Neptunium is one of the most sought-after resources in the Aquaculture 2 mod for Minecraft, offering powerful equipment upgrades and useful enhancements for fishing enthusiasts. This rare material is used to craft the Neptunium set, including the Neptunium Fishing Rod and Neptunium Armor, which are superior to many vanilla items. However, finding Neptunium isn’t as straightforward as mining or crafting it from regular ores. Players need to engage with the fishing system in a more focused and strategic way. If you’re wondering how to get Neptunium in Aquaculture 2, this detailed guide will help you every step of the way.
Understanding Neptunium in Aquaculture 2
What Is Neptunium?
Neptunium is a rare material exclusive to the Aquaculture 2 mod. It is not found in the world through mining, but instead is obtained through fishing. Neptunium ingots can be used to craft a special set of tools and armor with unique properties, such as increased underwater breathing, better damage, and more efficient fishing capabilities. The Neptunium Fishing Rod, for instance, offers faster catch speeds and better loot chances.
Why Neptunium Matters
The Neptunium gear is more than just cosmetic. It enhances the player’s capabilities in water-related activities and combat. For players who build bases near oceans, swamps, or lakes or those who simply enjoy fishing and underwater exploration Neptunium provides substantial advantages.
How to Get Neptunium Ingots
Step 1: Install Aquaculture 2
To begin farming Neptunium, make sure you have the Aquaculture 2 mod installed. This mod is compatible with Forge and available for various Minecraft versions. After installation, you’ll notice changes to the fishing system, including new types of fish, gear, and loot tables.
Step 2: Craft an Iron Fishing Rod
Unlike the vanilla fishing rod, Aquaculture 2 adds several types of rods. To improve your chances of finding rare loot, start by crafting an Iron Fishing Rod. Here’s what you need:
- 3 Iron Ingots
- 2 Sticks
- 1 String
The Iron Rod allows for attachments and bait, both of which increase your fishing efficiency and the odds of finding treasures like Neptunium ingots.
Step 3: Add Hooks and Bait
To optimize your fishing, use different types of bait such as Worms or Leech, which can be found by tilling dirt or breaking grass. Also, craft or acquire hooks like:
- Barbed Hook Slows fish escape
- Double Hook Increases loot
- Treasure Hook Boosts rare loot chances
For Neptunium farming, the Treasure Hook is ideal. You can apply hooks to your fishing rod by placing it into the crafting grid with the hook item.
Step 4: Fish in the Right Biome
Neptunium ingots are more likely to be found in loot tables when fishing in ocean biomes or deep water areas. To improve your chances, consider the following locations:
- Deep Ocean
- River (less effective)
- Swamp (moderate success)
- Frozen Ocean (good in colder biomes)
It’s essential to fish in open water at least a 5×5 area of water with no solid blocks above it. This ensures the fishing mechanics function properly and increase the odds of treasure items spawning.
Step 5: Use Enchantments to Your Advantage
Enchanting your fishing rod can also improve the odds of finding Neptunium ingots. Recommended enchantments include:
- Lure: Decreases waiting time for a bite
- Luck of the Sea: Increases the chance of treasure items like Neptunium
- Unbreaking: Extends the life of your rod
To combine enchantments and add them to your rod, use an anvil or enchantment table. Aim for Luck of the Sea III for the best possible chance at treasure loot.
Tips for Efficient Neptunium Farming
Fish During Rainy Weather
Rain can reduce fishing times, allowing you to make more catches in a shorter period. In biomes where it rains, try fishing during storms to get more loot quickly. Rain also boosts the effectiveness of the Lure enchantment.
Fish at Night
Night fishing can sometimes offer better rates for certain treasures and fish types. Although it doesn’t directly improve Neptunium rates, it does provide more variety and breaks up the monotony of farming during the day.
Use an AFK Fishing Farm (Optional)
While not all versions of Aquaculture 2 support traditional AFK fishing farms due to loot table restrictions, some modified versions or setups may still work. If AFK farming is allowed on your server or modpack, it can be an efficient way to passively collect treasures, including Neptunium ingots.
What to Do With Neptunium
Crafting Neptunium Tools and Armor
Once you’ve gathered enough Neptunium ingots through fishing, you can begin crafting gear. Neptunium equipment is crafted similarly to vanilla tools and armor, using ingots in the usual patterns. Here’s what you can make:
- Neptunium Sword
- Neptunium Pickaxe
- Neptunium Axe
- Neptunium Armor (Helmet, Chestplate, Leggings, Boots)
- Neptunium Fishing Rod
The Neptunium Fishing Rod, in particular, is a game-changer for players who want to take their fishing to the next level. It comes with built-in enhancements that outperform any other rod in the mod.
Armor Benefits
The Neptunium Armor set provides additional underwater capabilities such as improved movement speed and breathing. This makes it ideal for underwater base builders, ocean explorers, or anyone who spends a lot of time in aquatic environments.
Can You Trade or Smelt Neptunium?
Neptunium is not typically found through traditional smelting or trading with villagers. Its exclusivity to fishing makes it a valuable commodity, and the only way to consistently gather it is through persistent effort and the right fishing gear. Some custom modpacks may offer trading options or additional uses, but this varies widely depending on configuration.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Fishing in the Wrong Biome
Players sometimes attempt to farm Neptunium in small ponds or landlocked areas with low loot table quality. Always choose large, natural water bodies like oceans or rivers for the best results.
Using Unenchanted Fishing Rods
While it’s possible to find Neptunium without enchantments, the chances are significantly lower. Always prioritize Luck of the Sea and high-tier rods with hooks and bait to reduce time and effort.
Not Monitoring Rod Durability
Fishing rods degrade over time, especially with constant use. Make sure to either enchant with Unbreaking or keep backup rods in your inventory to avoid getting stuck without tools.
Neptunium in Aquaculture 2 adds a rewarding goal for players who enjoy fishing and aquatic exploration. While it requires time and preparation to farm effectively, the gear crafted from Neptunium offers both aesthetic appeal and practical advantages. By upgrading your fishing rod, using the right bait and hooks, enchanting your equipment, and fishing in the correct biomes, you’ll maximize your chances of finding Neptunium ingots. Whether you’re crafting the ultimate fishing rod or building an underwater empire, Neptunium is a valuable resource worth pursuing in any Aquaculture 2 playthrough.