Building a base is key to long-term survival in Subnautica 2. This guide covers everything from your first room to advanced multi-biome complexes.
Getting Started: Habitat Builder
Before you can build anything, you need the Habitat Builder tool:
| Component | Materials |
|---|---|
| Habitat Builder | Computer Chip + Wiring Kit + Titanium |
| Computer Chip | 2x Copper Wire + 1x Gold + 1x Silver |
| Wiring Kit | 2x Silver |
Tip: You can find Habitat Builder fragments near Lifepod wreckage and in small crates around the Safe Shallows.
Core Modules
These are the building blocks of any base. Each module has a specific purpose:
| Module | Cost | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Compartment | 2x Titanium | Standard room. Connect multiple to expand. |
| I-Compartment | 2x Titanium | Allows T-shaped connections between corridors. |
| L-Compartment | 2x Titanium | 90-degree corner piece. |
| Large Room | 6x Titanium | Big open space. Good for indoor farms and storage. |
| Moon Pool | 8x Titanium + Lubricant | Park and charge vehicles. Essential mid-game. |
| Observatory | 3x Glass | 360° glass dome. Great for scanning area. |
| Scanner Room | 3x Titanium + Copper + Gold | Scans for resources and creatures in range. |
Power Systems
Every base needs power. Without it, your Fabricator, lights, and oxygen won't work.
| Power Source | Output | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panel | 75W (day), 0W (night) | Shallow bases (0–100m). Easy to build early. |
| Bioreactor | Up to 500W | Mid-depth bases. Feed with flora/fauna. |
| Thermal Plant | 250W per plant | Near heat sources (vents, lava). Set and forget. |
| Nuclear Reactor | 500W per rod | Deep bases. Needs uranium. Long-term power. |
Power Strategy: Start with Solar Panels. Add a Bioreactor once you find Multipurpose Room fragments. Upgrade to Thermal or Nuclear for deep bases.
Hull Integrity
Every module you add affects hull integrity. If it drops below 0, your base floods.
- Each corridor reduces integrity slightly
- Large rooms and Moon Pools reduce integrity more
- Reinforcements increase integrity (+7 each)
- Foundations increase integrity (+2 each)
- Going deeper reduces integrity faster
Common Mistake: Building a large base too deep without reinforcements. Always add Reinforced Walls when expanding at 200m+ depth.
Recommended Base Layouts
Early Game: The Starter Base
Keep it simple. Build in the Safe Shallows near your Lifepod:
- 1x Basic Compartment (main room)
- 1x Hatch (entrance)
- 2x Solar Panel on roof
- Fabricator + Medical Kit Fabricator inside
- 1x Locker for storage
Total cost: ~8 Titanium + 2 Quartz + wiring materials
Mid Game: The Research Base
Once you find the Multipurpose Room fragment:
- 1x Multipurpose Room (center)
- 1x Scanner Room (attached)
- 1x Moon Pool (for vehicles)
- 1x Bioreactor (power)
- Interior Grow Beds for food
- Wall Lockers for organized storage
Late Game: The Deep Outpost
For exploring deep biomes (300m+):
- Thermal or Nuclear power
- Multiple Reinforced Walls
- Moon Pool with Vehicle Upgrade Console
- Scanner Room with HUD chip
- Water Filtration Machine
- Modification Station
Co-op Base Building Tips
- Shared building — all players can modify the same base
- Designate roles — one person builds, another gathers materials
- Multiple bases — build satellite outposts at different biomes for fast travel
- Communication — use beacons to mark planned base locations
Related Guides
- Material Locations — find resources for all base modules
- Creature Database — avoid building near aggressive fauna
- Beginner's Guide — first-time base building walkthrough