Just crashed on an alien ocean world? Don't panic. This guide covers everything you need to survive the first few hours of Subnautica 2 and get your exploration underway.
Early Access Note: Subnautica 2 is in Early Access. Content, biomes, and mechanics may change with updates. This guide reflects the current state as of launch.
1. First Priority: Oxygen
Your oxygen gauge is the single most important thing to watch. You start with a limited air supply and need to surface regularly. Here's how to manage it:
- Always watch your oxygen meter — head back to the surface when you're at 30% or less
- Swim straight up — the shortest path to air is always vertical
- Craft a Standard O₂ Tank as soon as possible — it extends your underwater time significantly
- Later: Upgrade to the Rebreather and High Capacity Oâ‚‚ Tank for deeper dives
Pro Tip: When exploring deeper areas, place Bubble Mushrooms or portable air pipes as oxygen stations. They let you extend your range without swimming all the way back up.
2. Food and Water
You need to eat and drink to survive. Here are the fastest ways to get started:
Getting Food
- Cooked fish is the most efficient food source. Catch small fish like Peepers or Hoverfish
- Use the Survival Knife to catch fish — swim close and slash
- Cured fish lasts longer without spoiling — salt + fish at a Fabricator
- Avoid eating raw fish — it reduces your water level
Getting Water
- Bladderfish — craft into Filtered Water at the Fabricator (best early source)
- Coral Tubes — use your knife to collect samples, then craft into water
- Later: Build a Water Filtration Machine in your base for steady supply
3. Your First Tools
Craft these in order of priority using your Lifepod's Fabricator:
- Survival Knife — Silicone Rubber + Titanium. Catches fish, harvests plants, and defends against small threats
- Scanner — Battery + Titanium. Scans fragments to unlock new blueprints. Your most important tool
- Standard O₂ Tank — Glass + Titanium. More air = longer dives
- Fins — Silicone Rubber + Copper. Swim faster, explore more
- Repair Tool — Silicone Rubber + Cave Sulfur. Fix your Lifepod and equipment
- Flashlight — Battery + Glass. Essential for night dives and caves
Resource Tip: Limestone Outcrops (found on the seafloor) give Titanium and Copper. Sandstone Outcrops give Lead, Silver, and Gold. Smash everything you find.
4. Exploring Safely
Once you have basic tools, it's time to explore. Follow these rules to stay alive:
- Stay shallow first — explore the Safe Shallows and Kelp Forest before going deeper
- Follow the signal markers — your Lifepod tracks points of interest on your HUD
- Scan everything — fragments unlock vehicles, tools, and base modules
- Don't go deeper than you can handle — if your Seaglide isn't charged, don't go past 100m
- Night is dangerous — predators are more aggressive. Use a Seaglide or stay in your base
5. Building Your First Base
Once you have enough Titanium and a Habitat Builder, you can build your first underwater base:
- Craft a Habitat Builder (Computer Chip + Wiring Kit + Titanium)
- Find a flat area near resources in the Safe Shallows
- Build a Basic Compartment — your first room
- Add a Hatch to enter and exit
- Install a Solar Panel on top for power
- Place a Fabricator inside
Base Location Tip: Build near the border of 2-3 biomes. This gives you access to more resources without traveling far.
For detailed base building strategies, check our Base Building Guide.
6. Co-op Tips (New in Subnautica 2)
Subnautica 2 supports up to 4 players. Here's how to make the most of co-op:
- Divide tasks — one person scans, one gathers resources, one builds
- Shared bases — all players can access the same base and storage
- Buddy system — always dive with a partner in dangerous biomes
- Resource sharing — drop items for teammates who need them
- Pin tasks — use the ping system to mark locations for your team
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring oxygen — the #1 cause of death for new players. Always check your gauge
- Going too deep too fast — depth pressure will kill you without the right equipment
- Not scanning enough — the Scanner unlocks everything. Scan every fragment you see
- Wasting resources on cosmetics — focus on functional upgrades first
- Building a base too far from resources — location matters more than aesthetics early on
What's Next?
Once you've mastered the basics, explore these guides to go further:
- Creature Database — learn every creature's behavior and how to handle them
- Base Building Guide — advanced modules, power systems, and layout tips
- Material Locations — find every resource organized by biome and depth