Where to Find Lithium in Subnautica 2 and How to Get It

TL;DR

• Lithium does not spawn near your Lifepod or in safe shallow waters.
• Early game: find it inside the Great Jaw, roughly 280 meters south-southwest of the Lifepod.
• There is also one free piece sitting on a table near the ruined colony building close to the Great Jaw.
• Later game: farm it freely in volcanic caves near the Tadpole Pens in the Zezuran Desert.
• You need a Sonic Resonator to mine all large lithium deposits.
• Lithium is mainly used to craft Plasteel Ingots, the High Capacity Air Tank, and the Portable Oxygen Generator.
• Large deposits only give 1–2 ore each, so plan your trips carefully.

Lithium is one of the rarer resources in Subnautica 2. Unlike titanium or copper, you cannot just swim around and pick it up. It hides in dangerous places. If you do not know where to look, you can waste a lot of oxygen and inventory space searching the wrong biomes.

This guide covers every confirmed lithium location, the tools you need, how to mine it safely, and exactly what to craft with it. No fluff. Let’s get into it.

What Is Lithium Used For in Subnautica 2?

Before we talk about where to find lithium, it helps to know why you need it. Lithium is not the most common crafting material, but when you need it, you really need it.

Here is what lithium is used for:

• Plasteel Ingots – Combine lithium and titanium in a Processor to create Plasteel Ingots. This is the main reason to chase lithium early on.
• High Capacity Air Tank – Plasteel Ingots feed directly into this upgrade. If you want more oxygen underwater, this is your target. Check our guide on how to increase oxygen in Subnautica 2 for more detail.
• Portable Oxygen Generator – Another key item you can unlock by scanning inside the Great Jaw location.

The good news is that the crafting recipe unlocks automatically the moment you pick up your first piece of lithium. You do not need to hunt for a blueprint. Just get the material and head to your Processor.

If you have not built a Processor yet, our guide on how to build Processors and craft ingots in Subnautica 2 will walk you through the whole setup.

Where to Find Lithium in Subnautica 2

There are two main locations where you can find lithium. One is accessible early in the game. The other requires story progression and a key adaptation first.

Location 1: The Great Jaw (Early Game)

The Great Jaw is the first and most important lithium source in the early game. It is a massive clam-like creature located approximately 280 meters south-southwest of your Lifepod. You will recognize it immediately. It looks like a giant biological pod with a purple tonsil hanging in the center and pink tendons wrapped around it.

Lithium deposits are found inside the maw of this creature. This is risky by design. Here is what you need to know before going in.

Before you go:

• Bring a Sonic Resonator. All lithium here is in large deposits that cannot be broken by hand.
• Bring Air Bladders as backup oxygen. Your air drains fast inside the jaw.
• Build a small nearby base with at least a corridor and a biobed. This gives you a respawn point if things go wrong.
• Basic Fins and the Wakemaker tool are very useful here for fast movement. See our guide on how to swim faster in Subnautica 2 if you need help with mobility.

How to mine lithium inside the Great Jaw:

• Swim south-southwest from your Lifepod for about 280 meters.
• Top off your oxygen using the blue Oxygen Tunics scattered around the outside of the creature.
• Swim inside the maw carefully. Do not touch the pink tendons. If you brush them, the jaw snaps shut and the creature releases acid that drains your health until you die.
• Position your back against a wall before you fire the Sonic Resonator. The tool has knockback, and you do not want it pushing you into a tendon by accident.
• Mine the deposit, grab the ore, and get out fast.
• While you are in there, scan the two Portable Oxygen Generator blueprints. Free bonus.

Each large lithium deposit only gives 1–2 pieces of ore. That is much lower than titanium or copper nodes, which give 5 each. So plan your trips and grab what you can safely.

If something goes wrong and you die, read our guide on what happens when you die in Subnautica 2 so you know what to expect with your inventory.

Free Lithium Near the Ruined Colony Building

Before you even enter the Great Jaw, check the ruined colony building nearby. There is a single piece of lithium sitting on a table inside. You can grab it without any mining tools and without entering the creature at all. This is a great way to get your first piece and unlock the Plasteel Ingot recipe immediately.

This piece can also respawn over time, so it is worth checking on revisits.

Location 2: Zezuran Desert Hot Caves (Mid to Late Game)

Once you progress further into the story and unlock the right adaptation, you can farm lithium much more safely in the volcanic caves near the Tadpole Pens in the Zezuran Desert.

This is the best long-term lithium farming spot. The caves contain multiple large deposits and far fewer threats compared to the Great Jaw. However, there are several things you must unlock first.

What you need before going here:

• Heat Tolerance Adaptation – This is non-negotiable. The Zezuran Desert biome runs hot enough to drain your health in seconds without it. You unlock this by destroying the Bloom Cankers on the Angel Comb near Wander’s Blackbox, then interacting with the cleansed Gene Donor. Our full guide on how to get the Heat Tolerance trait in Subnautica 2 explains this in detail.
• Tadpole Vehicle – The distance and the enemies between the Lifepod and the deposit make the Tadpole very useful. See our guide on how to build the Tadpole in Subnautica 2.
• Sonic Resonator – Same as before. All large deposits need it.
• Story Progression – The story should naturally guide you toward the Tadpole Pens in the Zezuran Desert. Follow the main quest beats and you will arrive here in time.

How to reach the Zezuran Desert lithium caves:

• From your Lifepod, head south-southeast. A compass bearing of around 120 degrees works. Swim approximately 250 meters.
• Your HUD temperature gauge will spike when you enter the lava biome. This tells you you are getting close.
• Look for cave entrances around 125 meters deep. Glowing green grass and mushrooms with thick cyan stems and brown heads are a sign you are in the right area.
• The lithium deposits hang from the cave walls in clusters near the southwest of the Tadpole Pens.
• Mine freely. This area is far safer than the Great Jaw.

Even here, stay aware of thermal vents. The Heat Tolerance adaptation protects you from the biome’s ambient heat, but the vents themselves are still dangerous if you swim directly into them.

How to Mine Lithium in Subnautica 2

All lithium deposits confirmed so far are large nodes. You cannot break them by hand. You need the Sonic Resonator. Without it, any trip to either location is a wasted run.

Here is what the mining process looks like:

• Equip your Sonic Resonator before diving.
• Aim at the lithium deposit and fire a charged blast.
• The knockback from the tool can push you backwards, so always check what is behind you first.
• Collect the ore that drops. Expect 1–2 per large node.

One more useful tip: if lithium deposits fall within a 300-meter radius of your Scanner Station, they will show up as trackable resources. Set up your station before major runs so you can track nodes efficiently. Our guide on how to build a Scanner Station and track materials in Subnautica 2 covers this in full.

How to Craft Plasteel Ingots With Lithium

Plasteel Ingots are the main thing you are making with lithium. The recipe is simple:

• Put lithium and titanium into your Processor.
• The Processor refines them into a Plasteel Ingot.
• Use the Plasteel Ingot to craft the High Capacity Air Tank and other advanced equipment.

You will need titanium for this, which is easy to gather early on. If you are running low, see our guide on how to get titanium in Subnautica 2.

Common Mistakes When Farming Lithium in Subnautica 2

A few mistakes can waste your oxygen and your time. Here are the ones to avoid:

• Going without the Sonic Resonator. All lithium here spawns as large rock chunks. Without the tool, you cannot collect a single piece. If you forgot it at base, just swim back. Do not waste your oxygen hovering near a deposit you cannot mine.
• Entering the Zezuran Desert without Heat Tolerance. The biome heat drains your health almost immediately. No amount of healing items can counter it. Get the adaptation first.
• Touching the pink tendons inside the Great Jaw. The moment you brush one, the jaw shuts. The acid release can kill you fast. Take your time, move carefully, and always keep your back to a wall when firing the Sonic Resonator.
• Not building a nearby base before the Great Jaw run. A simple corridor and biobed gives you a respawn point. A failed trip becomes a quick recovery instead of a long swim back.
• Expecting high yields. Lithium gives 1–2 per deposit. This is not copper or titanium. Manage your expectations and plan multiple trips.

Tips to Make Lithium Runs Easier

A few small preparations make a big difference:

• Always check your oxygen before entering the Great Jaw. Use nearby Oxygen Tunics to refill. For more on managing your oxygen supply, see our guide on how to increase oxygen in Subnautica 2.
• Expand your inventory before long mining runs. More slots means more ore per trip. Our guide on how to increase inventory space in Subnautica 2 shows you how.
• Keep your tools charged. A dead Sonic Resonator at a deposit is a frustrating waste. See how to recharge tools and batteries in Subnautica 2 if you are unsure of the process.
• Use your Scanner Station to track deposit locations before you dive. Setup takes a few minutes but saves a lot of searching.
• Bring the Wakemaker tool for extra speed and mobility during the Great Jaw run. Check out our guide on how to make the Wakemaker in Subnautica 2.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lithium in Subnautica 2

Can You Find Lithium Near the Lifepod?

No. Lithium does not spawn in the shallow waters near your starting area. You have to travel to specific locations to find it.

Do You Need Special Tools to Mine Lithium?

Yes. All large lithium deposits require the Sonic Resonator. You cannot break them by hand.

How Much Lithium Do You Get Per Node?

Large lithium deposits give 1–2 ore each. This is much less than other common ores like titanium or copper, which typically give 5.

What Is the Safest Way to Farm Lithium?

Once you unlock the Heat Tolerance Adaptation and progress to the Tadpole Pens area, the volcanic caves in the Zezuran Desert are the safest and most reliable source. Early on, the free piece near the ruined colony building is the easiest grab before attempting the Great Jaw.

Can the Scanner Station Track Lithium Deposits?

Yes, but only if the deposits are within 300 meters of your Scanner Station. Place your station strategically near a known lithium zone to make tracking easier.

Final Thoughts

Lithium is one of those resources that blocks your progression if you do not plan for it early. The High Capacity Air Tank is a major upgrade, and you cannot make it without Plasteel Ingots, which means you need lithium. The good news is that once you know where to look, both locations are manageable with the right preparation.

Start with the free piece near the ruined colony building. Then do the Great Jaw run with your Sonic Resonator and a nearby respawn base. After that, chase the Heat Tolerance Adaptation and open up the Zezuran Desert caves for a much more relaxed farming experience.

If you are just getting started, our Subnautica 2 beginner tips and tricks guide covers all the essentials you need to survive the early hours. And if you are planning your next steps after getting lithium, check out our guide on the best early upgrades and progression path in Subnautica 2.

Subnautica 2 is available now in early access on Steam and Xbox Game Preview.