When you first load up Survival mode in Subnautica, you may be overwhelmed. There’s so much to see and do, it’s easy to forget the basic elements of survival: water.
Once you load into your survival map, your first scramble should lead you to fresh drinking water. You begin Survival mode with around 65% H2O, so it’s paramount you get a steady supply of water before you die.
Before you venture out to acquire supplies, take a look at the lockers in your Lifepod to find two bottles of filtered water. This will keep you fueled for the mean time as you set out to acquire more. It’s important to note: only drink the water when it’s absolutely necessary, otherwise, you run the risk of drying up your vital resources prematurely.
Another word of advice: craft some fins and a survival knife to help you navigate the dangerous waters quickly, and efficiently. With the survival knife in hand, scour the ocean for coral. Strike the coral with your knife to break off coral samples. These are vital in getting you a steady supply of H2O. In addition to the coral samples, you’ll also want to collect some salt deposits located all throughout the ocean. Doing so unlocks the ability to craft disinfected water, which ads +40 to your H2O.
Another item to keep an eye for is an airsac. These items are useful in a pinch. They’re used to craft filtered water, which add +20 H2O. Not as useful as disinfected water, but it’ll get the job done.
A few notes to remember about water. Survival is all about preparation. Make sure you have a steady supply of water at all times for whatever emergency may arise. And while it’s one thing to have a steady supply of water, it’s another entirely to make sure you bring enough water for whatever journey you have planned. And should you fail to heed these two tips, always keep an eye out for coral and airsacs as you explore the depths of the ocean.