# Subnautica - thoughts while playing (spoilers while playing) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** video-games-e-games\ **Created:** [April 17, 2020, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024 "2020-04-17T23:15:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/21 "2020-04-19T14:28:22Z")
I actually do have a question. I have seen enough to know that eventually, I will have a motorized swim-helper(you hold it and it pulls you along). So, I would guess based on my experience so far that I have to find parts of one and scan it to get the blueprint. My question: If it requires two halves to scan, are there more than two out there in the “world”? Otherwise, isn’t it possible you would miss components throughout the world and never gain blueprints to something essential? Another example: I have found one half of a beacon to scan. It now tells me I must scan one more beacon component. Is there really only one more out there in the whole world? Or are bunches of them out there? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/22 "2020-04-19T15:07:04Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > If it requires two halves to scan, are there more than two out there in the “world”? Otherwise, isn’t it possible you would miss components throughout the world and never gain blueprints to something essential? There are, in fact, dozens of redundant scannable components. Eventually, when you scan them, you just get scrap metal or some other little bonus. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/23 "2020-04-19T16:33:28Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > There are, in fact, dozens of redundant scannable components. Eventually, when you scan them, you just get scrap metal or some other little bonus. Good, I figured. No way I can be expected to find the exact two scraps of each item needed for blueprints. I figure eventually, I should be able to scan in what is needed for the main items. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/24 "2020-04-19T19:50:55Z")
OK, the kids and I all gathered around the TV today while I played. I was able to make the glider machine that pulls us along. I found Lifepod #3 as well. I’m kind of starting to have to figure out what to do next. I guess we’ll just go further and further out… ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/25 "2020-04-20T13:53:33Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > OK, the kids and I all gathered around the TV today while I played. I was able to make the glider machine that pulls us along. I found Lifepod #3 as well. > > I’m kind of starting to have to figure out what to do next. I guess we’ll just go further and further out… out and down… ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/26 "2020-04-20T15:39:35Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > out and down… Down, yes… I have stayed in the basic area so far. Lots of basic stuff and kelp. Furthest away is probably the Lifepod 3(500M away from my pod) and also about 100-110M down. I need: - compass - rebreather - flashlight? - a few other things… ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/27 "2020-04-20T16:08:28Z")
Oh man, I’m jealous. Subnautica is one of those games that would be worth wiping from your memory just so you can experience it for the first time again. That’s why I’m so excited for Below Zero, but I’m not gonna touch it until development is done. ---
**Author:** ![BeagleJesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@BeagleJesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeagleJesus)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/28 "2020-04-20T16:50:40Z")
I started playing this recently and I’m really starting to dig it. Kind of like Minecraft but less interaction with the world. That being said, in this galaxy far, far away has no one ever heard of a fucking spear gun? Interstellar space travel but no one can figure out how to propel a sharp metal rod using air pressure? This glaring omission sends me into random fits of cursing whenever I get jumped by one of those damn _Predator_ fish that just appears out of the murk. And for a game this benign those fish can really freak you out if you’re not paying attention. ---
**Author:** ![Unpronounceable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de0a6/32.png) [@Unpronounceable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unpronounceable)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/29 "2020-04-20T17:09:09Z")
They know about guns… If you pick up and read the background materials, there’s a bit about how weapons more dangerous than that survival knife were all deleted from the fabricator’s DB after an incident. edit: that said, it is possible to juryrig a crashfish cannon on the prawn suit. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/30 "2020-04-20T18:31:55Z")
> [@BeagleJesus](#): > > I started playing this recently and I’m really starting to dig it. Kind of like Minecraft but less interaction with the world. > > That being said, in this galaxy far, far away has no one ever heard of a fucking spear gun? Interstellar space travel but no one can figure out how to propel a sharp metal rod using air pressure? > > This glaring omission sends me into random fits of cursing whenever I get jumped by one of those damn _Predator_ fish that just appears out of the murk. And for a game this benign those fish can really freak you out if you’re not paying attention. When you fabricate a knife, the PDA computer specifically tells you that all weapons except the knife were removed from the fabricator’s programming due to an incident. Yeah, though, a weapon beyond thrashing with my knife would be nice once in awhile. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/31 "2020-04-20T21:39:54Z")
The game is pushing me now to: - Go to the Aurora (I got the radiation suit) - Explore another Lifepod, this one by a cave according to the message - Build a Habitat? I have NO idea how this part works, so we’ll see how it goes. I don’t have the first clue about how to do this. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/32 "2020-04-20T22:12:45Z")
> [@BeagleJesus](#): > > I started playing this recently and I’m really starting to dig it. Kind of like Minecraft but less interaction with the world. > > That being said, in this galaxy far, far away has no one ever heard of a fucking spear gun? Interstellar space travel but no one can figure out how to propel a sharp metal rod using air pressure? > > This glaring omission sends me into random fits of cursing whenever I get jumped by one of those damn _Predator_ fish that just appears out of the murk. And for a game this benign those fish can really freak you out if you’re not paying attention. After enough time, you might almost start to think that Alterra doesn’t have the best interests of its employees at heart. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/33 "2020-04-20T23:03:59Z")
So: I have done a bit of non-spoilery looking around for some tips and stuff and a lot of the info. I sees recommends making a base so I can have a lot of storage space(currently relying on water lockers). So how do I do that? I presume I need the habitat builder? And then I just aim it somewhere and plunk down a building? ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/34 "2020-04-21T00:30:11Z")
Pretty much. Just experiment. You get all resources back if you deconstruct, so don’t worry about messing up. You can just tear it down and start over. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/35 "2020-04-21T01:46:41Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Pretty much. Just experiment. You get all resources back if you deconstruct, so don’t worry about messing up. You can just tear it down and start over. Oh, so you can break things back down? I did not realize that. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/36 "2020-04-21T02:54:19Z")
Yeah, if you can build a Habitat Builder, I’d recommend going ahead and doing so. It opens up some pretty neat stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/37 "2020-04-21T03:24:58Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Yeah, if you can build a Habitat Builder, I’d recommend going ahead and doing so. It opens up some pretty neat stuff. Yes, I think I’ll just kind of build the habitat builder, then swim out pretty far away from my lifepod. Put a small base down there and see how well it works out there. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/38 "2020-04-21T05:53:20Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > So: > > I have done a bit of non-spoilery looking around for some tips and stuff and a lot of the info. I sees recommends making a base so I can have a lot of storage space(currently relying on water lockers). > > So how do I do that? I presume I need the habitat builder? And then I just aim it somewhere and plunk down a building? I recommend building your first base in the safe shallows right next to your pod. Just build single room at surface level with some solar panels on the roof, put some fabricators, battery chargers and cabinets inside, and expand from there if you want. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/39 "2020-04-21T11:50:19Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I recommend building your first base in the safe shallows right next to your pod. Just build single room at surface level with some solar panels on the roof, put some fabricators, battery chargers and cabinets inside, and expand from there if you want. Battery chargers? That would be great. I don’t know yet if I have a blueprint for that, but it would be great to throw some batteries in a charger and stop making them. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2020, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024/40 "2020-04-21T12:00:53Z")
The ability to deconstruct your base means there’s no wrong place to build your first one. If it turns out to be a bad location, break it down and try somewhere else. Base-building is pretty fun, and opens up a new dimension to the game, IMO. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subnautica-thoughts-while-playing-spoilers-while-playing/852024.md?page=3)