Exploration resources
Harvest Carbon Substrate from a surface rock
Carbon Substrate is directly harvested from resource sources in the current resource system, making labeled rocks a useful…
WHERE & HOW TO FARM
Harvest Carbon Substrate from a surface rock
Planet surface, at a rock identified as Carbon Substrate.
Before you go
- Survival Tool
- Rock Drill mode available on the Survival Tool
Farming steps
- Explore the surface and inspect candidate resource rocks; where they appear varies by world and scenario.
- Aim at a candidate and read its displayed material name.
- Continue searching if the label is not Carbon Substrate.
- Select Rock Drill mode and break the confirmed Carbon Substrate rock.
- Collect the Carbon Substrate from the broken source.
- Check your inventory and retain the material for the current crafting or construction need; use the in-game recipe display to confirm its uses.
- Some models are described as dark gray or black, but confirm the target through its resource label.
- The updated resource system includes direct harvesting from rocks and other sources; do not follow the older plant-fibre crafting approach.
Repeat, collect and use
Each rock is a limited source. Search for additional labeled rocks while you need more Carbon Substrate, and stop when nearby sources are exhausted or your current requirement is filled.
Common mistakes
- Trying to craft Carbon Substrate from plants: the update describes it as directly harvested.
- Relying on a rock’s color without checking the label: visual models can vary, so verify before drilling.
When to stop or switch
Stop when you have enough Carbon Substrate for your current recipe or building plan, or switch to another supported source such as a deposit, meteorite, or asteroid if the surface search is unproductive.
Sources & fact checks
What you can get here
Open a guide to find other locations and see what the item is used for.