Quick answer
Current PC Gamer, GamesRadar, GAMES.GG, and AllThings.How reporting points Necrolei Cysts to the jelly or neon coral forest north to northwest of the Life Pod, near the Old Habitat route. Look for Stilt Orbs with flower-like cysts on top and cut them with the Survival Multitool or Multitool. The main Strong Acid route uses Necrolei Cyst x2 at the Processor for Strong Acid x1, while sulfur plus gold is the more expensive fallback.
Field notes for cyst farming
Harvest in pairs
One cyst is almost useful, which is the worst kind of useful. Strong Acid wants pairs, so leave only after the count divides cleanly.
Treat Old Habitat as the anchor
The cysts sit around the route zone, not in a neat chest at the landmark. Use Old Habitat to orient yourself, then look for Stilt Orbs nearby.
Cut, count, leave
The route can tempt you into sightseeing. Get the cysts, count the acid bottles they become, and leave before oxygen turns the trip sloppy.
Necrolei Cyst route
Aim for the Old Habitat side of the north route
PC Gamer points players north from the Life Pod toward the Old Habitat, while GamesRadar and GAMES.GG describe a north or north-northwest route into a bright coral forest. Treat that as a route zone, not a single magic coordinate.
Watch for Stilt Orbs, not loose loot
The cysts grow on top of Stilt Orbs. Look for round growths raised on thin glowing tendrils, then check the flower-like top instead of searching the sand.
Cut the top with your tool
PC Gamer says to use the Survival Multitool, and GamesRadar says the Multitool harvests the flower on top of the Stilt Orb. If you only swim into the plant, you are not harvesting it.
Bring back at least four
Two Necrolei Cysts make one Strong Acid in the Processor. Four gives you two bottles, which is a more useful first trip for Power Cell, Rebreather, Advanced Battery, or later electronics planning.
Do the Processor craft at a powered base
AllThings.How notes the Processor route and lists Necrolei Cyst x2 into Strong Acid x1. If the craft is not appearing, check Processor power, recipe selection, and whether you loaded two cysts.
Use sulfur and gold only when you have to
PC Gamer and AllThings.How both point out the sulfur plus gold fallback, but gold has other jobs. The cyst route is usually cleaner until you move far away from the jelly forest.
Cyst harvest card
Landmark
Old Habitat
Use it as the north-route anchor.
Plant
Stilt Orb
Harvest the flower-like top.
Recipe
2 -> 1
Two cysts become one Strong Acid.
Necrolei Cyst checklist
| Need | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Route | North or northwest from the Life Pod toward Old Habitat / jelly forest. |
| Plant cue | Stilt Orbs with flower-like cysts on top. |
| Tool | Use Survival Multitool or Multitool on the cyst top. |
| Strong Acid | Processor recipe: Necrolei Cyst x2 -> Strong Acid x1. |
| First haul | Four cysts is a better first trip than only two. |
| Fallback | Sulfur + Gold can work, but costs materials with other uses. |
Do not leave with only one cyst
One Necrolei Cyst looks like progress, but it does not finish the Strong Acid recipe. Grab pairs, mark the route, and leave before the deeper ravine turns a quick harvest into a recovery job.
FAQ
Where do you find Necrolei Cyst in Subnautica 2?
Current guides point north to northwest from the Life Pod, near the Old Habitat route and jelly or neon coral forest. GAMES.GG describes roughly 350 to 450 meters north, while GamesRadar describes roughly 450m north-northwest.
How do you harvest Necrolei Cysts?
Find Stilt Orbs and use the Survival Multitool or Multitool on the flower-like cyst growing from the top.
How many Necrolei Cysts make Strong Acid?
AllThings.How lists the Processor route as Necrolei Cyst x2 for Strong Acid x1. PC Gamer also says you need two cysts per Strong Acid.
Should I use sulfur and gold instead?
Only if the cyst route is inconvenient. Gold has pressure from electronics and late-game power chains, so Necrolei Cyst is usually the cleaner Strong Acid path.