Troilite isn’t a resource for every situation in Subnautica 2. It’s needed to craft Mangalloy Ingots and the Photovoltaic Charger upgrade for the Tadpole. And a few other minor details. You’ll only be able to access it once you’re well into the story. I’ll warn you right away: there are spoilers for a location you may not have seen yet. So either read at your own risk or save this material for later.
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Where to find Troilite in Subnautica 2 on the map
The main location is the metal farm beneath the Alien Power Plant. Yes, that one. You’ll likely reach it naturally once you’ve upgraded the Depth Module for the Tadpole—it’s incredibly tempting to explore new horizons. If you need clear landmarks, head 75 degrees east from the Alien Ruins Research Center, about 820 meters. There, at a depth of about 440 meters, you’ll hit the seabed—and there it is, the riches.
How will you know you’re going the right way? First, you’ll notice a toxic green glow—the farm is making its presence known. Then the music will change to an alarming tone: the game hints that predators are nearby. And not just any predators, but deadly epicureans. A couple of hits will be enough to send you back to the main menu. So, drive the “tadpole” closer to the deposits, and then quickly jump out for the resource. And keep a first aid kit ready—you never know.
Another scourge are the electric jordies. These creatures stick to vehicles and significantly reduce their durability. You can’t do anything here without repair tools. Although, to be fair, a spare energy cell and repair kit should be included in every “tadpole” foray by default.
You’ll smelt troilite into ingots. You can also find celestine and extremely rare conduit crystals on the farm. So keep an eye out—there’s plenty of useful stuff around.
Resources and preparation for farming at the Metal Farm
Descending to depths exceeding 400 meters for valuable resources is a one-way ticket for the unprepared. We’ll explore the optimal Tadpole vehicle build and gather equipment for your first foray into the Metal Farm to extract troilite and avoid losing loot to aggressive fauna.
Blueprints and depth modules for the Tadpole
A stock bathyscaphe will burst from the pressure even before it reaches the surface. Without the Depth Module Mk. 1 upgrade, venturing into this abyss is pointless—it increases the dive limit from the base 250 to 450 meters. Where to find the blueprint? Swim south-southeast of the Research Center (your bearing is 165°). At a depth of ~290 meters, you’ll find a needlefish nest with a scan. For the final assembly (using a Modification Station), you’ll need 3x Celestine, 2x Enameled Glass, and 1x System Chip.
But there’s a catch. Even with the first module, the “tadpole” won’t reach the very bottom. You’ll have to swim the final stretch on foot. Why not just install the Depth Module Mk. 2, which has a depth of 800 meters? It’s simple. Crafting it requires 2x Troilite (as well as 2x Dedicated Cores and 2x Mangalloy Ingots). So the first raid is always half-on-foot.
By the way, keep in mind the game’s story requirements. A major overhaul of the Power Plant location will consume 10 Mangalloy Ingots (that’s exactly 10 Troilite). Farm ore with a reserve, otherwise there won’t be enough resources for a second Depth Module. I also recommend installing a Cavitation Suppressor. A Leviathan Collector is almost guaranteed to patrol the route. A quiet vehicle will reduce the chances of provoking an attack from the giant.
Gear and important tools in your backpack
We’ve sorted out the equipment, now let’s go through your personal pockets. If you forget a critical tool at the base, the entire descent will be ruined.
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Sonic Resonator. An absolute must-have. The local mineralized clinkers completely ignore the standard multi-tool. Without a resonator, you’ll look at the rocks and float away empty-handed.
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Repair Tool. Keep it in your quick inventory slot. Small electrical Geordies love to gnaw on vehicle plating.
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First Aid Kits × 2-3. Aggressive Epicureans spawn in the zone. Two missed hits will instantly send you to the respawn screen.
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Spare Energy Cell. The base is far away. Running out of power at 440 meters is extremely unpleasant.
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Portable locker. Mount directly to the “tadpole.” You plan to loot not only quest metal, but also celestine and conduit crystals, right? There won’t be enough space in the default trunk.
Table of upgrades for vehicles and oxygen limit
Since you’ll have to park your car just above the bottom (the depth in the rift exceeds 450 meters), air supply will be a major issue. A standard tank will give you about 45 seconds of net time. The high-capacity version will double that time. Ideally, you’d want an ultra-high-capacity tank, but it requires 3x Troilite, so we’ll save that for the second run.
