Can You Permanently Kill Leviathans in Subnautica?

Yes, with some significant caveats, you can permanently kill certain leviathans in Subnautica. The crucial distinction lies in the type of leviathan and the game’s respawn mechanics. While some of these colossal creatures will not return after being defeated by the player, others are effectively immortal due to respawning mechanics or game design. This article will explore which leviathans can be permanently eliminated and how, diving deep into the implications for your gameplay and the overall terrifying atmosphere of Planet 4546B.

Understanding Leviathan Respawn Mechanics

The core of the answer lies in how Subnautica handles creature respawns. Generally, the game is designed to maintain a sense of danger and exploration. This means that many creatures, particularly those that are crucial to specific biomes, will respawn after a certain time or upon reloading the game. However, this is not a universal rule for all leviathans.

Leviathans That Do Not Respawn

• Reaper Leviathans: These iconic, terrifying creatures that inhabit areas like the Aurora crash zone and the Dunes are permanently killed when defeated by the player. Once you manage to take one down, it will not respawn, reducing the number of these formidable predators in the game world.
• Ghost Leviathans (excluding those in the Void): Similar to Reapers, Ghost Leviathans, typically found in the Lost River and Grand Reef, do not respawn if killed by the player. This significantly impacts the perceived danger in these areas after you’ve successfully eliminated them.

Leviathans That Do Respawn

• Adult Ghost Leviathans in the Void: The vast, empty expanse known as the Void (or Ecological Dead Zone) is home to Adult Ghost Leviathans that will respawn immediately upon being killed. This area is specifically designed to be incredibly dangerous, with the respawning leviathans acting as a constant threat.
• Sea Dragon Leviathans: While extremely difficult to kill, Sea Dragon Leviathans, found in the Inactive Lava Zone and Lava Lakes, technically can be killed. However, the game’s logic will respawn these upon reloading of the game.
• Other Non-Leviathan Creatures: Most other creatures that are not Leviathan Class, including the smaller predatory fish and the docile herbivores, will typically respawn after a set period or when you reload the game.

Why This Design Choice?

The decision to make some leviathans permanently killable while others respawn is deliberate. It allows players to experience a sense of progression and mastery over their environment. Permanently eliminating Reaper and Ghost Leviathans can make previously terrifying areas more manageable. It can also encourage players to try out various weapons and combat strategies.

However, the respawning leviathans in the Void and the Lava Zones remind players that some areas will remain consistently dangerous and challenging. This creates a contrast in the game’s risk-reward system, with the game’s more dangerous areas still presenting a challenge for advanced players.

Methods for Killing Leviathans

While challenging, defeating leviathans is possible with the right equipment and strategy:

• Prawn Suit: This is your primary tool for leviathan hunting. Equipping the Prawn Suit with a Drill Arm and Grapple Arm allows you to latch onto leviathans and deal consistent damage. Alternatively, the Prawn Suit’s Torpedo launcher can also deal serious damage.
• Stasis Rifle: Using the Stasis Rifle to temporarily stun a leviathan can provide a valuable window of opportunity to inflict heavy damage with your Prawn Suit’s arm.
• Seamoth: While risky, the Seamoth can be used to kill Reapers and other large creatures, using torpedoes.
• Strategic Use of Torpedoes: Deploying multiple torpedoes with both the Prawn Suit and the Seamoth can be effective in taking down leviathans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 related FAQs to further clarify the intricacies of leviathan killing in Subnautica:

1. Can you kill every leviathan in Subnautica? Yes, technically every leviathan can be killed, with the exception of the Sea Emperor (who is not aggressive and does not count as a predator). However, some, like the Adult Ghost Leviathans in the Void and Sea Dragons will respawn.
2. Do Reaper Leviathans respawn after killing them? No, Reaper Leviathans do not respawn once killed by the player.
3. Do Ghost Leviathans respawn after death? Adult Ghost Leviathans outside the Void do not respawn; those in the Void do respawn.
4. Can a Seamoth outrun a Ghost Leviathan? It depends on the distance. If the leviathan is close, you will not outrun it. However, with distance and a clear path you can outpace one.
5. Is the Seamoth faster than a reaper? The Seamoth is faster, but it can’t outmaneuver a reaper in close quarters.
6. Can Reaper Leviathan damage Cyclops? Yes, Reapers can attack and severely damage the Cyclops submarine.
7. Can you get ghost leviathan eggs in Subnautica? You can find Ghost Leviathan Eggs in the Giant Cove Tree at the Lost River but you cannot obtain them.
8. Do you get anything for killing a Reaper Leviathan? No, killing a Reaper only provides bragging rights and an opportunity to scan them. There is no material loot or other in-game reward.
9. Can a Prawn Suit kill a reaper? Yes, the Prawn Suit, particularly with upgrades and torpedoes, can effectively kill a Reaper.
10. Can torpedoes kill leviathans? Yes, torpedoes can inflict significant damage and are capable of killing leviathans. They are most effective when used with a Stasis Rifle to hold leviathans in place.
11. Can the Prawn Suit fight leviathans? Absolutely. The Prawn Suit is the primary tool for engaging in leviathan combat, particularly using the drill arm and grapple arm.
12. What is the scariest thing in Subnautica? Many consider the Reaper Leviathan the scariest creature, but some find the Sea Dragon Leviathan and the Ghost Leviathans equally terrifying.
13. What is the biggest creature in Subnautica? The largest are the Gargantuan Fossil Leviathan and then the Sea Emperor Leviathan, but the most dangerous large creature is the Sea Dragon Leviathan.
14. Do sea dragons eat reaper leviathans? Yes, it’s shown that Sea Dragon Leviathans can kill and consume Reapers.
15. What does a Ghost Leviathan look like in Subnautica? Ghost Leviathans have a bioluminescent, transparent outer membrane covering a muscular, blue body with darker stripes and 12 yellow eyes.

Conclusion

The ability to permanently kill certain leviathans in Subnautica adds an element of player agency and progression to the game. While not every leviathan can be eliminated from the game world, the ability to clear specific areas of threats, especially the formidable Reapers, is a testament to the game’s careful design and its mix of fear and exploration. Knowing which leviathans stay dead, and which always come back, will help you understand the survival challenges of Planet 4546B that much better.