Subnautica 2 Guide: How to Make Titanium Ingots and Find the Processor
Finding out that Titanium Ingots don't actually grow on coral is a rude awakening for any new survivor on Proteus.
You've likely spent your first few hours stuffing raw titanium ore into your pockets and calling it a day. But the second you try to build something substantial like a Tadpole vehicle or a Sonic Resonator, you're going to hit a brick wall. The game doesn't explain that you have to smelt your own materials. To do that, you need a Processor machine tucked away in your base. I spent a lot of time searching the ruins to find the best spots for this blueprint so you don't have to.
Finding the Processor Blueprint
Before you waste hours swimming in the dark, you need to know that the Processor isn't a default recipe. You have to scan it. I've found three reliable spots where you can grab the blueprint early on.
The Old Habitat (North)
The most common spot is about 350 meters north of your Lifepod at the Old Habitat colony ruins. NOA will eventually send you here to find Quaker's black box. Once you're inside the abandoned base, look for the open hatch. Go past the first room and check the right corner of the second room. The Processor is sitting right there. Scan it and you're good to go.
The Cicada Shipwreck (Southwest)
If you're already exploring the area around Wander's Blackbox, there's another fragment inside a large chunk of the Cicada shipwreck. This is roughly 265 meters southwest of the Lifepod. You'll see the seafloor drop away near a coral dome. The wreckage is sitting right across from an abandoned base. Head inside and you'll find a Processor at the back of the room.
The Alien Ruins (Far East)
If you've been brave enough to swim 1,300 meters east past the Tadpole Pens, there's a third Processor in the abandoned habitat near the Alien Ruins. It's a dangerous trip through deep water, so I wouldn't recommend this as your first choice, but it's there if you're already in the neighborhood.
Building the Processor in Your Base
Once you've got the blueprint, you need to use your Habitat Builder to install it. If you haven't set up a home yet, read my Subnautica 2 Habitat Builder guide to get the basics down. You can't just stick this machine in the dirt. It has to be inside a powered room.
Constructing the Processor requires a few refined materials. You'll need two pieces of raw Titanium, one Mild Acid, and one Copper Wire. You can craft the Mild Acid in your Fabricator using two Acidic Raion Pouches and one raw Copper Ore. The Copper Wire just takes two more pieces of Copper.
Managing the Power Drain
This machine is a massive power hog. It draws 10 energy units per second while it's running. If you're only using a single Solar Panel, your base will go dark and your oxygen will cut out the second you start smelting. I highly suggest checking out my Subnautica 2 base power guide to make sure you have enough Solar Panels or a Bioreactor to handle the load.
Smelting Your Ingots
With the machine powered up, walk up to the left side and interact with the panel. You'll see a list of recipes. For Titanium Ingots, you'll need three pieces of raw ore. It takes about 30 seconds for the machine to spit out a finished ingot on the right side.
As you progress, you'll find that almost every advanced material follows this 3-to-1 ratio. I've put together a breakdown of the recipes you'll need for your mid-game tech.
Still struggling to survive on Proteus? Check out my complete Subnautica 2 Guide Hubfor base building tips, resource maps, and more.
