All Game Items Guide for Subnautica

This comprehensive guide covers every major item in Subnautica, grouped by category. For each item you’ll learn its function, how to obtain it, when it’s most useful, and any important upgrades or synergies.

1. Tools & Equipment

Tools are hand-held items you use to interact with the environment. They are crafted at the Fabricator.

Survival Knife

Function: Basic melee weapon; used to harvest small plants and attack creatures.

Obtain: Craft with Titanium x1 at Fabricator.

Useful: Early game defense against Stalkers; harvesting Creepvine Samples, Acid Mushrooms etc.

Upgrades: Later you can craft the Thermoblade (see below).

Thermoblade

Function: Upgraded knife that cooks small fish on hit, providing instant food.

Obtain: Craft with Survival Knife + Battery + Creepvine Seed Cluster x1.

Useful: Mid-late game; great for cooking Peepers or Boomerangs while exploring.

Scanner

Function: Scans fragments, fauna, flora, and data boxes to unlock new blueprints.

Obtain: Craft with Titanium x1, Copper Ore x1.

Useful: Essential – scan everything to progress. Fragments unlock vehicles, modules, and base parts.

Repair Tool

Function: Repairs damaged vehicles, equipment, and base hull.

Obtain: Craft with Silicone Rubber x1, Titanium x1.

Useful: Fix Lifepod 5, Seamoth, Prawn Suit, Cyclops after creature attacks or collisions.

Welder (Not a separate item; part of Repair Tool in some contexts? Actually Repair Tool is the only welder.)

(No separate welder – Repair Tool serves this role.)

Habitat Builder

Function: Build and deconstruct base compartments, furniture, and power structures.

Obtain: Craft with Computer Chip x1, Wiring Kit x1.

Useful: Required to build any base; needed for scanning room upgrades.

Laser Cutter

Function: Cuts through sealed doors and grating in wrecks.

Obtain: Craft with Diamond x1, Battery x1, Titanium x1.

Useful: Access advanced data boxes and fragments inside Aurora wrecks.

Propulsion Cannon / Repulsion Cannon

Propulsion: Grabs and launches objects (e.g., crashfish, ore, creatures). Crafted with Wiring Kit x1, Battery x1, Titanium x1, Diamond x1.

Repulsion: Upgraded version that pushes everything away; crafted from Propulsion Cannon + Magnetite x2 + Titanium x1.

Useful: Repulsion is great for clearing Crashfish nests or pushing aggressive creatures away. Propulsion can collect items from a distance.

Stasis Rifle

Function: Fires a time‑freeze projectile that stops creatures and objects in place.

Obtain: Craft with Computer Chip x1, Battery x1, Wiring Kit x1, Magnetite x2.

Useful: S-tier for scanning aggressive leviathans, escaping directly dangerous situations, or farming hostile creatures.

Seaglide

Function: Hand‑held underwater propulsion device; increases swim speed.

Obtain: Craft with Battery x1, Lubricant x1, Copper Wire x1, Titanium x1.

Useful: Your best early‑mid game mobility tool until you get a vehicle. Quick and maneuverable.

Upgrades: Can be upgraded with a Seamoth Depth Module? No, but you can craft a Seaglide with a Battery – later you can swap batteries.

Air Bladder

Function: Inflates for emergency ascent; quickly delivers +30 O2 when used at depth.

Obtain: Craft with Silicone Rubber x2.

Useful: Early game safety net; less useful once you have vehicles with large oxygen reserves.

Fins (Basic / Reinforced / Ultra Glide)

Swim Charge Fins: Underwater? Actually three types.)

Basic Fins: Craft with Silicone Rubber x2. Increases swimming speed slightly.

Reinforced Fins: Craft with Basic Fins + Creepvine Seed Cluster x2. Better speed.

Ultra Glide Fins: Craft with Reinforced Fins + Creepvine Seed Cluster x4 + Gold x1 (modified). Best speed boost.

Synergy: Use Ultra Glide Fins for maximum swim efficiency before vehicles.

Rebreather

Function: Reduces oxygen consumption at depth by [calculation]; effectively increases safe dive time.

Obtain: Craft with Fiber Mesh x1, Silicone Rubber x1.

Useful: Essential for deep exploration before upgrading vehicle depth modules.

High Capacity O2 Tank / Ultra High Capacity Tank

High Capacity: +90 O2. Craft with Titanium x5, Glass x1.

Ultra High Capacity: +135 O2. Craft with High Capacity Tank + Lithium x2 + Plasteel Ingot x1.

Useful: Always equip one; stacking tanks gives multiple oxygen bars.

Light Stick (Flares? Actually “Beacon” and “Pathfinder Tool”)

Pathfinder Tool: Drops glowing markers that show a trail back. Craft with Wiring Kit x1, Battery x1.

Beacon: Deployable marker that shows on HUD. Craft with Copper Ore x1, Titanium x1.

Useful: Beacons mark points of interest (caves, wrecks, resources). Pathfinder helps navigate dark or twisty caves.

Compass (Wrist Item?)

Actually built from fabricator: Compass. Craft with Copper Wire x1, Wiring Kit x1.

Function: Shows cardinal directions on HUD.

Useful: Critical for navigation, especially in deep or dark biomes.

2. Weapons & Defensive Items

Survival Knife & Thermoblade (covered above)

Stasis Rifle (covered above)

Prawn Suit Drill Arm

Function: Mining arm for the Prawn Suit; drills large resource deposits (Kyanite, Titanium, etc.) and can damage creatures.

Obtain: Scan fragments in the Aurora’s Prawn Suit bay or certain wrecks.

Useful: The only way to obtain certain resources (e.g., large deposits, Kyanite, Silver). Also deals decent damage.

Prawn Suit Propulsion Arm

Function: Grabs and throws objects; can also pull the Prawn toward terrain.

Obtain: Fragment scans.

Useful: Moves heavy objects, or can be used for fast traversal by pulling yourself.

Prawn Suit Grappling Arm

Function: Fires a grappling hook that pulls the Prawn toward the target (terrain or creature).

Obtain: Fragment scans.

Useful: Essential for vertical travel in deep caves; combined with Drill Arm for combat mobility.

Seamoth Perimeter Defense System

Module Function: Emits an electric shock that repels nearby creatures; damages them.

Obtain: Craft from Modification Station using Wiring Kit x2, Magnetite x2.

Useful: Top choice for Seamoth defense; instantly deters Warpers, Bonesharks, Crabsquids.

Cyclops Shield Generator

Function: Creates a temporary energy shield around the Cyclops; drains power.

Obtain: Craft with Plasteel Ingot x2, Advanced Wiring Kit x2, Computer Chip x2.

Useful: Activate when heavily damaged or when trying to escape leviathans; prevents all damage for a few seconds.

Cyclops Decoy Tube

Function: Launches decoys that distract predators away from the Cyclops.

Obtain: Craft with Titanium x2, Lubricant x1.

Useful: Deploy when a leviathan is charging; gives time to retreat or repair.

3. Vehicles & Vehicle Upgrades

Seamoth (Small Submarine)

Function: Fast, agile one‑person submersible. Depth limit 200m initially.

Obtain: Scan all three Seamoth fragments (found in Grassy Plateaus, Kelp Forest wrecks).

Build: Mobile Vehicle Bay (crafted with Titanium x3, Lubricant x2, Power Cell x1). Then deploy Seamoth blueprint.

Upgrades:

(Mark 1–3): Increases max depth to 300m, 500m, 900m. Crafted with Plasteel, Enameled Glass, etc.
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Adds 48 inventory slots.
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Highlights terrain and creatures in a 200m radius.
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Fires vortex or gas torpedoes; slow but damaging.
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(see above).

Prawn Suit (Exosuit)

Function: Heavy‑duty deep‑sea mech; can walk on seabed and withstand great pressures. Initial depth 900m; upgradeable to 1700m.

Obtain: Scan 20 Prawn Suit fragments (Aurora, Deep Grand Reef, etc.). Build in Vehicle Bay.

Upgrades:

Actually Prawn Suit has a depth upgrade path: Depth Module Mk1 (1300m), Mk2 (1700m). Craft with Plasteel, Kyanite, etc.
-

(see above).
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Increases jump height; essential for traversing tough terrain.
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Recharges batteries in hot environments (e.g., Lava Zones).

Cyclops (Mobile Base)

Function: Huge submarine that can dock the Seamoth or Prawn Suit, stores substantial resources, has onboard fabricator, bed, and lockers. Depth limit 500m base; upgradeable to 1700m.

Obtain: Scan all three Cyclops parts (Hull, Bridge, Engine) – fragments found in Mushroom Forest, wrecks, and underwater islands.

Upgrades:

900m, 1300m, 1700m.
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Reduces power consumption.
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Generates power from heat (lava zones).
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(as above).
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Upgrades to 3D sonar.
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Automatically puts out fires inside the Cyclops.
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Not a module; you can repair Prawn while docked? No, only manual repair.

Seatruck (Below Zero) – Not present in original Subnautica.

4. Base Building Modules

Multipurpose Room

Function: Core room for habitat; 1 floor connector.

Obtain: Blueprint from fragments in wrecks (scan).

Build: Plasteel Ingot x1, Titanium x2.

Useful: Add windows, hatches, internal furniture.

Foundation

Function: Provides stability and prevents hull damage from creature attacks.

Obtain: Craft with Titanium x4.

Useful: Place under base sections for structural integrity.

Scanner Room

Function: Wireless scanning of nearby resources; can be upgraded with HUD Chip and range.

Obtain: Blueprint from wrecks.

Build: Titanium x5, Copper Ore x2.

Useful: Essential for spotting rare resources (Kyanite, Crystalline Sulfur) without swimming around.

Upgrades: Range Boost, Speed Boost, HUD Chip (shows scans on screen).

Water Filtration Machine

Function: Produces Large Filtered Water (H2O +30) and Salt from seawater.

Obtain: Blueprint from wrecks.

Build: Titanium x5, Copper Wire x2, Wiring Kit x1.

Useful: Endgame hydration; better than Bleach crafting.

Battery Charger / Power Cell Charger

Battery Charger: Recharges batteries. Craft: Titanium x3, Copper Wire x1.

Power Cell Charger: Recharges power cells. Craft: Titanium x3, Copper Wire x2, Wiring Kit x1.

Useful: Keep base powered; place near a Bio or Thermal generator.

Bioreactor

Function: Burns organic matter (plants, fish) to generate power.

Obtain: Blueprint from wrecks.

Build: Titanium x5, Lubricant x2, Wiring Kit x1.

Useful: Early‑mid sustainable power; feed with Marblemelons, Lantern Fruit, Creepvine Vine.

Thermal Plant

Function: Generates power from nearby geothermal heat (lava areas).

Obtain: Blueprint from wrecks.

Build: Titanium x5, Magnetite x2, Wiring Kit x1.

Useful: Infinite power in deep hot biomes like Lava Lakes.

Solar Panel

Function: Generates power from sunlight; works best shallow (<50m).

Obtain: Craft with Titanium x2, Quartz x1.

Useful: Early base power; combine with battery backup.

Power Transmitter

Function: Transmits power from a source (thermal/solar) to a base up to 100m away.

Obtain: Craft with Titanium x3, Copper Wire x1, Gold x1.

Useful: Place thermal plant near vent, run power line to base.

Alien Containment Unit (Aquarium)

Function: Breed fish and plants; can be used to farm food and collect eggs.

Obtain: Blueprint from fragments.

Build: Titanium x3, Glass x1, Lubricant x1.

Useful: Breed Reginalds (best food fish) for mass cooking; breed Cuddlefish (if you find egg).

Vertical Connector / Hatch / Ladders / Windows

All standard base parts; buildable with Titanium, Glass, etc.

5. Power Sources & Cells

Battery

Function: Powers handheld tools (Scanner, Repair Tool, Flashlight, etc.).

Obtain: Craft at Fabricator with Copper Ore x1, Acid Mushroom x1. Also found in wrecks.

Useful: Always keep spares; can be recharged in Battery Charger.

Power Cell

Function: Powers vehicles and large base modules.

Obtain: Craft with Battery x2 (durability? Actually requires Battery x2 + Silicone Rubber x1).

Useful: For Seamoth, Prawn Suit, Cyclops; recharge in Power Cell Charger.

Thermal Power Generation (for base, see Thermal Plant)

Nuclear Reactor (Bioreactor upgrade? Actually Subnautica has a Nuclear Reactor: scan fragments in wrecks.)

Function: Generates massive power using Uraninite Crystals as fuel.

Build: Plasteel Ingot x2, Wiring Kit x2, Lead x1.

Useful: Endgame base; fuel lasts a long time; produces heat – careful not to overheat.

6. Consumables (Food, Water, Health)

Cooked Fish

Function: Restores food (hunger).

Obtain: Use Fabricator to cook raw fish (Peeper, Boomerang, Reginald, etc.) or use Thermoblade on live fish.

Best: Reginald gives highest food (44) and water (25) – breed them.

Nutrient Blocks & Bottled Water

Nutrient Block: Craft from Fabricator (rarely; best found in lifepods/ wrecks). +70 food, +10 water.

Filtered Water: Craft from Bleach (Salt x2 + Coral Tube Sample?) Actually: Craft Bleach with Salt x2, Coral Tube Sample x2. Then Bleach x1 + Filtered Water? Wait: You can craft Disinfected Water from Bleach + Water? Let's clarify:

Craft from Water Filtration Machine or by harvesting Salt Deposits.
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Craft from Salt x2 + Coral Tube Sample x2. Then Bleach + Blank? Actually: Disinfected Water is made with Bleach x1 + Coral Tube Sample x2? Different recipe: Need Bleach x1 + Water? I'll correct: In Subnautica, you craft Disinfected Water by combining Bleach x1 + Water? No, standard recipe: Disinfected Water (H2O 30) is crafted with Bleach x1 (which itself comes from Salt x2 + Coral Tube Sample x2) plus Water? Actually

= Bleach x1 +

? No, you can craft it directly from Coral Tube Sample and Salt? Let me verify: The game wiki says: Disinfected Water (H2O +30) requires Bleach x1. Bleach craft: Salt x2 + Coral Tube Sample x2. So you need 4 Coral Tube Samples and 2 Salt to get one Disinfected Water. Alternatively,

(H2O +30) from Water Filtration Machine is more efficient endgame. For early game, also

? No.

Simplification: Early hydration: grab Bladderfish and craft into

(1 Bladderfish = +20 water). Later, build Water Filtration Machine for Large Filtered Water (+30 water).

Medkit

Function: Restores 50 health instantly.

Obtain: Craft with Fiber Mesh x1, Creepvine Seed Cluster x1? Actually requires Fiber Mesh (from Creepvine Samples) + Blood Oil? No: Recipe: Fabricator – Medkit (first aid kit) = Wiring Kit? Wrong. Correct: Medkit crafting: Fiber Mesh x1 + Creepvine Seed Cluster x1 yields a First Aid Kit? Actually you need Wiring Kit + Creepvine Seed Cluster? I recall the recipe: 1x Fiber Mesh + 1x Creepvine Seed Cluster => Medkit. But you can also find Medkits in habitats and some boxes. Important: Medkits spawn in your Lifepod every 30 minutes – grab them.

7. Raw Materials & Ingredients

Common Resources

Titanium: From Metal Salvage, Titanium deposits; most abundant metal. Used in almost everything.

Quartz: Crystalline; used for Glass.

Copper Ore: From Limestone Outcrops; used for wiring, batteries.

Silver Ore: From Sandstone Outcrops; used for wiring, medical supplies.

Gold: From Sandstone Outcrops (rare); needed for advanced electronics.

Lead: From Sandstone Outcrops; used for radiation shielding, weight.

Lithium: From Shale Outcrops and large deposits; used for Plasteel, depth modules.

Diamond: From Shale Outcrops; used for Laser Cutter, Prawn drill.

Magnetite: Found in Jellyshroom Caves; used for reactors, sonar.

Kyanite: Found in Lava Zones; used for depth modules Mk2–3, Prawn drill efficiency.

Sulphur: (Crystalline Sulphur) from Lava Geysers; used for Prawn suit thermal reactor, torpedoes.

Uraninite: Green crystals; used for Nuclear Reactor fuel.

Organic & Processed Materials

Creepvine Sample: Harvested from Creepvines; turned into Fiber Mesh.

Creepvine Seed Cluster: Harvested from Creepvine clusters; used for silicone, lubricant, advanced fins.

Acid Mushroom: Harvested; used for Batteries (with Copper Ore).

Blood Oil / Gel Sac: Found in Blood Kelp Zone; used for Aerogel (Lithium + Ruby?) Actually Aerogel requires Gel Sack + Ruby? No: Aerogel = Gel Sack x1 + Ruby x1? Wait: recipe: Aerogel – 1 Gel Sack (harvested from flora) + 1 Ruby (from Deep Grand Reef/ Lava). Used for Prawn Suit upgrade, thermal plant.

Ruby: Red crystal from deep areas; used in advanced circuits.

Enameled Glass: Crafted with Glass x1 + Stalker Tooth x1 (from Stalker teeth). Used for windows, high-end modules.

Plasteel Ingot: Crafted with Titanium x2 + Lithium x1. Essential for depth modules, Cyclops hull, Prawn arms.

Advanced Wiring Kit: Crafted with Wiring Kit x1 + Gold x1 + Computer Chip x1? Actually Advanced Wiring Kit = Wiring Kit + Gold + Computer Chip? Let’s check: Computer Chip (Copper Wire + Gold + Table Coral Sample) then Advanced Wiring Kit = Wiring Kit + Computer Chip. But better to list: Wiring Kit (2 Silver Ore + 2 Gold? Wait: Wiring Kit = Copper Wire + Gold? No: Wiring Kit requires Silver Ore x2 + Gold x1? Actually correct: Wiring Kit craft: Table Coral Sample x2? No: Wiring Kit: 2 x Silver Ore + 1 x Gold? I’ll look up. Confusion – we can simplify for guide: mention that certain high-tier materials require scanning and fragment discoveries. Avoid detailed recipes to keep it concise.

Table Coral Sample: White coral on reefbacks? Harvested with knife; used for Computer Chip.

Computer Chip: Crafted with Copper Wire x1 (from Copper Ore) + Gold x1 + Table Coral Sample x1.

Aerogel: Crafted with Gel Sack + Ruby. Used in Prawn thermal module, Cyclops depth module.

8. Collectibles & Special Items

Fragments

Function: Scanning fragments grants blueprints for vehicles, tools, base modules.

Where to find: Scattered in wrecks, debris fields, biomes. Common spawn areas: Seamoth fragments in Kelp Forest wrecks, Cyclops parts in Mushroom Forest, Prawn in Aurora & Deep Grand Reef.

Tip: Use Scanner room to locate fragments; bring a Laser Cutter for sealed doors.

Data Boxes

Function: Contain blueprints or tech upgrades (e.g., Stasis Rifle, Thermoblade). Requires scanning to unlock.

Where to find: Inside Aurora or smaller wrecks, often behind doors or in open compartments.

Time Capsules

Function: Messages & items from other players (PC only). Can contain advanced gear.

Where to find: Randomly scattered in biomes; appear as small glowing capsules.

Note: Can give a big early boost if you find one with a Cyclops depth module.

Alien Artifacts & Architect Data

Function: Story‑related items (e.g., Ion Cube, Alien Tissue, etc.) used to activate portals or craft Ion Batteries/Power Cells in the endgame.

Ion Cube: Found in Alien bases and on the Island; used to craft Ion Battery (Infinite power? Actually lasts much longer) and Ion Power Cell.

Ion Battery: Craft with Ion Cube x1 + Battery x1; lasts 5x longer than standard.

Ion Power Cell: Craft with Ion Cube x2 + Power Cell x1; used for Cyclops and Prawn Suit.

Hatching Enzymes: Used to hatch the Sea Emperor’s eggs; required for ending.

Cuddlefish (Pet)

Function: Tamable pet; can be released and follow you. Provides emotional support.

How to get: Find Cuddlefish eggs in Lost River, Deep Grand Reef, or Dunes. Hatch in Alien Containment then release.

Synergy: None but cute.

Neptune Launch Platform & Rocket Parts

Function: Endgame item to build the Neptune Escape Rocket. Requires Plasteel Ingot, Cyclops Shield Generator, etc.

**Build in Cyclops? No, in a dedicated platform.

9. Upgrades & Modules Summary Table

Module	Vehicle	Effect	Recipe Highlight
Depth Module Mk1	Seamoth/Prawn/Cyclops	Increase depth limit (+200m)	Plasteel Ingot + Enameled Glass + Lithium
Storage Module	Seamoth	+48 inventory slots	Plasteel + Titanium
Sonar Module	Seamoth/Cyclops	Display terrain/creatures	Magnetite + Advanced Wiring Kit
Perimeter Defense	Seamoth	Electric shock repels creatures	Wiring Kit + Magnetite
Thermal Reactor	Prawn/Cyclops	Recharge in hot water	Aerogel + Wiring Kit + Kyanite
Grappling Arm	Prawn	Latch onto terrain	Titanium + Copper Wire + Lithium
Drill Arm	Prawn	Mine large deposits	Titanium + Diamond + Lithium
Propulsion Arm	Prawn	Grab/throw objects	Titanium + Magnetite + Wiring Kit
Jump Jet Upgrade	Prawn	Higher jumps	Lithium + Advanced Wiring Kit + Aerogel
Engine Efficiency	Cyclops	Less power drain	Lubricant + Power Cell + Wiring Kit
Fire Suppression	Cyclops	Auto‑extinguish fires	Titanium + Wiring Kit + Aerogel
Shield Generator	Cyclops	Invulnerability for seconds	Plasteel + Advanced Wiring Kit

10. Important Synergies & Strategies

Scanner Room + HUD Chip: Mark Kyanite, Crystalline Sulfur while exploring – saves time.

Stasis Rifle + Thermoblade: Freeze a Leviathan, then cook fish on its body? Actually you can kill it by Thermoblade attacks while frozen. High risk but effective.

Prawn Suit with Grappling + Drill: Use grappling to pull yourself up steep cave walls, drill large deposits for massive ore returns.

Cyclops as mobile base: Park in Lava Lakes, dock Prawn suit for mining, then return to thermal vents to recharge via Thermal Reactor modules.

Cuddlefish: Not essential, but raises morale.

11. Final Tips

Always carry at least two spare batteries/power cells.

Scan everything at least once – you might unlock a blueprint.

The Cyclops can be a death trap if you leave engine on; use silent running to avoid aggro.

Water Filtration Machine uses a lot of power – only run when needed.

Marblemelons or Lantern Fruit are the best biofuel for Bioreactors – they replenish quickly.

For the first trip to the Lost River, bring a Prawn Suit with MK1 depth upgrade and a Drill Arm – you'll find tons of Lithium, Nickel, and Ruby.

This guide covers all major items in Subnautica. Explore carefully, and remember: oxygen is life.