Early Game Progression Guide & Beginner Tips

Craft Essential Starter Tools

Upon exiting the Lifepod after the introduction, your first priority should be to craft the Survival Multitool and the Scanner. These items will allow you to gather materials and unlock new blueprints to craft.

Tool	Description
Survival Multitool	- Standard issue pioneer tool for harvesting tougher materials [Recipe]: - Titanium x 3
Scanner	- Scans the world to generate databank entries and fabrication blueprints [Recipe]: - Titanium x 2 - Quartz x 2 - Basic Battery x 1

Improve Exploration Capabilities

Exploration is essential to progress in Subnautica 2. Areas and wreckages can contain items and tech that can unlock Blueprints for tools, base building, and more. Being able to explore more comfortably should be your next goal.

Craft Air Bladder & Air Tank

Oxygen is a high priority resource in this game. The more you have in the tank, the longer you can stay in the depths without needing to go back up for air. Pair an Air Bladder with a Standard Air Tank early on.

Tool	Description
Air Bladder	Rapid flotation bladder for emergency ascents. Can be inhaled to supply a few seconds of air to self and nearby divers. [Recipe]: - Titanium x 2 - Rubber x 1
Standard Air Tank	Hold Breathing Air. Increases Oxygen to 75. [Recipe]: - Titanium x 2 - Rubber x 1 - Silver x 2

Craft Basic Fins & Use Dash

At the start of the game, you will be swimming across distances since vehicle crafting is not available until the mid-game. Craft Basic Fins to be able to swim faster. Selecting the Dash Adaptation is also recommended to make traversing the water much faster.

Tool	Description
Basic Fins	Simple diving fins that provide a small speed boost. [Recipe]: - Rubber x 2 - Fiber x 2
Biolab	Modifies your Adaptations [Recipe]: - Titanium x 3 - Copper Wire x 1 - Mild Acid x 1

Learn to Manage Thirst & Hunger

Besides managing your Oxygen, you’ll also need to keep an eye on your thirst and hunger as you explore. Letting either of these deplete is dangerous, as it can eventually lead to getting reprinted. Early in the game, you’ll rely on Water Slugs for hydration and Nutrient Blocks for food.

Craft Water to Bring Along

Collect Water Slugs to craft them into Water, which you can bring along with you. Carrying at least 3 Water lets you explore without going back to base frequently.

Get the Digestion Adaptation

The second adaptation that you need to get in order to survive is the Digestion Adaptation. This will allow your biology to adapt and consume the local flora and fauna. You can get thisadaptation via a quest to Anita's Blackbox.

Visit Marked Blackbox Locations

NOA will periodically prompt you to visit Blackboxes from missing colonists. It’s highly recommended to check these locations as soon as they appear. Most Blackboxes are found in wreckages containing scannable items and fragments for unlocking new Blueprints, so make them a priority when exploring.

Build Your Base

Although the Lifepod is your saving grace from the get-go, you will eventually have to make a base of your own. You can fully design this to your liking and it will allow you to place down more advanced facilities later on.

Craft the Habitat Builder

The Habitat Builder lets you construct bases, beacons, and other essential facilities. To unlock its blueprint, you’ll need to scan Habitat Builder fragments with the Scanner.

Tool	Description
Habitat Builder	Fabricates habitat compartments, appliances, and external facilities from raw materials. [Recipe]: - Titanium x 2 - Glass x 1 - Basic Battery x 1 - Copper Wire x 1

Set Up Your Base

It's best to build your base near resource-rich areas to make gathering materials easier. You will also need to power your base using natural energy sources such as solar, hydroelectric turbines, thermal, and even bioenergy.

Create Essential Base Facilities

With your Habitat Builder ready, you can start expanding your base with useful interior modules. Try to explore new areas to unlock more blueprints to craft advanced tools, upgrades, and even submersibles!

Tool	Description
Processor	Completes complex biochemical and manufacturing tasks over time for more advanced recipes. [Recipe]: - Titanium x 2 - Mild Acid x 1 - Copper Wire x 1
Scanner Station	[Recipe]: - System Chip x 1 - Titanium x 3 - Wiring Kit x 1
Battery Terminal	[Recipe]: - Titanium x 2 - Quartz x 2 - Copper Wire x 1

Stock Up on Supplies

Start stocking up on essentials like food, first-aid kits, and water. Having a steady supply will make it much easier to venture farther and progress beyond the early game.

Build Other Farming Tech

After stocking up, your next goal is to build farming-related facilities. This includes the Scanner Station, which highlights the locations of nearby materials, and the Sonic Resonator for heavy-duty mining.