Walkthrough & Game Progression Guide for Subnautica 2. Learn which gears to unlock first, and the crafting priorities for the early, mid, and late game for smoother progression.
Table of Contents
Tips & Game Progression Cycle
Explore Areas to Unlock Blueprints
The general progression cycle in Subnautica 2 involves exploring the area around your base to gather materials and find blueprints. These are then used to craft better gear, which in turn allows you to explore new locations for rarer resources.
"Depth" of the Ocean is the Main Bottleneck
The deeper you explore, the better the gear you will need to craft and equip to survive. Adapting to the depth of the ocean that you want to explore is one of the challenges of the game.
Pre-Game: Choose A Game Mode
Survival and Creative Mode Differences
| Feature | Creative Mode | Survival Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Health / Oxygen / Food / Water | No depletion | Must be managed |
| Resources | Unlimited Can craft with an empty inventory | Must be gathered |
| Blueprints and Adaptations | All unlocked immediately | Must be acquired through scans and exploration |
| Tools | Pre-assigned to hotkeys. No battery drain | Must be crafted. Batteries deplete |
| Blackbox Signals | Active; marks locations on your HUD | Active; marks locations on your HUD |
| Enemies | Passive | Hostile creatures active |
You can play in either Creative or Survival Mode in Subnautica 2. Creative mode gives you the freedom to play with unlimited resources, while Survival mode challenges you to progress through careful exploration. A third mode is yet to be announced.
| Tip! | Playing in Creative Mode automatically skips the prologue. |
|---|
Early Game Priorities & Walkthrough
- Craft Essential Starter Tools
- Improve Exploration Capabilities:
- Craft Air Bladder or Air Tank
- Craft Basic Fins & Use Dash - Learn to Manage Thirst & Hunger:
- Craft Water to Bring Along
- Get the Digestion Adaptation - Visit Marked Blackbox Locations
- Build Your Base
- Craft the Habitat Builder
- Set Up Your Base - Place Essential Base Facilities
- Stock Up on Supplies
- Build Other Farming Tech
Mid-Game Priorities & Walkthrough
- Build the Tadpole
- Require Moonpool & Vehicle Fabricator
- Upgrade the Tadpole - Unlock New Tools & Tech
- Get the Heat Tolerance Adaptation
- Continue Collecting Blackboxes
- Establish Consistent Material Locations
- Scan Station can be used - Scan Available Flora
- Collect Plant Samples - Prepare to Cross the Chasm
- Be Prepared to Face the Collector Leviathan
Late-Game Priorities & Walkthrough
More Info Coming Soon!
This section is a work in progress! We will be updating this soon so stay tuned for more!
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)
How to Craft Items
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
How to Get Heat Tolerance
Scanner Guide
How to Get Tadpole Depth Module Mk. 2
How to Get a Wakemaker
How to Get Fibrous Pulp
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?
Is Subnautica 2 on Switch?
