One of the more useful early-game crafting materials in Subnautica is Cave Sulfur, but finding it can be extremely dangerous early on. In Subnautica, players will need to explore the ocean on an alien planet after they crash-land. As in most survival games, they will need to explore the open oceanic world, gather resources, and craft items to survive. Cave Sulfur is just one of these resources Subnautica players will need to craft helpful electronic devices. It is a powder that spawns inside reddish-brown plants.
Players will find Cave Sulfur near the same coral reef where they crashed their spaceship, called Safe Shallows. It can usually be found in Safe Shallows' cave systems near the ocean floor. However, these caves are also guarded by the toughest enemies in the area, Crashfish, which will explode after a few seconds and do significant harm to the player character. Players will need Cave Sulfur to craft the Repair Tool, Laser Cutter, and Flares.
Where Cave Sulfur Is Located In Subnautica
Players should come across a few caves on the ocean floor naturally while they are exploring Safe Shallows. Cave Sulfur is located inside the red plants in these caves. Prior to entering, players should make sure to stock up on a Med Kit or two, just in case they are blasted by Subnautica's dangerous sea life.
Subnautica Sulfur Plants are Filled with Crashfish
Once players enter a cave in Subnautica with cave sulfur, they are likely to hear a high-pitched shriek, which is a telltale sign that a Crashfish is nearby. Crashfish nest and lay their eggs in the reddish-brown sulfur plants, so it is likely players will find one of these first before they locate any Cave Sulfur. Players will need to dodge these creatures as best they can. The fish will swim fairly quickly at the player character and explode to cause damage. There are a few ways players can outsmart Crashfish and come away with more than enough Cave Sulfur with which to craft, and all of them are easier than finding Subnautica's hidden Markiplier doll.
Players can lure Crashfish out of the plants as live bait (as demonstrated in the video linked above) then evade its explosion using the Seaglide if they have crafted one. Another strategy requires players to lure the Crashfish toward them, then swim toward it as it gains momentum. This causes the Crashfish to overshoot its target and explode away from the player, dealing little-to-no damage. Finally, players can use weapons like the Repulsion Cannon or the Stasis Rifle against Crashfish while trying to find Cave Sulfur. Players can use the Repulsion Cannon to push Crashfish against a wall and cause it to detonate on impact away from them. They also can use the Stasis Rifle to immobilize it and then make sure to avoid it until it explodes.
All Subnautica Cave Sulfur Crafting Recipes
After dealing with any Crashfish, players can swim up to the sulfur plants and use the button prompts to collect Cave Sulfur, which can then be used in the Fabricator. The recipes for each of the important early-game items that require Cave Sulfur in Subnautica appear below:
- Repair Tool: 1 Cave Sulfur, 1 Titanium, 1 Silicone Rubber
- Laser Cutter: 1 Cave Sulfur, 2 Diamond, 1 Battery, 1 Titanium
- Flares (5 per recipe): 1 Cave Sulfur
Cave Sulfur will really only be helpful during Subnautica's early game. Over time, more materials will become available to allow players to craft even better equipment.
