- Plan B: Terraform ufo searches are easiest with a systematic planet-wide scan.
- Start at the equator and move across the planet one screen-width at a time.
- Change latitude gradually after each full orbit to cover both hemispheres.
- Search all three landmarks: the UFO, Mad Crab, and Statue of Liberty.
- Protect discoveries by checking the terrain before placing roads or transport lines.
Plan B: Terraform ufo Search Basics
Plan B: Terraform ufo hunting is an exploration task built around hidden landmarks rather than resource production. The UFO is one of three unusual discoveries associated with hidden achievements, alongside the Mad Crab and the Statue of Liberty. Because the landmarks can blend into the planet’s terrain, random movement is less reliable than a deliberate scan.
The most dependable method is to treat the planet like a grid. Begin on the equator, move horizontally until you complete one full orbit, then shift upward or downward by a small amount. Continue until you have covered one hemisphere, return to the equator, and repeat the process for the opposite hemisphere.
The official discussion in the Steam community thread about finding the UFO and other landmarks supports this orbit-and-latitude approach. It also clarifies that the landmarks are intended to be encountered during normal exploration rather than located through a special scanner.
| Search Element | Recommended Method | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Equator | Provides a consistent reference line |
| Horizontal movement | One screen-width at a time | Reduces gaps between passes |
| Vertical movement | Shift a few degrees after each orbit | Builds a controlled coverage pattern |
| Hemisphere coverage | Scan north and south separately | Prevents missed terrain bands |
| Landmark targets | UFO, Mad Crab, Statue of Liberty | Covers the known hidden discoveries |
Zoom and camera settings can change how much terrain fits on screen. Keep your viewing scale consistent during each pass so your screen-width spacing remains dependable.
UFO
The primary target for this guide. Look for it while scanning open terrain, craters, and built-up areas.
Mad Crab
A separate hidden landmark that may require a different planet or additional scanning passes.
Statue of Liberty
The third known discovery tied to the same group of hidden landmark achievements.
The Most Reliable Planet-Scanning Route
A complete scan works best when every movement has a purpose. The goal is not to move quickly; it is to create overlapping passes that make missed terrain easy to identify. Use the same direction for each orbit and record the latitude where each pass ends.
The route below is suitable for a fresh search planet or for checking a developed world after you have already explored its main cities. It avoids relying on a particular biome, resource deposit, or settlement layout because the hidden discoveries can appear in different surroundings.
Choose a Search Planet
Select a planet where you can move freely and clearly inspect the terrain. A less-developed world may be easier to read because roads, factories, depots, and city layouts create less visual clutter.
Begin at the Equator
Start on the equator and move horizontally across the planet. Use the edge of your visible screen as a reference and advance by roughly one screen-width per pass.
Complete One Orbit
Continue until you have crossed the full planet and returned to your starting longitude. Avoid changing direction randomly, since inconsistent movement makes uncovered areas difficult to identify.
Shift Latitude
Move a few degrees north or south, using the visible top or bottom boundary as a guide. Begin another complete orbit at the new latitude.
Repeat in Both Hemispheres
Finish the northern or southern half first, then return to the equator and scan the opposite hemisphere. Check each unusual object before building over it.
| Route Stage | Player Action | Tracking Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Equator pass | Scan from one side of the planet to the other | Mark the starting longitude |
| First latitude shift | Move slightly north or south | Keep the shift consistent |
| Repeated orbit | Continue across the next terrain band | Avoid skipping visible edges |
| Hemisphere finish | Reach the polar viewing limit | Note the final covered band |
| Opposite hemisphere | Return to the equator and reverse direction | Use the same spacing pattern |
A fast but irregular search can leave narrow strips unexplored. If you lose track of your position, return to the equator and restart the scan with clear latitude markers.
How to Recognize and Protect Hidden Landmarks
The UFO search becomes harder when the planet is already covered by infrastructure. Roads, trains, depots, extractors, and city expansions can draw attention away from small environmental details. Before placing a new route, inspect the surrounding terrain and confirm that no unusual landmark is nearby.
The developer discussion states that these discoveries should remain in the world unless the player destroys them directly. The same discussion indicates that ordinary road construction does not automatically replace them, unlike certain natural objects or abandoned city elements. Even so, careful construction is recommended because the achievement is tied to encountering the landmark, not simply completing a transport network.
| Construction Risk | What to Check | Safer Choice |
|---|---|---|
| New road | Inspect the planned road footprint | Pan across the area before confirming |
| Train line | Review the full rail corridor | Build in short sections |
| City expansion | Check open terrain around the city | Search nearby land first |
| Resource layout | Look beyond extraction nodes | Scan the entire build zone |
| Dense infrastructure | Use the map edge and terrain gaps | Search an undeveloped planet |
When you spot an unusual object, pause construction and inspect it first. Record its location before continuing your city or logistics layout.
Before Building
Pan across the complete construction area and check open terrain, craters, and isolated objects.
After Finding One
Note the location, confirm the landmark visually, and avoid covering it with a new transport connection.
When Searching Again
Use a separate planet or a less-developed region to reduce visual clutter and repeated passes.
Troubleshooting a Missing UFO
Finding two landmarks but not the third is a common reason to doubt the search route. The available guidance indicates that players may discover different landmarks on different planets, while the developer states that the known landmarks should generally be present unless they were destroyed. This means a partial result does not necessarily indicate that the search method failed.
Use a structured reset instead of scanning randomly. First, return to the equator and identify the last confirmed latitude. Then inspect the gaps between your previous passes. If the planet has heavy development, start a controlled search on a less crowded world so that terrain objects are easier to distinguish.
| Problem | Likely Explanation | Recommended Response |
|---|---|---|
| Two landmarks found | The third is in an uncovered band | Repeat the latitude grid |
| One planet seems incomplete | A pass may have skipped a longitude | Restart from the equator |
| Dense terrain hides details | Forests, roads, or buildings reduce visibility | Search an open or new planet |
| Landmark cannot be confirmed | Object was viewed too briefly | Pause and inspect its shape |
| Achievement remains incomplete | A target has not been encountered | Continue checking unexplored bands |
UFO Search Checklist:
- Start at the equator and mark the first scan direction
- Complete each orbit before changing latitude
- Cover both the northern and southern hemispheres
- Inspect construction zones before placing roads or rails
- Confirm the UFO, Mad Crab, and Statue of Liberty separately
Write down each completed latitude band or use visible terrain features as markers. A simple log prevents repeated passes and exposes the exact area that still needs inspection.
Achievement Planning and FAQ
The hidden landmark achievements are best treated as exploration milestones rather than production objectives. You do not need to redesign a city, maximize resource throughput, or reach a particular population target to search for the UFO. A calm, methodical route is more valuable than advanced logistics.
The broader game loop still rewards organized infrastructure. Production layouts, train routes, and city growth can continue on your main planet while a separate world is used for landmark hunting. Keeping the two activities separate makes both tasks easier to manage.
| Goal | Best Environment | Completion Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Find the UFO | Open or lightly developed planet | Visually confirm the landmark |
| Find the Mad Crab | Fresh search route or unexplored region | Locate the separate hidden object |
| Find the Statue of Liberty | Any planet with uncovered terrain | Inspect and encounter the landmark |
| Preserve progress | Avoid unplanned construction over discoveries | Record locations before building |
Q: What is the best way to find the Plan B: Terraform ufo?
Start at the equator, scan horizontally one screen-width at a time, complete a full orbit, then shift latitude by a few degrees. Repeat the process across both hemispheres.
Q: Are the UFO, Mad Crab, and Statue of Liberty always on the same planet?
Player reports indicate that landmarks may be found on different planets. If one is missing, repeat the systematic scan on another world while checking that previous passes did not leave gaps.
Q: Can roads automatically destroy the UFO?
The developer discussion states that these landmarks are not automatically replaced by ordinary road construction. Still, inspect the area before building so you do not obscure or manually remove a discovery.
Q: Should I search my main developed planet or start a new one?
Either option can work. A developed planet is convenient, but a lightly developed or fresh world usually provides clearer terrain and makes the grid method easier to follow.
Treat the UFO hunt as a mapped exploration project. Search in consistent bands, protect every unusual object, and use a second planet when visual clutter makes verification difficult.