How to Get Cobalt in Solarpunk?

Resource gathering is one of the core gameplay mechanics in Solarpunk, as players need a steady supply of materials to craft items, unlock new technologies, and upgrade their equipment. And Cobalt is one of those important mid-game materials. It is required for various upgrades and advanced crafting recipes, making it a valuable resource to collect. However, obtaining Cobalt is not straightforward (just like Copper), as players must make decent in-game progress before they can access its location.

Fortunately, reaching the Cobalt deposit is simply a matter of progression and preparation. Below, we’ll walk you through everything required to obtain it.

Where to Find Cobalt in Solarpunk

One thing you should know from the get-go is that Cobalt cannot be found on the starting island or any of the nearby islands. To get your hands on it, players must first upgrade their Airship to Level 3. Once the upgrade is complete, the travel radius expands, allowing access to more distant islands.

After reaching Airship Level 3, open the map and travel south of the starting island. At the southern edge of the expanded travel circle, you will find an island containing an infinite Cobalt deposit. Upon arriving, head to the northern side of the island where the Cobalt ore vein is located.

To gather Cobalt efficiently, players should bring multiple Iron Pickaxes, as mining a large quantity of ore can quickly wear down tools. Once you’ve located the Cobalt deposit, you don’t have to rely solely on manual mining. Players can place an Ore Drill on the deposit to automatically extract Cobalt over time.

Now that you have collected the cobalt ore, return to your base and smelt it in a Furnace to obtain usable cobalt. You can use it in a variety of higher-tier recipes, including Circuit Boards, automated machines, lighting structures, and other technological upgrades.

The southern island is also worth exploring, even beyond its Cobalt deposits. Players can also find resources such as Carrots, Cotton, Watermelons, Sunflowers, chests, and even animals (like chickens) that can be transported back to their base. Gathering these materials during a mining trip can make the journey much more efficient.

What You Need Before Mining Cobalt

Upgrade your Airship, travel south, and claim an infinite source. | Credits: Cyberwave

Before heading out on a Cobalt mining expedition, it is recommended to carry at least three or four Iron Pickaxes. This will allow you to collect a significant amount of ore in a single trip and reduce the need for repeated journeys. Bringing enough food and inventory space is also helpful when exploring distant islands.

Since reaching the Cobalt island requires an Airship Level 3 upgrade, players must complete a series of Tradebot requests. The materials needed for the Airship upgrades are:

After completing all ten trades and obtaining Airship Level 3, you will be able to reach the southern island and start mining Cobalt. Because the deposit is infinite, it can serve as a reliable source of this valuable resource for the rest of your playthrough.

Have you unlocked the Cobalt island yet, or are you still working toward your Airship Level 3 upgrade? Comment below to let us know.