The Last Caretaker Samples Guide: How to Collect and Send HoloMemories and Cave Paintings

Update 5.5 baseline. Older footage and unverified player reports are dated separately.

A = official patch notes. B = agreeing sources. C = unverified player reports, kept in separate boxes.

Quick answers

Update 5.0 introduced the sample system: collect discoveries, catalog them and send them into space. It also added discoverable, scannable cave paintings.

Grade A · Sources & version

Introduced in Update 5.0; retained in Update 5.5 Reviewed 2026-10-07.

There are 143 samples in the reviewed lists: 99 HoloMemories and 44 cave paintings.

Grade B · Sources & version

Update 5.5 evidence reviewed October 2026 Reviewed 2026-10-07.

The Photo Drone unlocks at Tier 4.

Grade B · Sources & version

Early Access 0.8.5; September 2026 sources Reviewed 2026-10-07.

Samples come from HoloMemories and cave paintings. Use a Photo Drone to collect them, place the samples in a rocket pod and launch them. Sending a sample unlocks the next part of its story.

Grade B · Sources & version

Update 5.5 evidence reviewed October 2026 Reviewed 2026-10-07.

The Update 5.5 sources agree that sending a previously unsent HoloMemory rewards an Elysium Aleppo Pine Seed, while a previously unsent cave painting rewards an Elysium Cherry Seed. Samples already sent do not earn another seed.

Grade B · Sources & version

Update 5.5 evidence reviewed October 2026 Reviewed 2026-10-07.

How to collect a sample

  1. Find a HoloMemory or cave painting.
  2. Collect a sample using the Photo Drone.
  3. Put the sample into a rocket pod.
  4. Launch it to unlock the sample’s continuing story.
Grade B · Sources & version

Update 5.5 evidence reviewed October 2026 Reviewed 2026-10-07.

The Photo Drone unlocks at Tier 4.

Grade B · Sources & version

Early Access 0.8.5; September 2026 sources Reviewed 2026-10-07.

How many samples are there?

There are 143 samples in the reviewed lists: 99 HoloMemories and 44 cave paintings.

Grade B · Sources & version

Update 5.5 evidence reviewed October 2026 Reviewed 2026-10-07.

Update 5.5 added 39 HoloMemories, bringing the old total of 104 to 143. A video uploaded on August 28, 2026, three days before Update 5.5, shows the in-game SAMPLES counter at 103 / 104. That older counter and the current lists describe different versions.

Grade B · Sources & version

Pre-5.5 video dated 2026-08-28; Update 5.5 lists Reviewed 2026-10-07.

Seed rewards and the older Birch result

The Update 5.5 sources agree that sending a previously unsent HoloMemory rewards an Elysium Aleppo Pine Seed, while a previously unsent cave painting rewards an Elysium Cherry Seed. Samples already sent do not earn another seed.

Grade B · Sources & version

Update 5.5 evidence reviewed October 2026 Reviewed 2026-10-07.

The Update 5.5 patch notes record a fix for HoloMemory and cave-painting samples failing to award seeds.

Grade A · Sources & version

Update 5.5 evidence reviewed October 2026 Reviewed 2026-10-07.

Common problems

Full location list

We do not maintain a complete sample-location checklist. Use the external lists below for the full set; the examples here are limited, unverified player reports.

Samples FAQ

How do you take and send samples in The Last Caretaker?

Samples come from HoloMemories and cave paintings. Use a Photo Drone to collect them, place the samples in a rocket pod and launch them. Sending a sample unlocks the next part of its story.

How many samples are there in The Last Caretaker?

There are 143 samples in the reviewed lists: 99 HoloMemories and 44 cave paintings. Update 5.5 added 39 HoloMemories, bringing the old total of 104 to 143. A video uploaded on August 28, 2026, three days before Update 5.5, shows the in-game SAMPLES counter at 103 / 104. That older counter and the current lists describe different versions.

What tier unlocks the Photo Drone?

The Photo Drone unlocks at Tier 4.

What seeds do samples reward in Update 5.5?

The Update 5.5 sources agree that sending a previously unsent HoloMemory rewards an Elysium Aleppo Pine Seed, while a previously unsent cave painting rewards an Elysium Cherry Seed. Samples already sent do not earn another seed. The Update 5.5 patch notes record a fix for HoloMemory and cave-painting samples failing to award seeds.

Related tools and guides

Sources