With the official launch ofSatisfactory, Tier 9 was added to the game, featuring a number of Milestones, machines, buildings, and tools centered around SAM, or Strange Alien Matter. This material, when harnessed, allows you to store items in the cloud, convert resources into other resources, teleport, and much more.

While the ability to scan SAM is unlocked in Tier 9, you can actually access this resource much earlier, as the nodes are present from when you first start a new game. Below, we’ll take a look at SAM nodes that are closest to each of the four starting locations so you can get a head start with this technology.

The location of a SAM node marked on the map with an orange circle in the Grass Plains.

Once you haveten SAM, you canresearch it in the MAMto unlock the ability toscan it, allowing you to find all remaining SAM nodes on the map.

Grass Plains SAM Node

The Grass Plains is one of the best starting locations for nearby SAM, with a Normal node located in thetwin pillar mountainsnearby. This node is found in thecave underneath the upside-down V-shaped mountainformation.

There are quite a fewpoison-spewing plantsin this cave, so bring aGas Maskto stay alive. Also, the node is guarded by alarge Stinger, so be prepared to fight when you descend into the cave. Make sure to leave yourself a way back up as well!

The location of a SAM node marked on the map with an orange circle in the Rocky Desert.

Rocky Desert SAM Node

This SAM node is located in a small open area below arock formationin thepillar-bridge areaof the Rocky Desert. There are a fewpoison plantsandHatcher nestsin the area, so take caution before running straight in.

Northern Forest SAM Node

This SAM node is located in a cave, the entrance to which can be foundnear two waterfallsflowing into thelarge lake in the Northern Forest. Head into the cave, then use aNobeliskto blow up the destructible rocks, revealing the SAM node in a smaller cave below. There’s also aStingerin the first cave, so take of it before using your Nobelisks.

Dune Desert SAM Node

This node is found in thenorthern part of the Dune Desert. On therock formation near the river, there is a smallcrevice filled with destructible rocks. Blow these up using a Nobelisk, then head into the opening, which leads to a cave. In this cave, fight off theStingers, then use another Nobelisk to access the SAM node.

The location of a SAM node marked on the map with an orange circle in the Northern Forest.

The location of a SAM node marked on the map with an orange circle in the Dune Desert.