How To Unflood Your Base in Subnautica: A Comprehensive Guide
Flooded bases in Subnautica can be a frustrating and even dangerous situation, but understanding the mechanics behind hull integrity and base flooding is key to quickly restoring your underwater haven. Here’s a direct, step-by-step guide on how to unflood your base, followed by a collection of frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of base management in Subnautica.
How to Unflood Your Base in Subnautica
Unflooding your base in Subnautica involves addressing the root cause of the flooding: a breach in hull integrity. The process generally includes:
- Identify the Cause: The most common reason for base flooding is a structural integrity score that has dropped below zero. This happens when your base has insufficient support, often due to weak components or a lack of foundation.
- Reinforce Hull Integrity: This is a multi-pronged approach:
- Add Foundations: The most reliable method is to build platform foundations under or adjacent to your base. This provides a significant boost to structural integrity. Make sure that foundations are placed correctly to support all parts of your base.
- Install Bulkheads: These reinforce base sections, allowing you to further distribute structural load. They are crucial in larger bases.
- Deconstruct Weak Components: Remove sections that reduce structural integrity. This usually involves windows, moonpools, and multipurpose rooms. If your base has flooded, removing these sections is often the fastest way to get back to a safe structural level. You can rebuild them later with proper support.
- Repair Breaches: Once your structural integrity is positive, you’ll need to address any remaining leaks.
- Locate the Leaks: Carefully explore flooded sections of your base. Water gushing and audible sounds will point you towards leak locations.
- Use the Welder Tool: Equip your Welder tool and repair any visible breaches. Hold the left mouse button to activate the tool over the breach, indicated by sparks.
- Manage Bulkheads Once the base is no longer flooding you can open bulkheads to equalize the water throughout your base so you can drain it.
- Drain the Water: The water in your base will gradually drain once all leaks are fixed and the hull integrity is above zero.
By systematically addressing the structural issues and repairing breaches, you can efficiently unflood your base and continue exploring the depths. Remember, preventing flooding through proper base design and planning is more efficient than constantly fixing leaks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Base Mechanics
What causes base flooding in Subnautica?
Base flooding occurs when the structural integrity of your base falls below zero. This is typically due to a combination of using weak components like windows, moonpools, and multipurpose rooms without sufficient reinforcement from foundations and bulkheads.
How does hull integrity work in Subnautica?
Hull Integrity is a numerical representation of your base’s structural stability. Each base module has a weight and adds or subtracts to the hull integrity. Components like multipurpose rooms and windows reduce structural integrity, while foundations and bulkheads increase it. If the number drops below 0 the base floods.
How do you reinforce a hull in Subnautica?
You can reinforce a hull primarily by building platform foundations under your base or adding bulkheads between base sections. These additions dramatically increase the base’s overall structural integrity and prevent it from flooding.
Do bulkheads prevent flooding in Subnautica?
Yes, bulkheads not only reinforce your base but also help isolate flooding. If one section of your base floods, closed bulkheads will prevent the water from spreading to other areas. This gives you more time to identify and repair the source of the problem before the entire base is submerged.
How do I fix my base in Subnautica?
To fix a flooded base, prioritize raising the structural integrity above zero. Deconstruct weak components, add foundations and bulkheads and then use the Welder tool to repair any leaks once the base is structurally sound. Ensure all leaks are repaired and bulkheads are open to drain water out of flooded areas.
Advanced Base Building and Maintenance
How important is planning when building a base in Subnautica?
Careful planning is crucial for building a stable and functional base. Consider the purpose of each room, the structural impact of each component and the best way to support your base. It’s recommended to always use foundations before creating more complex bases.
Can you reinforce a base once it is flooded?
Yes. Even while your base is flooded, you can add foundations and bulkheads, or deconstruct weak components. The structural integrity is calculated instantly, so once the number is positive, you can begin the repair process.
Are there any parts of a base that are prone to leaks?
Breaches can occur anywhere when a base’s structural integrity is below zero. However, areas with weak components such as windows and connections between modules are often the first to fail.
What are some common mistakes that lead to base flooding?
Common mistakes include over-relying on weak components, neglecting to add foundations, not using bulkheads effectively, and building too large a base without proper support. Always monitor your base’s structural integrity and make adjustments as needed.
What is the best way to protect a base in Subnautica?
The best way to protect your base is through a combination of strong foundations, the strategic placement of bulkheads, and careful monitoring of hull integrity. It is also recommended not to build too big too soon. Build small, then expand as needed.
Gameplay & Exploration
Can you avoid the infection in Subnautica?
No, the Kharaa infection is part of the game’s narrative and is unavoidable. While you cannot avoid it completely, you can delay certain aspects of it by not interacting with certain elements of the story. This will only delay the inevitable, as you are infected from the very beginning of the game.
What happens if you go too deep in Subnautica?
While there used to be a bottom, the game now has a depth limit of 8192 meters. Reaching this depth will teleport you back to the surface. There is no physical “bottom”. You’re entering the void.
What is the scariest part of Subnautica?
Many players consider the Crater Edge to be one of the scariest parts of the game, with the possibility of encountering Ghost Leviathans. Also, Reaper Leviathans are terrifying for new players. It’s really dependent on the player.
Can you beat Subnautica without the Cyclops?
Yes. While the Cyclops is very useful, it’s possible to beat the game using the Prawn Suit and other vehicles. The game is flexible, and you can use the vehicles and exploration styles you enjoy.
What is the biggest threat in Subnautica?
The biggest threats are the Reaper Leviathan, Ghost Leviathan, and Sea Dragon Leviathan. These creatures have the highest threat level and will aggressively attack the player and their vehicles.
By understanding the mechanics of hull integrity, base reinforcement, and how to repair breaches, you’ll be able to maintain a safe and secure base in Subnautica. This understanding will also help you navigate the game’s challenges and allow you to explore the depths without the fear of a flooded home base.