Subnautica is widely praised as one of the best survival games of all time, but for new players, the early hours can be confusing and unforgiving. The game offers little hand-holding, encouraging exploration and experimentation instead. While this design makes Subnautica deeply rewarding, it also leads many beginners to repeat the same mistakes. Understanding these common errors can save time, reduce frustration, and significantly improve your survival experience.
Ignoring Oxygen Management
One of the most common beginner mistakes in Subnautica is underestimating the importance of oxygen. New players often dive too deep or explore wrecks without paying close attention to their oxygen meter.
Running out of oxygen is one of the fastest ways to die early in the game. Always keep an eye on your remaining air and plan an escape route back to the surface or your vehicle. Crafting a High Capacity O₂ Tank early can greatly increase your exploration time and reduce unnecessary deaths.
Delaying Base Construction
Many new players rely on the lifepod for far too long. While it’s useful in the early stages, it quickly becomes inefficient as storage fills up and crafting options remain limited.
Building a simple base early provides:
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Extra storage space
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Reliable crafting stations
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A safe location to regroup
Even a small base with a fabricator, lockers, and solar panels can dramatically improve your progression.
Overlooking Scanning and Blueprints
The Scanner is one of the most important tools in Subnautica, yet beginners often forget to use it consistently. Failing to scan fragments, creatures, and technology can slow progression significantly.
Scanning unlocks blueprints for vehicles, base modules, and upgrades. Make it a habit to scan everything new you encounter, especially wreck fragments and alien structures.
Exploring Dangerous Biomes Too Early
Curiosity is encouraged in Subnautica, but venturing into high-risk biomes too early can be a costly mistake. Areas like the Blood Kelp Zone or deep caves are designed for later stages of the game.
Without proper equipment and vehicle upgrades, these regions can quickly lead to vehicle destruction or death. Progress gradually and upgrade your tools and vehicles before pushing deeper.
Mismanaging Food and Water
New players often focus heavily on oxygen and forget about food and water. Starvation and dehydration can quietly drain your health without immediate warning.
Early solutions include:
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Cooking fish for food
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Crafting filtered water
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Building indoor growbeds later on
Learning sustainable food and water management is essential for long-term survival.
Not Upgrading Vehicles
Once players unlock vehicles like the Seamoth, they may assume the base version is enough. In reality, unupgraded vehicles are fragile and limited.
Failing to upgrade depth modules, power efficiency, and defensive systems can prevent safe exploration of deeper biomes. Investing in vehicle upgrades is critical for accessing advanced areas and resources.
Ignoring Hull Integrity and Repairs
When building bases or navigating tight spaces, beginners often forget about hull integrity. Adding too many modules without reinforcement can cause leaks, while collisions can damage vehicles.
Always carry a Repair Tool and monitor structural integrity. Small issues can quickly escalate if left unattended.
Playing Too Fast Without Planning
Subnautica rewards patience. Rushing progression without understanding mechanics often leads to resource shortages, unnecessary deaths, and confusion about objectives.
Take time to:
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Read PDA entries
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Explore methodically
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Prepare before long expeditions
Slow, thoughtful gameplay leads to a smoother and more enjoyable experience.
Final Thoughts
Making mistakes is part of the learning process in Subnautica, but being aware of common beginner errors can help players avoid frustration and enjoy the game’s incredible atmosphere and design. From managing oxygen and resources to upgrading vehicles and building bases, small improvements in strategy make a big difference.
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