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.
What tools are available in Subnautica 2?
According to the Game8 wiki (last updated May 14, 2026), there are 8 tools confirmed in Subnautica 2 at Early Access launch. Three of them are craftable from the very start of the game, while the rest are listed as TBD, meaning their unlock methods are still being documented or added via updates.
Here is the complete list:
The Game8 wiki notes this tools page is still being actively updated as of May 14, 2026. Some unlock methods are marked TBD and may be filled in as more players progress through Early Access content.
Which tools should you prioritize first?
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.
Craft the Scanner and Air Bladder before you do anything else. The Scanner opens up your recipe library, and the Air Bladder is a safety net that costs almost nothing to make early on.
How do you craft tools in Subnautica 2?
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.
The Habitat Builder itself is listed as TBD for its unlock method, meaning you may need to progress past the starting area before you can place Interior Facilities. Plan your early resource gathering around what you can craft before you have a full base set up.
What do the TBD tools actually do?
Five tools currently have unknown unlock methods, but their descriptions give a clear picture of their roles:
- Flashlight: A basic handheld LED light. The deeper you go, the more you need this. Darkness in Subnautica 2 is not decorative.
- Habitat Builder: Builds your base. Compartments, appliances, external structures. You cannot set up a permanent home without it.
- Repair Tool: Described as a combination scanner and portable fabricator. It repairs vehicles, bases, and systems, making it essential once you have a submarine or a damaged outpost to maintain.
- Sonic Resonator: An industrial phased-array sound amplifier for mining. The description suggests it has applications beyond raw resource extraction, though specifics are not yet documented.
- Wakemaker: Arm-mounted jets for underwater maneuvering. The in-game description includes a note about risk of shoulder strain, which is a nice touch. Functionally, this looks like a mobility tool for faster movement or current navigation.
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.
How does this tool set compare to the original Subnautica?
Based on available information from the current Early Access build, the tool roster 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.
This guide reflects the tool list as documented on May 14, 2026. Subnautica 2 is in Early Access, and Unknown Worlds is actively updating content. Tool unlock methods marked TBD will be filled in as the game receives patches.
Getting started with the full toolkit
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.