Exobiology Scan Progress Now Preserved Between Lifeforms?

[Sarah The Conner]

I noticed a change in Exobiology behavior that I haven’t seen mentioned in recent patch notes.

Historically, if you began scanning a biological sample (e.g., Tubus), and then scanned a different lifeform (e.g., Stratum) before completing the first set of 3 samples, it would wipe the initial scan progress. Going back to the original would restart at 1/3.

But yesterday (July 31, 2025), while playing in Odyssey, I scanned one Tubus sample, then a Stratum, then went back to scanning for more Tubus—and the scan resumed at 2/3 instead of starting over. This is new behavior.

Is this an intentional update? I didn’t see anything about it in the 4.1.3 notes. If it’s a bug, it’s a welcome one, but I’d like to understand whether we should rely on this mechanic going forward.

Anyone else notice the same? (This was on PC)

 

[Vardaugas]

Did it play the 'burn sample' animation? If yes, it's a bug, if no, it's probably a feature.

 

[Sarah The Conner]

Did it play the 'burn sample' animation? If yes, it's a bug, if no, it's probably a feature.

I'm going to test it more today but I do recall a message when I aborted the first scan but quickly ignored it because I meant to do it. Come to think of it, a single click on a new lifeform dumped the first sample with ease, I seem to remember on the past there was more effort needed to abort a sample sequence. I'll record it and get screenshots.

 

[DrakeAurum]

Wow, could they have finally given the tool the unprecedented upgrade of being able to carry a spare tin can to plug into it?

 

[aRJay]

More testing required before grabbing a sample of bacteria while looking for the third Stratum Tectonicas.

 

[Vardaugas]

So I tested it out and it both played the 'burn sample' animation and restarted the count. So whatever it was, it must have been a rare bug or human error.

 

[Neilski]

But yesterday (July 31, 2025), while playing in Odyssey, I scanned one Tubus sample, then a Stratum, then went back to scanning for more Tubus—and the scan resumed at 2/3 instead of starting over. This is new behavior.

Does the journal record this sequence of events? I can't remember what it does and doesn't log for exobiology.

 

[Nidoboros]

Honestly surprised that 'multiple samples' wasn't an engineering option.

 

[Sarah The Conner]

I finally got around to playing again (got kids and life to balance against) and it must have been a fluke. Perhaps being on patch day, or having my first Artemis suit above grade 1 (grade 3) or maybe the way I was holding my mouth, or my dishwashing detergent, but I tried again to recreate the issue and couldn't.

I was rather hopeful that it was an upgraded suit benefit, but like Nidoboros said, it really should be something that can be engineered.
That AND being able to pair the genetic sampler to the SRV with some engineering perks.. But oh well, back to the grind I guess.