Mass Effect Andromeda: 15 Crucial Tips & Tricks The Game Doesn't Tell You

5. How Scanning, Research & Development Works

First up, note that your scanner isn't just useful for Codex entries. Instead, everything you scan will give you Research Points in one of three currencies; Milky Way, Heleus and Remnant, seen on the bottom of the scanning window. From here, head to a Research Terminal (there's one just below your meeting area on the Tempest) and use Research Points to unlock whatever weapon, armour or augment you'd like to later develop.

Use L1 and R1 to hop between different galaxy-specific 'storefronts', but make sure you hit Triangle/Y to bring up the list of crafting components necessary to actually make the item later, as they're only displayed on this optional window, and then later in the Development menu (still accessed from the Research Terminal), where it'll hit you just how many materials you don't have.

The loop goes like this: Scan as many things as you can (think lifeforms, plants and machinery) to acquire Research Points. Use these points to unlock objects for Development. Head into the Development menu and craft something, then equip it in the loadout screen before a mission or at a Research Station in the open world.

It sounds complex, and I've only begun using it consistently after 15+ hours in the game, but get your head around it and you'll have much better weapons and armour for every mission earlier on.