Though you're dropped on an alien planet and almost instantly forced below the waves because of the icy temperatures, you don't need to build a base underwater in Subnautica: Below Zero. You can build a base wherever you want, so long as you get the foundations to line up just right so the game likes it.
There are a few options for building above-water in Below Zero. It's a snowy wasteland, so there are loads of different icebergs, a whole ice-biome called the Glacial Basin, and a few enormous lilypads that make an awesome foundation for a mega-base.
Updated June 23rd by Harry Alston: We've updated this list to include some more information on sea and land bases in Subnautica: Below Zero, focusing more on the differences between the two building options and why you might want to build an above-ground base in the first place.
We've also gone into more detail about the best places to build your base, both above ground and below the water. It's a good idea to have a bit of both, anyway.
How To Build On Land In Subnautica: Below Zero
Building on land is just as straightforward as building underwater. All you need is the Habitat Builder tool and enough resources to begin building Foundations, Compartments, and Hatches. We cover some more of the basics about Subnautica in this need-to-know list.
- Open the crafting menu with the Habitat Builder.
- Select the module you want to build in the Habitat Compartments tab.
- Aim where you want the module to go. Green is the color you're looking for, which can be a bit trickier when building above ground. The game doesn't like some spots, but with a bit of trial and error, you can usually get there.
- You can adjust the module's rotation and then place the building.
- Add the required resources, and ta-da! Your first building module is complete.
You'll need stairs to reach your compartment. Multiple modules can be attached without worrying about hull integrity, since this not a factor when you're building on the land.
Where To Find The Habitat Builder
The Habitat Builder fragment is needed to craft the tool. You can find the fragment at the Delta Station, Koppa Ming Site, Outpost Zero, or the Twisty Bridges biome. Check out our full guide here for the exact location of the fragment.
What You Need To Know About Building Above Land
Building a base above land is simple, and there is a lot less you need to worry about in terms of hull strength, reinforcements, and foundations. You can place compartments straight onto the floor and the stability will be fine throughout the base. Bulkheads also aren't necessary... there's no water, so bulkheads are a bit useless.
Where To Build Your Base Above Water
Right at the start of the game, you'll probably want to make sure you have somewhere to call home pretty quickly. A base close to Delta Island is a good idea: it puts you right in the center of the map, there are plenty of resources around, and you have the option to build on land or in the water. Once the Habitat Builder fragment is found, you can start placing down basic modules for a base.
Other great ideas for where to build an above-ground base:
- The Arctic Biomes - You will want somewhere as a base while you explore the Arctic biomes. Many of the game's essential progression areas and resources are found out on the icy wastelands, and it's a good idea to have a base there so you don't have to return to the water each time.
- Shallow Twisty Bridges - The shallow water in the Twisty Bridges biome makes for a good place to build a land-sea base hybrid. You can have an above-ground area for efficient solar panels connected to your base as a whole, while also having an underwater area where you can place the Moonpool for the Prawn Suit and Seatruck.
- Multiple bases are a good idea in Subnautica. Scanning Rooms are super effective when built underwater, but useless above ground. You can have a central land base then lots of smaller scanning outposts dotted around the various biomes. Remember, though, that these scanning rooms require a high energy output.
Why would you start with above-ground modules? Well, one of the easiest ways to get power in the early days of Below Zero is with Solar Panels. Solar Panels are also unlocked by default once you craft the Habitat Builder, so you don't need to hunt for other fragments before setting up a simple base. Solar Panels work best when they are close to the surface, or completely out of the water.
- Solar Panels are cheap to make, they cost 2 x Titanium, 2 x Quartz, and 1 x Copper. These are materials you can find around Delta Island and the adjoining biomes.
- Solar Panels can reach close to 100 percent efficiency when placed outside, even during heavier storms.
- Even a few meters down (at around 10 or 15 meters) that effectiveness is reduced to 95 percent, and so on.
The best place to build a starter base above water is towards Delta Island. Ideally, some of the shallow waters around the edge of the Twisty Bridges biome towards the Island are a good idea. There are some outcroppings of icebergs and other rocks that you can place compartments on.
What Does An Above Water Base Need?
Foundations, compartment, and a door. That's about it. Very much as the same as you would do underwater, rather this time you're above water. Oxygen obviously isn't a problem when you're out of the water, but the temperatures still drop in Below Zero, particularly at night time.
- Any compartment above water will keep you warm, even without a power source.
- Solar Panels are the best source of energy for a starter base above water.
- You will need stairs to access your base because the door is halfway up the compartment. This isn't a problem when you can swim up to the door, but you can't do that when you're building on the land.
Does Hull Strength Matter When You're Building Above Water?
Hull strength is very important when you're building bases underwater. Stacking modules on top of each other will eventually lead to your base falling apart, with cracks appearing in the seams and water flooding inside the base. These can be temporarily fixed with the Repair Tool, but you still have to work on the Hull integrity (its overall strength) otherwise it will break again.
After some experimenting, it's clear that Hull Integrity is not a factor when building bases on land. You don't need to provide extra reinforcements, foundations, or anything else to make your base more sturdy. This is likely due to the restrictions that certain depths put on large structures. The deeper in the water you build, the more fragile the building becomes.
This also means building above ground is technically cheaper for the early game. It gives you a secure place to build a Fabricator and whatever else you need on the cheap.
Tips For Building Above Ground
Though building a land base in Subnautica: Below Zero is a neat idea, it is a bit tricky. Certain modules are difficult to place when you can't access them from the top, i.e by being able to swim around them and get the angle you want. Here are a few tips to try out.
- Experiment with different modules in Creative Mode if you want to trial some land-building ideas. This saves a bit of hassle when it comes to planning and building your first base on the land.
- Building an above-ground base is useful during the first few days in Subnautica, thanks to the power output of the Solar Panels. Later in the game, you can combine your above-ground base with a sea base and power the lower areas with a more substantial power source, like the Bioreactor.
- There have been some positive changes in Below Zero that make the construction of a land base much easier, primarily the new Stairs module that allows you to walk up to hatches on different sides of your base. Play around with the new multipurpose room that features this handy above-ground feature.
- Certain areas, like the Glacial Basin, for example, are not plentiful in resources. If you are planning on establishing a base there you should bring some things with you, ideally enough to build a multipurpose room (for the stairs), a hatch, a few compartments, and some means of generating power.
- Whatever you do, make sure to pack some Thumpers if you're heading into the Arctic biomes. Those Ice Worms don't do well with unwelcome guests.