Subnautica: How To Get The Cyclops Submarine

Alright guys, let's dive deep into the awesome world of Subnautica and talk about arguably one of the coolest, most essential pieces of gear you can get your hands on: the Cyclops submarine. Seriously, this thing is a game-changer, turning you from a lone scavenger into a mobile base commander! Getting it might seem like a bit of a puzzle at first, but trust me, once you know where to look and what you need, it's totally achievable. We're talking about building a colossal, multi-purpose vehicle that will not only protect you from the nastiest Leviathans but also give you the storage and crafting capabilities to explore further than you ever thought possible. So, buckle up, fellow explorers, because we're about to break down exactly how to snag this magnificent beast and make it your own floating fortress.

The First Step: Finding the Blueprints

So, you want the Cyclops, huh? The very first hurdle you need to clear is finding the blueprints for this magnificent beast. Without the schematics, you're just staring at a pile of needed resources and wishing for a miracle. The good news is that the fragments for the Cyclops aren't hidden in some super-late-game, impossibly dangerous area. You'll typically find these precious pieces scattered throughout the earlier to mid-game biomes. Specifically, you're going to want to pay close attention to areas like the Grassy Plateaus, the Sparse Reef, and the Kelp Forests. These biomes are usually accessible relatively early in your Subnautica journey. Keep your scanner handy, guys, because you need to scan three separate Cyclops fragments to unlock the blueprint for the vehicle itself. Don't just run past every wreck you see; meticulously scan every bit of salvage you come across. Sometimes, these fragments are hiding in plain sight within these wrecks, or sometimes they're just lying around on the seabed. Persistence is key here. You might find a couple quickly, or you might have to spend a bit of time searching. My advice? Don't get discouraged! Make it a mini-quest. Explore these biomes thoroughly, and you'll eventually stumble upon all three. Remember, the scanner is your best friend in this process. It's the only way to acquire the knowledge needed to actually build the Cyclops. So, keep those eyes peeled and that scanner charged!

Locating Cyclops Fragment Spots

Now, let's get a bit more specific about where these fragments tend to pop up. While they can spawn in a few different spots, there are some prime locations that most Subnautica veterans will tell you to hit up. The Grassy Plateaus are a goldmine for Cyclops fragments. You'll find plenty of wrecked vehicles and scattered debris here, often containing the fragments you need. Just be mindful of the Stalkers that inhabit this area; they can be a bit feisty if you get too close to their nests. The Sparse Reef is another excellent location. It's a bit more open, with fewer aggressive creatures, making it a slightly safer place to search. Look around the scattered rock formations and the occasional wreck. Lastly, the Kelp Forests are also a good bet. These dense, underwater forests are full of resources and often contain fragments within their scattered wrecks. However, Kelp Forests are home to Stalkers and sometimes even the occasional Sand Shark, so proceed with caution. When you're scanning, remember that the fragments are usually intact pieces of the Cyclops – think sections of the hull, the bridge, or the engine room. You'll need to scan each unique type of fragment three times in total to get the full blueprint. So, don't just scan the same piece over and over hoping it counts. Keep searching until your scanner tells you the blueprint is unlocked. Pro tip: The fragments often appear near larger wrecks, so focus your scanning efforts around those larger structures. Happy hunting, explorers!

Gathering the Necessary Materials

Once you've successfully scanned all the required Cyclops fragments and unlocked the blueprint, the next major step is to gather all the materials needed for construction. This is where the real resource management in Subnautica kicks in, and the Cyclops is no slouch when it comes to its material requirements. You're going to need a good amount of various minerals and resources, so prepare for some serious mining and scavenging. The primary materials you'll be looking for are Titanium, Batteries, Quartz, and Lithium. Let's break down where you can find these essentials. Titanium is abundant, found in small amounts from Stonefish, and in larger quantities from Metal Salvage and various ore deposits like Titanite (which yields two Titanium when processed in a Fabricator). You'll find Metal Salvage in abundance in wrecks and on the seabed in most biomes. Batteries aren't found directly; you need to craft them using Copper Wire and Lubricant. Copper Ore is fairly common, found in small deposits scattered around the world, especially in the Grassy Plateaus and Kelp Forests. Lubricant is a bit trickier; you'll need to craft it using Grease (which is made from Ruby and Coral), or find it as a component in some crafting recipes. Quartz is another relatively common material, found as crystalline deposits on cave floors and walls, particularly in the Grassy Plateaus and Dunes. Finally, Lithium is a bit rarer, primarily found in the Mushroom Forests and the Deep Grand Reef. These are usually found as large, glowing purple chunks. You'll need a good amount of all these, so be prepared to make multiple trips to various resource-rich areas. A good Seamoth with ample storage or even a Prawn Suit can be incredibly helpful for hauling back the large quantities of materials you'll need. Don't forget to upgrade your inventory space with the High Capacity O2 Tank and the High Capacity Flippers if you plan on doing a lot of underwater scavenging. The Cyclops is a big investment, so gathering its materials is a significant undertaking!

Resource Locations and Tips

Let's get granular about those resources, guys! For Titanium, you'll be swimming in it pretty quickly. Metal Salvage is your best friend here – smash those wrecks and pick up everything. If you have the Prawn Suit, crushing Titanite deposits will yield a nice chunk of Titanium. Batteries require a bit more effort. You'll need Copper Ore, which you can find in small yellow clusters in many biomes, especially the Grassy Plateaus and Kelp Forests. For the Lubricant, the easiest way is to craft it using Fatshark (a creature I recommend farming, though it's a bit grisly) or collecting Coral and Ruby to craft Grease. Then combine Grease with Titanium to make Lubricant. Quartz is everywhere once you know where to look; keep an eye out for shimmering crystalline deposits, especially in caves and on the floors of biomes like the Grassy Plateaus. For Lithium, this is your main late-game resource hunt. Head to the Mushroom Forests (there are a few, so explore!) or the Deep Grand Reef. These large, glowing purple nodes are usually found in abundance in those areas. When you're resource hunting, always bring a Mobile Vehicle Bay if you plan on building the Cyclops near your main base or a strategic outpost. This way, you can construct it right where you need it, rather than having to ferry all those heavy materials back to your main base first. Also, consider bringing along a Compass and some Beacon items. Navigating back to your resource spots or the building location can be tricky, especially in the deeper, darker biomes. Planning your expeditions and coming prepared will save you a ton of time and frustration. Remember, the Cyclops is a mobile base, so building it in a location that offers strategic advantages, like proximity to resources or a safe harbor, is a smart move!

Building the Cyclops at the Mobile Vehicle Bay

Alright, you've got the blueprints, you've scoured the alien oceans, and you've gathered a mountain of resources. The final piece of the puzzle is actually constructing the Cyclops submarine. This isn't something you can just whip up in your standard Fabricator. No, sir! For any major vehicle in Subnautica, including our beloved Cyclops, you'll need a Mobile Vehicle Bay. This handy piece of equipment allows you to construct vehicles and their modules out in the world, away from your main base's Fabricator. So, before you even think about hitting that 'build' button for the Cyclops, ensure you have a Mobile Vehicle Bay placed somewhere accessible. The Mobile Vehicle Bay itself requires quite a few resources to craft: Titanium, Batteries, and Polymer. Polymer is made from Acid Mushrooms and Coral. So, you'll need to do some gathering for that too. Once your Mobile Vehicle Bay is deployed, simply approach it and interact with it. You'll see a crafting menu similar to your base Fabricator, but with options for vehicle construction. Select the Cyclops, and if you have all the necessary materials in your inventory (or nearby in another vehicle/storage), the construction process will begin. It takes a little while, so don't expect it to pop out instantly. During this time, you might want to defend your Mobile Vehicle Bay from any curious (or hungry) fauna that might wander by. Once it's complete, you'll have your very own Cyclops ready to command! It’s a momentous occasion, guys, so take a moment to admire your work before hopping in.

Tips for Vehicle Construction

Building the Cyclops is a significant achievement, so here are a few pro tips to make the process smoother. First and foremost, always have a Mobile Vehicle Bay. Seriously, it's non-negotiable for any large vehicle construction. Place it in a location that's relatively safe and accessible. Near your main base is good, but sometimes building it closer to key resource areas or exploration zones can save you a lot of travel time later. Make sure your inventory is absolutely packed with the required materials before you interact with the Mobile Vehicle Bay to start construction. There's nothing more frustrating than realizing you're missing one piece of Titanium halfway through the build. Consider bringing an extra vehicle, like a Seamoth or Prawn Suit, loaded with backup resources, just in case. Also, remember that building the Cyclops requires a substantial amount of energy. Your Mobile Vehicle Bay needs power to function, so make sure you have spare batteries or a power source nearby if you're building it far from your base. Finally, after you've successfully constructed the Cyclops, take a moment to equip it with some essential modules. You'll need to craft these separately using your Fabricator. Key modules to consider early on are the Cyclops Sonar Module (for detecting threats and points of interest), the Cyclops Engine Efficiency Module (to reduce power consumption), and perhaps the Cyclops Depth Module (if you plan on exploring deeper areas immediately). These modules will greatly enhance your Cyclops's utility and survivability. Don't forget to stock up on Power Cells too – the Cyclops burns through them, so having spares is crucial!

Piloting and Utilizing Your Cyclops

Congratulations, you've officially joined the ranks of the elite Subnautica captains! You now command the mighty Cyclops submarine, a true marvel of alien engineering. But owning it is one thing; knowing how to pilot and utilize it effectively is another. This behemoth isn't like the nimble Seamoth; it requires a different approach to navigation and management. First off, let's talk about controls. The Cyclops has three speed settings: Silent Running (uses a lot of power but makes you very quiet), Standard Speed (your everyday cruising), and Full Speed (fast, but noisy and drains power quickly). Choose your speed wisely based on whether you're trying to sneak past a Reaper Leviathan or just get to your next destination quickly. Awareness is key; use your external cameras and the sonar (if you have it) to monitor your surroundings. The Cyclops has a massive amount of internal space. Think of it as a mobile base! You can install modules like the Crafting Fabricator, Vehicle Upgrade Console, and Storage Modules. This allows you to craft items, upgrade other vehicles (like your Seamoth or Prawn Suit), and store vast quantities of resources inside the Cyclops itself. This is invaluable for long-range exploration and resource gathering expeditions. You can even bring your Seamoth or Prawn Suit aboard by parking it in the Cyclops's vehicle bay! This allows you to explore dangerous areas with the Cyclops as a safe, mobile support hub. Remember to manage its power. The Cyclops runs on Power Cells, and they drain relatively quickly, especially with engines and modules running. Keep spare Power Cells stocked and consider the Engine Efficiency Module and Solar Charger upgrades to help manage power consumption. When you're not actively piloting, make sure to park it in a safe location, preferably near your base or in a less hazardous biome, to avoid attracting unwanted attention from larger predators. Enjoy your new mobile fortress, guys!

Cyclops Power Management and Modules

Let's get serious about keeping your Cyclops running, because running out of power in the deep dark is not a fun experience, guys. The heart of your Cyclops is its Power Cells. Each Cyclops has multiple slots for these, and they drain constantly when the engines are on, and even more so when using Silent Running or Full Speed. The absolute best way to manage power is by crafting spare Power Cells and keeping them in storage within the Cyclops itself. You can craft Power Cells using Batteries and Gold. So, make sure you're stocking up on Copper and Lithium for batteries, and keep an eye out for Gold deposits. The Cyclops Engine Efficiency Module is arguably the most important upgrade you can get early on. It significantly reduces the power drain from the engines, letting you travel much further on a single charge. The Cyclops Sonar Module is also incredibly useful for detecting threats and navigation points, helping you avoid danger and find your way in the dark. If you plan on exploring the deepest parts of the ocean, you'll absolutely need the Cyclops Depth Module. Other useful modules include the Cyclops Thermal Reactor Module, which can recharge Power Cells when the Cyclops is near a heat source (like a thermal vent), and the Cyclops Shield Generator, which provides a temporary shield against creatures and environmental hazards. Don't forget about its primary function as a mobile base! The ability to install a Vehicle Upgrade Console inside allows you to upgrade your Seamoth or Prawn Suit while you're out exploring. This is a huge quality-of-life improvement. Lastly, always be aware of your surroundings. While the Cyclops is tough, it's not invincible. Watch out for Leviathans, sharp terrain, and avoid getting cornered. Happy sailing, captains!