Quick answer
Scan Metal Farms in the deep green-pool area northeast of the Alien Ruins Research Base, then build one with a Mangalloy Ingot and Axum Bacterial Culture. Once powered, insert a metal such as Troilite and break the produced node after the timer completes. Save the first successful loop for materials that block multiple recipes, not common ore.
How to unlock the Metal Farm
Reach the Alien Ruins route
Current reporting places Metal Farm scans in the deep green-pool area northeast of the Alien Ruins Research Base. Bring the Tadpole Depth Module.
Scan multiple Metal Farms
PC Gamer reports that three scans unlock the blueprint. Stay low, move deliberately, and prioritize leaving alive over finishing the scan route in one attempt.
Grab required materials while there
The same route can provide Troilite and Axum Bacterial Culture, both reported as relevant to Metal Farm construction.
Build near existing power
Metal Farms appear to need serious power support, so place the first one near linked power infrastructure instead of far from your base network.
Pick the first metal before you build
Troilite is usually the best first candidate because it competes with Mangalloy and Entangled Power Cell planning. Do not arrive at the machine with no input ready.
Build requirements and support
| Requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|
| Mangalloy Ingot | Reported as a required build material. It connects Troilite, Atacamite, and Titanium Ingot planning. |
| Axum Bacterial Culture | Reported as a required build material gathered from the same late-route region. |
| Power support | Exact consumption may be unclear, so overbuild power before relying on the farm. |
| Sonic Resonator | Needed to break the produced ore node after the timer completes. |
Production workflow
- 1Open the Metal Farm storage.
- 2Insert the metal you want duplicated, with Troilite as the highest-value early candidate.
- 3Wait for the production timer.
- 4Break the produced node with the Sonic Resonator.
- 5Repeat once power and storage are stable.
Safety warning
The reported scan route is deep and dangerous, with predators and a major threat nearby. Bring repairs, healing, and enough oxygen margin to abandon the scan if the route goes bad.
Field notes
Build the first farm where you can babysit it
A Metal Farm is not just a machine, it is a power and storage habit. Put the first one close enough that you notice when production, power, or inventory gets awkward.
Duplicate bottlenecks, not comfort materials
Titanium feels useful, but the first production cycles should go into rare inputs that block several recipes. Troilite is usually the cleaner first test.
Keep one clean input sample
Before experimenting, leave one Troilite or Atacamite untouched in a marked locker. That small reserve prevents a lot of bad late-route decisions.
FAQ
How do you unlock Metal Farm in Subnautica 2?
Current PC Gamer reporting places Metal Farm scans in the deep green-pool area northeast of the Alien Ruins Research Base and says three scans unlock the blueprint.
What does Metal Farm cost to build?
Current reporting ties the build chain to Mangalloy Ingot and Axum Bacterial Culture. Because Early Access recipes can change, confirm the build menu before spending rare materials.
What should you duplicate first with Metal Farm?
Troilite is the strongest first candidate because it is rare and competes with Mangalloy and Entangled Power Cell crafting.
Do Metal Farms need power?
Yes. Build the first farm near stable power support so the production loop does not starve the rest of your base.