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Tools and Equipment
February 26, 2026 at 04:01 PM
Updated wikilink display text to match title case changes
Tools and equipment in Subnautica 2 are the items players carry, craft, and use to interact with the world of Planet Zezura. The game features a mix of returning tools from the original Subnautica series and entirely new devices designed for the challenges of Zezura's alien oceans. Players start with basic gear and find recipes for more advanced equipment as they explore deeper biomes.
The following tools have been confirmed through official trailers, developer commentary, Dev Vlogs, and Steam store information:
Tool | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
Returning | A handheld scanning device used to analyze objects, creatures, and materials in the environment. Returns from the original games with possible enhancements, including a radar feature to help locate nearby items and resources. | |
Flashlight | Returning | A basic illumination tool for navigating dark underwater areas. One of the starter tools available from the beginning of the game. |
New | A new tool for extracting genetic samples from alien creatures. Central to the DNA adaptation system, it allows players to collect biological data that can be used to modify the player character's genetics for survival. | |
Wakemaker | New | A personal underwater traversal tool that replaces the Seaglide from previous Subnautica games. Designed to be invisible or non-obstructive to the player's view, solving the problem of the original Seaglide blocking a large portion of the screen during use. |
Repair Tool | Returning | A tool for repairing damaged vehicles and base structures. Shown in Tadpole dev vlog footage, where players were seen repairing vehicles after sustaining damage. |
The Scanner is one of the most fundamental tools in the Subnautica series and returns in Subnautica 2. In the original games, it was used to scan fauna, flora, fragments, and environmental objects to populate the PDA database and unlock blueprints for crafting.
In Subnautica 2, the Scanner may include enhanced functionality. There are indications that it could feature a radar mode to help players locate items and resources in their vicinity. This would reduce the frustration of searching for specific materials in large biomes, complementing the new resource-specific node system that replaces randomized rock outcrops.
The Biosampler is the signature new tool of Subnautica 2. It extracts genetic material from the creatures of Zezura, feeding into the DNA adaptation system that lets players modify their own biology. The Biosampler was one of the earliest tools revealed for the game and represents the most significant mechanical addition to the player's toolkit.
For full details on the Biosampler's design, functionality, and development history, see the dedicated Biosampler article.
The Wakemaker is a new personal traversal tool that serves the same gameplay purpose as the Seaglide from the original Subnautica and Below Zero. The Seaglide was a small, handheld propulsion device that increased underwater swimming speed, but it had a well-known design issue: when held, it occupied a large portion of the player's screen, blocking visibility.
The Wakemaker was designed from the ground up to solve this problem. According to developer commentary, the goal was to create a traversal tool that is "invisible" or non-obstructive, meaning it enhances the player's movement speed without interfering with their view of the environment. This is distinct from the Tadpole and other vehicles, which are full submersibles rather than handheld tools.
The Repair Tool returns from the original Subnautica series. It is used to fix damaged vehicles, base components, and other repairable objects. Footage from the Tadpole dev vlog showed players using the Repair Tool to restore a damaged Tadpole submersible, confirming its presence in the game.
Beyond the confirmed tools listed above, the game's official description states that players can find "recipes for more advanced tools, equipment, and submersibles" as they explore. This mirrors the progression system of the original games, where scanning fragments and data boxes unlocked higher-tier gear such as:
Diving suits with enhanced depth ratings or environmental protection
Advanced scanning or analysis tools
Specialized equipment for interacting with specific biomes or creatures
Upgrades for existing tools to extend their capabilities
Note: The complete list of tools and equipment has not been officially revealed. Additional tools will likely be introduced during the Early Access period. This article will be updated as new equipment is confirmed.
