Step 1
Reach the Alien Ruins chain
Metal Farm is not a starter base object. Treat it as a late route after Tadpole travel, Alien Ruins navigation, and depth preparation are stable.
Resource system
Metal Farm Unlock Guide
A Metal Farm grows a large deposit from a metal seed. Build it with an Axum Ingot and Axum Bacterial Culture, connect reliable power, then shatter the grown deposit to harvest it. Its high power demand makes placement and supply as important as finding the blueprint.
Route call: scan Metal Farm structures on the deep Alien Ruins route, keep Troilite and Axum samples before spending them, then build the first farm close to power and storage.
Reviewed .
Unlock plan
Step 2
Scout the deep farm area
Explore the Axum Metal Farms in Root Canyon after establishing the Alien Ruins route. Scan the farm structures to progress the blueprint, then return with the materials for construction.
Step 3
Preserve rare inputs
Do not process every Troilite or Axum Bacterial Culture before your first farm is built and powered. Keep a metal sample separate from the construction ingredients so you can seed the completed farm.
Step 4
Build near reliable power
The practical farm is the one you can keep powered and revisit. Place it near an established base or power chain rather than deep inside a hazard route.
Find the farm area
Use this broad map marker to orient the later route from the Research Station. Match the structures and scan targets on arrival, and keep enough vehicle power and oxygen for the return.
Route family
Deep Alien Ruins / Metal Farm route
Late-route deep scouting path
Confidence
Route lead
PC Gamer Metal Farm and Troilite guides
Metal Farm deep route lead
Use the Alien Ruins chain as the setup route, then scout the deep Metal Farm area for farm scans, Troilite, and Axum Bacterial Culture leads.
Use the Alien Ruins approach and the linked guide to reach the deep Metal Farm area. Reserve an Axum Bacterial Culture and the materials for an Axum Ingot if you intend to build a farm.
Open on mapRoute prerequisite
Stabilize this first
Alien Ruins research base
After the Tadpole Pens objective, cross the open gorge east toward the Alien Ruins Research Station and use the cliffs for cover.
Before you spend rare materials
| Decision | Priority | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Metal Farm construction | 1 farm | Use 1 Axum Ingot and 1 Axum Bacterial Culture with the Habitat Builder after unlocking the blueprint. |
| Axum Ingot | Processor | Combine 1 Titanium Ingot, 1 Atacamite and 1 Troilite. Set these aside before budgeting the metal seed. |
| Metal seed | Separate reserve | Keep the metal you intend to grow separate from materials spent constructing the farm. For Troilite, reserve an additional sample beyond the ingot cost. |
| Power infrastructure | High demand | Connect to a reliable supply and inspect the farm power state before expecting production. |
| Harvest tools | Ready to collect | The grown large deposit must be shattered to harvest. Bring a charged mining tool and room for the output. |
If the farm is not producing
Check power first
No production
Confirm the farm is supplied. Buddy System fixed production occurring despite the UI reporting no power.
Inspect the connection
Other farms stop when one finishes
Buddy System fixed series-connected farms losing power when the first farm completed production. Keep a clear connection to the base supply.
Inspect the power supply
Farm moved to another position
A moved farm must still be within its power connection. Buddy System fixed farms continuing to function after moving out of range.
From construction to harvest
Build and seed
Finish construction, confirm the farm has power and insert the metal you want to grow. Keep construction materials and seed stock in separate storage.
Wait for production
Read the farm state before harvesting. Swapping the resource is not a way to inherit another resource’s growth progress; that exploit was fixed in Buddy System.
Harvest and restock
Shatter the grown deposit, collect the output and reserve stock for the next cycle before processing the whole haul.
Route references
PC Gamer Metal Farm guide
Primary public route lead for Metal Farm unlock, deep route preparation, Troilite pressure, and power planning.
GameSpot Metal Farms guide
Public cross-check for the Metal Farm area, scanning route, crafting-chain context, and nearby hazards.
PC Gamer Troilite guide
Public guide signal for why Troilite preservation matters before and after unlocking Metal Farm.
PC Gamer Axum Bacterial Culture guide
Public guide lead connecting Axum Bacterial Culture to the Metal Farm and Power Plant route family.
Official Buddy System update
Metal Farm power-state, series-connection, relocation and growth-progress fixes.
Metal Farm FAQ
How do I unlock Metal Farm in Subnautica 2?
Scan Metal Farm structures on the deep route beyond Alien Ruins. Use the map marker to plan the journey and bring enough supplies for a return trip.
Why is Metal Farm so important?
It grows metal deposits from a seed, providing a local source once you have construction materials and enough power. Keep a seed reserve so harvested metal is not all spent on another craft.
What should I save before building a Metal Farm?
Reserve 1 Axum Ingot and 1 Axum Bacterial Culture for construction, plus the metal seed you intend to grow. The Axum Ingot itself consumes 1 Titanium Ingot, 1 Atacamite and 1 Troilite.
Where should I place a Metal Farm?
Near reliable power, storage, and safe return routes. The best placement is usually practical base logistics, not the deepest place where you first scanned the blueprint.
Related pages
Power the Farm
Match generation, transmission and storage to a demanding facility.
Research Station Route
Set up local crafting and storage before exploring farther.
Charge Harvesting Tools
Keep a charged mining battery and vehicle reserve ready.
Troilite
Late material route, Hotfix 2 changes, and seed-sample warning.
Axum Bacterial Culture
Deep route sample tied to Metal Farm and Power Plant planning.
Atacamite
Alien Ruins material lead for advanced crafting chains.
Base Building
Power and placement planning before permanent farm layouts.
Power Calculator
Estimate base power margin before adding farm-style loads.
Metal Farm Route Lead
Open the broad late-route map lead.