Quick answer
Use the map as a set of risk bands: starter safety, resource routes, deeper unlock paths, hazard zones, and late progression spaces. Versioned biome details can be added as the Early Access map stabilizes.
Second-screen dive plan
What to do, what proves it, and when to leave
Separate safe loops from progression routes.
Biome landmark at 03:03
Log each biome by depth feel, landmark shape, resource reason, and safest return angle.
Resource Priority List
Biome landmark
Map reading starts with landmark shape and depth band before individual pickups.
Approach
Log each biome by depth feel, landmark shape, resource reason, and safest return angle.
Objective
Central planning anchor for comparing biome depth, hazards, resources, and route escalation.
Return
Use this as the mental map hub before choosing a resource, fragment, or puzzle direction.
Tactical brief
How to use this guide in a real dive
Map and Biomes Overview is useful when the player needs a repeatable decision path, not just a short answer. Start with the page objective, then compare the map anchor, the first evidence frame, and the current Early Access status before committing to a longer dive. This keeps the guide practical when Subnautica 2 routes shift between patches.
On the atlas, this guide is tied to Biome Overview Center. Treat that marker as a route anchor: Central planning anchor for comparing biome depth, hazards, resources, and route escalation. The important player action is not simply reaching the dot, but using it to decide when to approach, what to scan or gather, and how to leave cleanly.
The first visual check is Biome landmark (03:03). Use that frame as the reading order for the rest of the article: identify the landmark, confirm the objective, then watch for the mistake that would force a reset. Map reading starts with landmark shape and depth band before individual pickups.
Route band
Central route band, 250m - 700m
Log each biome by depth feel, landmark shape, resource reason, and safest return angle.
Proof point
Biome landmark (03:03)
Map reading starts with landmark shape and depth band before individual pickups.
Abort rule
Treating every new biome as immediately safe.
Use this as the mental map hub before choosing a resource, fragment, or puzzle direction.
After this
Resource Priority List
Which resources to prioritize first, which to store, and which to avoid hoarding until a recipe proves they matter.
Visual route
Follow the guide by screenshot evidence
Use these frames as a quick watch order: landmark first, objective second, exit condition third. It keeps the article useful even before you read every paragraph.
Biome landmark
Map reading starts with landmark shape and depth band before individual pickups.
Player action
Starter area knowledge
Depth band
Treat each biome band as a route tier with different oxygen, vehicle, and threat pressure.
Player action
Separate safe loops from progression routes.
Secret route clue
Secret locations become repeatable only when the entry landmark and exit line are recorded.
Player action
Treating every new biome as immediately safe.
Video references
Watch or inspect the route before you dive
Open frame cards to compare local screenshot notes. Use the evidence to confirm landmarks, movement, and encounter pacing, then follow the written checklist below.
Biome landmark frame review
Watch for: Start with Biome maps and secret locations / Map overview at 03:03. Compare the screenshot cue, route note, and player action before following the guide in-game.
Depth band frame review
Watch for: Start with Biome maps and secret locations / Map overview at 06:07. Compare the screenshot cue, route note, and player action before following the guide in-game.
Secret route clue frame review
Watch for: Start with Biome maps and secret locations / Map overview at 08:09. Compare the screenshot cue, route note, and player action before following the guide in-game.
Field manual
Map and Biomes Overview field manual
Built from the supplied route videos and local frame captures so the article teaches what to watch for, not only what to click.
Use the map as a set of risk bands: starter safety, resource routes, deeper unlock paths, hazard zones, and late progression spaces. Versioned biome details can be added as the Early Access map stabilizes. Use this resource 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
Route map
Separate safe loops from progression routes.
Best entry habit
Starter area knowledge
Record materials by biome instead of by memory.
Stop condition
Treating every new biome as immediately safe.
Treat hazard zones as preparation checks.
What to watch in the videos
Pause on Biome landmark and identify the landmark, depth band, or objective state before following the next step.
Use Depth band to confirm what changed; if the video only shows a close-up, rebuild the route from the previous landmark.
Treat Secret route clue as the exit rule: finish the objective, return, and update storage or crafting before adding side goals.
Decision table
Treating every new biome as immediately safe.
Reset to the last confirmed landmark or objective state, then repeat only the route-critical step.
Exploring without recording why a biome matters.
Use the video frame as evidence, but record entry, proof, and exit as separate notes.
Forgetting that Early Access layouts can change.
Return, craft, sort storage, or retest the route before turning this page into a longer objective chain.
Screenshot reading order
Biome landmark
Map reading starts with landmark shape and depth band before individual pickups.
Player action: Separate safe loops from progression routes.
Depth band
Treat each biome band as a route tier with different oxygen, vehicle, and threat pressure.
Player action: Record materials by biome instead of by memory.
Secret route clue
Secret locations become repeatable only when the entry landmark and exit line are recorded.
Player action: Treat hazard zones as preparation checks.
Map intel
Route anchors for this guide
Biome Overview Center
Central planning anchor for comparing biome depth, hazards, resources, and route escalation.
Player use
Use this as the mental map hub before choosing a resource, fragment, or puzzle direction.
Route hint
Log each biome by depth feel, landmark shape, resource reason, and safest return angle.
Resource route matrix
What to farm, why it matters, and when to leave
This table turns scattered material notes into a second-screen route plan: priority, blocker, proof, and storage rule in one place.
Route band
North cave and plateau-edge sweep
Blocker solved
Electronics, scanning, and early upgrade recipes
Proof rule
Confirm the cave entry and node frame before widening the run.
Storage rule
Keep a labeled Silver reserve for tool and module recipes.
Main risk
Inventory drift before reaching the cave mouth
Route band
Northeast ravine and trench wall
Blocker solved
Base, power, and survivability construction
Proof rule
Anchor the route to ravine shape, not a single lucky node.
Storage rule
Separate base-building Lead from mixed mineral storage.
Main risk
Dropping into ravines without a clear exit angle
Route band
Thermal pocket past the Welcome Center direction
Blocker solved
Repair and early utility crafting
Proof rule
Use thermal terrain as the first clue, then confirm pickup.
Storage rule
Keep only a small working stack until recipes demand more.
Main risk
Heat, visibility, and oxygen pressure stacking together
Route band
Mid-shallow mineral route band
Blocker solved
Recipe-specific electronics and modules
Proof rule
Start from the recipe screen, then collect the target count.
Storage rule
Store Gold by recipe plan, not as general shiny overflow.
Main risk
Farming without knowing which recipe needs Gold
Route band
Reported rare-material band
Blocker solved
Rare-material upgrade bottlenecks
Proof rule
Record entry landmark, pickup shape, and safe exit line.
Storage rule
Treat it as rare until the same band works twice.
Main risk
Mistaking a discovery pickup for a repeatable route
Route band
Rare shelf and node route
Blocker solved
Rare upgrade and crafting bottlenecks
Proof rule
Confirm node, hazard, return path, and recipe amount.
Storage rule
Label the source route so later recipes do not erase context.
Main risk
Rare-material sweep turning into a deep detour
Scan priority
Blueprint unlock matrix
What the unlock enables, where the route starts, and when to come back with better tools.
Blueprint pages work best when every scan has a job: base workflow, vehicle depth, scanner routing, or upgrade crafting.
Scanner Station
Targeted resource runs and blueprint cleanup from a working base
Route band
Base-linked scanner route
Proof point
Station console and filter list
Return rule
Use one filter per blocker and stop once that blocker is solved.
Common mistake
Leaving every filter active until the map becomes noise.
Tadpole Depth Modules
Safer access to deeper objectives and late resource bands
Route band
Depth module fragment chain
Proof point
Module menu showing MK1 or MK2 depth unlock
Return rule
Install and test the module on a known route before opening a new depth band.
Common mistake
Diving into the new depth limit immediately after installation.
Wakemaker
Faster swim routing and safer return timing
Route band
Mobility fragment route
Proof point
Final blueprint check after required fragments
Return rule
Return once the blueprint completes and test mobility near base.
Common mistake
Continuing fragment hunting after the mobility unlock is already complete.
Field checklist
Before leaving base
Starter area knowledge
Primary action
Separate safe loops from progression routes.
Turn back when
Treating every new biome as immediately safe.
Write down
Early Access / tracking / 2026-06-12
Database cards
Entities in this guide
These cards give players the scan target, material, creature, or structure they should be watching for while following the guide.
Tadpole submersible
Primary mobility reference for deeper biome pushes and co-op hauling.
Found in: Official Steam store description and media.
Action: Plan routes around return oxygen, storage, and safe vehicle access.
Scanner fragments
Unlock path for tools, vehicles, base modules, and progression-critical blueprints.
Found in: Core Subnautica progression pattern; exact locations stay field-tested.
Action: Prioritize scans that extend oxygen, movement, storage, power, or safe route depth.
Silver
Early valuable crafting material commonly searched around green-lit cave routes north of the Lifepod.
Found in: GamesRadar and community material guides supplied for content research.
Action: Build a repeatable north cave route, return early, and save Silver for route-changing crafts.
Lead
Early material often routed through the northeast ravine and the caves below it.
Found in: PC Gamer and community material guides supplied for content research.
Action: Anchor the run to the ravine shape and inspect mineral nodes without losing the exit.
Evidence board
Media and verification
Each guide now reserves space for footage, screenshots, map notes, and patch checks so the page can grow with real player evidence.
Atlas Command Map
Original atlas-style map art generated for this guide site prototype.
Video references
3 embedded source cards
Route checks
5 checkpoints
Screenshot queue
Ready for owned gameplay captures
Gameplay frame gallery
Visual checkpoints from source footage
Frames are center-cropped from local research footage to keep the article focused on landmarks, nodes, creatures, and route cues.
Biome landmark
Map reading starts with landmark shape and depth band before individual pickups.
Depth band
Treat each biome band as a route tier with different oxygen, vehicle, and threat pressure.
Secret route clue
Secret locations become repeatable only when the entry landmark and exit line are recorded.
Loadout and prerequisites
Route timeline
Follow the run in order
Built for second-screen use: complete each checkpoint, then move to the next landmark before detouring for extras.
Separate safe loops from progression routes.
Record materials by biome instead of by memory.
Treat hazard zones as preparation checks.
Return to base when a new biome changes your crafting plan.
Update routes after patches that change resource placement.
Guide notes
Map thinking for Early Access
Instead of pretending the map is final, this guide treats biomes as route categories. That makes it useful now and easier to update later.
What to record per biome
Track common materials, rare materials, fragments, hazards, exits, and whether the biome supports base expansion.
Risk controls
Common mistakes
These are the actions most likely to waste oxygen, lose the route, or turn a clean scan into a failed attempt.
Treating every new biome as immediately safe.
Exploring without recording why a biome matters.
Forgetting that Early Access layouts can change.
FAQ
Fast answers before you dive
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.