Learn how to craft items in Subnautica 2, how to unlock blueprints, all crafting stations explained, and the best items to craft first.
Table of Contents
How to Craft Items in Subnautica 2
Crafting in Subnautica 2 follows a simple three-step loop. Every item in the game is made this way.
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Unlock the blueprint. Most blueprints require scanning fragments, picking up new materials, or finding Recipe Data Cards. |
| 2 |  Gather the materials. Once a blueprint is unlocked, collect every ingredient it requires. Pin the recipe to your HUD to track what you still need while exploring without constantly opening the crafting menu. |
| 3 |  Craft at the right station. Each item is tied to a specific crafting station. Using the wrong station will not show the recipe. Check which station a recipe belongs to before heading back to base. |
How to Unlock Blueprints
There are three ways to get and unlock blueprints in Subnautica 2:
Scanning Fragments
Most equipment blueprints require you to scan multiple fragments of the same item found in wrecks and ruins. If scanning a fragment doesn't unlock the blueprint, it means you need additional pieces. In that case, you'll have to find and scan another fragment somewhere else in the world.
Picking Up New Materials
Some blueprints unlock the moment you collect a new material for the first time. Pick up everything that catches your eye, since it may unlock new items.
Finding Recipe Data Cards
Recipe Data Cards are found in wrecks, facilities, and hidden locations. Collecting one instantly unlocks the corresponding blueprint. These are especially useful for late-game vehicle upgrades and base structures.
All Recipe Data Cards & Where to Find Them| Tip! | If you scan a fragment you have already fully unlocked, the game awards you a small amount of base materials. It is a minor reward, but it makes double-checking dark corners less pointless. |
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All Crafting Stations in Subnautica 2
Fabricator
| Station | Recipe |
|---|---|
| Fabricator | Titanium x1 Copper x1 Quartz x1 |
Used for survival essentials, tools, food, and basic equipment. The first and most used station throughout the game.
Processor
| Station | Recipe |
|---|---|
| Processor | Titanium x2 Mild Acid x1 Copper Wire x1 |
Refines raw materials into processed components like Ingots. Required for most advanced crafting recipes. Build this as early as you can, since many mid-game tools cannot be crafted without processed materials.
Modification Station
| Station | Recipe |
|---|---|
| Modification Station | Titanium x2 Celestine x2 Copper Wire x1 |
Crafts upgrades for tools, equipment, and vehicles. Mandatory for story progression past the mid-game. The Bioscanner and Feedback Resonator are both built here.
Vehicle Fabricator
| Station | Recipe |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Fabricator | Titanium Ingot x2 Copper Ingot x1 Glass x2 |
Constructs vehicles and chassis parts, including the Tadpole and its upgrade modules. Requires a Moonpool to function. Build this once you are ready to move into mid-game exploration.
Best Tadpole Upgrade ModulesBest Items to Craft First
During the early game, you don't have to craft everything that gets in your blueprint stock. Instead, these are the items worth prioritizing in the opening hours before anything else:
| Item | Recipe | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Survival Multitool | Titanium x3 | Lets you harvest plants, corals, and kelp. Essential for early crafting. |
| Air Bladder | Titanium x2 Rubber x1 | Emergency ascent tool that can save your life when oxygen runs low. |
| Scanner | Titanium x2 Quartz x2 Basic Battery x1 | Your most important early-game tool. Unlocks blueprints and progression. |
| Basic Fins | Rubber x2 Fiber Mesh x2 | Passive swim-speed boost with no inventory slot required. |
| Standard O2 Tank | Titanium x2 Silver x2 Rubber x1 | Massively increases oxygen capacity. A top-priority upgrade. |
| Habitat Builder | Titanium x2 Glass x1 Basic Battery x1 Copper Wire x1 | Required to build bases and expand beyond the Lifepod. |
| Notice! | Subnautica 2 is in Early Access. Crafting recipes and station requirements may change in future updates. |
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Related Articles
Recommended Guides
 Walkthrough (Early to Late-Game) |  Plant Farming Guide |  Cooking and Recipes Guide |
 Best Biomods |  Best Tadpole Upgrades |  Metal Farm Guide |
| Progression & Priorities | ||
|---|---|---|
 Early Game |  Mid-Game | Late Game |
Lists
 All Leviathans |  All Items List |  Biomes & PoI List |
 Blackbox List |  Recipe Data Cards (Blueprints) |  Vehicle List |
 Buildings & Facilities List |
Salt
Silver
Copper
Lead
Lucifer Rotsac
Conduit Crystals
Creature Enamel
Enameled Glass
Troilite
Celestine
Multiplayer Guide
How to Eat Food (Digestion)
Drinking Water Guide
How to Craft Air Tank?
How to Get Basic Fins
Scanner Station Guide
How to Manage Your Oxygen?
Base Guide
Alien Ruins
How to Use Coordinates
Tadpole Guide
How to Get More Storage
How to Get a Rebreather
Bioscanner Guide
Night Survival Guide
How to Heal
Angel Comb Guide
How to Power Your Base
How to Recharge Batteries and Tools
How to Get the Repair Tool
World Tree Guide
Flashlight Guide
Strong Acid Guide
Specs Requirements
New Game Features
Is There Crossplay?
Supported Devices
Update & Roadmap
How Long to Beat?
Can You Play Subnautica 2 on PS5 and PS4?
Is Subnautica 2 on Xbox?
Is Subnautica 2 on Steam?
