Surviving the depths of Planet 4546B requires advanced crafting materials, and finding nickel ore is an essential step for mid-to-late game progression. This rare resource is necessary for upgrading your vehicles, particularly for unlocking the maximum depth potential of your Cyclops and Prawn Suit. Navigating the dangerous underwater caverns where this mineral spawns requires careful planning and the right equipment.
Delving into the Lost River
The absolute best location to harvest nickel ore is the Lost River biome, which sits roughly 600 to 900 meters below the ocean surface. This expansive cave system contains numerous individual chunks of nickel scattered along the rocky floor and cave walls. Players can easily spot these small, silver-tinted deposits hidden among the eerie green brine pools that define the region.
When exploring this deep biome, check the walls of the Ghost Canyon and the Bone Fields corridors. You can pick up individual resources by hand, making it accessible even before you bring heavy mining equipment down. However, pilots must remain cautious as juvenile Ghost Leviathans patrol these specific pathways frequently.
Utilizing the Prawn Suit Drill Arm
While gathering loose pieces is helpful, finding large resource deposits provides a much higher yield for extensive base building. Large nickel deposits spawn regularly throughout the deeper sections of the Lost River, particularly near the Junction and the Inactive Lava Zone corridors. Harvesting these massive nodes requires a Prawn Suit equipped with a functional Drill Arm module.
Using the Prawn Suit not only speeds up the mining process but also protects you from the corrosive green brine covering the cavern floors. Walking along the bottom of the misty pools allows you to safely drill large quantities of ore without taking ambient damage. This approach ensures you gather enough materials to construct advanced structural upgrades in a single trip.
Alternative High Risk Mining Sites
For daring divers seeking alternative locations, nickel can also be discovered within the treacherous Blood Kelp Trench. This deep, narrow crevice provides an alternative entry point where loose chunks sometimes attach to the steep vertical cliffs. While it lacks the massive nodes found in the river system, it offers a quick alternative for players who prefer avoiding the giant leviathans.
Regardless of your chosen destination, bringing a scanner room or a handheld mineral detector can significantly reduce your search time. These tools help highlight the dull coloration of the ore against the dark, oppressive background of the deep sea. Preparing your inventory ahead of time ensures a highly successful expedition into the dangerous depths of the alien world.