One of the many new features introduced in Subnautica: Below Zero is arctic biomes. The above water biomes offer players far more to do on foot than in the previous game and even introduce exciting new gameplay mechanics via items like the Snowfox and Spy Pengling. Despite this, players will spend the majority of their time in Subnautica: Below Zero traversing the dangerous biomes that lie beneath the water's surface.
Unfortunately, players can't start delving deep into the ocean's depths in the opening few hours. This is because they have to keep a constant eye on their oxygen meter, which will constantly deplete as they swim underwater. Thankfully, there are numerous oxygen tanks in Subnautica: Below Zero that players can construct, which will allow them to spend more time exploring Planet 4546B's wonderfully designed ocean.
Updated on February 17, 2022, by Jack Pursey: One of the most intriguing and exciting features in both Subnautica: Below Zero and its predecessor is the process of exploring Planet 4546B and learning what exists on the planet that players can use to their advantage.
One great quirk of the planet is that there are a handful of ways that players can get oxygen underwater. These emergency oxygen supplies can save players' lives on numerous occasions, so we've updated this guide to explain exactly what they are.
Standard O₂ Tank
The Standard O₂ Tank is crafted at the Fabricator and increases the player's oxygen level to an overall of 75 units.
How To Obtain The Blueprint:
Before the player can start constructing their oxygen tanks, they first need to learn how to do so by obtaining a blueprint. Thankfully, obtaining the Standard O₂ Tank's blueprint isn't too tricky, as it simply requires players to enter their Drop Pod at the start of the game.
Items Needed For Crafting:
• 2x Titanium - Titanium can be found in numerous places, such as Galena Outcrops, Argentite Outcrops, Limestone Outcrops, Rocks, and Calaverite Outcrops. Titanium is also obtained by crafting Metal Salvage and by scanning items that the player has already acquired blueprints for.
• 1x Fiber Mesh - Fiber Mesh requires 2x Creepvine Samples, which are obtained by cutting Creepvines. Creeprivnes are long, narrow plants found in the East Arctic, Glacial Bay, Arctic Kelp Forest, Glacial Connection, West Arctic.
High Capacity O₂ Tank
The High Capacity O₂ Tank increases the player's maximum oxygen levels to an overall level of 135 units.
How To Obtain The Blueprint:
The High Capacity O₂ Tank's blueprint can be found in data boxes located within the Twisty Bridges biome, along with multiple Alterra bases.
Items Needed For Crafting:
• 1x Standard O₂ Tank
• 2x Glass - Glass is crafted with 2x Quartz, which can be found in almost any underwater biome, particularly at seabeds and inside caves.
• 4x Titanium
• 1x Silver Ore - Like Quartz, Silver Ore can be found in almost any underwater biome. It is predominantly obtained by breaking Argentite Outcrops or Rocks.
Ultra High Capacity Tank
The Ultra High Capacity Tank increases the player's oxygen level to a whopping 225 units overall. Unlike the previous two tanks, which are crafted at a Fabricator, the Ultra High Capacity Tank must be crafted at a Modification Station.
How To Obtain The Blueprint:
The Ultra High Capacity Tank's blueprint is unlocked by scanning a Sea Monkey Nest that is found in the Lilypads Crevice.
Items Needed For Crafting:
• 1x High Capacity O₂ Tank
• 4x Lithium - Lithium can be found at the seabed of numerous biomes, including East Arctic, Arctic Spires, Purple Vents, Deep Purple Vents, Deep Twisty Bridges, Thermal Spires, and the Shadow Levithan-infested Crystal Caves.
Booster Tank
The Booster Tank differentiates itself from the other items on this list by letting players trade oxygen for a speed boost. It also brings the player's oxygen levels to an overall level of 135 units, the same level as the High Capacity O₂ Tank.
How To Obtain The Blueprint:
The Booster Tank's blueprint can be found in data boxes located within the Tree Spires and Purple Vents biomes.
Items Needed For Crafting:
• 1x High Capacity O₂ Tank
• 1x Wiring Kit - The Wiring Kit is crafted with 2x Silver Ore. As mentioned before, Silver Ore is predominantly obtained by breaking Argentite Outcrops or Rocks.
Emergency Oxygen Supplies
No matter what oxygen tank players craft, they must still keep a constant eye on their oxygen meter to ensure they don't drown. In fact, drowning can become a more prominent issue with higher capacity tanks, as players are likely to delve deeper into the ocean, giving themselves a long swim back to the safety of the surface.
Thankfully, there are a handful of emergency oxygen supplies that players can use to prevent them from having to resurface.
Oxygen Plant
The Oxygen Plant does exactly what it says on the tin, providing players with a decent chunk of oxygen when they interact with it. Players will gain 30 points of oxygen from the plant, which will then deflate, before refilling with oxygen for players to use after 40 seconds.
Consequently, if players are exploring a deep cave, are able to make a mental map of where all of the Oxygen Plants are and can reach them quickly, they can theoretically stay underwater indefinitely.
Ice Bubbles
Ice Bubbles are more discrete than Oxygen Plants and can be found in underwater caves, predominantly in artic locations like the Glacial Basin and East Arctic.
Ice Bubbles emit bubbles of oxygen similar to Brain Coral in the original game. However, unlike Brain Coral, players must open Ice Bubbles with a laser cutter in order to release the oxygen.
Titan Holefish
Titan Holefish are passive herbivores found in the East Arctic, West Arctic, and Sparse Arctic biomes. They are described in the Data Bank as "slow, stupid, and delicious." Although they are passive, they are often guarded by aggressive Symbiotes, so players should be cautious when approaching one.
The large hole inside of the aptly named Holefish is filled with oxygen. Due to the aggressive Symbiotes that protect it and the minimal amount of oxygen that it provides compared to Oxygen Plants and Ice Bubbles, Titan Holefish should only be used as an emergency oxygen supply.
Subnautica: Below Zero is out now for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch