Can You Avoid the Disease in Subnautica?
The short answer is no, you cannot avoid the Kharaa bacterium infection in Subnautica. From the moment you enter the water, or, more accurately, from the moment you consume anything, you are infected. However, the game mechanics provide a unique twist: you are not immediately debilitated by the disease. Instead, it’s a subtle, progressive infection that only poses a direct threat by preventing your escape from the planet. So, while you can’t sidestep infection, you can control its progression, and ultimately, find a cure. Let’s delve deeper into this intriguing aspect of Subnautica and explore the nuances of the Kharaa infection.
Understanding the Kharaa Bacterium
The Kharaa bacterium is a foreign pathogen that infects all life forms on Planet 4546B after a Precursor structure is destroyed. The water and any consumable resources are contaminated with the bacteria. This means from your first sip of purified water or the first bite of a cooked fish, you’re an active carrier of the disease. The game uses self-scans to show you how the infection progresses, though visually, you don’t exhibit symptoms like fever or sickness.
How Does Infection Work?
Unlike traditional survival games where diseases have immediate and debilitating effects, Kharaa in Subnautica is a slow burn. The infection gradually progresses over time and does not initially impact the player’s performance. The true consequence only arises when you attempt to leave the planet using the rescue rocket. The Quarantine Enforcement Platform scans your life support pod. If the scan detects the Kharaa bacterium, the platform will prevent your launch, locking you on Planet 4546B.
Managing the Infection
While you can’t avoid infection, you can actively manage it. This involves seeking a cure through the story’s main quest line. To cure yourself, you will need Enzyme 42, which is produced by the Sea Emperor Leviathan and its young. The game’s progression revolves around discovering the cure and working towards your eventual escape, making the infection an integral part of the storyline rather than an instant game-over scenario.
The Importance of the Cure
The cure for Kharaa is not merely a tool to escape the planet; it’s a driving force behind your exploration and discovery. The game encourages you to delve deeper into the lore, understanding the Precursors, the Sea Emperor, and the devastating effects of the bacterium. Through research and interactions with the in-game world, you will learn the steps necessary to obtain Enzyme 42 and begin the curing process. This is essential to allow you to leave Planet 4546B.
The Role of the Sea Emperor
The Sea Emperor Leviathan is the key to the cure. This creature, located deep within the game’s world, is not a hostile being. In fact, it’s the source of the solution. By observing the Emperor’s aquarium and how it cures other creatures, players learn the importance of Enzyme 42. Ultimately, this interaction forms a large part of the game’s narrative and guides players towards their goal.
Related Frequently Asked Questions
To provide a broader understanding of the infection mechanics, here are some frequently asked questions about the Kharaa bacterium and its effects in Subnautica:
1. What Happens if You Don’t Cure the Virus in Subnautica?
If you do not cure the Kharaa bacterium before attempting to launch your rescue rocket, you will be unable to leave the planet. The Quarantine Enforcement Platform detects the infection and prevents your escape. There are no symptoms of illness associated with Kharaa other than being unable to leave the planet.
2. Can You Cure Fish in Subnautica?
Yes, you can cure fish in Subnautica. Cured fish does not decay, making it an ideal food source for long expeditions. Curing fish reduces its hydration level by 2%, but it does not change its food value. Cured fish uses salt and raw fish in the fabricator.
3. How Did the Player Get Infected in Subnautica?
The player gets infected from the moment they consume any water or food. This is because the Kharaa bacterium infects everything on the planet, including the water and all food sources. The infection originated from a Precursor structure that was destroyed, releasing the bacteria into the environment.
4. Why is the Player’s Blood Yellow in Subnautica?
The player’s yellow blood is not a direct result of the Kharaa infection. Instead, it’s because they use cobalt in their blood rather than iron. This is a common trait for other creatures on the planet, with cobalt being more readily available than iron.
5. Can Leviathans Get Infected in Subnautica?
No, Leviathans cannot be infected by the Kharaa bacterium. The infection mechanics were changed to give Leviathans immunity, likely due to balance and lore considerations.
6. Can Cuddlefish Get Infected in Subnautica?
Unfortunately, yes, Cuddlefish can get infected by the Kharaa bacterium, like all other creatures on the planet. It’s important to care for your Cuddlefish and take preventative measures.
7. Can You Cure the Frozen Leviathan?
Yes, you can cure the Frozen Leviathan in Subnautica by inserting the Kharaa Antidote into a machine near the Leviathan’s head. This is a side quest in the game.
8. Does Cured Food Go Bad in Subnautica?
No, cured food does not go bad in Subnautica. This makes it ideal for long expeditions as it lasts indefinitely.
9. Does Dying in Subnautica Matter?
Dying in Survival or Freedom mode will cause you to respawn at your base, pod, or sub but you lose any resources you collected since your last respawn point. Dying in Hardcore mode is game over.
10. How Does Subnautica End?
Subnautica ends when the player cures the Kharaa infection and successfully escapes from the planet. A secondary character, Marguerit Maida, also escapes separately, while the main protagonist’s fate is somewhat ambiguous.
11. How Do You Become Immune to Radiation in Subnautica?
You become immune to radiation by equipping the Radiation Suit, which consists of three parts that can be swapped out with other gear. To completely eliminate radiation damage, the player must equip all three parts of the suit.
12. Can You Save the Sunbeam?
Yes, you can save the Sunbeam by deactivating the Quarantine Enforcement Platform before the Sunbeam arrives. This will trigger a different voice line.
13. What is the Deadliest Leviathan in Subnautica?
The Sea Dragon Leviathan is considered one of the deadliest creatures in Subnautica, possessing the ability to destroy Precursor facilities and shoot fireballs.
14. What Do You Get for Killing the Reaper Leviathan?
Killing a Reaper Leviathan only provides bragging rights and the opportunity to scan it. There is no resource or benefit for fighting them.
15. Can You Lose Your Cuddlefish?
Unless a glitch occurs, your Cuddlefish will follow you around. It’s best to keep them near your base to prevent them from getting lost if you travel away on an expedition.
Conclusion
While you cannot avoid contracting the Kharaa bacterium in Subnautica, the game’s design makes this unavoidable infection a core element of the storyline. It doesn’t kill you; instead, it drives your quest for a cure and ultimately determines your ability to escape the planet. By managing your infection, exploring the depths of Planet 4546B, and uncovering the truth about the Sea Emperor Leviathan, you will find a way to survive and, ultimately, be cured. Understanding how the Kharaa bacterium works is crucial to experiencing the full scope of Subnautica.