Subnautica Below Zero was released a few weeks ago, giving players time to understand the various intricacies the new title has to offer. As in any survival game, finding a suitable base of operations is important. In Below Zero, gamers will want to position themselves so that they have access to all of the valuable resources in the underwater biomes.
While there is no perfect spot to build a base, all of the best locations have a few characteristics in common. There are some in particular that are so good that every player should try to give them a shot.
Updated on September 11, 2021 by Payton Lott: Players have a seemingly infinite number of options when considering where to build a base. This list includes several land areas that are perfect for a hybrid build spanning from the depths of the ocean to the top of an iceberg. However, creating a functional build between water and land is challenging. Gamers can reference the simple steps in the section below to create a basic hybrid base. From there, the sky's the limit.
Build A Hybrid Base
Hybrid bases not only look amazing, but they provide access to resources and energy both above and below the surface. While they can be more complex than an underwater build, having an expansive base is almost always better. Connecting units between land and water is not as easy as it was in the beta version of the game. Players will need to use the right modules, compartments, and connectors to tie everything together.
- Build a multipurpose room or similar module underwater close to land
- Use compartments as tunnels leading to the landmass
- Use vertical connectors to reach the surface
- Once the vertical connectors can no longer be placed, build more compartments horizontally
- Choose a main structure on land the connectors will lead to
- Build a ladder to climb up the vertical tunnels
Intersection Of Biomes
Unlike the original game, there are several different underwater biomes in Below Zero. People will want to try to find a location that has access to all of the biomes for a few different reasons. If all biomes are near the base, scavenging for resources is far more efficient. Almost everything that explorers need will be within a few hundred meters.
Below Zero is much more enjoyable when every necessary item is within arms reach. Building a base between biomes will speed up progression, allowing players to enjoy the best features in the game.
Mid-Level Base
Bases should be placed between the deep and shallow structures for convenience. A quick swim up will take divers to the top-level vegetation and reef. Shallow water fish are also a key food source early in the game.
Likewise, a short dive down will take gamers to deep connected structures, which provide lead and other essential materials. An added bonus of building on the mid-level is the view from the base. There is nothing more immersive than seeing all of the shallow and deep species from one vantage point.
Delta Island Shallows
Being close to land has its benefits too. The centrally located island intersects all of the biomes in the game. Twisty Bridges are not too far away, and the Glacial Basin is close as well. Gamers will have the opportunity to grow plants without taking up space since the base is next to the shore. Similarly, solar panels can be used as a power source. Just under the base, there will be an active mining location called Koppa Mine. The volcanic activity below provides another power source for players as a redundancy.
The Delta Island location has more upside than pretty much any other option. Those that prefer nuclear power probably want to be farther out to sea, but using solar and thermal energy is less stressful. With two power sources and every resource at their fingertips, most people will prefer the location over any other. The area near (-325, -7, -615) is the most preferable zone.
Koppa Mine
For even more convenient access to the mine, people can build in the mine. While it may seem a bit eccentric, having a base there will give players instant access to some of the most valuable materials in the game. The mine has Titanium, Gold, and Copper, just to name a few.
There are plants to provide oxygen, and the thermal vents are just outside the mine. It may take some time to run the power relays back to the base, but the setup time will be worth the payoff. Fair warning, the initial dive will be horrible, especially in the early game. Still, there is something cool about living in an underwater cave that is hard to describe.
Shallow Twisty Bridges
Just to the south of the life pod location are the Twisty Bridges. Players will remember these structures from the first game. The area has a ton of resources and quick access to different biomes on the map. Getting to this spot will only take about 30 seconds of swimming from spawn, making it a convenient starter base location that can be used throughout the game. The fact that the Twisty Bridges extend almost to the surface allows people to get creative with their design, and even extend it out of the water.
Near The Tree Spires
The areas around the Tree Spires and Ventgarden can be intimidating. Leviathan often roam in the depths near the hydrothermal vents, and they can be aggressive. However, hydrothermal energy can be harnessed for infinite power. Anyone that builds a base near these vents will never have to worry about electricity again.
Leviathan can be avoided, and the risk is certainly worth the reward. Plus, the Ventgarden looks amazing from the base, especially at night. The Tree Spires are also good places to be for access to storyline locations, as they are close to the center of the map.
The Tree Spires may not be the most diverse locations in terms of biomes, but other flora and fauna are not too far away. Valuable resources line the structures near the vents, and there are plenty of fish towards the surface. A hydrothermal base will have to be a little deeper, but not too deep that reaching the surface will be a pain.
Lily Pads
These peculiar Lily Pads provide some interesting design opportunities. Bases can be build on them, below them, or through them. This area is truly one of the best locations for advanced builders and seasoned players. The Lilypad Islands are on the southwest of the playable map.
*Players may want to consider a base that connects to every depth in the biome. The base can have hatches to the sea floor, mid-level, and surface. It should be noted that the water can get murky here, which can mess up the view from time to time. However, in the daytime the water will clear up every now and then. An easy way to get around the problem is to have an observation area on top of the Lily Pads. Above ground structures can be connected to other lily pad modules above water too.
Melting Iceberg
This is, of course, the huge iceberg next to the Alterra structure near the start of the game. There is a hole in the center of the iceberg that bases can be build through. Even with the height limitations connecting corridors can go through the gap in the iceberg, which is an interesting way to build a base.
Players can choose to have an above water build for solar, or create a small observation deck above water. Either way, this is one of the best places to build a base in Subnautica Below Zero.
On Delta Island
Caves on the island contain the Alterra scans, which are an important milestone in the game. The cave systems also provide crystalline sulfur, and often contain Shrub Nuts. These Shrub Nut clusters are one of the best sources of health, food, and water in the game. Having such an easy source of health will allow players to reduce their reliance on medical kits at the start of the game. Adept builders can expand into the shallows to create a hybrid base with bountiful resources at arm's reach. With thermal, nuclear, and solar power, gamers won't have to worry about conserving energy.
Western Glacial Basin
To the west, there are a collection of icebergs, all of which are suitable places to build an unconventional base. Some of the different icebergs are included below.
- Southern Iceberg: Has a path to the top.
- Elevated Sheer Icebergs: Expensive, but exciting places to build.
- Iceberg Cluster: Challenging to build, but endless options.
Creating bases on the sheer icebergs is a lot of fun, but the resource cost will be significant. Newer players will prefer the iceberg to the south, which has a path allowing easy access to the flat area. The big cluster of icebergs would be intriguing to more experienced players, as the topography will make building difficult.
Iceberg With A Sky View
On the east side of the map, there is an iceberg with a pathway leading up top an area that overhangs the ocean. This is where Marguerit's greenhouse is located. The unique landmark is one of the best locations for a base because it has an unobstructed view of the night sky.
As many people know, the planet's magnetosphere has a light show similar to our own, as radiation from the system's sun is blown away. Nothing is prettier than the alien aurora borealis in Below Zero. Because players will be spending some time there, it is nice to have a spectacular view every now and then.
Ice Sheet
Near the starting area, there is an expansive ice sheet that takes up a large area of the map. The sheet is surrounded by water, which allows for a number of different creative approaches.
- Above ground solar base
- Hybrid base
- Ice sheet metropolis
Because the area is so big, people could actually build a structure the size of a city on it. The platform is slightly uneven, which may present some challenges. However, this is one of the largest above ground spaces that is an ideal area for a build. Players will have a lot of fun brainstorming and designing their modules in this area. Solar power should be enough to keep everything up and running.