Guide Steps
Step 1: Gather Copper Ore
Copper Ore is found in cave walls under the Lifepod and in Shallows Caves (3-224m depth). Look for reddish metallic deposits on cave surfaces. Each Basic Battery needs 2 Copper Ore (double the Subnautica 1 recipe). Farm 10-15 copper ore for your first 5-7 batteries.
Step 2: Find Acidic Raion Pouches
Acidic Raion Pouches are translucent purple/green plant sacs that float in the water column inside caves. They are found in the same cave systems where copper deposits appear. They have a distinctive bioluminescent glow. Collect 2-3 for your first batteries. Each pouch is consumed in the recipe.
Step 3: Craft the Basic Battery
Fabricator → Resources → Basic Battery. Recipe: 2 Copper Ore + 1 Acidic Raion Pouch. Crafting time: 3 seconds. The battery icon shows green when full and fades as charge depletes. Each battery provides a fixed amount of energy before exhaustion.
Tools that use batteries
Scanner (1 battery), Flashlight (1 battery), Wakemaker (1 battery — the Proteus equivalent of Seaglide), Habitat Builder (1 battery), Repair Tool (1 battery), Sonic Resonator (1 battery). Power drain varies: Wakemaker drains fastest (continuous use), Scanner lasts ~20-30 scans per battery, Flashlight lasts ~20-30 minutes.
Battery management and charging
Always carry 2-3 spare batteries when exploring beyond the Shallows. When a tool dies, swap in a fresh battery — keep the dead one for recharging. The Battery Charger is unlocked mid-game by scanning its fragments in wrecks. In early game, depleted batteries are unrechargeable waste — so conserve power and plan your battery budget.