After spending the opening 10 hours of Subnautica 2 constantly searching for ways to refill my oxygen supply, I was really excited to learn that there was a High Capacity Air Tank upgrade not far from the Lifepod. I know that the constant search for air is one of the key survival elements of Subnautica 2, especially early in the game. Still, I must say that the game is much more fun when you are given a bit of literal breathing room. To that end, this guide will show you how to find and craft the High Capacity Air Tank upgrade blueprint in Subnautica 2.

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High Capacity Air Tank Crafting Overview – Subnautica 2

The High Capacity Air Tank (HCAT) is an upgrade to the Standard Air Tank, and a necessary item for entering the deeper waters of the mid-to-late-game areas. It nearly doubles the amount of available oxygen, taking the tanks up to 120 seconds.

  • Location: The Datacard is located in wreckage about 290 meters south-west of the Lifepod, very close to the Great Jaw Clam Leviathan.
  • Depth: The entrance to the wreckage is located at 87 meters down.
  • Recipe: Once you collect the blueprint, you'll need a crafted Standard Air Tank and one Plasteel Ingot to create the High Capacity Air Tank at a fully functioning Fabricator.

High Capacity Air Tank Needs Checklist:

Item Needed

Item Use

Standard Air Tank

The Standard Air Tank is used in the crafting recipe.

Lithium x1

You'll need one piece of Lithium. Below, I'll show you an easy way to get one near the HCAT blueprint.

Fabricator

You'll need to craft your own Fabricator in a powered base to craft the HCAT.

Processor

A Processor is required to create the Plasteel Ingot.

Tadpole

While not required, the Tadpole vehicle will help you navigate deeper waters much easier.

High Capacity Air Tank Datacard Location in Subnautica 2

Sub2-HCAT-Starting-Point Image via GameRant; Courtesy of Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Where do I find the High Capacity Air Tank Blueprint in Subnautica 2?

The High-Capacity Air Tank blueprint is stored on a Datacard, which means you are not required to scan any objects in the wild. Once you collect the Datacard, the blueprint will be added to your inventory to be crafted at your convenience.

To reach the Datacard, you can start from the Lifepod and face south-west. While having a Tadpole is always preferable, it is not required. Once you are prepared, you can essentially head south-west in a straight line. If you've visited the Great Jaw Clam Leviathan, the directions will be exactly the same, as your goal is just before it.

Sub2-HCAT-Wreckage-Path-1 Image via GameRant; Courtesy of Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Fairly quickly, you'll reach the edge of the shallow area, and the sea floor becomes a sheer cliff. From here, make sure you have a full tank of oxygen before you make the final push to the wreckage.

Subnautica-2-High-Capacity-Air-Tank-Oxygen-Tunic-Great-Jaw Image via GameRant; Courtesy of Unknown Worlds Entertainment

There is an Oxygen Tunic just past the wreckage, at the edge of the pit where the Great Jaw is located. If you need air, go get it there, then come back to the wreckage.

HCAT Datacard Location:

Sub2-High-Capacity-Air-Tank-Location-1 Image via GameRant; Courtesy of Unknown Worlds Entertainment

You'll notice that the wreckage is sitting at a tilt, resting on the edge of a cliff. The entrance is found at the lower end. Enter the wreck, then immediately turn left.

Sub2-HCAT-Data-Card-Location Image via GameRant; Courtesy of Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Inside, you'll see the High Capacity Air Tank Datacard box on a table, right next to the "Twins" log.

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Where Can I Get Lithium for the Plasteel Ingot?

Sub2-HCAT-Lithium-Location-1 Image via GameRant; Courtesy of Unknown Worlds Entertainment

To craft the Plasteel Ingot you need when making the High Capacity Air Tank, you'll need one Lithium chunk. This is one of the rarest materials in the game, but you will not have to go far to get it.

Sub2-HCAT-Lithium-Location-2 Image via GameRant; Courtesy of Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Just outside the wreckage, look for a strange metal structure with a table at the center. If you walk up to the table, you'll find a single Lithium in a small coral shell.

Sub2-HCAT-Plasteel-Ingot-Recipe Image via GameRant; Courtesy of Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Return to a Processor and craft one Plasteel Ingot using one Lithium and two Titanium. With that, head to your Fabricator and craft the High Capacity Air Tank.

Sub2-HCAT-Fabricator-Recipe Image via GameRant; Courtesy of Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Looking to craft the best base in all of Proteus? Check out these guides to help you get started:

Subnautica 2 Tag Page Cover Art
Subnautica 2
Released
May 14, 2026

WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL

ESRB
Everyone 10+ / Language, Fantasy Violence
Publisher(s)
Krafton
Multiplayer
Online Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
Yes
Prequel(s)
Subnautica
Franchise
Subnautica
Number of Players
1-4 players
Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
Early Access Release
May 14, 2026
Genre(s)
Survival, Adventure
X|S Optimized
Yes