Scanning Basics
Blueprints in Subnautica 2 are primarily acquired by scanning fragments with the Scanner tool. Each blueprint requires a specific number of fragment scans to unlock. Fragments appear as glowing blue objects scattered across the seafloor, inside wrecks, and near points of interest. Some critical blueprints are unlocked automatically or found as data box rewards for story progression.
Key scanning rules:
- Most blueprints require 2-3 fragment scans to fully unlock
- Fragments in early biomes (Safe Shallows, Twisty Bridges) require 1 scan per fragment
- Late-game fragments (Deep Spires, Crystal Caves) may require 2-3 scans per fragment
- Data boxes found in wrecks and facilities grant complete blueprints instantly
- Some blueprints are story-gated — they only appear after certain story events trigger
Always carry your Scanner tool when exploring a new biome. Wrecks typically contain 3-5 scannable fragments each. Use beacons to mark locations where you found partial scans so you can return later.
Tool Blueprints
Tools are your first priority. They unlock all other gameplay systems. The first five tools (Fabricator through Repair Tool) are available immediately after the crash and require no scanning.
| Item | Fragment Location | Fragments Needed | Crafting Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabricator | Unlocked from start | N/A | Titanium x2 |
| Scanner | Unlocked from start | N/A | Titanium x1, Quartz x1 |
| Repair Tool | Unlocked from start | N/A | Titanium x1, Quartz x1 |
| Habitat Builder | Safe Shallows (lifepod wreckage) | 2 | Titanium x2, Computer Chip x1 |
| BioMod Station | Twisty Bridges (Lifepod 7 area) | 3 | Titanium x3, Copper x2, Computer Chip x1 |
| Seaglide | Twisty Bridges (wrecks, open water) | 3 | Titanium x2, Copper x1, Battery x1 |
| Stasis Rifle | Purple Vents (large wreck) | 3 | Titanium x3, Magnetite x2, Battery x1 |
Build the Scanner first, then immediately head to the Safe Shallows wreckage near your lifepod to scan Habitat Builder fragments. Having the Habitat Builder before leaving the starting biome saves you a return trip.
Equipment Blueprints
Equipment blueprints enhance your survival capabilities. Some are found in wrecks, others in data boxes, and a few are unlocked by scanning specific creatures or flora.
| Item | Fragment Location | Fragments Needed | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fins | Safe Shallows (reef edges, wreckage) | 2 | Creepvine Sample x2 |
| High Capacity Tank | Safe Shallows (small cave entrances) | 2 | Titanium x2, Glass x1 |
| Ultra High Capacity Tank | Purple Vents (wreck, data box) | 3 (or 1 data box) | Plasteel x2, Enameled Glass x1 |
| Flashlight | Safe Shallows (seabed, wrecks) | 1 | Battery x1, Quartz x1 |
| Radiation Suit | Lifepod 7 (storage compartment) | 1 (full suit) | Titanium x3, Fiber Mesh x2, Lead x1 |
| Propulsion Cannon | Twisty Bridges (large wreck, second floor) | 3 | Titanium x3, Magnetite x1, Battery x1 |
| Reinforced Dive Suit | Deep Spires (Alien Research Facility) | 1 (data box) | Plasteel x2, Fiber Mesh x3, Diamond x1 |
| Compass | Safe Shallows (lifepod wreck) | 1 | Copper x1, Wiring Kit x1 |
| Beacon | Safe Shallows (seabed) | 1 | Titanium x1, Copper x1 |
Equipment Upgrade Path
Plan your equipment upgrades in this order for maximum efficiency:
- Fins — +50% swim speed, massive early game time saver. Craft immediately after the Scanner.
- High Capacity Tank — 75s oxygen vs 45s stock. Essential for exploring caves and wrecks.
- Radiation Suit — Required for accessing certain irradiated areas. Found at Lifepod 7.
- Ultra High Capacity Tank — 120s oxygen. Required for deep biome (200m+) exploration.
- Reinforced Dive Suit — Damage reduction and depth rating. Late-game essential for Crystal Caves.
Vehicle Blueprints
Vehicles dramatically expand your exploration range. The Tadpole is your primary vehicle for EA 1.0, with the Wakemaker serving as a late-game personal upgrade.
| Item | Fragment Location | Fragments Needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tadpole Hull | Twisty Bridges / Purple Vents border | 3 | Found near the thermal vent border between biomes |
| Tadpole Engine | Twisty Bridges / Purple Vents border | 3 | Often near wreckage, scan with caution for Spineback Eels |
| Tadpole Cockpit | Twisty Bridges / Purple Vents border | 3 | Usually inside a wreck at the biome transition |
| Vehicle Bay | Twisty Bridges (large wreck in central area) | 3 | The largest wreck in Twisty Bridges, easily spotted from above |
| Wakemaker | Alien Research Facility (Deep Spires) | 1 (story reward) | Late-game personal propulsion device, functions as vertical Seaglide |
| Tadpole Speed Module | Purple Vents (wreck) | 2 | +40% speed, highest priority vehicle upgrade |
| Tadpole Depth Module MK1 | Twisty Bridges (data box) | 1 | Extends depth to 200m |
| Tadpole Depth Module MK2 | Deep Spires (data box) | 1 | Extends depth to 500m |
| Tadpole Cargo Module | Purple Vents (wreck) | 2 | +12 inventory slots, essential for resource gathering trips |
After building the Tadpole, craft the Speed Module first (+40% speed). Then the Cargo Module for resource runs. Depth modules as needed for exploring deeper biomes. The Armor Module is lowest priority unless you plan to explore near leviathans.
BioMod Gene Blueprints
BioMod genes are unlocked by scanning specific flora and fauna throughout the biomes. Each gene provides a permanent passive upgrade that can be crafted at the BioMod Station. Genes have 3 upgrade tiers, requiring rarer materials at each tier.
| Gene | Effect | Source | Crafting Materials (Tier 1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digestion Gene | +50% nutrition from raw food | Glowing flora (Twisty Bridges entrance) | Creepvine Sample x2, Coral Fragment x1 |
| Pressure Gene MK1 | +100m depth tolerance | Spiky flora (Twisty Bridges caves) | Magnetite x1, Creepvine Sample x2 |
| Pressure Gene MK2 | +200m depth tolerance | Deep Spires crystal nodes | Ionite Crystal x1, Lithium x2 |
| Light Gene | Permanent bioluminescence (hands-free light) | Glowing fauna (Twisty Bridges) | Table Coral x2, Quartz x1 |
| Swift Gene | +20% swim speed | Spinnerfish scan (Twisty Bridges) | Creepvine Sample x3, Copper x1 |
| Thermal Gene | Health regen in warm water | Purple Vents flora | Uraninite x1, Diamond x1 |
| Armor Gene | -30% damage from creature attacks | Armored fauna (Deep Spires) | Lithium x2, Plasteel x1 |
| Sonar Gene | Echo-location pulse highlights terrain | Cave flora (Deep Spires) | Diamond x2, Copper x2 |
Base Module Blueprints
Base modules range from essential (Fabricator) to optional (Observatory). Here is every base module in EA 1.0 with its fragment location and crafting cost:
| Module | Fragment Location | Fragments | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compartment | Unlocked from start | N/A | Titanium x3 |
| Solar Panel | Safe Shallows (small wreck) | 2 | Quartz x2, Copper x1 |
| Bioreactor | Twisty Bridges (wreck) | 3 | Titanium x3, Wiring Kit x1, Lubricant x1 |
| Thermal Plant | Purple Vents (near heat vents) | 3 | Titanium x3, Magnetite x2, Diamond x1 |
| Water Filtration | Research Base Omega (Purple Vents) | 1 (data box) | Titanium x3, Wiring Kit x2, Copper x1 |
| Scanner Room | Twisty Bridges (large wreck) | 3 | Titanium x3, Copper x2, Computer Chip x1 |
| Power Cell Charger | Safe Shallows (cave) | 2 | Titanium x2, Copper x1, Wiring Kit x1 |
| Bulkhead | Unlocked from start | N/A | Titanium x2, Silicon x1 |
| Reinforcement | Safe Shallows (wreck) | 2 | Lithium x1, Titanium x1 |
| Alien Containment | Twisty Bridges (data box) | 1 | Glass x3, Titanium x2 |
| Observatory | Twisty Bridges (wreck) | 2 | Glass x4, Titanium x2 |
Blueprint Scanning Strategy by Biome
Maximize your scan efficiency with this biome-by-biome approach:
- Safe Shallows (first 30 min) — Scan everything. Target: Habitat Builder, Fins, High Capacity Tank, Flashlight, Compass, Solar Panel, Beacon. Scan all passive creatures.
- Twisty Bridges (early game) — Main scanning hub. Target: Seaglide, BioMod Station, Vehicle Bay, Tadpole fragments, Propulsion Cannon, Scanner Room, Bioreactor. This biome contains the most fragments in the game.
- Purple Vents (mid game) — Target: Stasis Rifle, Thermal Plant, Water Filtration, Ultra High Capacity Tank, Tadpole upgrade modules, BioMod gene upgrades.
- Deep Spires (late game) — Target: Reinforced Dive Suit, Wakemaker (story), Pressure Gene MK2, late gene upgrades. Focus on data boxes rather than fragments.
- Crystal Caves (endgame) — No new fragment types. Collect rare materials for upgrading existing blueprints to Tier 3.
When entering a new biome, do a broad sweep first to locate all wrecks. Then methodically scan each one. Wrecks typically contain 3-5 scannable fragments each. Use beacons to mark locations with incomplete scans so you can return later.
Next Steps
Now that you know what to build, check the Base Building Guide for construction strategies, the Creature Database to understand what you will encounter while scanning, or the Survival Guide for a complete walkthrough.