Zacariah Nemo
EDFM // Engineering / Engineers
A Grade 5 Fragment Cannon specialist based at Nemo Cyber Party Base in Yoru, reached through Elvira Martuuk.
Zacariah Nemo is a ship Engineer based at Nemo Cyber Party Base in the Yoru system. He is reached through Elvira Martuuk and specialises primarily in projectile weapons.[1]
Nemo provides Grade 5 Fragment Cannon Engineering, Multi-Cannon Engineering through Grade 3, and Plasma Accelerator Engineering through Grade 2.[1]
In Live, his Fragment Cannon coverage also includes the Operations-era Double Screaming blueprint through Grade 5, while his Multi-Cannon coverage includes Rapid Phase through Grade 3.[2][3]
Field note
Nemo's primary maximum-grade specialty is the Fragment Cannon. His Multi-Cannon and Plasma Accelerator Engineering can be useful during progression or for applying Experimental Effects, but both stop below Grade 5.
Location
- System: Yoru
- Facility: Nemo Cyber Party Base
- Body: Yoru 4
- Engineer type: Ship Engineer
- Referral required: Elvira Martuuk
- System permit required: No
Nemo Cyber Party Base is a surface Engineer base on Yoru 4, approximately 89 Ls from the system arrival point.[4]
How to Discover Zacariah Nemo
Zacariah Nemo is discovered through Elvira Martuuk.
Reach Grade 3 access and progress at least one-third of the way toward Grade 4 with Elvira to receive her referral to Nemo.[5]
Elvira also provides referrals to Marco Qwent and Mel Brandon. These are parallel branches rather than sequential unlocks.
Field note
Receiving Elvira's referral makes Nemo known to you. You must still obtain the separate invitation from the Party of Yoru before his workshop can be unlocked.
How to Receive an Invitation
Gain an invitation from the Party of Yoru.[1]
Current Engineering guidance identifies the practical requirement as reaching at least Friendly reputation with the Party of Yoru so that the Engineer invitation mission becomes available.[5]
The Party of Yoru is an independent minor faction whose home system is Yoru.[6]
Reputation can be raised through ordinary minor-faction activities such as completing missions for the faction and selecting reputation rewards where available.
Field note
The Party of Yoru can be present outside Yoru because minor factions expand through the Background Simulation. You do not necessarily need to perform every reputation-building activity in Yoru itself.
Because minor-faction presence and station control can change, use current faction information when choosing where to work for the Party of Yoru rather than relying on a permanently fixed station list.
See Minor Faction Reputation for how faction reputation and Engineer invitation missions work.
How to Unlock Zacariah Nemo
To gain access to Nemo's Engineering workshop:
- Reach Grade 3 access and at least one-third progress toward Grade 4 with Elvira Martuuk.
- Receive Elvira's referral to Zacariah Nemo.
- Reach at least Friendly reputation with the Party of Yoru.
- Obtain the Party of Yoru Engineer invitation.
- Obtain 25 units of Xihe Biomorphic Companions.
- Travel to Nemo Cyber Party Base on Yoru 4.
- Donate the 25 Xihe Biomorphic Companions to Zacariah Nemo.
- Enter the Engineer workshop and begin increasing your reputation with Nemo.
Important
Xihe Biomorphic Companions are a rare commodity. They are not Raw, Manufactured, or Encoded Engineering materials. Each unit occupies one tonne of cargo space.[7]
Obtaining Xihe Biomorphic Companions
The normal production source for Xihe Biomorphic Companions is:
Nemo requires 25 units in total.
Because Xihe Biomorphic Companions are a rare commodity, Zhen Dock offers a limited allocation rather than the large market supply normally associated with ordinary commodities.
The available quantity can vary, so check the current allocation when preparing the unlock rather than planning around a fixed number from an older guide.
Tip
Nemo only requires 25 units, but the available rare-good allocation may still be lower than the full requirement. If that happens, additional purchases may be necessary.
Player-owned Fleet Carriers may also offer Xihe Biomorphic Companions if another Commander has stocked them for resale. Carrier availability and prices are player-controlled and can change.
Field note
Xihe Biomorphic Companions have legal restrictions in some jurisdictions. If transporting them somewhere other than Yoru, check whether the commodity is legal in the destination system.[7]
See Xihe Biomorphic Companions for current acquisition details and Rare Commodities for how rare-good allocations work.
Field note
Current Engineer data notes that station services may not become available immediately after Nemo is unlocked. If the workshop or other expected services do not appear after completing the unlock, logging out and back in may make them available.[1]
Increasing Engineer Reputation
Reputation with Zacariah Nemo can be increased by:
- crafting Engineering modifications at Nemo Cyber Party Base; or
- selling commodities at Nemo Cyber Party Base.[1]
Higher Engineer reputation gives access to the higher grades Nemo supports for each blueprint.
Current Engineer listings do not identify another ship Engineer whose discovery requirement comes from Zacariah Nemo.[8]
See Engineer Reputation for how ship Engineer reputation, grade access, blueprint progression, referrals, and alternative reputation methods work.
Tip
If you have ordinary trade cargo available after unlocking Nemo, selling commodities at Nemo Cyber Party Base can help raise your Engineer reputation without relying entirely on repeated Engineering rolls.
Engineer Unlock Chain
Zacariah Nemo belongs to the Elvira Martuuk branch of the ship Engineer network.
The direct route is:
Elvira Martuuk └── Zacariah Nemo
Elvira's broader branch is:
Elvira Martuuk ├── Zacariah Nemo ├── Marco Qwent │ ├── Chloe Sedesi │ ├── Lori Jameson │ └── Professor Palin └── Mel Brandon [Colonia]
No current Engineer listing identifies Zacariah Nemo as the prerequisite for another ship Engineer.[8]
Field note
Marco Qwent and Mel Brandon are separate referrals from Elvira Martuuk. Unlocking Nemo is not required before either of them.
See Engineer Unlock Guide for the complete referral network.
Available Engineering
Nemo's current Engineering coverage is shown below. The listed grade is the highest grade he can apply to that module or blueprint.[1]
| Module | Available blueprints | Maximum grade |
|---|---|---|
| Fragment Cannon |
|
Grade 5 |
| Multi-Cannon |
|
Grade 3 |
| Plasma Accelerator |
|
Grade 2 |
Nemo's maximum-grade specialty is therefore the Fragment Cannon.
Operations-era Engineering
The Operations-era Engineering additions expanded Nemo's weapon coverage with two specialised blueprints:[9]
Both are available only in Live, require compatible Merc modules, and use Merc Coin as part of their Engineering cost.[2][3]
Double Screaming Fragment Cannon
Double Screaming changes Fragment Cannon firing behaviour by increasing ammunition capacity, magazine size, burst size, and reload performance while reducing maximum range and adding mass and power draw.[2]
Nemo can apply Double Screaming through Grade 5.
At Grade 5, the current blueprint provides:
- +1 burst size
- +166.7% magazine capacity
- +67.8% maximum ammunition
- -50% reload time
- +58.1% rate of fire
- -7.5% maximum range
- +60% mass
- +20% power draw[2]
Marsha Hicks also provides Double Screaming through Grade 5, while Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn provides it through Grade 3.[2]
Important
Double Screaming can only be applied to compatible Merc Fragment Cannons.
Rapid Phase Multi-Cannon
Rapid Phase dramatically changes Multi-Cannon firing behaviour by increasing projectiles per shot, ammunition capacity, magazine size, and rate of fire while reducing range and adding substantial jitter.[3]
Nemo can apply Rapid Phase through Grade 3.
At Grade 3, the current blueprint provides:
- +100% rounds per shot
- +110% damage per second
- -10% damage per projectile
- +16.7% rate of fire
- +102.4% maximum ammunition
- +150% magazine capacity
- -25% maximum range
- increased jitter[3]
Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn and Marsha Hicks can take Rapid Phase beyond Nemo's Grade 3 limit to Grade 5.[3]
Important
Rapid Phase can only be applied to compatible Merc Multi-Cannons.
Experimental Effects
Experimental Effects are separate from the main Engineering blueprint.
Nemo can apply Experimental Effects to all three weapon families he supports.
Fragment Cannon
Available Fragment Cannon Experimental Effects include:[10]
- Corrosive Shell
- Dazzle Shell
- Double Braced
- Drag Munitions
- Flow Control
- Incendiary Rounds
- Multi-servos
- Oversized
- Screening Shell
- Stripped Down
These effects are also available to compatible Fragment Cannons using the Live-only Double Screaming blueprint.[2]
Multi-Cannon
Available Multi-Cannon Experimental Effects include:[11]
- Auto Loader
- Corrosive Shell
- Double Braced
- Emissive Munitions
- Flow Control
- Incendiary Rounds
- Multi-servos
- Oversized
- Smart Rounds
- Stripped Down
- Thermal Shock
These effects are also available to compatible Rapid Phase Multi-Cannons.[3]
Plasma Accelerator
Available Plasma Accelerator Experimental Effects include:[12]
- Dazzle Shell
- Dispersal Field
- Double Braced
- Flow Control
- Multi-servos
- Oversized
- Phasing Sequence
- Plasma Slug
- Stripped Down
- Target Lock Breaker
- Thermal Conduit
Field note
Nemo can apply compatible Experimental Effects to a Multi-Cannon or Plasma Accelerator even when its main blueprint has been engineered beyond Nemo's Grade 3 or Grade 2 limit by another Engineer.
See Experimental Effects for the effects, tradeoffs, and material costs of each option.
Important
Experimental Effects cannot be applied through ordinary Remote Engineering. The weapon must be taken to an Engineer who works on that weapon type.
Recommended Engineering
Nemo's main value is his Grade 5 Fragment Cannon Engineering.
Fragment Cannons are short-range weapons that can deliver very high burst damage when enough pellets strike the target. Blueprint choice therefore depends heavily on whether the build prioritises raw damage, burst behaviour, ammunition endurance, or specialised effects.
Overcharged Fragment Cannon
Overcharged Fragment Cannon increases direct damage at the cost of additional distributor draw and thermal load.[10]
At Grade 5, Overcharged provides:
- +70% damage
- +35% distributor draw
- +15% thermal load[10]
Tip
Common general-purpose damage choice: Overcharged
For a conventional Fragment Cannon intended primarily to deal heavy close-range damage, Overcharged is a strong general-purpose starting point.
It increases damage without fundamentally changing the weapon's firing pattern, making it easier to fit into a wide range of Fragment Cannon builds.
Useful Experimental Effects include:
- Screening Shell for dramatically faster reloads and improved effectiveness against munitions;
- Drag Munitions for disrupting the target's ability to gain thrust from ENG distribution;
- Corrosive Shell for reducing target armour hardness and increasing incoming hull damage;
- Incendiary Rounds for converting part of the weapon's damage to thermal; and
- Oversized for a small additional direct-damage increase.
The best Experimental Effect depends on the role of that particular hardpoint.
Double Shot Fragment Cannon
Double Shot dramatically increases burst firing behaviour while reducing maximum range.[13]
At Grade 5, it provides:
- +1400% burst rate of fire
- +2 burst size
- +6 magazine capacity
- -10% maximum range[13]
Field note
Double Shot can produce extremely concentrated bursts, but the additional shots also consume ammunition more rapidly. It is therefore better suited to builds prioritising short-duration burst damage than long combat endurance.
High Capacity Fragment Cannon
High Capacity sacrifices module mass and power draw in exchange for a larger ammunition reserve and magazine.
This can be useful for prolonged PvE sessions where ammunition endurance matters more than maximum damage per shot.
Live: Double Screaming
For compatible Merc Fragment Cannons, Double Screaming provides a different high-volume firing profile with substantially increased ammunition and magazine capacity.
It should be treated as a specialised Live-only alternative rather than an automatic replacement for conventional Fragment Cannon blueprints.
Multi-Cannons
Nemo provides conventional Multi-Cannon Engineering only through Grade 3.
For intermediate Engineering, Overcharged remains useful for increasing direct damage.
For full Grade 5 conventional Multi-Cannon Engineering, use:
- Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn; or
- Marsha Hicks in Colonia.
Nemo remains useful for applying Multi-Cannon Experimental Effects even when another Engineer performs the Grade 5 blueprint work.
Plasma Accelerators
Nemo's Plasma Accelerator Engineering stops at Grade 2.
This can be useful early in progression or for applying Experimental Effects, but maximum-grade Plasma Accelerator Engineering should normally be performed by:
- Bill Turner in the Bubble; or
- Etienne Dorn in Colonia.
Blueprint Pinning
After earning sufficient reputation with Nemo, one of his blueprints can be pinned for use through Remote Engineering.
Tip
EDFM recommendation: Overcharged Fragment Cannon is a strong general-purpose blueprint to consider pinning at Nemo.
Nemo provides it through Grade 5, while his conventional Multi-Cannon and Plasma Accelerator Engineering stops at lower grades.
For Commanders who regularly use a different Fragment Cannon configuration, Double Shot, High Capacity, or another Grade 5 Fragment blueprint may be a better fit.
Nemo is one of only two current Engineers providing conventional Fragment Cannon Engineering through Grade 5; the other is Marsha Hicks in Colonia.[8]
This makes one of Nemo's Fragment Cannon blueprints the most natural long-term use of his pin.
Important
A pinned blueprint does not allow you to apply Experimental Effects remotely. Effects such as Screening Shell, Drag Munitions, and Corrosive Shell still require visiting an appropriate Engineer workshop.
What Nemo Cannot Fully Engineer
Nemo provides maximum-grade Engineering for Fragment Cannons but not for his other conventional weapon families.
His maximum grades are:
- Fragment Cannon: Grade 5
- Multi-Cannon: Grade 3
- Plasma Accelerator: Grade 2[1]
For higher-grade Multi-Cannon Engineering:
- Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn provides Grade 5 Multi-Cannon Engineering in the Bubble.
- Marsha Hicks provides Grade 5 Multi-Cannon Engineering in Colonia.[8]
For higher-grade Plasma Accelerator Engineering:
- Bill Turner provides Grade 5 Plasma Accelerator Engineering in the Bubble.
- Etienne Dorn provides Grade 5 Plasma Accelerator Engineering in Colonia.[8]
For Grade 5 Fragment Cannon Engineering:
- Zacariah Nemo provides Grade 5 in the Bubble.
- Marsha Hicks provides Grade 5 in Colonia.
- Tod "The Blaster" McQuinn stops at Grade 3.[8]
In Live, Marsha Hicks also provides Grade 5 Double Screaming Fragment Cannon Engineering, while Nemo provides the same blueprint through Grade 5.[2]
Nemo is therefore primarily valuable as the Bubble's Grade 5 Fragment Cannon specialist.
What Next?
Zacariah Nemo is currently the end of his active Engineer referral branch and does not lead to another ship Engineer.
The other branches from Elvira Martuuk lead to Marco Qwent and Mel Brandon.
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Zacariah Nemo — Engineer, Inara.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Fragment Cannon — Double Screaming, Inara.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Multi-Cannon — Rapid Phase, Inara.
- ↑ Nemo Cyber Party Base — Station, Inara.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Engineer Highlight, New Pilots Initiative.
- ↑ Party of Yoru — Minor Faction, Inara.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Xihe Biomorphic Companions — Commodity, Inara.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Engineers, Inara.
- ↑ Elite Dangerous: Operations — Update Notes, Frontier Developments.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Fragment Cannon — Overcharged, Inara.
- ↑ Multi-Cannon — Overcharged, Inara.
- ↑ Plasma Accelerator — Efficient, Inara.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Fragment Cannon — Double Shot, Inara.