Subnautica 2 Necrolei Cyst — Where to Find & How to Farm
Where to find Necrolei Cysts (often misspelled Necrotic Cyst) in Subnautica 2. All 55 Stilt Orb locations in Coral Gardens mapped, farming route, Strong Acid recipe & uses.
Last updated: 2026-05-24
What Is a Necrolei Cyst?
The Necrolei Cyst (often misspelled "Necrotic Cyst") is a critical raw material in Subnautica 2, appearing as a green nodule. It is the sole ingredient for crafting Strong Acid (2 cysts = 1 Strong Acid), which is a core component for nearly all mid-to-late-game power and advanced equipment recipes.
Why it matters: Strong Acid is required for Advanced Battery, Power Cell, Entangled Power Cell, Fiber Mesh, Dedicated Core, Photovoltaic Charger, and Scout Ray Chassis — you cannot progress through mid-game without it. Stockpiling Necrolei Cysts early is key to smooth progression.
Where to Find Necrolei Cysts
Primary Location: Coral Gardens
Direction: Due north of Lifepod
Distance: ~250–350m
Depth: 30–80m
Landmark: Near the Old Habitat
Look for small green bulbed plants with distinctive blue flowers growing among green and pink coral — these are Stilt Orbs. Break them with the Survival Multitool; each drops 1 Necrolei Cyst.
This area has 55+ harvest points, making it the densest and most efficient farming zone on the entire map.
View all 55 Necrolei Cyst locations on the interactive map →
Secondary Locations
Necrolei Cysts can also be found sporadically in extended areas around the Coral Gardens. As you progress through the story, deeper biomes may reveal additional spawn points. However, the northern Coral Gardens remains the most efficient concentrated farming area.
How to Harvest
| Method | Tool | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Manual mining | Survival Multitool | 1 cyst per Stilt Orb |
| Sonic mining | Sonic Resonator | Can break large nodes, higher efficiency |
Stilt Orbs respawn over time. Place a Beacon at the northern Coral Gardens entrance for easy return trips. A single expedition can yield 10–15 cysts comfortably.
Crafting: Necrolei Cyst → Strong Acid
| Input | Amount | Output | Station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Necrolei Cyst | x 2 | Strong Acid x 1 | Fabricator |
Craft time: 30 seconds. Aim to collect at least 6–8 cysts per trip (= 3–4 Strong Acid) to cover mid-game needs.
What Strong Acid Is Used For
Strong Acid is a key ingredient in many essential recipes:
| Item | Recipe (with Strong Acid) | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber Mesh | Fiber x2 + Strong Acid x1 | Mid (Rebreather prereq) |
| Advanced Battery | Conduit Crystal + Strong Acid + Silver Ingot | Mid |
| Power Cell | Basic Battery x2 + Strong Acid + Salt | Mid (Vehicle prereq) |
| Entangled Power Cell | Conduit Crystal + Strong Acid + Gold Ingot + Troilite | Late |
| Dedicated Core | Adv. Wiring Kit + Quartz x2 + Strong Acid | Late |
| Photovoltaic Charger | Quartz + Strong Acid + Copper Ingot | Mid (Base power) |
| Scout Ray Chassis | Strong Acid + other materials | Late (Tadpole upgrade) |
Efficient Farming Tips
Recommended route:
- Place a Beacon ~300m north of Lifepod to mark the Coral Gardens entrance
- Equip your Survival Multitool and Basic Fins; swim north from the shallows
- Descend to 40–80m near the Old Habitat and look for Stilt Orbs
- Collect 10–15 cysts in one trip (= 5–7 Strong Acid)
- Grab Coral Shavings, Silver, and other nearby resources on your way back
Hazards & tips:
- Marrowbreach predators patrol the Coral Gardens — stay alert
- Stilt Orbs blend in with surrounding coral — look for the blue flower detail
- If you have the Sonic Resonator, use it for faster large-node mining
- Mid-game Strong Acid demand is high (batteries + vehicles + base power) — farm in bulk
FAQ
Q: Is it called "Necrolei Cyst" or "Necrotic Cyst"?
A: The in-game name is Necrolei Cyst — it comes from the death-feeding Necrolei jellyfish (Anthobrachia necrolei). "Necrotic Cyst" is a common misspelling; they're the exact same item, so don't worry if you've been searching the wrong spelling.
Q: Do Necrolei Cysts respawn?
A: Yes, Stilt Orbs regrow over time. The Coral Gardens is a sustainable farming spot — you won't run out.
Q: Is there another way to get Strong Acid?
A: Yes — Sulfur + Gold can also be crafted into Strong Acid at the Fabricator, but Gold requires Heat Tolerance Adaptation to access the lava biome. The Necrolei Cyst route is much easier to access. See the Strong Acid Guide for details.
Q: How many cysts should I stockpile for mid-game?
A: Aim for at least 12–16 (= 6–8 Strong Acid). You'll burn through them quickly once Power Cell, Fiber Mesh, and Advanced Battery recipes unlock. Late-game upgrades (Entangled Power Cell, Tadpole) require even more.
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