Search games, articles, guides...CtrlK
Sign InGet Started
Every tool in Subnautica 2 listed with descriptions, how to unlock them, and how to craft them at the Fabricator.
Written by Nuwel
Content Writer
See more GAMES.GG guides on Google
Add us as a preferred source and our guides show up first in your results.
Subnautica 2 Adavnced Survival Tips
Master oxygen, beacons, base building, and the Tadpole vehicle with these essential Subnautica 2 survival tips for new players.
Subnautica 2 Food, Water, and Digestion Guide: Stay Alive
Master hunger, thirst, and Digestive Incompatibility in Subnautica 2 with this step-by-step survival guide.
Subnautica 2 Scanner Guide: Craft It and Unlock Every Recipe
Craft the Scanner in Subnautica 2 with 2x Titanium, 2x Quartz, and 1x Basic Battery, then scan degraded gear to unlock blueprints.
Knowing which tools you have access to from the moment you drop into the ocean on planet Zazura makes a real difference in how fast you get your footing. Subnautica 2 currently has 8 confirmed tools, ranging from day-one crafting staples to items that are still being added during Early Access. This guide breaks down every tool in the game, what each one actually does, and how to get your hands on them.
As of May 14, 2026, Subnautica 2 has 8 confirmed tools at Early Access launch. Three of them are craftable from the very start of the game, while the rest have unlock methods that are still being documented or added via updates.
Here is the complete list:
| Tool | How to Get | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Survival Multitool | Craftable from the start | Harvests tougher materials |
| Flashlight | TBD | Handheld LED light source |
| Scanner | Craftable from the start | Scans the world to generate databank entries and fabrication blueprints |
| Habitat Builder | TBD | Fabricates habitat compartments, appliances, and external facilities from raw materials |
| Repair Tool | TBD | Combination scanner and portable fabricator; repairs vehicles, bases, and systems |
| Sonic Resonator | TBD | Industrial phased-array sound amplifier used in mining and other applications |
| Wakemaker | TBD | Arm-mounted jets for underwater maneuvering |
| Air Bladder | Craftable from the start | Rapid flotation bladder for emergency ascents; can also supply a few seconds of air to yourself and nearby divers |
Three tools are available to craft immediately without any progression gating: the Survival Multitool, the Scanner, and the Air Bladder. These three form the backbone of your early game.
The Scanner is the one you want in your hand almost constantly during the first few hours. It generates databank entries and unlocks fabrication blueprints, so the more you scan, the more recipes you open up. Skipping it early means locking yourself out of crafting options you did not even know existed. For a deeper look at getting the most out of it, the Subnautica 2 Scanner guide walks through exactly how scanning works and which blueprints it unlocks.
The Survival Multitool handles material harvesting, specifically tougher materials that you cannot collect by hand. You need it to gather resources for almost every crafting recipe, so treat it as a permanent hotbar resident.
The Air Bladder is easy to overlook until you desperately need it. It provides emergency rapid ascent and, notably, can share a few seconds of air with nearby divers. In a 4-player co-op session, that shared air mechanic can save a teammate who misjudged their oxygen.
All tools are crafted at the Fabricator, an Interior Facility that functions as your base workbench. You build the Fabricator inside your habitat using the Habitat Builder, then interact with it to access the crafting menu. Once you have the required raw materials, any tool with a known recipe can be made at any Fabricator you have built.
The Fabricator is not a one-per-base item either. You can build multiple Fabricators in different locations, which becomes useful once you start setting up secondary outposts deeper in the ocean.
Five tools currently have unknown unlock methods, but their descriptions give a clear picture of their roles:
For players who want to understand what else is coming to the game beyond tools, the Subnautica 2 Early Access roadmap covers all confirmed planned content including new biomes and story chapters.
The current Early Access build shows a tool roster that shares DNA with the original game's design philosophy: a small, focused set of tools where each one has a distinct and non-overlapping purpose. The Scanner, Habitat Builder, and Repair Tool mirror roles from the first game, while the Sonic Resonator and Wakemaker appear to be new additions specific to Subnautica 2's planet Zazura and its design around dynamic ocean currents.
The Air Bladder's co-op air-sharing mechanic is a direct nod to the new 4-player co-op structure. That feature did not exist in the original because the original was a solo experience. It is a small detail that signals how Unknown Worlds has thought about what changes when you put four people in the same ocean.
For a full breakdown of everything that is new compared to the original games, the confirmed new features guide covers the Tadpole vehicle, overhauled base building, and more.
Three tools on day one is a solid foundation. Prioritize scanning everything you can find, keep the Air Bladder equipped for emergencies, and use the Survival Multitool to gather materials for your first Fabricator setup. The tools with TBD unlock methods will come as you progress, and the Repair Tool in particular becomes important once you have vehicles worth protecting.
For everything else you need to survive the early hours, the Subnautica 2 strategy guides collection has you covered on base locations, biomods, inventory management, and more.
