When the original Subnautica was released, many people weren't sure what to expect. Much of the promotional art implied it would be a casual, soothing underwater game like Endless Ocean, though it soon became clear that something more sinister was at play. After being stranded in an alien ocean, players needed to dive into the unknown waters; initially, there would be little to worry about, but as players started to delve further and deeper into the water, they were met by some terrifying creatures.
The sequel to Subnautica was fully released on May 14, 2021, and attempted to make players scared of planet 4546B once more. The developers had a tougher task on their hands this time around, as many players knew what to expect after playing the predecessor. However, Subnautica: Below Zero manages to strike fear into even the most experienced players with its new set of terrifying creatures.
Updated on October 19, 2021, by Jack Pursey: It's all well and good knowing which creatures to be wary of, but without knowing how to deal with them, simply recognizing their terrifying design won't be much help. Therefore, to help give players a chance of survival when coming across one of the creatures listed below, we've added a section on how best to deal with each one.
8 Crashfish
Crashfish only just make it onto this list as they were in the previous game and don't initially look too intimidating. However, players will soon learn to fear the one-eyed fish, as it will ambush them inside of claustrophobic caves.
Crashfish live in Sulfur Plants and will dash towards the player if they get too close, letting out a shriek beforehand. The small fish may not appear like they do too much damage, but players will understand their true threat when they explode, causing significant damage.
How To Deal With Crashfish
When entering any cave in Subnautica: Below Zero, players should have Crashfish in mind. As mentioned before, Crashfish live in Sulfur Plants, so the first tip is to constantly be observant and on the lookout for Sulfur Plants. Unfortunately, even when doing this, players will often miss Sulfur Plants, particularly ones that are hidden around corners.
Consequently, the Seaglide is a great tool to have when entering a cave, as it will allow players to make a quick getaway.
7 Brute Shark
Brute Sharks predominantly feature on this list because of how early they appear in the game. The player will have only recently got their feet wet before they come across the alien creatures, who won't be afraid to attack if players get too close.
Brute Sharks won't chase the player particularly far, making them fairly easy to deal with. However, if the player isn't careful and gets too close, the sharks will deal 30 damage with their hard-snapping jaws.
How To Deal With Brute Sharks
Despite what their design may suggest, Brute Sharks are relatively slow, making them easy to swim away from. Because of this, the only time that a Brute Shark is likely to attack the player is if they sneak up on them.
Thankfully, Brute Sharks have a handful of callouts. Players should familiarize themselves with the sharks' calls so they know when one is creeping up behind them.
6 Snow Stalker
One of the most significant new features of Subnautica: Below Zero is the introduction of arctic biomes. The arctic may initially appear to offer a break from the dangers that lie beneath the water, though it will soon become clear that the biomes offer their own set of risks.
One such risk is the Snow Stalkers. The predators won't think twice about dashing towards the player if they get too close and will inflict 35 damage if they catch them with their deceivingly quick pace.
How To Deal With Snow Stalkers
Unfortunately, players sometimes can't avoid Snow Stalkers. Unlike the wide-open ocean, the game's land areas often only offer one possible route, where a snow stalker may be lurking.
Players should ensure that they have multiple flairs with them when on land, as Snow Stalkers will cower from them, letting players pass through without harm.
5 Cryptosuchus
The Cryptosuchus are the first creatures that will likely give players a significant scare, as they will often appear shortly after players leave the starting area, worrying the player into thinking they've ventured too far. Moreover, the creatures let out a huge, intimidating roar that will give many players flashbacks to the terrifying Reaper Leviathans from the previous game.
How To Deal With Cryptosuchus'
Thankfully, Cryptosuchus' are embodiments of the phrase "more bark than bite." Although they may sound intimidating, they will retreat at even the slightest sign of danger.
So, when players hear a Cryptosuchus approaching, they should equip their Survival Knife, as just a single swing will send them into retreat.
4 Ice Worm
The Ice Worm is the most dangerous creature to appear above land. The Ice Worm lives under the ice but will burst out to attack if it senses the player above. This makes the Ice Worm extremely difficult to deal with, as players will have very little warning before the ground starts to rumble and the Leviathan shoots through the ice.
How To Deal With The Ice Worm
The Ice Worm may initially seem impossible to deal with, though thankfully, there is a craftable tool that will divert their gaze like the Eye of Sauron during the Battle of the Black Gate.
By constructing Thumpers, players can create loud vibrations that will distract the creature and let them pass through without trouble.
3 Squidshark
As the name suggests, the Squidshark basically takes two of the scariest real-life underwater creatures and mashes them together. The Squidshark will appear in some of the ocean's deepest locations and won't be afraid to attack the player in a Seatruck or Prawn Suit.
The Squidshark has one of the most frightening attacks in the game, as it will bite the player with its huge mouth that protrudes out of its head, giving the creature extra range with its grab.
How To Deal With Squidsharks
When being approached by a predator in Subnautica or Subnautica: Below Zero, the natural reaction is to rush away in a vehicle if one is nearby. Unfortunately, this tactic is dangerous when a Squidshark is close.
Squidsharks can perform an electrical attack that will temporarily disable the vehicle's power, making the player a sitting duck. So, when a Squidshark is near, it's often best to make the counterintuitive decision of swimming around it. Squidsharks are less aggressive when the player is out of their vehicle, letting them move past the creatures as long as they don't get too close.
2 Chelicerate
Chelicerates are essentially Subnautica: Below Zero's iteration of the infamous Reaper Leviathans from the original Subnuatica.
The creature doesn't initially appear particularly scary, as it essentially looks like an oversized shrimp. However, it would be a huge error to think the creature is passive and try to scan it, as Chelicerates will latch onto the player with their enormous jaws that cause can pull players into their mouth and eat them if they're on low enough health.
How To Deal With Chelicerates
In relation to when the player is likely to start coming across Chelicerates, they are by far the most dangerous creatures in the game, and their quiet roar makes them difficult to hear. The ideal way to deal with Chelicerates is by using the equipment detailed in the Shadow Leviathan entry, though it's highly unlikely that players will have crafted it before coming across their first Chelicerate.
Truth be told, the player's best course of action is speed, a bit of luck, and enough health to withstand a bite in case that luck runs out. So, get in a non-damaged Seatruck, craft the Afterburner Upgrade, and hope that it doesn't keep up.
1 Shadow Leviathan
The Shadow Leviathans are essentially the final boss of Subnuatica: Below Zero. They appeared prominently in advertisements for the game, but they aren't seen in-game until the player reaches the two final areas, the Crystal Caves and Fabricator Caverns. Each area has two of the Leviathan's within, making them extremely hard to avoid due to how cramped the biomes are.
Shadow Leviathans will immediately dart towards the player on sight with devastating speed before pulling them into their chest and dealing a whopping 75 damage to the player if they're unprotected.
How To Deal With Shadow Leviathans
There is only one reliable way to deal with Shadow Leviathans, and unfortunately, it involves crafting one of the most complex items in the game. Thankfully, players don't need to visit the Shadow Leviathans' areas until the late game, so it's possible to be fully prepared before ever coming across one.
Players should ideally only travel to the Crystal Caves and Fabricator Caverns when they have crafted the Seatruck Perimeter Defense Upgrade. The upgrade creates a protective electrical field around the Seatruck, fending off any predators.
Subnautica: Below Zero was released on May 14, 2021, and is available for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.