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11 Resource Nodes
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33 Resource nodes are a new resource gathering system in Subnautica 2 that replaces the randomized breakable outcrops from previous games. Each node on the seafloor of Planet Zezura corresponds to a specific material and can be identified visually before collection. Combined with the new decimal inventory system that tracks resources as fractional quantities (e.g., "0.71 titanium"), the overhaul makes resource gathering significantly more deliberate and predictable. Both systems were shown in Dev Vlog 1 (April 23, 2025).
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55 What changed
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77 In the original Subnautica and Below Zero, resource gathering was partially random. Players broke open generic outcrops (limestone, sandstone, shale) that dropped one of several possible materials. A limestone outcrop might yield Titanium or Copper with no way to predict which. This created frustrating situations where players needed a specific material but received the wrong one repeatedly, turning focused resource gathering into a dice roll.
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99 FeaturePrevious GamesSubnautica 2Node typeGeneric outcrops (limestone, sandstone, shale) with random dropsMaterial-specific nodes, each yielding one known resourceCollectionBreak open by hand or with knifeCollect by hand directlyPredictabilityRandom; players could not target specific materialsDeterministic; players see what they will get before collectingInventory trackingWhole-number item stacks (1, 2, 3... Titanium)Decimal/fractional quantities (0.71 Titanium)Finding resourcesVisual identification of outcrop types onlyVisual identification of nodes + Scanner radar for locating them
1010 How resource nodes work
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1212 Each type of raw material on Zezura has its own distinct node that appears on the seafloor. Players can identify a node's material type by its visual appearance before collecting it. Collection is done by hand; no tool is required to harvest basic nodes. This means a player who needs Titanium can locate Titanium-specific nodes, collect exactly what they need, and move on without wasting time breaking open random outcrops hoping for the right drop.
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1414 The Scanner's integrated radar hologram complements this system. The radar helps players locate resource nodes and scannable objects in the surrounding area. Together, the material-specific nodes and radar-equipped Scanner let players identify what they need and find where it is, eliminating two sources of frustration from the original gathering loop.
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1616 Decimal inventory
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1818 Resources in Subnautica 2 are tracked as fractional/decimal quantities rather than whole-number item stacks. Dev Vlog 1 gameplay footage showed "0.71 titanium" in the player's inventory, confirming a meter-based resource tracking system. This means:
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2020 Partial harvesting from a node yields usable material rather than requiring a full unitCrafting recipes may require precise fractional amounts rather than round numbersResource quantities appear on a continuous meter rather than as discrete items in inventory slots
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2222 This changes how players plan their crafting and base building. Instead of counting whole items, players track resource levels as continuous quantities that accumulate with each collection.
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2424 Biome-specific distribution
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2626 Following the design pattern of the original games, resource nodes on Zezura are distributed across biomes based on rarity and progression. Basic materials are available in the Start Zone and shallow biomes, while advanced and rare materials require venturing into deeper, more dangerous environments. This biome-specific distribution drives the core crafting progression loop: reaching new biomes reveals new materials, which unlock new blueprints, which enable access to even deeper areas.
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2828 Connection to other systems
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3030 Resource nodes feed into Subnautica 2's technology progression path, one half of the game's dual progression system. The other half is the DNA Adaptation System, which uses the Biosampler to extract genetic material from creatures rather than gathering physical resources. Both paths reward exploration and push players into new biomes, but through different mechanics:
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3232 PathSourceOutputTechnologyResource nodes + Scanner blueprintsTools, vehicles, base modulesBiologyCreatures + BiosamplerGenetic adaptations (pressure tolerance, night vision, oxygen efficiency) via the DNA Adaptation System
3333 Co-op resource gathering
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3535 In multiplayer sessions, resource gathering takes on a collaborative dimension. Players can split up to collect different materials simultaneously, then pool resources at a shared base. Shared blueprint unlocks (any player's discovery benefits the entire team) mean groups can divide exploration to discover what resources are needed faster. The Dive Elevator enables bulk transport of gathered materials from deep biomes back to the surface.
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3737 What remains unknown
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3939 Specific material names beyond generic references to titanium and copperHow many distinct resource types exist on ZezuraWhether some nodes require tools (like the Drill Arm from previous games) to harvestHow the decimal system interacts with storage containers and co-op resource sharingWhether nodes respawn after collection or are finite