How Many Torpedoes Does it Take to Kill a Leviathan in Subnautica?
The short answer: it depends on the type of torpedo and the Leviathan you’re targeting. However, focusing on the most commonly encountered and problematic foe, the Reaper Leviathan, approximately 10 Gas Torpedoes are needed for a kill when using optimal tactics. This number is based on the gas cloud doing an average of 500-555 damage per torpedo and the reaper Leviathan’s overall health pool.
While the headline question is simple, the reality of engaging a Leviathan with torpedoes in Subnautica is complex. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances, types of torpedoes available, and strategies that can affect the number required for a successful hunt.
Understanding Torpedo Damage and Types
Subnautica offers a variety of tools and weaponry to defend yourself against the hostile creatures inhabiting its depths. Torpedoes are a crucial component of this arsenal, used with the Seamoth and Prawn Suit, but they come in different types, each with its own unique properties:
Gas Torpedoes
Gas Torpedoes are probably the most common weapon against Leviathans. They release a cloud of poisonous gas that deals damage over time to any creature trapped inside. Each torpedo delivers approximately 500 to 555 damage. However, the gas cloud’s damage per second (DPS) is between 38 and 43, meaning that precise targeting and cloud stacking are crucial for maximizing effectiveness. The Prawn Suit Torpedo Arm can hold six gas torpedoes per arm, and a fully loaded Prawn Suit will be able to output a considerable amount of damage quickly.
Vortex Torpedoes
Vortex Torpedoes are not designed for direct damage dealing. Instead, they are used to immobilize creatures. Upon impact, they emit a vortex that can trap or slow down even large predators like the Reaper Leviathan, making them easier targets for other weapon systems. While not directly contributing to a kill, they are invaluable for setting up a successful attack. Using a Vortex Torpedo before unleashing a volley of Gas Torpedoes significantly increases your chances of success.
Crashfish Torpedoes
Although the game does not directly recognize these as a torpedo type, the Crashfish can be deployed as an improvised explosive. They are highly effective at delivering a substantial burst of damage, but they cannot be launched via a torpedo bay. Instead, you must use a Propulsion Cannon to fire the creature, making it a situational tool, not a preferred method.
Leviathan Health and Vulnerabilities
Leviathans in Subnautica vary greatly in health and vulnerabilities. While it’s been established that about 10 gas torpedoes are enough to kill a Reaper Leviathan, other leviathans pose a more difficult challenge.
- Reaper Leviathan: Known for its aggression and strong bite, the Reaper is one of the first large predators players commonly encounter, with a substantial amount of health, requiring 10 well placed gas torpedoes.
- Ghost Leviathan: Found in the deeper, more dangerous zones, the Ghost Leviathan has even more health than a Reaper. Juvenile Ghost Leviathans are easier to dispatch, but adult forms require a significantly larger arsenal and well-planned attacks.
- Sea Dragon Leviathan: The largest predator in the game, the Sea Dragon possesses immense health, making it a challenging target even with torpedoes. Direct combat with a Sea Dragon using gas torpedoes is not recommended without a lot of preparation and strategy.
It’s important to note that Leviathans are weak to electricity, but resistant to fire and ice attacks. Torpedoes, as a primarily gas-based attack, are generally quite effective, but always consider your target’s vulnerability before engaging.
Strategies for Using Torpedoes Effectively
While quantity matters, the way you use your torpedoes is equally crucial. Here are some useful strategies:
- Stasis Rifle Assistance: Before launching torpedoes, using the Stasis Rifle to temporarily freeze a Leviathan in place is highly beneficial. This ensures all the gas clouds from your torpedoes hit the target, preventing wasted ammunition.
- Stacking Gas Clouds: If you can immobilize a Leviathan effectively, try to stack gas clouds from your Gas Torpedoes in the same location. This will cause the total damage to multiply drastically over time and quickly decimate the Leviathan’s health.
- Prawn Suit Maneuverability: The Prawn Suit offers better maneuverability in battle than the Seamoth, making it easier to circle around Leviathans while launching torpedoes. Upgrading your Prawn Suit with a grappling arm and a drill arm can also help to keep you safe and provide extra damage when you close in.
- Combining Torpedoes: Use Vortex Torpedoes in conjunction with Gas Torpedoes. Immobilize the Leviathan with a Vortex, then unleash a barrage of Gas Torpedoes.
- Use a Repair Tool: Engage in close combat only with an upgraded Prawn Suit and bring along a repair tool, as you will likely take damage during the fight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about using torpedoes against Leviathans in Subnautica, designed to clarify any confusion and provide further insights.
1. Can you kill Leviathans with torpedoes?
Yes, Leviathans can be killed with torpedoes, especially the gas variety, but this requires skill, strategy, and the correct number of torpedoes.
2. How many Prawn Suit torpedoes do I need to kill a reaper Leviathan?
You’ll need about 10 gas torpedoes from the Prawn Suit’s torpedo arm to kill a Reaper, provided that all the gas clouds hit.
3. Do Vortex torpedoes do damage to Leviathans?
No, Vortex Torpedoes do not directly do damage. They are used to immobilize and slow down creatures, making them easier targets for other weaponry.
4. Are all Leviathans killable?
Yes, all the Leviathans in the game, including Reaper, Ghost, and Sea Dragon leviathans, are killable with enough effort and resources.
5. How effective is a Thermoblade against a Leviathan?
A Thermoblade does not inflict a lot of damage per hit, it takes over 125 hits to kill a Ghost Leviathan, therefore it is not the most effective way to kill Leviathans.
6. Can the Prawn Suit take on a reaper Leviathan?
Yes, with the correct upgrades (hull reinforcement, grapple arm, and drill arm), the Prawn Suit can kill a Reaper Leviathan with a mix of combat strategies and good piloting.
7. What are the Leviathan’s weaknesses?
Leviathans are weak to electrical attacks but are resistant to fire and ice. This should be considered when you choose your weapon.
8. Can a Seamoth outrun a Ghost Leviathan?
It is possible to outrun a Ghost Leviathan with a Seamoth if you are not within its immediate reach, but if it is already chasing you, it is highly unlikely.
9. Are Gas Torpedoes the best weapon in Subnautica?
Gas Torpedoes are one of the most useful weapons against larger creatures and Leviathans, but the most useful will depend on your play style and the threat you are facing.
10. Are Crashfish Torpedoes effective?
Crashfish do deliver a burst of high damage when launched with the Propulsion Cannon, but they are situational, and not ideal due to the lack of control.
11. Do Decoys work on Leviathans?
Creature decoys can work on Leviathans, diverting their attention briefly, giving you time to escape.
12. Do Leviathans respawn?
Leviathans within the main crater do not respawn, but adult Ghost Leviathans at the edge of the map do respawn.
13. What is the largest creature in Subnautica?
The Gargantuan Fossil Leviathan is the largest creature in the Subnautica franchise, however it is only a fossil. The largest living creature is the Sea Emperor.
14. Can you get Leviathan eggs?
You can find a number of alien eggs while exploring, but there are no collectible or hatchable eggs for the Leviathans.
15. How many knife hits does it take to kill a ghost leviathan?
It would take around 100 swings of the heat knife to kill a juvenile ghost leviathan, and even more for an adult.
Conclusion
Engaging a Leviathan in Subnautica with torpedoes requires a combination of the right weaponry, strategy, and skill. While about 10 Gas Torpedoes can dispatch a Reaper Leviathan, you’ll need to adjust your approach based on the Leviathan you are facing, and the resources at your disposal. With careful planning and execution, no leviathan is invincible. Remember to consider your surroundings, plan for damage, and use the strategies available in the deep to ensure victory. Happy hunting!