Subnautica: Below Zero is very similar in the way the first one worked, but it is an entirely different area. There are new vehicles, biomes, bases, animals, plants, and much more. If you have not played the first game, go ahead and give it a go because it is one of our favorite games of all time. There are a bunch of things that new players probably won’t know, so here are some tips on what to do and all the biomes that are currently in the game.
Here are all the Biomes currently in Subnautica: Below Zero:
- Arctic Spires
- Frozen River
- Glacial Basin
- Glacial Bay
- Ice Sheet
- Rocket Island
- Arctic Biome
- Arctic Kelp Forest Biome
- Lilypad Islands Biome
- Purple Vents Biome
- Shallow Twisty Bridge Biome
- Sparse Arctic Biome
- Thermal Spires Biome
- Tree Spires Biome
- Twisty Bridges Biome
- Arctic Kelp Caves
- Crystal Caves
- Deep Lilypads Cave
- Deep Purple Vents
- Deep Twisty Bridges
- Fabricator Caverns
- Glacial Connection
- Koppa Mining Site
- Lilypads Crevice
- Thermal Spires Caves
- Twisty Bridges Caves
This article has been updated for Subnautica: Below Zero’s 1.0 release.
Craft the better Oxygen Tank as fast as you can
Oxygen is gonna be your best friend in this game, so the best thing you can do is craft a Standard Oxygen Tank as soon as you possibly can. All you have to do is get 1x Fiber Mech and 2x Titanium, and you can bring your Oxygen from 45 Units to 75. That can make all the difference if you are stuck under the water and you can’t get back to the surface. Make every second count.
Make sure you are very observant in finding material and items
In this game, it is sometimes very hard to find materials and parts. That is because it is usually hidden under objects or in grass and shrubs. Sometimes the items are in small little caves in the side of the mountains. The best way to find what you are looking for is to take it slow and be very observant of everything that is happening around you. Not only will you be able to find more items, but you will also be on alert for any enemies that come near.
Avoid swimming down deep without a vehicle
If you don’t have any sort of vehicle, avoid going down deep into any biome or cave. If you do, you will get yourself killed. Prioritize getting the Seatruck or the Seaglider, and if you don’t have that, make an Airbladder so you can safely reach the surface of the water quickly. Don’t risk your items just to get more. Try your best to stay close to the surface until you have a vehicle.
Don’t get caught under the ice
Getting caught under the ice floats is the worst thing that can happen to you because you know you are gonna die, but you can’t do anything about it. Thankfully, there are the hole fish that can save your life, but if there are none, you are basically screwed. If you are going to travel into that ice biome, then I would advise to have an escape plan or take the Seatruck if you have crafted it.
Arctic Spires
- Above Sea Level
This is a frozen landscape, with a flat ice sheet broken up by huge spires of ice jutting up from below. It would appear the sea level has dropped since the ice spires formed, or the spires were thrust upwards, as the spires each have a large mass of ice a short way up above the floor, implying that this was once the level of the surrounding ice sheet.
There is an entrance located in the northern section of the Glacial Basin across a bridge. It leads to a large canyon that leads the player to the Arctic Spires Cache and then to the Arctic Spires. There is also a recent Meteor Impact Crater, with large Silver Ore and Titanium deposits that can be mined.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Copper Ore
- Magnetite
- Quartz
- Silver Ore
- Titanium
Frozen River
- Above Sea Level
The Frozen River, as the name suggests, is a narrow chasm in which a frozen river runs through. The chasm is characterized by large amounts of icicles hanging off the edges of cliffs. Various forms of flora can be found here, either growing out of the ground or breaking through the ice. It is the area of the game where you basically start off. It is a very cool area to explore but does not really have any purpose as of right now.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- None
Glacial Basin
- Above Sea Level
The Glacial Basin is a large, empty basin most likely created thousands of years ago by the movement of a long collapsed glacier. A notable feature of the biome is a large ice mountain, which contains a cave where the Snowfox Base resides. Closer to the center of the biome and down some stairs leading from the base is the lake leading to the Glacial Connection, one of the 2 ways in or out of the Glacial Basin.
The biome has a few caves scattered around it, including a cave where the Frozen Leviathan is located. Serik’s Bunker can also be found in this biome, within a small tunnel at the biome’s center. A bridge constructed by Alterra on the northeastern side of the basin connects two cliffs together.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Copper Ore
- Diamond
- Quartz
- Silver Ore
- Titanium
Glacial Bay
- Above Sea Level – 70 Meters
The Glacial Bay’s terrestrial section, as the name suggests, is a seaside landscape filled with vibrant plants. Alterra Corporation has a strong presence in this area, with various structures ranging from blizzard lines to radio towers having been set up.
A noteworthy installation is a bridge, which is the only way to access the Arctic Spires upon arrival. The Glacial Bay has an entrance from a coastline attached to the northern ice border of the map.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Copper Ore
- Fevered Pepper
- Ion Cube
- Limestone Outcrop
- Quartz
- Silver Ore
- Snowball
- Titanium
Rocket Island
- Above Sea Level
The Rocket Island is a small rocky landmass with a dark sediment base and covered in snow. The island is highly weathered, with many fragmented and degraded rock layers present on the surface. The island is populated by several large flora species and Pengwings. Several hot springs are found here and often contain Crystalline Sulfur. The player will be able to use these along with Thermal Lilies in order to keep their body temperature high.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Copper Ore
- Crystalline Sulfur
- Diamond
- Titanium
Arctic Biome
- 0 – 480 meters
The Arctic is a large and considerably deep biome. Icebergs can be found floating at the surface, some containing materials such as Rubies. Large amounts of Glow Whales can be found in the biome. The seafloor is located a few hundred meters down. While Glow Whales are primarily found near the surface feeding on large schools of fish, smaller fauna such as Arctic Peepers, Hoopfish, and Rock Punchers are all found close to the seafloor.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Ruby
Arctic Kelp Forest Biome
- 20 – 150 meters
The Arctic Kelp Forest supports a plethora of life forms, most of which are passive. Among the lush Creepvine, Pinnacarids can be observed preying on smaller fauna species, like the Arctic Peeper or the Boomerang. The landscape of the area can be harsh, sometimes featuring rocky arches and deep crevices. The seabed is usually sandy or rocky and is covered in patches of greenish-yellow seagrass.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Creepvine Sample
- Creepvine Seed Cluster
- Copper Ore
- Quartz
- Titanium
Lilypad Islands Biome
- 0 – 340 meters
The Lilypad Islands are large chunks of rock and soil suspended underwater by the buoyancy of the giant Lilypads floating on the surface, with the younger lilypads flourishing among other life forms closer to the seafloor. The decaying husks of gigantic, long-dead lilypads can be found on the seabed as well. Resources like Quartz and Limestone Outcrops can be found scattered in the biome.
In the center of the area, a huge chunk of earth is suspended by many lilypads growing on its surface. The crevice created around the edges of this forms the opening to a cavern underneath. Research Base Omega is also located inside of this floating rock.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Copper Ore
- Gold
- Quartz
- Ruby
- Table Coral Sample
- Titanium
Purple Vents Biome
- 0 – 160 meters
The Purple Vents has no Coral and only two Flora species. In the eastern section of the Purple Vents is a deeper area full of trenches and Fragments. In this area is an entrance to the Crystal Caves. Some Icebergs can be found in the area, however, they are difficult to get on top of.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Crystalline Sulfur
- Lithium
- Salt Deposit
Shallow Twisty Bridge Biome
- 0 – 40 meters
The Shallow Twisty Bridges appear to be a rather open area, with the terrain mostly covered by white stones or coral and an abundance of a large, bulbous, purple flora species, along with a type of shelf coral. Twisting structures covered in Blue Barnacles are also visible. A large canyon in the biome also leads to the Twisty Bridges. Some small icebergs can be found in the biome. They house Pengwings and Penglings.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Copper Ore
- Quartz
- Ribbon Plant
- Titanium
Sparse Arctic Biome
- 0 – 140 meters
The Sparse Arctic is a large biome bordering multiple of other biomes. The Sparse Arctic has a unique flora only found in the Sparse Arctic as well as on icebergs in the Arctic. This biome also contains unique Fauna like the Brinewing. The ground is sandy and the surface is covered with ice shelves. Contained within the biome are also Brinicles. The main threat of the biome is drowning as only small portions of the surface are not blocked with ice. Titan Holefish can be a solution, as they can supply oxygen.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Copper Ore
- Quartz
- Salt Deposit
- Titanium
Thermal Spires Biome
- 0 – 280 meters
The Thermal Spires is the first thermal biome the player will most likely visit and is one of the safest. The biome has many threats, most notably the Rock Puncher and the Cryptosuchus. The northern section has many trenches with a large supply of Harvesting Nodes and contains the entrance to the Active Mining Site.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Copper Ore
- Diamond
- Gold
- Lead
- Lithium
- Magnetite
- Silver Ore
- Titanium
Tree Spires Biome
- 70 – 460 meters
The biome has many large “trees” that are covered in small vine-like Flora. It has many types of Flora and Fauna including two species of Leviathans. There are two Chelicerates and two Ventgardens in the southern section of the biome. The southern section is also reasonably deeper than the rest of the biome, mainly to make space for the Ventgardens.
There are many large rock formations in the biome. The southern section shares a boundary with the Arctic. This biome also contains a corridor that leads down to the Crystal Caves.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Gold
- Lithium
- Quartz
- Ruby
- Silver Ore
- Table Coral Sample
- Titanium
- Uraninite Crystal
Twisty Bridges Biome
- 50 – 240 meters
Shares a similar purple coral species to the Shallow Twisty Bridges, but is more sparse in terms of other coral species. The twisting structures seen in the upper areas of the biome are much more prominent within the depths of this area.
The cliff sides are littered with Sulfur Plants, making traversing the biome very risky. There are some shelves on the sides of the cliffs, some even supply a large number of Ribbon Plants making the Twisty Bridges a good source of Ribbon Plants.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Copper Ore
- Crystalline Sulfur
- Gold
- Quartz
- Ribbon Plant
- Table Coral Sample
- Titanium
Arctic Kelp Caves
- 40 – 140 meters
The Arctic Kelp Cave has a dark green hue with many large Kelp Roots containing Kelp Root Pustules. The caves are lit up by the bulb and Bowl Plants. Oxygen Plants can be found throughout the cave. Gold Outcrops are also very common in the biome. Two Ion Cubes can be found in the area as well.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Copper Ore
- Gold
- Quartz
- Salt Deposit
- Silver Ore
- Root Pustule
- Titanium
Crystal Caves
- 320 – 720 meters
The Crystal Caves are a large, rocky cave system dominated by large purple crystals mainly protruding from the cave ceiling and floor. Shadow Leviathans patrol the caves, increasing the threat level of the area. Inside this biome is a location dubbed the Crystal Castle. This area has an increased amount of Bladderfish and Hoopfish compared to the rest of the Crystal Caves. The Crystal Castle is the route to the Crystal Caves Cache.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Copper Ore
- Diamond
- Lithium
- Nickel Ore
- Ruby
- Titanium
- Uraninite Crystal
Deep Lilypads Cave
- 320 – 630 meters
This biome is one of the darkest biomes in Below Zero, only faintly illuminated by the large Deep Lilypads Flowers found throughout the area. The biome possesses rocky terrain, and small species of flora dot the floor of the cave. Not an easy place to explore at all.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Flower Spore
- Gold
- Magnetite
- Nickel Ore
- Silver Ore
- Titanium
- Uraninite Crystal
Deep Purple Vents
- 160 – 480 meters
Not much is known about this biome other than is a dark area and there are not any dangerous creatures. There are a ton of Salt Deposits, and you can also find the Architect Fossil Analyzer here as well.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Crystalline Sulfur
- Lithium
- Salt Deposit
- Uraninite Crystal
Deep Twisty Bridges
- 250 – 380 meters
The Deep Twisty Bridges has a dark blue hue along with many Tentacle Plants atop the Twisty Bridges. It also has many thermal vents where Diamonds, Lithium, and Triops can commonly be found. Many different Fragments can be found hiding all throughout the Deep Twisty Bridges, mainly in small cave systems. Extreme caution should be taken when entering the biome as Squidsharks can be found within the biome. Many Oxygen Plants can be found throughout the area.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Diamond
- Lead
- Lithium
- Magnetite
- Silver Ore
- Titanium
Fabricator Caverns
- 630 – 950 meters
This is the deepest area of the game so far, and the only way to access it is if you go through the Crystal Caverns. If you have ever played the first Subnautica, you will know how annoying it was to get down to the Lava Biome. This is another one of those types of things. Be very prepared when you go down here because you won’t be coming back up for a while.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Titanium
- Copper Ore
Glacial Connection
- 0 – 230 meters
The Glacial Connection is a deep cave system located under the bigger glacier found in the western section of the map. The cave is mostly very tight, making it hard to navigate with the Seatruck, but it is possible. It is a biome that gets smaller and smaller as you explore it but it is worth exploring just because of how cool it looks. It only has Creepvine Samples so keep that in mind before going down.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Creepvine Sample
Koppa Mining Site
- 90 – 300 Meters
Koppa Mining Site is an aquatic, cavernous biome located under the Delta Island. It is accessible from the Thermal Spires on the western side of the island, either through a partially-opened door or via a crevice blocked by two magma vents.
It consists of Main Shaft which leads to mine systems and another shaft that can only be accessed through a small gap in the northeastern corner of the hall containing the Main Shaft. The Secondary Shaft is filled with sand and doesn’t lead to any cave system. A Prawn Suit with a drill arm is recommended for optimal gains from the Mining Site, but cannot fit into the room with an Architect Artifact.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Headlamp
- Moonpool
- Scanner Room
Lilypads Crevice
- 180 – 380 Meters
The Lilypads Crevice is an overgrown biome found on the seafloor of the Lilypad Islands. The biome ranges from exposed trenches to deep underground caves, with a few entrances having been formed by the Lilypad’s destructive nature.
It is an extensive cave system overgrown with various species of flora. The terrain is rocky, with Lilypad roots growing every which way. Many sides of the cavern have become overrun by Hivemind.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Calaverite Outcrop
- Copper Ore
- Gel Sack
- Gold
- Large Silver Deposit
- Lily Paddler Egg
- Limestone Outcrop
- Nickel Ore
- Ruby
- Titanium
Thermal Spires Caves
- 50 – 245 Meters
The Thermal Spires Caves, like its parent biome, is littered with Hydrothermal Spire formations. The tunnels that make up the biome range from narrow to compact, and only support a handful of Oxygen Plants. The biome’s fog is a drab and murky green, likely due to the intense, concentrated geothermal activity.
Lava Geysers are found predominantly throughout the caves, making navigation without the aid of a Seatruck hazardous towards the player. The caves’ ceilings are dotted with clusters of stalactites, and the only natural source of illumination comes from the Oxygen Plant and Lava Geysers. The largest cave system serves as an alternative entrance to the Koppa Mining Site, leading the player to an open, mineral-rich area within the mines.
- Argentite Outcrop
- Cryptosuchus Egg
- Diamond
- Galena Outcrop
- Gold
- Lead
- Limestone Outcrop
- Silver Ore
- Titanium
Twisty Bridges Caves
- 170 – 200 meters
The Twisty Bridges Caves do not have as many Twisty Bridges as in its neighboring biomes, but it does contain a few types of flora and fauna, as well as an abundance of Harvesting Nodes. It is just like the other Twisty Bridge Biomes, it is just a little bit deeper.
Here are all the resources currently found in this Biome:
- Gold
- Silver Ore
- Titanium
Conclusion
In conclusion, Subnautica: Below Zero is not that big of a game in its current state, but it will just get better and better each time it is updated. If you haven’t played the first game, I would encourage you to go play through that one before playing this game because it takes place before Below Zero. It is an amazing game and I can’t wait until its official release. Have fun exploring the deep blue sea.
*All pictures were taken from the Subnautica: Below Zero Wiki*