The Elusive Enigma: Unveiling the Rarest Animal in Subnautica: Below Zero

The vast, icy depths of Subnautica: Below Zero are teeming with a diverse array of fascinating, and often terrifying, creatures. While many of these organisms are readily encountered as you explore the alien world of Planet 4546B, some remain incredibly elusive, making them a true testament to the game’s sense of mystery and wonder. When considering rarity, one creature stands above all others: the Frozen Leviathan. Though technically a static, non-living entity, its sheer scale, mysterious backstory, and the difficulty in finding it, qualify it as the rarest “animal” encounter in the game.

Why the Frozen Leviathan Reigns Supreme in Rarity

While technically not an active creature in the traditional sense, the Frozen Leviathan is an essential part of Subnautica: Below Zero’s lore and environmental storytelling. Located deep within the Arctic Kelp Caves, it is not something you stumble upon randomly, but is often discovered through intentional exploration of a very specific, deep, and sometimes hard to locate, biome. Its frozen state further enhances its unique status. The fact that it is not alive and cannot be scanned in the typical way makes it unique among all other “creatures” in the game, elevating its rarity. You won’t see it in gameplay, you have to delve deep into a specific biome to experience its sheer size.

What Makes it So Rare?

• Location Specificity: The Frozen Leviathan isn’t found simply wandering the open waters. Its location deep within the Arctic Kelp Caves requires purposeful exploration and a level of technological advancement that limits early-game encounters, further enhancing the feeling of it being a very rare find.
• Static Encounter: Unlike other leviathans that are encountered and interacted with in the game as they patrol, the Frozen Leviathan is a static part of the environment. This means that it cannot be found randomly, adding to its overall rarity. There is only one instance of it in the game.
• Story Significance: This frozen giant is integral to the overarching narrative of the game, hinting at ancient conflicts and cataclysmic events that took place on the planet. Its uniqueness and significance in the game’s story contribute to it being perceived as an exceptional encounter.

While several other leviathans are also relatively rare and dangerous, like the Shadow Leviathan, they still have set habitats and encounters. The Frozen Leviathan, as a static and unique object tied to the narrative, has a different kind of rarity that no other creature or “animal” can match.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Rarity and Creatures in Subnautica: Below Zero

1. What are the other rarest creatures in Subnautica: Below Zero besides the Frozen Leviathan?

Apart from the Frozen Leviathan, the Void Chelicerate is considered another rare encounter, only found in the void biome, and the Shadow Leviathan has very specific locations. Some would also consider the Glow Whale to be rare due to its size and specific habitat. However, these are more of challenging encounters than elusive.

2. Is there a creature that’s harder to find than the Frozen Leviathan?

While not technically an “animal” as discussed earlier, the static Frozen Leviathan is the most unique find. The Void Chelicerate may be encountered less frequently, however this is only because of the player’s access to the Void.

3. Where can I find the Frozen Leviathan?

The Frozen Leviathan is located deep within the Arctic Kelp Caves, at a very specific location. You’ll need a high degree of exploration and navigation skills to locate it successfully.

4. Are the Reefback Leviathans rare in Below Zero?

Reefback Leviathans, though gigantic, are not rare. They are one of the most common leviathans and are typically friendly, serving as mobile ecosystems. These creatures are not in Subnautica: Below Zero.

5. How many Leviathan-class organisms are there in Subnautica: Below Zero?

There are nine leviathan-class organisms listed in the PDA upon scanning them, including active and static entities. These include creatures like the Shadow Leviathan, Ice Worm, Glow Whale and static elements like the Frozen Leviathan and Juvenile Ventgarden.

6. What is the scariest creature in Subnautica: Below Zero?

Many players consider the Shadow Leviathan to be the scariest due to its aggressive nature and imposing appearance. The Ice Worm and Chelicerate are also often cited for their terrifying encounters.

7. Are there Reaper Leviathans in Subnautica: Below Zero?

No, there are no Reaper Leviathans in Subnautica: Below Zero. Their role as the apex predator is filled by the Shadow Leviathan.

8. What is the most aggressive Leviathan in Subnautica?

In the original Subnautica, the Sea Dragon Leviathan is considered the most aggressive. In Subnautica: Below Zero, the Shadow Leviathan often takes this title.

9. What are some of the new creatures in Below Zero?

Subnautica: Below Zero introduced several new creatures, including the Squidshark, Snow Stalker, Rock Puncher, and the Pinnacarid.

10. Is the Bloop from Subnautica present in Below Zero?

The Bloop, a large, spherical leviathan, is indeed present in Subnautica: Below Zero and is a powerful threat to the player, even in vehicles.

11. What is the largest creature in Subnautica: Below Zero?

The largest moving creatures in the game are the Glow Whale and Frozen Leviathan (in terms of size, even though it’s static). The Ventgarden is also large but is static.

12. Are there any friendly Leviathans in Subnautica: Below Zero?

The Glow Whale is generally considered friendly and non-aggressive. Reefbacks, although absent in Below Zero, were the most notably friendly leviathans in the original game.

13. Can you beat Subnautica: Below Zero without being infected?

No, infection is a core part of the story, and it’s impossible to complete the game without being infected. The game mechanics revolve around managing this affliction.

14. What is the most dangerous place in Subnautica: Below Zero?

The Void is generally considered the most dangerous area due to the powerful and aggressive Void Chelicerate inhabiting the biome, as well as the game’s natural “drop-off” mechanic that crushes vehicles after a certain depth. The Arctic Kelp Caves is also very dangerous, as is the Tree Spires area due to its Ice Worms.

15. Is there a real-life equivalent of any creature in the game?

The Reaper Leviathan shares a resemblance with the real-life oarfish, though much larger and more aggressive. While the developers often draw inspiration from real life, most creatures are imagined to fit the alien setting.

Conclusion

While several creatures in Subnautica: Below Zero offer unique and challenging encounters, the Frozen Leviathan stands alone in its particular type of rarity. Its static nature, the specific location, and connection to the game’s lore, make it the rarest “animal” in the icy depths. Understanding this creature’s unique place and the nature of the Subnautica: Below Zero’s fauna not only enriches the gameplay experience but also deepens the player’s appreciation for the game’s intricate design. From the elusive depths to the surface, the diverse world of Planet 4546B continues to amaze and captivate.