Video walkthrough
Watch the route, then follow the written steps
Video chapters
Video references
Watch or inspect the route before you dive
Click YouTube cards to load the player. Open frame cards to compare local screenshot notes. Use the evidence to confirm landmarks, movement, and encounter pacing, then follow the written checklist below.
Best base locations and layout route context
Watch for: Starter-site comparison, resource radius, power and storage planning, and vehicle approach lanes.
Base layout frame review
Watch for: Start with Base building route planner / Best base locations at 03:34. Compare the screenshot cue, route note, and player action before following the guide in-game.
Builder plan frame review
Watch for: Start with Base building route planner / Best base locations at 00:24. Compare the screenshot cue, route note, and player action before following the guide in-game.
Video watch notes
What to pause, compare, and write down
Do not watch the video like entertainment only. Use these notes as a second-screen checklist: pause on landmarks, confirm the player action, then return to the written route.
Watchlist
Pause on Power and storage and identify the landmark, depth band, or objective state before following the next step.
Use Base layout to confirm what changed; if the video only shows a close-up, rebuild the route from the previous landmark.
Treat Builder plan as the exit rule: finish the objective, return, and update storage or crafting before adding side goals.
Power and storage
A strong base site supports power and storage before scenery.
Action: Pick the site based on repeat routes, not the prettiest view.
Base layout
Base layout should shorten fabricator, locker, scanner, and vehicle movement.
Action: Check nearby materials, oxygen safety, and return visibility.
Builder plan
The builder plan should start small and expand only when the route hub is working.
Action: Reserve space for power, fabricator flow, storage, and vehicle access.
Video route timeline
Turn the video into playable checkpoints
Use this section like a second-screen route sheet. Open each checkpoint, compare the frame, do the action, then stop if your route no longer matches the video evidence. It keeps the guide useful even when Early Access shifts small placements or creature behavior.
01:52Checkpoint 1: Pick the site based on repeat routes, not the prettiest view.A strong base site supports power and storage before scenery.Expand
Power and storage
A strong base site supports power and storage before scenery.
Player action
Pick the site based on repeat routes, not the prettiest view.
Proof before moving on
A strong base site supports power and storage before scenery.
Watch this timestampIf this fails
Reset to the last confirmed landmark or objective state, then repeat only the route-critical step.
03:34Checkpoint 2: Check nearby materials, oxygen safety, and return visibility.Base layout should shorten fabricator, locker, scanner, and vehicle movement.Expand
Base layout
Base layout should shorten fabricator, locker, scanner, and vehicle movement.
Player action
Check nearby materials, oxygen safety, and return visibility.
Proof before moving on
Base layout should shorten fabricator, locker, scanner, and vehicle movement.
Watch this timestampIf this fails
Use the video frame as evidence, but record entry, proof, and exit as separate notes.
00:24Checkpoint 3: Reserve space for power, fabricator flow, storage, and vehicle access.The builder plan should start small and expand only when the route hub is working.Expand
Builder plan
The builder plan should start small and expand only when the route hub is working.
Player action
Reserve space for power, fabricator flow, storage, and vehicle access.
Proof before moving on
The builder plan should start small and expand only when the route hub is working.
Watch this timestampIf this fails
Return, craft, sort storage, or retest the route before turning this page into a longer objective chain.
01:52Checkpoint 4: Build small first, then expand only when the route hub is working.A strong base site supports power and storage before scenery.Expand
Power and storage
A strong base site supports power and storage before scenery.
Player action
Build small first, then expand only when the route hub is working.
Proof before moving on
A strong base site supports power and storage before scenery.
Watch this timestampIf this fails
Reset to the last confirmed landmark or objective state, then repeat only the route-critical step.
03:34Checkpoint 5: Move or duplicate the base only when a new depth band becomes routine.Base layout should shorten fabricator, locker, scanner, and vehicle movement.Expand
Base layout
Base layout should shorten fabricator, locker, scanner, and vehicle movement.
Player action
Move or duplicate the base only when a new depth band becomes routine.
Proof before moving on
Base layout should shorten fabricator, locker, scanner, and vehicle movement.
Watch this timestampIf this fails
Use the video frame as evidence, but record entry, proof, and exit as separate notes.
Gameplay evidence
Screenshots to match before you keep swimming
Use these frames as visual checkpoints. If the terrain, lighting, or landmark does not match, slow down and re-check the route instead of forcing the next step.
Power and storage
A strong base site supports power and storage before scenery.
Base layout
Base layout should shorten fabricator, locker, scanner, and vehicle movement.
Builder plan
The builder plan should start small and expand only when the route hub is working.
Route decision lab
Decide if this route is worth running now
This section turns the video into a practical in-game decision. Use it before leaving base, after the first landmark, and again before entering a deeper or darker area.
Route purpose
The best base location is the site that shortens repeat routes. Pick a starter base with nearby materials, easy return visibility, room for power and storage, and a clean vehicle approach before chasing scenic views.
Visual checkpoint
A strong base site supports power and storage before scenery.
Map anchor
Best Base Location Workflow Site in Starter workflow shelf. Use it for use this when choosing where to build so the base shortens routes instead of only looking good.
Abort rule
Building far from the materials used every session.
Field manual translation
The best base location is the site that shortens repeat routes. Pick a starter base with nearby materials, easy return visibility, room for power and storage, and a clean vehicle approach before chasing scenic views. Use this progression route manual as a second-screen checklist: identify the entry condition, confirm the objective with a visual proof point, then stop when the return rule is met. This keeps the article practical for Early Access patches without pretending every coordinate or state is final.
Primary job
First base - Pick the site based on repeat routes, not the prettiest view.
Best entry habit
Habitat Builder plan - Check nearby materials, oxygen safety, and return visibility.
Stop condition
Building far from the materials used every session. - Reserve space for power, fabricator flow, storage, and vehicle access.
Patch-safe reading
Exact item positions can shift during Early Access. The useful part of this page is the route logic: what to prepare, what visual cue to confirm, what objective to finish, and when to turn back.
Updated
2026-06-12 / field-tested / Early Access
What this guide covers
Requirements
- Habitat Builder plan
- Power route
- Storage layout
Use this if
You want a route you can follow from video evidence without needing exact official coordinates. The screenshots and steps are written to help you recognize areas, landmarks, and decisions while playing.
Early Access can move details. Treat this as a video-based walkthrough and verify landmarks in your own build.
Step-by-step walkthrough
Follow the video route without guessing
Pick the site based on repeat routes, not the prettiest view.
Use this step as a route checkpoint, not as a promise that every object spawns in one exact coordinate. Match the landmark, compare the screenshot, then continue only if the return path is still clear.
If your game build looks different, stay with the same decision: keep oxygen safe, scan or collect the current blocker, and return before pushing into the next unknown area.
A strong base site supports power and storage before scenery.
Check nearby materials, oxygen safety, and return visibility.
Use this step as a route checkpoint, not as a promise that every object spawns in one exact coordinate. Match the landmark, compare the screenshot, then continue only if the return path is still clear.
If your game build looks different, stay with the same decision: keep oxygen safe, scan or collect the current blocker, and return before pushing into the next unknown area.
Base layout should shorten fabricator, locker, scanner, and vehicle movement.
Reserve space for power, fabricator flow, storage, and vehicle access.
Use this step as a route checkpoint, not as a promise that every object spawns in one exact coordinate. Match the landmark, compare the screenshot, then continue only if the return path is still clear.
If your game build looks different, stay with the same decision: keep oxygen safe, scan or collect the current blocker, and return before pushing into the next unknown area.
The builder plan should start small and expand only when the route hub is working.
Build small first, then expand only when the route hub is working.
Use this step as a route checkpoint, not as a promise that every object spawns in one exact coordinate. Match the landmark, compare the screenshot, then continue only if the return path is still clear.
If your game build looks different, stay with the same decision: keep oxygen safe, scan or collect the current blocker, and return before pushing into the next unknown area.
A strong base site supports power and storage before scenery.
Move or duplicate the base only when a new depth band becomes routine.
Use this step as a route checkpoint, not as a promise that every object spawns in one exact coordinate. Match the landmark, compare the screenshot, then continue only if the return path is still clear.
If your game build looks different, stay with the same decision: keep oxygen safe, scan or collect the current blocker, and return before pushing into the next unknown area.
Base layout should shorten fabricator, locker, scanner, and vehicle movement.
After-action plan
What to do after the guide works
Bank the result
Move or duplicate the base only when a new depth band becomes routine.
Clean the inventory
Move route-critical materials into labeled storage so the next dive starts with empty space and a clear job.
Pick the next guide
A practical base-building planner for Habitat Builder timing, Square Room unlocks, storage, power, fabricator workflow, and first expansion decisions.
Next route queue
Use these as the next blockers to solve after this route. Each queue card keeps the same evidence style: source video, gameplay frames, and a written checklist.
Best immediate follow-upBase Building Route Planner
A practical base-building planner for Habitat Builder timing, Square Room unlocks, storage, power, fabricator workflow, and first expansion decisions.
Use if the route branchesBest First Base Location
How to choose a first base site with safe oxygen routes, repeatable resources, visibility, and room to expand.
Save for the next diveTitanium Location Guide
A Titanium farming guide for early base pieces, repair runs, storage planning, and avoiding full-inventory starter mistakes.
Detailed notes
A good base is a route hub
The first base should make your next five dives easier. If it does not shorten storage, crafting, scanning, power, or vehicle movement, it is decoration before infrastructure.
How to use this in-game
Turn this note into one action before leaving base: decide the objective, keep only the materials or tools that support it, then stop the route once the scan, pickup, or landmark is confirmed. This keeps the guide useful even when Early Access patches move small details.
Base site checklist
Judge every candidate by resource radius, visibility, expansion clearance, power options, storage path, and vehicle approach. The best location wins on workflow.
Resource radius
Return visibility
Power and storage
Vehicle approach
How to use this in-game
Turn this note into one action before leaving base: decide the objective, keep only the materials or tools that support it, then stop the route once the scan, pickup, or landmark is confirmed. This keeps the guide useful even when Early Access patches move small details.
Video route notes
Best Base Locations Guide should be followed as a progression route, not as a memory test. Start by watching the first route movement and naming the entry condition before copying the path in-game. Pick the site based on repeat routes, not the prettiest view. Then pause again when the video reaches the first visible proof point, because that is where the guide changes from general advice into an action you can repeat. Check nearby materials, oxygen safety, and return visibility. If the route starts to feel different in your build, keep the same player goal: turn the video into a safe repeatable session plan.
Entry check: Habitat Builder plan
Route action: Pick the site based on repeat routes, not the prettiest view.
Proof to look for: objective proof
Version note: Early Access / field-tested
How to use this in-game
Turn this note into one action before leaving base: decide the objective, keep only the materials or tools that support it, then stop the route once the scan, pickup, or landmark is confirmed. This keeps the guide useful even when Early Access patches move small details.
Screenshot checkpoints
Use screenshots as checkpoints instead of decoration. The first image should answer where the route begins, the second should show what confirms progress, and the third should explain what to do after the scan, pickup, puzzle state, or threat read is visible. Reserve space for power, fabricator flow, storage, and vehicle access. This is especially important in Early Access because exact positions can drift while landmarks, depth bands, room states, and player decisions stay useful. A good screenshot lets you say, "I am at the right kind of place," before you risk oxygen, storage space, or vehicle safety.
Entry frame: match the landmark before moving deeper
Proof frame: confirm objective proof
Exit frame: know the return direction before adding side goals
Loadout frame: check Power route
How to use this in-game
Turn this note into one action before leaving base: decide the objective, keep only the materials or tools that support it, then stop the route once the scan, pickup, or landmark is confirmed. This keeps the guide useful even when Early Access patches move small details.
Stop rule and next dive
The most useful part of this page is the stop rule. Building far from the materials used every session. Expanding rooms before power and storage workflow are solved. When the objective is confirmed, return and convert it into progress: craft the upgrade, sort the material, save the route note, or mark the blocker as solved. If the route fails, do not repeat the same swim blindly. Change one variable at a time: enter from a clearer landmark, reduce inventory clutter, bring the missing tool, or wait until oxygen and vehicle support match the route. That turns a failed progression route into better field knowledge instead of another overextended dive.
How to use this in-game
Turn this note into one action before leaving base: decide the objective, keep only the materials or tools that support it, then stop the route once the scan, pickup, or landmark is confirmed. This keeps the guide useful even when Early Access patches move small details.
Common mistakes
Building far from the materials used every session.
Expanding rooms before power and storage workflow are solved.
Choosing a site that is hard to find from common routes.
FAQ
Is this guide for the current Subnautica 2 build?
This page is written for Early Access and includes a visible update date. Treat exact values as tracking notes until the current build is field-tested.
Does this page use official screenshots?
Pages combine attributed official Steam / Unknown Worlds media, local gameplay frame captures, and source-video evidence cards. New player-submitted captures should keep the route, timestamp, and build context attached.
Community notes
Add a field report
Player reports enter a moderation queue. Approved notes can load from Supabase; pending drafts stay visible in this browser for follow-up.
Near starter shallows
Approx. 70-120m from pod
Confirm oxygen before leaving the first landmark. The route is much safer when you mark the return path before collecting side materials.
Guide-wide
N/A
Creature patrol ranges and fragment placement can shift between builds, so treat exact distances as field estimates until multiple players confirm them.