Every Resource Location in Subnautica 2 and How to Make Infinite Metals
This guide is a single, practical reference that shows where to find every major resource currently in Subnautica 2, how to prioritize what to gather, and how to build a reliable Metal Farm system so you can craft effectively unlimited metals for base expansion, vehicles, and late‑game projects. It’s written for players who want a one‑stop manual: clear resource descriptions, depth and biome cues, efficient routes, crafting flows, and a full Metal Farm blueprint and operation plan you can replicate at any base.
You’ll get a complete resource index, early and late game farming loops, a step‑by‑step Metal Farm base setup, power and placement tips, optimization strategies, and a thorough FAQ that answers the edge cases players run into. Throughout the guide I highlight the most important items to prioritize and show how to turn raw nodes into steady ingot production using the Processor and Metal Farm combo.
This is a completely original rewording and consolidation of community knowledge, in‑game mechanics, and practical playtested strategies so you can stop scavenging and start producing.
How to read this guide and use it in game
Treat this guide as a layered checklist. Start with the Resource Index to identify what you need. Use the Early Game and Mid Game sections to plan your first loops. When you have a Processor and the required alloys, follow the Metal Farm section to unlock and build farms. The Advanced and Optimization sections show how to scale to dozens of farms and keep a continuous supply of rare ores like Troilite and Atacamite.
Keep a small notebook or in‑game map markers for spawn clusters you find; the game’s spawn system is consistent enough that once you mark a node cluster, you’ll be able to return reliably.
Resource Index core overview
Below are the resources you will use most often. I group them by practical use so you can prioritize what to collect on each run.
Structural and base building materials
Titanium — the most common building metal; used for hulls, frames, and many early tools.
Quartz — used for glass and many electronics.
Copper — essential for wiring and battery components.
Lithium — used for batteries and power modules.
Lead — used in some heavy components and shielding.
Electronics and mid‑tier components
Silver — used in wiring kits and mid‑tier electronics.
Gold — used in advanced wiring and some high‑end components.
Celestine — used in mid‑tier components and decorative modules.
Conduit Crystal — used in power and conduit recipes.
Rare and alloy ingredients
Atacamite — a rare ore used in alloys and advanced crafting.
Troilite — a deep‑game ore used in high‑tier alloys like Mangalloy.
Mangalloy (crafted) — a key alloy required to craft Metal Farms and some advanced modules.
Axum Bacterial Culture — a biological reagent required for Metal Farm construction and some biotech recipes.
Organic and consumable resources
Fibrous Pulp — food and crafting fiber.
Lucifer Rotsac — used to craft rubber and grease.
Medical Gel Sac and other organic drops — used for medkits and biotech.
Salvage and special items
Metal Salvage — broken metal pieces that can be refined.
Processor outputs — ingots and alloys produced at the Processor.
Blueprint fragments and scanned data — scanning unlocks blueprints and is essential for progression.
Where resources spawn and how to read spawn cues
Resources in Subnautica 2 spawn by biome and depth band. Learn the visual cues and you’ll stop wasting time. Look for:
Shallow coral domes and reef edges for Titanium, Quartz, and Fibrous Pulp.
Cave ceilings and cliff faces for Copper and Silver outcrops.
Glowing chemical pools and green‑tinted vents for Troilite and Atacamite clusters.
Ruins and alien structures for rare salvage, blueprint fragments, and sometimes Atacamite near structural anomalies.
When you find a node, scan it and mark it on your map. Nodes tend to respawn in the same general areas, so a handful of marked clusters will sustain you for dozens of builds.
Early game priorities and a simple loop
Focus on the essentials that unlock crafting and survival.
Get a Scanner and scan everything you can. Blueprints are the fastest route to new crafting options.
Build a small starter base near a shallow reef or coral dome. This gives you a safe respawn and a place to store materials.
Run a short loop that hits coral domes for Quartz, shallow caves for Copper, and the seafloor for Titanium. This loop nets the parts to craft a Fabricator, Rebreather, and the Processor blueprint fragments.
Prioritize Titanium and Quartz early because they unlock base modules and glass for windows and storage.
A practical early loop: Lifepod → nearest coral dome → small cave system → reef edge → return to base. Keep runs short until you have a vehicle.
Mid game expansion and Tadpole routes
Once you have a Tadpole or similar vehicle, your range expands and you can target mid‑tier resources.
Equip depth mods and a Rebreather.
Plan a route that hits the Necrolei Fields for Silver and Titanium, then swings by the Hot Biome edge for Sulfur and Lead.
Add a detour to Alien Ruins to scan structures and find Atacamite and Troilite nodes.
Use the Tadpole’s storage to carry back large hauls; drop off at base and return quickly.
Tadpole routes are about efficiency. Map a loop that takes 20–30 minutes and nets a full inventory of mid‑tier ores and salvage.
How to unlock and craft the Metal Farm
The Metal Farm is a game changer. It lets you duplicate mineral nodes so you can stop relying on random spawns.
Unlock the Metal Farm blueprint by scanning the unique structures and pillars in the Metal Farm subzone. These structures are usually clustered around glowing pools or canyon walls in a specific subzone; scanning antennas, pillars, and alien pylons in that area will reveal the blueprint.
To craft a Metal Farm you will need Mangalloy and Axum Bacterial Culture. Mangalloy is an alloy produced at the Processor using a combination of ingots and rare ores such as Troilite and Atacamite. The Axum Bacterial Culture is a biological reagent that you can cultivate or find in specific organic clusters and alien labs.
Build a Processor first. The Processor converts raw ore into ingots and alloys. Queue up Mangalloy production so you can craft Metal Farms as soon as you have the blueprint.
Metal Farm mechanics and practical operation
Understanding how the Metal Farm functions lets you design a base that produces continuous ore.
Place the Metal Farm on a flat, solid surface with room for the mineral node to protrude. Farms need a clear vertical space so the node can spawn and be harvested.
Connect the farm to your power grid. Each Metal Farm consumes a steady amount of energy while active; plan for 20 energy per farm as a baseline. If power dips below the required level the farm will pause its timer.
Insert a valid ore type into the farm’s interface. The farm will begin a timer that varies by ore rarity. Common ores finish quickly; rare ores take longer. When the timer completes a mineral node will appear. Use a Sonic/Feedback Resonator or your standard mining tool to harvest the node and collect multiple units of that ore.
Stagger timers across multiple farms so you always have a node finishing every few minutes. This keeps your Processor fed and your storage rotating.
Step‑by‑step Metal Farm base blueprint
Follow this blueprint to build a reliable Metal Farm cluster.
Choose a location near your main base with easy access and stable power. Shallow to mid‑depth water is ideal for safety and maintenance.
Build a power hub: multiple Hydroelectric Turbines or a mix of Solar Arrays and Power Storage. Aim for at least 20 energy per farm plus a buffer.
Construct a Processor and queue ingot/alloy production. Keep at least one Processor slot dedicated to Mangalloy if you plan to expand farms.
Place Portable Lockers or storage modules near the farm cluster for immediate ore stashing. Label lockers by ore type to avoid mixing.
Install 4–8 Metal Farms in a staggered layout with space between them so nodes can spawn unobstructed. Connect each to the power grid.
Insert ores and start timers. Harvest as they finish and feed the Processor.
This layout is compact, efficient, and easy to expand. Add more farms as your power capacity grows.
Which ores to prioritize in farms
Not every ore is equally valuable to farm. Choose based on your goals.
Titanium — farm this for constant building materials. It’s fast and keeps construction flowing.
Quartz — quick cycles and essential for glass and electronics.
Silver and Gold — farm these for electronics and wiring kits.
Celestine and Conduit Crystal — useful for mid‑tier components.
Atacamite and Troilite — dedicate multiple farms to these if you need large quantities for alloys like Mangalloy.
If you want to mass‑produce a single alloy, dedicate a cluster of farms to the alloy’s raw ores and stagger their timers to keep the Processor busy.
Power planning and energy tips
Power is the backbone of any Metal Farm operation.
Calculate total energy draw: number of farms × 20 energy plus Processor and base consumption. Add a 20–30% buffer to avoid pauses.
Hydroelectric turbines are the most reliable submerged option. Place them in steady currents near your base. Solar panels are useful for daytime supplementation but are less reliable underwater.
Use Power Storage modules to smooth out peaks and keep farms running through brief outages. A single large battery bank can keep several farms active during maintenance or storms.
Harvesting and processing workflow
A smooth loop keeps your base productive.
Harvest nodes as they finish and immediately deposit ore into nearby lockers.
Keep the Processor queue full. Convert raw ore into ingots and alloys while farms continue to produce.
Use dedicated lockers for raw ore, ingots, and finished alloys to avoid confusion. Label them clearly.
If you plan to craft vehicles or large modules, pre‑queue Processor jobs so ingots are ready when you need them.
Advanced scaling and automation mindset
Scale thoughtfully to avoid bottlenecks.
Add farms in small batches and expand power capacity first. A sudden jump to dozens of farms without power will stall production.
Use multiple Processors if you’re converting large volumes of rare ore. One Processor can become a bottleneck when you’re producing dozens of ingots per hour.
Rotate farm focus by time of day or mission. For example, dedicate some farms to Troilite overnight and switch to Titanium during building sessions.
Practical in‑game troubleshooting
Common problems and quick fixes.
If a farm timer stalls, check power first. If power is stable, ensure the farm has enough vertical clearance and isn’t clipped into terrain.
If nodes spawn but yield nothing, verify you inserted a valid ore type. Some farms accept only mineral ores, not crafted components.
If hostile fauna attack your farm area, build a small defensive perimeter or place farms inside a protected base module.
Playstyle variations and roleplay ideas
Make the Metal Farm part of your base story.
Build a dedicated “ore garden” with rows of farms and labeled lockers for a tidy industrial aesthetic.
Create a research wing where you process rare alloys and display ingots and blueprints.
Use farms to support a vehicle fleet: dedicate a cluster to the ores needed for hull and engine parts.
FAQ
How do I find the Metal Farm subzone to scan the blueprint? Search for the unique glowing pools and pillar structures in the far‑reaching canyon subzones. Scan antennas, pillars, and alien pylons in that area to unlock the blueprint. Bring a vehicle and be prepared for hostile fauna.
What exactly is needed to craft a Metal Farm? You need a Mangalloy Ingot and an Axum Bacterial Culture. Mangalloy is produced at the Processor from rare ores; Axum Culture is a biological reagent found or cultivated in specific organic clusters.
Can Metal Farms produce every ore in the game? Metal Farms duplicate many mineral deposits including Titanium, Quartz, Silver, Gold, Celestine, Atacamite, and Troilite. They do not duplicate every crafted component or organic resource. Check the farm’s in‑game recipe list for specifics.
How much power does a Metal Farm use? Plan for roughly 20 energy per farm while active. Power dips will pause the farm’s timer.
Is Troilite finite and how do I get more without farms? Troilite is rare in the wild but does spawn in deep green nodes near chemical pools. Metal Farms let you duplicate Troilite once you have the alloy and blueprint.
Where should I place farms for rare ores? You can place farms anywhere with a solid surface and power, but placing them near the biome where the ore originally spawns reduces travel time and feels logical for roleplay.
How many farms should I build to be self‑sufficient? A small cluster of 4–8 farms is enough for most players. If you want continuous rare alloy production, scale to 12–20 farms and expand power and Processor capacity accordingly.
Do farms require maintenance or replacement? Farms are durable but can be damaged by fauna or terrain changes. Keep spare materials to rebuild and monitor power and storage to avoid interruptions.
Closing notes and next steps
This guide gives you a complete, practical path from scavenger to industrial producer. Start with the early loops to unlock the Processor, gather the rare ores for Mangalloy, scan the Metal Farm subzone to unlock the blueprint, and then build a compact farm cluster with a reliable power backbone. Stagger timers, label storage, and keep the Processor busy to turn duplicated ore into ingots and alloys.
Quick summary: Build a safe Tadpole loop that hits the Metal Farm subzone, Alien Ruins, and two high‑yield mid‑depth clusters; use the shopping list below to craft a 6‑farm cluster with power and storage ready to run continuous Titanium and Troilite cycles.
Route options and decision table
| Route | Distance from Lifepod | Typical depth band | Main hazards | Best ores to collect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Metal Farm run | ~2,050–2,100 m | 350–500 m | Leviathan patrols; Epicurean fish | Troilite, Axum culture, Mangalloy ingredients |
| Alien Ruins loop | ~800–1,200 m from Lifepod | 200–400 m | Ruins guardians; tight caves | Atacamite, Silver, salvage fragments. |
| Mixed Tadpole circuit | 20–40 minute loop | 50–450 m | Currents and depth transitions | Titanium, Quartz, Lithium, occasional Troilite. |
Tailored Tadpole route map (step‑by‑step)
Start at your base / Moonpool. Head east‑northeast from the Lifepod toward the Alien Ruins marker; use the Tadpole’s compass and waypoint markers. Stop at the Alien Ruins to scan and loot salvage and Atacamite nodes — this unlocks mid‑tier recipes and helps craft Mangalloy later. From the ruins, continue roughly 850–1,200 m east into the Root Canyon / Metal Farm subzone; you’ll see a large glowing pool and antenna structures — scan them to unlock the Metal Farm blueprint and harvest Axum Bacterial Culture from the green pools. Return via a shallower arc that passes coral domes and cave ceilings to pick up Titanium and Quartz before docking. Use the Tadpole Depth Module Mk.1 if you plan repeated trips below 250 m.
Safety and timing tips
Bring repair kits and spare power cells; the route crosses Leviathan patrol paths.
Stagger runs: do a short 15–20 minute loop for common ores and a longer 40–60 minute run focused on rare nodes and Metal Farm scanning.
Scan everything on the first pass — blueprints (Tadpole fragments, Processor, Metal Farm) speed future runs.
Exact shopping list to build a 6‑farm cluster (materials to have on hand)
Base modules and stations
Processor ×1 (crafting station) — required to make Mangalloy.
Power Storage (large battery) ×2
Hydroelectric Turbine ×4 (or mix with Solar Panels if shallow)
Habitat Builder (for farms and wiring)
Metal Farms and immediate consumables
Metal Farm ×6 → 6 Mangalloy Ingots + 6 Axum Bacterial Culture total to craft all farms.
To craft 6 Mangalloy Ingots (Processor inputs)
Titanium Ingot ×6 → requires Titanium ore ×18 (3 Titanium per ingot).
Atacamite ×6 (one per Mangalloy) — farm near Alien Ruins / obsidian deposits.
Troilite ×6 — deep green nodes near glowing pools; also found in Metal Farm area.
Axum Bacterial Culture
Axum Bacterial Culture ×6 — harvest from green sludge pools in Root Canyon; note only limited spawns early access.
Power budget (minimum)
Farms: 6 × 20 energy = 120 energy continuous draw.
Processor + base overhead: plan +60 energy buffer.
Hydroelectric turbines produce steady submerged power; plan 5–7 turbines or equivalent solar + storage.
Storage and tools
Portable Lockers ×4 (label: Raw Ore, Ingots, Alloys, Spare Parts)
Sonic/Feedback Resonator ×1 (for harvesting spawned nodes)
Repair Kit ×3, Power Cells ×4, Spare Batteries ×2
Processor to Metal Farm Printable Checklist
Purpose: Follow this single‑page checklist in game to go from Processor → Mangalloy → 6 Metal Farms without pausing. Print or screenshot and keep it beside your controller.
Pre‑run safety check
Suit and vehicle: Rebreather equipped; Tadpole charged and repaired.
Tools: Scanner, Habitat Builder, Sonic/Feedback Resonator, Repair Kit, Fabricator access.
Power spares: 4 Power Cells; 2 spare batteries.
Consumables: 3 Medkits; food and water for long runs.
Inventory space: Clear at least 12 inventory slots for raw ore and 6 slots for crafted ingots/alloys.
Materials to gather before building (exact counts)
For 6 Metal Farms total
Mangalloy Ingots ×6
Axum Bacterial Culture ×6
To craft 6 Mangalloy Ingots (Processor inputs)
Titanium ore ×18 (yields 6 Titanium Ingots after processing)
Atacamite ore ×6
Troilite ore ×6
Power and infrastructure
Hydroelectric Turbine ×5 (or mix: 4 Turbines + 2 Solar Panels if shallow)
Power Storage (Large Battery) ×2
Power Transmitters / Wiring as needed to connect farms (bring 8–12 wiring pieces)
Portable Lockers ×4 (label: Raw Ore; Ingots; Alloys; Tools)
Tools and extras
Sonic/Feedback Resonator ×1
Repair Kit ×3
Fabricator / Habitat Builder available at base
Scanner for blueprint fragments and farm subzone scans
Quick build order (follow in game)
Build or place Processor at base.
Place Power Storage and connect to base grid.
Install Hydroelectric Turbines and confirm steady output; charge batteries.
Queue Processor jobs: convert Titanium ore → Titanium Ingots first.
While Processor runs, collect Atacamite and Troilite if not already in inventory.
When Titanium Ingots ready, craft Mangalloy at Processor using required recipe (Titanium Ingots + Atacamite + Troilite). Repeat until you have 6 Mangalloy Ingots.
Craft or obtain 6 Axum Bacterial Culture (harvest from green pools or craft if recipe available).
Use Habitat Builder to craft 6 Metal Farms (each requires 1 Mangalloy + 1 Axum Culture).
Choose a flat area near base for the farm cluster; ensure vertical clearance for node spawn.
Place 6 Metal Farms in a staggered grid with at least one‑meter gaps between them.
Connect each farm to power via transmitters; confirm each shows active power.
Place Portable Lockers within reach and label them.
Staggered timer schedule for 6 farms (practical cadence)
Assign farms into two groups to balance short and long cycles:
Group A (Farms 1–3): set to Titanium / Quartz cycles (fast). Start these first.
Group B (Farms 4–6): set to Atacamite / Troilite cycles (long). Start these 2–3 minutes after Group A.
Harvest cadence: check Group A every 3–6 minutes; check Group B every 12–20 minutes.
Processor queue: keep at least two slots reserved — one for Titanium ingots, one for Mangalloy production. Feed Processor immediately after each harvest.
Harvest and processing workflow
Harvest finished node with Sonic/Feedback Resonator or mining tool.
Deposit raw ore into Raw Ore locker immediately.
Move batches of raw ore to Processor in groups: process Titanium first, then queue Mangalloy runs.
Store finished ingots in Ingots locker and Mangalloy/alloys in Alloys locker.
Refill farms with the next ore type as needed; rotate Group A and Group B to maintain continuous output.
Troubleshooting quick fixes
Farm timer paused → check power; add battery or turbine output.
Node fails to spawn → ensure vertical clearance and that the farm is not clipped into terrain. Move farm slightly and retry.
Low yields → confirm you inserted a valid mineral ore (not a crafted component).
Hostile fauna → build a short protective wall or move cluster inside a base module.
Processor backlog → add a second Processor or stagger farm harvests to reduce spikes.
Compact checklist to tick off in game (one‑line items)
Clear inventory and free 12 slots.
Charge Tadpole and pack 4 Power Cells.
Build Processor and place near power hub.
Install 5 Hydroelectric Turbines and 2 Batteries.
Gather Titanium ore ×18, Atacamite ×6, Troilite ×6.
Process Titanium ore into 6 Titanium Ingots.
Craft 6 Mangalloy Ingots at Processor.
Acquire 6 Axum Bacterial Culture.
Craft 6 Metal Farms with Habitat Builder.
Place farms, connect power, insert ores, start timers.
Stagger Group A and Group B start times.
Harvest, deposit, and queue Processor jobs continuously.
Short troubleshooting reference (keep visible)
No power → add battery or check transmitters.
Timer stuck → move farm 1–2 meters and reattach.
Wrong output → verify ore type accepted by farm.
Too many ingots waiting → expand Processor capacity or slow farm cycles.
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