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About Subnautica
Subnautica drops you onto an alien ocean world after a crash, forcing you to descend into a massive, open‑water environment. From sun‑lit reefs to deep‑sea trenches, you must manage oxygen while navigating a vibrant but dangerous ecosystem.
Gather resources, craft gear, and build underwater habitats to survive the planet’s mysteries. As you explore, you uncover strange structures, hostile creatures, and the story behind the crash, all while contending with pressure, darkness, and the ever‑present threat of predators.
01 / THE GUIDE
Underwater Exploration
The game’s world spans shallow coral reefs, kelp forests, lava fields, and deep‑sea trenches, each with its own visual style and hazards. Oxygen must be monitored constantly, especially in caves and during night cycles when predators become more active.
Exploration is encouraged through diverse biomes, including bio‑luminescent rivers and volcanic vents, offering both beauty and risk. Players can use crafted lights and vehicles to reach farther locations.
- Plan routes that keep oxygen reserves high; surface briefly to refill if needed.
- Visit night‑time areas for unique visuals, but stay alert for increased predator activity.
02 / THE GUIDE
Resource Gathering and Crafting
After the crash, you must locate water, food, and raw materials to create diving gear, lights, habitat modules, and submersibles. More advanced items require rarer resources found at greater depths.
Crafting expands your ability to survive, allowing you to build tools such as the Pressure‑Re‑Active Waterproof Nanosuit (PRAWN) for extreme environments.
- Prioritize basic tools like a scanner and oxygen tank before venturing deep.
- Collect a variety of resources early to unlock advanced crafting recipes.
03 / THE GUIDE
Base Construction
Players can construct underwater habitats on the sea floor, choosing layouts and components. Bases store resources, house vehicles, and replenish oxygen, but must withstand increasing pressure at depth.
Managing hull integrity becomes crucial as you expand deeper, ensuring your structures remain functional under higher pressure.
- Start with a small, shallow base to learn placement before building deeper structures.
- Monitor hull integrity after adding new modules to avoid pressure failures.
04 / THE GUIDE
Creature Interaction
The ocean teems with life, some helpful and many harmful. Players can lure predators with fish or simply outrun them, using the ecosystem to their advantage.
Nighttime brings out additional predators, making darkness both beautiful and dangerous.
- Carry a fresh fish to distract aggressive fauna when needed.
- Avoid open water at night unless equipped with adequate lighting.
05 / THE GUIDE
Advanced Suit Modifications
The PRAWN Suit lets you explore extreme depth and heat, and can be upgraded with mining drills, torpedo launchers, propulsion cannons, and grappling hooks.
These modifications expand both mobility and combat options, allowing deeper dives and resource extraction.
- Upgrade the suit with a drill before attempting deep‑sea mining.
- Add propulsion enhancements to reduce travel time between distant sites.
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