Ad Astra Unlimited Resource Encyclopedia: A Shard Of Knowledge
Shards is a blanket term, and can come in many forms but are generally a piece of information, or important component that allows settlers to further increase the effectiveness of their buildings. Due to lost knowledge and patenting, the information isn't publicly available, leading to settlers having to exchange shards in trading bazaars or dismantle their own Duskwork's buildings in order to create their own more efficient designs. Shards can also be purchased off of the marketplace, in exchange for Dusk.
Some other types of shards, include the original blueprint plans for extremely well built "artifact" buildings that have been lost, using these original pieces of the blueprint they can rebuild the artifact.
For the trading bazaars, cantinas and other special buildings, they're simpler to upgrade, requiring only one type of information shard that will allow you to further the reach of these buildings through better communication equipment and other logistical systems.
Shards come in three types:
Ad Astra Unlimited Resource Encyclopedia: A Shard of a One-Of-a-Kind
Artifact Shards are a special type of shard, instead of being used to upgrade an already placed building, they're used to claim an Artifact.
You need 100 of an Artifact Shard in order to claim that Artifact. More information on Artifacts can be found at:
Sources:
Crafting and Actions (Any)
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Used by:
Claiming Artifacts
Ad Astra Unlimited Resource Encyclopedia: Sharing is Caring and Profitable
Normal Shards come in six rarities:
Common
Uncommon
Rare
Epic
Legendary
Mythic
Shards are used in the process of upgrading your buildings into a higher level. They have to match the same rarity of the building that is being upgraded and match the building type.
For example:
A Rare Solar Panel Shard can only be used on a Rare Solar Panel.
More about upgrading buildings:
Ad Astra Unlimited Resource Encyclopedia: S Marks the Spot
Special shards differ from normal shards in that they do not have a rarity. All special shards are of the same quality Special. So a shard of a Trading Bazaar can be used on any Trading Bazaar.
Sources:
Dismantling Special Buildings
Trading Bazaar
Used By:
Upgrading Special Buildings
More about upgrading buildings: