile Helium, you’ll need a dedicated extractor—and that means progressing far enough with the right corporation to unlock it. More on that in a bit.
Three Ways to Get Helium-3 in StarRupture
There are three main methods for obtaining Helium in the game, ranging from “quick scraps” to “industrial-scale operation.” Let’s break them down:
1. Harvesting Large Meteorites
Remember those massive meteorites you’ve been mining for Meteorite Hearts? Take a closer look next time. Some of them have distinct pink or purple patches on their surface—that’s your Helium deposit.
Just aim your harvester at those colored sections, and you’ll pull out small amounts of Helium-3 along with your other resources. It’s not a goldmine by any means, but it’s perfect for early-game needs when you only need a handful of units.
Pro tip: This method is fine for early requests, but don’t rely on it for bulk orders. You’ll burn through meteorites faster than they respawn.
2. Collecting from Small Purple Rocks
As you explore Arcadia-7, you’ll notice small rocks scattered around the landscape—they basically look like mini meteorites. Most are white, silver, or bronze, but occasionally you’ll stumble across pink or purple ones that emit a faint gas.
These little gems are Helium sources. Hit them with your harvester and collect the gas. Again, the yields are small, but every bit counts when you’re just starting out or topping off your inventory.
Think of this method as opportunistic gathering—grab them when you see them during exploration, but don’t make it your primary farming strategy.
3. Using Helium Extractors on Gas Vents (The Best Method)
Now we’re talking serious production. The most efficient way to farm Helium-3 is by placing a Helium Extractor directly on a natural gas vent. These deposits are huge pink patches on the planet’s surface with visible gas plumes shooting out of the center—you literally can’t miss them.
Where to find the nearest Helium deposit:
The closest vent to your starting base is located east of your position. Look for that distinctive bright pink coloring on the ground with gas actively venting from it. Once discovered, any Helium deposit gets marked on your map as a vibrant pink area for easy reference.
Important warning: This eastern deposit isn’t sitting in friendly territory. The area is crawling with hostile creatures, including ranged enemies that spit corrosive green venom from a distance. Before you make the trek, make sure you’re stocked up on weapons, ammo, and healing items. Trust me, getting ambushed while setting up your extractor is not fun.
How to Unlock the Helium Extractor
Here’s the gate you need to pass through: You must reach Level 6 with the Slenian Corporation to unlock the Helium Extractor blueprint.
If you’re not there yet, focus on completing Slenian contracts and delivering the resources they request. Check out our max level cap guide to understand progression better, and our crafting recipes unlock guide for tips on speeding up your blueprint collection.
Once unlocked, you’ll need to craft the extractor using basic building materials and other resources you’ve been collecting.
Setting Up Your Helium Extractor
Getting the extractor placed correctly is crucial:
- Navigate to the Helium deposit (the pink gas vent)
- Place the Helium Extractor directly onto the deposit itself—it needs to be on the source, not just nearby
- Connect a power source to the extractor (check our power connection guide if you need help with this)
- Let it run! The extractor will automatically harvest Helium-3 from the vent
For maximum efficiency, consider setting up automated ore extraction systems nearby if you’re building a resource outpost in this area. You might as well gather everything while you’re out there.
Additional Tips for Helium Farming
- Build defenses: Since the eastern deposit is in a dangerous area, consider setting up some defensive structures or clearing out the enemies regularly
- Use storage containers: Don’t let your extractor fill up and stop producing—set up storage nearby
- Mark multiple deposits: As you explore further from your base, mark any additional Helium vents you find for future expansion
- Check corporation requests: Before going all-in on Helium production, see what else you might need from that area to maximize your trip efficiency
Need more resources while you’re out exploring? Our guides on getting Ignitium, Calcium, and Water can help you gather everything in one expedition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level do I need to be to get Helium in StarRupture?
You can harvest small amounts of Helium-3 from meteorites and purple rocks at any level. However, to unlock the Helium Extractor for efficient farming, you need to reach Level 6 reputation with the Slenian Corporation. This is when the extractor blueprint becomes available.
Where is the closest Helium deposit to the starting base?
The nearest Helium vent is located directly east of your starting base. It appears as a large pink patch on the ground with visible gas emissions. Be prepared for combat—the area is inhabited by hostile creatures including ranged enemies that attack from a distance.
Can I farm Helium-3 without an extractor?
Yes, but it’s inefficient for large-scale needs. You can harvest small amounts from pink/purple patches on large meteorites or from small purple rocks scattered around the map. These methods work for early corporation requests, but you’ll need extractors to meet bigger demands.
How do I power my Helium Extractor?
After placing your Helium Extractor directly on a gas vent deposit, you need to connect it to a power source. This works the same as any other structure in StarRupture—run a power line from your generator or power grid to the extractor. Check our power connection guide for detailed setup instructions.
Helium-3 might seem intimidating at first, but once you’ve got your extractor running on that eastern deposit, you’ll have a steady supply for all those corporation contracts. Just remember to gear up before heading out there—those venom-spitting enemies don’t mess around.
For more StarRupture help, check out our beginner’s guide and all characters guide to maximize your progression on Arcadia-7!
Now get out there and start farming that Helium. Those corporations aren’t going to supply themselves! You can grab StarRupture on Steam if you haven’t already jumped in.
