Guides

Subnautica 2 Creatures Guide: Biomods, Fauna, Scans

GuidesSubnautica 2CreaturesSurvival2026

Quick Answer

Use the biomod scan planner first. Pick a target, check risk and scan value, classify behavior, oxygen margin, cargo risk, and co-op setup, then decide whether to observe, scan, mark danger, retreat, or return later.

Version focus 2026 Early Access creature notes
Subnautica 2 creatures guide

Biomod Scan Planner

Choose The Biomod Before You Risk The Scan

Filter by active/passive biomods and risk, then pick a scan target that is worth the oxygen, cargo, and predator pressure.

Visible biomods160 scanned
Scan verdict

Choose a target whose biomod value is worth the route risk; leave high-risk scans for a prepared vehicle or co-op watcher.

  • Medium risk: scan after one movement cycle.
  • High risk: mark the route and return prepared.
ScannedBiomodScan targetValueRouteRetreat advice
Dashactive / lowDefault slotBiolab / default biomod slotEmergency dodge and scan escapestarter setupKeep it equipped for first dangerous scans.
Pathfinderactive / lowDefault slotBiolab / default biomod slotRoute breadcrumbingstarter setupUse it when a cave or wreck route is still unreadable.
Sonic Echoactive / very highCollector LeviathanBioscanner + BiolabOre awareness after a high-risk scanSparse Plains patrolMark the sighting, leave first, and return with vehicle support and empty cargo.
Electric Dischargeactive / mediumElectric GeordieBioscanner + BiolabPredator deterrence while swimmingPower Plant / thermalScan from distance and leave after the scan; do not test it as Tadpole defense.
Chum Cloudactive / mediumToxic Sponge + HoundgarBioscanner + BiolabCreature distraction routesponge and Marrowbreach warningTreat Houndgar as a warning marker before treating it as a scan target.
Sea Skimmerpassive / lowDefault slotBiolab / default biomod slotFaster repeat swims near surfacesstarter setupKeep if it shortens safe resource loops.
Oxygen Controlpassive / lowDefault slotBiolab / default biomod slotStill scanning and controlled cave movementstarter setupUse when reading routes or scanning calmly matters more than speed.
Heat Tolerancepassive / highStory / heat routeStory progression, not normal bioscanHot-zone resource and route gatethermal routeDo not turn heat zones into cargo routes until this gate is clear.
Bioluminescencepassive / mediumSandspear + Electric GeordieBioscanner + BiolabDark cave visibilitythermal and Power PlantScan only after survival and vehicle blockers are solved.
Camouflagepassive / highBulletheadBioscanner + BiolabPredator avoidanceKarakorum predatorReturn later with route marker, oxygen, and no rare cargo.
Water Retentionpassive / highCoral CrabBioscanner + BiolabWater managementcoral pressureDelay until safer targets are complete.
Homing Sensepassive / highSurge Jelly + HammerheadBioscanner + BiolabNavigation and return supportjelly and Hammerhead routesScan the safer target first and delay Hammerhead until the route is calm.
Threat Sensepassive / mediumHoverthornBioscanner + BiolabThreat warning for repeated routesHoverthorn routeGood after Bioscanner if oxygen and exit are stable.
Dermal Gardenpassive / highNeedler MangoBioscanner + BiolabSlow food generationNeedler routeReturn with oxygen and a visible escape path.
Slow Metabolismpassive / highNibbler Mango or EpicureanBioscanner + BiolabFood drain reductionpredator / Mango routeScan without chasing and leave if the target pulls you from the exit.
Water Secretionpassive / mediumWater SlugBioscanner + BiolabWater supportorganic routeLower-risk utility scan once Biolab exists; keep the exit visible.

Patch Retest Board

Check What Needs A Current-Save Retest

Use this after a patch or a long break. The board points to materials, routes, creatures, and vehicle behavior that should be confirmed before spending rare goods.

Retest rows5
Watch itemSystemsRowsPlayer action
Early Access patch watch2026-06 / needs-retestresources, craftingsilver, system-chip, tadpole-dockRecheck Silver route density and keep raw Silver flexible until the next electronics or vehicle need is visible.
Rare material route watch2026-06 / needs-retestresources, vehiclestroilite, atacamite, mangalloy-ingot, photovoltaic-chargerTreat Troilite and Atacamite as bank-first materials until your save confirms the recipe and route.
Vehicle safety watch2026-06 / needs-retestvehicles, creaturestadpole, power-cell-route, damage, hammerheadRun an empty Tadpole test before rare cargo if vehicle damage, creature pressure, or power behavior changed.
Scan route watch2026-06 / needs-retestcreatures, biomodselectric-geordie, sandspear, hoverthorn, homing-senseScan one target per trip and leave after the scan until current creature behavior feels repeatable.
Base and route watch2026-06 / needs-retestbase, mapmoonpool, tadpole-dock, power-plant, old-habitatRecheck Moonpool clearance, route markers, and power support before treating old route notes as routine.

Subnautica 2 creatures are not just background danger. Use the Biomod Scan Planner above to choose a target, compare scan value against route risk, and classify behavior, cargo risk, oxygen margin, and co-op setup before moving closer. Fauna, mobs, and monsters shape the map, control resource risk, and decide when a dive becomes too expensive.

Mark the encounter in the map guide, decide whether a vehicle route is safer than swimming, and check the resources guide before risking rare cargo near an untested threat.

Creature names, behavior, and danger values may change during Early Access. This page focuses on survival habits and scan decisions that stay useful while live details settle.

Quick Answer

Do not rush the scan. Watch the creature, decide whether it is passive, avoidant, territorial, or hostile, mark the biome, identify an exit, and approach only when you have oxygen margin. Use the biomod planner and copy button above for a quick co-op callout when the route needs a clean retreat.

Bestiary Field Table

Use this table until exact creature names, biome entries, and damage values are confirmed in the current build.

Creature typeFirst behavior to watchScan timingAvoidance ruleRoute note
Passive faunaIgnores the player or fleesSafe after checking oxygenDo not chase into caves or deeper waterGood for learning movement and scale
Avoidant creatureKeeps distance or reacts to approachScan only if it loops predictablyLet it flee instead of forcing contactRecord where it runs or hides
Territorial threatGuards a path, resource, or cave edgeReturn with a clear exit and better marginMark the boundary and route around itTreat nearby resources as risky
Hostile monsterCharges, follows, or ambushesDo not scan on first contactRetreat first, study laterAdd a danger marker and return with support
Unknown scannableScanner reacts but behavior is unclearWait one full movement cycleLeave if oxygen or visibility dropsAdd a field note before naming it

What Not To Trust Yet

Creature pages become low-quality very quickly when they invent names, damage numbers, or spawn locations. During Early Access, publish only what can be checked in the current build.

Claim typeSafe before verification?Better approach
Exact creature namesOnly if seen in-game or official materialUse descriptive field notes until confirmed
Damage valuesNoExplain risk behavior and escape habits
Spawn coordinatesOnly after live checkingGive biome and landmark context
Best way to fightUsually noTeach avoidance, scanning, and route planning first
Co-op tacticsYes, if framed as habitsFocus on callouts and regrouping

Field Note Template

Use this when you meet something new.

FieldWhat to write
Creature descriptionShape, color, size, sound, movement pattern
LocationBiome edge, landmark, route name, rough depth if known
BehaviorIgnores, flees, patrols, follows, charges, ambushes
TriggerDistance, light, scanning, resource gathering, entering cave
Escape pathWhich wall, landmark, or route gets you home
Revisit planBetter oxygen, second player, vehicle, or later patch check

Good creature notes make a dangerous route repeatable. Bad creature notes just say “big thing near cave.”

Creature Response Ladder

StageActionGoal
ObserveWatch movement from distanceLearn whether it patrols, guards, flees, or ambushes
MarkNote biome, depth, and landmarksMake the encounter repeatable
ScanApproach only with an exit pathCapture info without overcommitting
RetreatLeave before oxygen pressure risesAvoid panic deaths
ReturnBring better gear or a vehicle laterTurn danger into a planned route

Danger Signals

SignalWhat it usually meansResponse
Sudden sound changeA threat or biome transition may be nearSlow down and look around
Creature guarding a pathResource or route may be valuable but riskyMark and return later
Tight cave movementEscape path is limitedDo not scan unless oxygen is high
Repeated attacks near one landmarkThat area needs a hazard noteRoute around it or stage gear nearby

Co-op Creature Calls

In co-op, creature danger becomes communication danger. A player who screams “big thing” is less useful than a player who says “large creature, north wall, near red plants, retreat to base route.” Agree on short callouts before deep exploration.

CalloutMeaning
”Mark only”Do not engage or scan yet
”Safe scan”One player scans while another watches oxygen and route
”Hard retreat”Stop gathering and leave immediately
”Return later”The area needs better gear, not bravery

Scan Discipline

Scanning is useful only when it does not turn the dive into a recovery mission. Use a simple rule: if you cannot name your exit, do not scan yet. If you are carrying rare materials, bank them first. If oxygen is already pressuring you, leave and come back.

Before scanningWhy
Check oxygen marginPrevents panic pathing
Face the exit onceMakes retreat automatic
Watch one full patrol cycleReveals whether the creature loops or reacts
Drop or bank rare materialsLowers the cost of mistakes
In co-op, assign a watcherOne player scans while another watches route and oxygen

What To Check

NoteExample
BiomeMid-depth cave edge
Creature behaviorPatrols near opening, reacts to close approach
Resource nearbyUnknown node behind patrol path
Escape pathReturn along left wall, avoid lower tunnel
Next stepBring vehicle or second player

When to Return Later

Leaving is not failure in Subnautica 2. If a creature blocks a route, the smart move is often to mark the area, gather safer materials, craft the missing upgrade, and come back with better oxygen or vehicle support. Early Access survival is about reducing repeated losses, not proving you can force a scan under pressure.

Return later if…Reason
Oxygen is below your comfort marginPanic swimming causes bad decisions
You do not know the exitCreature pressure plus bad navigation is deadly
The creature reacts before you scanBehavior matters more than curiosity
You are carrying rare materialsBank resources before risky scouting

Creature Notes For Guide Updates

Treat creature notes as reliable only when they include the same current-build details: name, biome, behavior, scan risk, escape habit, and whether the creature blocks a resource route. Use damage values only when they are tested in-game or officially documented.

Field to recordTrust it when…
NameThe scanner, log, or official material confirms it
BiomeThe route has been checked in the current build
Threat levelMultiple encounters support the pattern
Best responseAvoidance, scan timing, or gear need is clear

Creature Checks To Keep Separate

Once live names and behaviors are stable, treat the most dangerous creatures as separate problems: biome, behavior, safe distance, scanning advice, and whether avoidance or route planning is the better answer. Do not trust copied creature notes unless they show the build and location where the behavior was checked.

Sources

FAQ

What creatures are in Subnautica 2?

Use the current build, scanner entries, and official notes for exact names. This page helps you classify fauna, mobs, and monsters safely before trusting a fixed list.

Are Subnautica 2 mobs and monsters the same as creatures?

Players use those words loosely. For route planning, separate passive fauna, avoidant creatures, territorial threats, and hostile monsters by behavior instead of name alone.

How should I approach new creatures in Subnautica 2?

Observe from a safe distance, scan only when you have an escape route, and record the biome before returning.

What should I scan first in Subnautica 2?

Scan safe or predictable creatures first, then return to dangerous ones with better oxygen, a clear exit, or a co-op watcher.

Should I fight creatures in Subnautica 2?

The safest early habit is avoidance and route planning. Survival value usually comes from knowing when to leave.

What is the biggest creature mistake?

Players dive closer to scan without enough oxygen, stamina, or a clear return path.