Quick answer
Treat vehicles and upgrades as route enablers. Build or upgrade when a new path requires more range, safer returns, storage capacity, or hazard tolerance.
Second-screen dive plan
What to do, what proves it, and when to leave
Identify the route your current kit cannot safely complete.
Upgrade menu at 00:32
Identify the route problem first: oxygen, storage, speed, depth, or threat response; then chase the matching upgrade.
Scanner Fragments Guide
Upgrade menu
Vehicle upgrades matter when they change the next route, depth band, or storage limit.
Approach
Identify the route problem first: oxygen, storage, speed, depth, or threat response; then chase the matching upgrade.
Objective
Vehicle and upgrade planning anchor for routes that start exceeding swim-only comfort.
Return
Use this when the next objective is possible but wastes too much oxygen without mobility support.
Tactical brief
How to use this guide in a real dive
Vehicles and Upgrades 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 Vehicles and Upgrades Staging. Treat that marker as a route anchor: Vehicle and upgrade planning anchor for routes that start exceeding swim-only comfort. 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 Upgrade menu (00:32). 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. Vehicle upgrades matter when they change the next route, depth band, or storage limit.
Route band
Mobility upgrade route, 400m - 760m
Identify the route problem first: oxygen, storage, speed, depth, or threat response; then chase the matching upgrade.
Proof point
Upgrade menu (00:32)
Vehicle upgrades matter when they change the next route, depth band, or storage limit.
Abort rule
Building upgrades without a route that needs them.
Use this when the next objective is possible but wastes too much oxygen without mobility support.
After this
Scanner Fragments Guide
How to think about fragment scanning, unlock priorities, duplicate scans, and route planning around discoveries.
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.
Upgrade menu
Vehicle upgrades matter when they change the next route, depth band, or storage limit.
Player action
Fragment scans
Depth gate
Depth modules should be treated as progression gates before comfort modules.
Player action
Identify the route your current kit cannot safely complete.
Module route
Test new modules on a known route before pushing into a dangerous new zone.
Player action
Building upgrades without a route that needs them.
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.
Upgrade menu frame review
Watch for: Start with Tadpole upgrades guide / Vehicle upgrades at 00:32. Compare the screenshot cue, route note, and player action before following the guide in-game.
Depth gate frame review
Watch for: Start with Tadpole upgrades guide / Vehicle upgrades at 01:58. Compare the screenshot cue, route note, and player action before following the guide in-game.
Module route frame review
Watch for: Start with Tadpole upgrades guide / Vehicle upgrades at 03:56. Compare the screenshot cue, route note, and player action before following the guide in-game.
Field manual
Vehicles and Upgrades 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.
Treat vehicles and upgrades as route enablers. Build or upgrade when a new path requires more range, safer returns, storage capacity, or hazard tolerance. 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 range
Identify the route your current kit cannot safely complete.
Best entry habit
Fragment scans
Prioritize range and return safety over convenience.
Stop condition
Building upgrades without a route that needs them.
Add storage when material runs become the bottleneck.
What to watch in the videos
Pause on Upgrade menu and identify the landmark, depth band, or objective state before following the next step.
Use Depth gate to confirm what changed; if the video only shows a close-up, rebuild the route from the previous landmark.
Treat Module route as the exit rule: finish the objective, return, and update storage or crafting before adding side goals.
Decision table
Building upgrades without a route that needs them.
Reset to the last confirmed landmark or objective state, then repeat only the route-critical step.
Using vehicles as storage and then losing track of them.
Use the video frame as evidence, but record entry, proof, and exit as separate notes.
Entering hazard zones before understanding exit paths.
Return, craft, sort storage, or retest the route before turning this page into a longer objective chain.
Screenshot reading order
Upgrade menu
Vehicle upgrades matter when they change the next route, depth band, or storage limit.
Player action: Identify the route your current kit cannot safely complete.
Depth gate
Depth modules should be treated as progression gates before comfort modules.
Player action: Prioritize range and return safety over convenience.
Module route
Test new modules on a known route before pushing into a dangerous new zone.
Player action: Add storage when material runs become the bottleneck.
Map intel
Route anchors for this guide
Vehicles and Upgrades Staging
Vehicle and upgrade planning anchor for routes that start exceeding swim-only comfort.
Player use
Use this when the next objective is possible but wastes too much oxygen without mobility support.
Route hint
Identify the route problem first: oxygen, storage, speed, depth, or threat response; then chase the matching upgrade.
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.
Habitat Builder
Storage, fabricator workflow, power, and safer return loops
Route band
Early builder scan chain
Proof point
Blueprint unlock screen or builder menu
Return rule
Return immediately after the unlock and place a compact base.
Common mistake
Chaining another objective before converting the unlock into shelter.
Square Room
Biolab space, organized storage, and less cramped crafting flow
Route band
Base expansion databox route
Proof point
Room blueprint menu or databox confirmation
Return rule
Leave after the room unlock and build only if power can support it.
Common mistake
Treating room space as decoration before storage and power are stable.
Room Blueprint
Functional base expansion and specialized module layout
Route band
Room databox route
Proof point
Databox room and final blueprint check
Return rule
Confirm the room state, then return before side-room drift.
Common mistake
Scanning the room but forgetting whether the blueprint completed.
Modification Station
Upgrade crafting, stronger route prep, and deeper progression
Route band
Equipment blueprint sweep
Proof point
Fragment scan count and crafting station recipe
Return rule
Stop after the required fragments and craft the station before pushing deeper.
Common mistake
Missing a fragment count and repeating the same structure blindly.
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.
Metal Farm
Repeatable base expansion material flow
Route band
Mid-depth farm blueprint route
Proof point
Blueprint node and repeat route value
Return rule
Judge the farm by repeat value before spending base resources on it.
Common mistake
Building a farm that does not shorten real material loops.
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
Fragment scans
Primary action
Identify the route your current kit cannot safely complete.
Turn back when
Building upgrades without a route that needs them.
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.
Modification Station
Upgrade crafting station that converts fragments and materials into route-changing equipment.
Found in: Local Modification Station blueprint footage supplied for content research.
Action: Scan confirmed fragments, check blueprint progress, craft the station, then upgrade the blocked tool or module.
Habitat Builder
Core building tool that turns early routes into a working storage and fabricator loop.
Found in: Local base-building footage and early unlock guides supplied for content research.
Action: Unlock it, return, and build the minimum base that shortens the next material and scan routes.
Square Room
Base expansion unlock for storage, Biolab planning, and less cramped crafting workflow.
Found in: Local Square Room databox footage supplied for content research.
Action: Confirm the databox unlock, return to stable power, and build only when the room improves workflow.
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.
Tadpole Mobility
Official media for movement, vehicle routes, upgrades, and map pushes.
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.
Upgrade menu
Vehicle upgrades matter when they change the next route, depth band, or storage limit.
Depth gate
Depth modules should be treated as progression gates before comfort modules.
Module route
Test new modules on a known route before pushing into a dangerous new zone.
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.
Identify the route your current kit cannot safely complete.
Prioritize range and return safety over convenience.
Add storage when material runs become the bottleneck.
Keep vehicles near readable landmarks.
Reassess upgrades after each new biome opens.
Guide notes
Upgrade by route need
The best upgrade is the one that changes a failed route into a safe route. Anything else can wait.
Vehicle notes for co-op
In shared sessions, agree on vehicle parking, storage rules, and who brings repair or support materials.
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.
Building upgrades without a route that needs them.
Using vehicles as storage and then losing track of them.
Entering hazard zones before understanding exit paths.
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.