Lithium is a core material for construction and upgrades, and gathering it early helps prepare for deeper expeditions.
PC / Global, version 1.0
WHERE & HOW TO FARM
Where to farm
Purple Vents seabed around thermal towers; later, large deposits in resource caves such as the Arctic Spires area.
Build a small supply from loose pieces and Shale Outcrops in the Purple Vents, then return later with a Prawn Suit to mine large deposits. This route is for Subnautica: Below Zero’s Sector Zero campaign.
A Seatruck with depth capability appropriate to the chosen route.
Scanner for identifying outcrops; Prawn Suit with Drill Arm for large deposits.
Travel from the Twisty Bridges side toward the Purple Vents and descend along the thermal towers.
Search the seabed for loose Lithium and Shale Outcrops. Pick up loose pieces and break outcrops by hand.
Scan unfamiliar outcrops so you can recognize them on future trips.
Keep the Seatruck nearby and collect only what your oxygen and vehicle depth rating allow.
Mark any large deposits you find but cannot mine yet.
After obtaining a Prawn Suit Drill Arm, return to the marked deposits and drill them.
Carry the Lithium back to base and store it for construction and upgrades.
Farming tips
Use thermal towers as visual waypoints while sweeping the seabed.
If the vehicle takes heat damage near vents, move away before sorting inventory or scanning.
Repeat, collect and use
Small outcrops and loose pieces can be gathered during repeated sweeps. Large deposits are mined once per deposit, so continue to other marked sites when depleted.
Common mistakes
Expecting every Shale Outcrop to yield Lithium: its mineral drop varies, so gather several when practical.
Taking an unupgraded vehicle too deep: check its depth limit and turn back before damage begins.
Waiting for a drill arm before collecting any Lithium: loose pieces and breakable outcrops provide an earlier supply.
When to stop or switch
Return when oxygen, inventory space, or vehicle depth becomes limiting; switch to a later Prawn Suit trip for large deposits.
