At a Glance

Your first hour in Subnautica 2 revolves around a handful of core resources. Gather them in priority order rather than collecting everything you see — the right materials unlock the tools that let you explore faster, stay underwater longer, and build a base.

This guide covers every resource you will encounter in the starting area. For detailed search routes and collection tips, follow the link on each resource.

Quick Reference Table

ResourceWhere to FindHow to CollectFirst Key UsePriority
TitaniumSeafloor near Lifepod, caves, Metal SalvageHand pick, Fabricator (Salvage)Survival Multitool (3 Ti)★★★★★
QuartzInside orange Coral Domes near LifepodHand pickScanner (2 Quartz)★★★★★
CopperCave ceilings near LifepodHand pickBasic Battery (2 Copper)★★★★
Acidic Raion PouchPink/green plants near LifepodSurvival MultitoolBasic Battery (1 Pouch)★★★★
Water SlugsSeafloor near LifepodHand pickDrinkable water★★★★
SilverCaves NW of LifepodHand pick (small), Sonic Resonator (large)Standard Air Tank (2 Silver)★★★★
Lucifer RotsacOrange ball-shaped pickups on seafloor near LifepodHand pickRubber★★★
Fibrous PulpCut from plants with Survival MultitoolSurvival MultitoolFiber → Fins★★★
Angel CombNE of Lifepod near wreckageInteractDigestion Adaptation★★★
LeadCicada Wreck area northeast of LifepodHand pick (small), Sonic Resonator (large)Sonic Resonator★★
LithiumGreat Jaw area and hot biome cavesSonic ResonatorPlasteel Ingot, High Capacity Air Tank★★

Core Minerals

Titanium

The most common resource in the game. Small-grey rocks on the seafloor, in caves, and near wreckage. Metal Salvage yields 4 Titanium when processed at a Fabricator.

Priority: Use 3 Titanium for the Survival Multitool first, then 2 for the Scanner and 2 for the Habitat Builder.

Full Titanium guide →

Quartz

White crystal nodes found inside orange Coral Domes — large semi-circular coral structures on the seafloor near the Lifepod. Swim under the dome and check the interior walls and ceiling. No tool needed.

Priority: You need 2 Quartz for the Scanner. After that, Quartz converts into Glass, which is required for the Habitat Builder.

Full Quartz guide →

Copper

Copper is found inside caves, not on the open seafloor. Look for it on cave ceilings and walls. The best early spot is the small cave directly beneath your Lifepod.

Priority: Your first Basic Battery needs 2 Copper. A second set of 2 Copper makes Copper Wire for the Habitat Builder.

Full Copper guide →

Silver

Silver is found in caves northwest of the Lifepod, near Camp One. Small nodes can be picked up by hand; large nodes need the Sonic Resonator. At a glance Silver can look similar to Titanium, so check the resource label.

Priority: Silver is needed for the Standard Air Tank and Wiring Kit. Collect it when you find it in cave areas.

Full Silver guide →

Biological Materials

Acidic Raion Pouch

Found on pink-and-green plants on the seafloor near the Lifepod. Harvest with the Survival Multitool — craft that tool first. Each plant yields a pouch used in the Basic Battery recipe.

Key use: 1 Pouch + 2 Copper = Basic Battery (runs the Scanner).

Lucifer Rotsac

Orange ball-shaped pickups scattered on the seafloor near the Lifepod. Collect by hand. Process at the Fabricator into Rubber, which is used for Fins, the Air Bladder, and other equipment.

Fibrous Pulp

Cut from plants using the Survival Multitool. Process into Fiber at the Fabricator, then combine with Rubber for early Fins swim speed.

Water Slugs

Translucent blue creatures on the seafloor near the Lifepod. Collect them and process at the Fabricator’s Sustenance menu for drinkable water. This is your most reliable early hydration source.

Angel Comb

A large pink plant located northeast of the Lifepod near wreckage. Interact with it to unlock Digestion Adaptation, which removes your starting Digestive Incompatibility and lets you safely eat native fish and plants. This is a critical early progression step.

Advanced Early Resources

Lead

Found in the Cicada Wreck (also called the Lander Garage) area northeast of the Lifepod. Small nodes can be collected by hand; large nodes need the Sonic Resonator.

Key use: Making the Sonic Resonator, which lets you break open big mineral deposits anywhere in the game.

Lithium

Two early options:

  • The Great Jaw: Southwest of the Lifepod. A giant clam structure containing Lithium. Requires the Sonic Resonator.
  • Hot biome caves: East of the Lifepod in deeper, warmer areas. Requires Heat Tolerance adaptation.

Key use: Plasteel Ingots (Titanium + Lithium) for High Capacity Air Tanks and vehicle components.

Resource Priority by Phase

Opening Moves

  1. Titanium (3) → Survival Multitool
  2. Water Slugs → Water at Fabricator
  3. Acidic Raion Pouch (1) + Copper (2) → Basic Battery
  4. Quartz (2) + Titanium (2) + Basic Battery → Scanner

Early Exploration

  1. Lucifer Rotsac (2) → Rubber → Fins
  2. Fibrous Pulp → Fiber (for Fins)
  3. Angel Comb → Digestion Adaptation (food unlocked)
  4. Silver → Standard Air Tank, Wiring Kit materials

Base-Building Phase

  1. Lead → Sonic Resonator
  2. Titanium + Quartz → Solar Panels, Fabricator, base pieces

Common Mistakes

  • Skipping the Survival Multitool: Acidic Raion Pouches and Fibrous Pulp require it to collect. Build this tool first.
  • Confusing Silver with Titanium: Both are grey metallic resources. Check the resource label before picking.
  • Forgetting the Angel Comb: Without Digestion Adaptation, you cannot eat native food. Visit the Angel Comb northeast of the Lifepod early.
  • Not marking Silver caves: Silver is hard to spot on return trips. Drop a Beacon or note a nearby landmark.
  • Ignoring Quartz after the Scanner: You need Quartz for Glass, Solar Panels, and base building. Gather more than you think you need.
  • Storing Metal Salvage whole: Each Metal Salvage converts to 4 Titanium and only takes 1 inventory slot. Keep it unprocessed until you need the Titanium.

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