Everyone seems to be playing Subnautica 2. After a period of industry drama, the early access survival sequel has proven to be a hit, racking up over four million sales in its first week alone. Yet, despite the widespread acclaim, one specific point of contention has persisted since launch: the large, aggressive alien fish that insist on biting players and headbutting their submarines.
Unlike the original game, Subnautica 2 players have been unable to fight back with a knife, leaving those frustrated by the wildlife looking for alternatives. While modders previously stepped in to provide a lethal solution, creative director Anthony Gallegos revealed today that the official 1.1 update, arriving tomorrow, will finally give players a way to handle these pests.
The New Stun System Explained
Rather than breaking their no-killing policy, the developers are introducing a stun system for the sonic resonator. According to Gallegos in a recent update vlog, the team has worked to ensure that creatures now have specific stun states. When hit by a sonic blast, players will see visual feedback showing the creature is incapacitated.
"We've done some work on the sonic resonator, where a bunch of the creatures now have stun states, so when you hit them with the sonic resonator, you'll see them clearly communicate that they've become stunned," Gallegos said. In the demonstration, a marrowbreach hit by the resonator doesn't just flee; it goes limp and sinks to the seafloor, providing a much-needed sense of catharsis for beleaguered players.
The update also includes improvements to how creatures react to physical interaction. Players using the survival multi-tool will notice better "flinch" animations, making the impact of a bonk feel more substantial before the creature retreats. Additionally, the team has tweaked the behavior of blight creatures near angel combs, smoothing out the transition from passive to aggressive states to help players better anticipate attacks.
What's Next for Subnautica 2?
Beyond the 1.1 update, there is more on the horizon for those diving into the survival sequel. Gallegos confirmed that while requested features like proximity chat and a player revive system will not be included in tomorrow’s patch, they are scheduled to arrive "some weeks after that."
Looking further ahead, the studio is planning a "big content drop" later this year. This update is set to include an entirely new region for players to explore, alongside new vehicles and additions to the game's story. For now, players can look forward to the 1.1 update to help manage the local wildlife while they continue their underwater journey.