I was two minutes from running out of oxygen when a Chum Cloud bought me time. I hit Dash and felt the current rip past my shoulders—then learned I could have planned that escape. If you play like I do, you want a shortlist of Biomods that win fights and save hours of frustration.
I’ll walk you through what each Biomod actually does, why it matters, and the handful you should chase first. Read fast; the ocean doesn’t wait.
On night dives, a flare is everything — the same is true for active biomods
Active Biomods trigger on command and act like tools in a compact kit. Some are crowd-control, some are mobility, and a couple are pure utility: use them when timing matters.
| Biomod | Triggered Abilities |
|---|---|
| Chum Cloud | Release a cloud of delicious bait to distract predators |
| Dash | Dash in any direction to avoid predators or hazards |
| Electric Discharge | Emit an 800-volt electric shock to deter medium and large-sized predators |
| Pathfinder | Release a trail of pheromones you can follow to find your way |
| Sonic Echo | Emit a sonar pulse to highlight nearby resources |
Which ones I favor: Dash is the difference between a clean getaway and a ten-minute chase, and Sonic Echo saves you from blind scavenging when you need specific materials. Use Chum Cloud as a tactical distraction — it’s a short cooldown but can reset a dangerous encounter.
Think of active biomods like a Swiss Army knife: some blades are specific, others save time in a pinch.
I’ve watched real divers choose gear that reduces micro-problems — passive biomods do the same
Passive Biomods are always on or activate under certain conditions. They don’t flash or roar, but they change how you play over hours of exploration.
| Biomod | Triggered Abilities |
|---|---|
| Bioluminescence | Glow in the dark |
| Camouflage | Become invisible to predators when not moving |
| Dermal Garden | Slowly grow nutritious algae on your skin |
| Homing Sense | Detect nearby bases with electrical power |
| Oxygen Control | Slows oxygen consumption when not moving |
| Sea Skimmer | Swim faster when close to underwater surfaces or the seafloor |
| Slow Metabolism | Your microbiome becomes more efficient, making food less slow |
| Threat Sense | Detect nearby threats with specialised hair cells |
| Water Retention | Gain more water from all sources with enlarged, orca-like kidneys |
| Water Secretion | Slowly fills a water packet by filtering fresh water from the sea |
Can I equip multiple Passive Biomods?
Yes. The game gives you more slots for passive effects, so stacking is expected. That creates meaningful choices: do you take survivability (Water Retention + Slow Metabolism) or utility (Bioluminescence + Homing Sense)?
Use Oxygen Control for exploration loops where you stop often; pair Sea Skimmer with Sea-floor routes to shave travel time. If you prefer stealth play, Camouflage and Threat Sense make moving through dense predator zones much less stressful — they act like a lighthouse in fog, guiding choices rather than forcing them.
A museum exhibit teaches you which artifacts matter — the Welcome Center does the same for Biomods
When you power the Welcome Center, the game gives you two free biomods from a selection of four. That early choice shapes your first hours, so choose with a plan.
To access more options beyond those initial picks, you must craft the Bioscanner. That requires finding the Bioscanner blueprint first, then building it in your fabricator.
- One Scanner
- Two Enamelled Glass
- Three Conduit Crystal
How do I get Biomods in Subnautica 2?
Scan the specific items each Biomod asks for using the Bioscanner. Each Biomod has different scan requirements; some are simple and tied to common fauna or flora, others need rare components or attention in specific biomes. If a biomod won’t appear, keep scanning related creatures and wreckage — the progression is largely scan-driven.
Note: Unknown Worlds tested extra Biomods earlier that were later removed for balance. The developer has signaled more choices will arrive in the first major patch, so keep an eye on patch notes and the Steam community hub for updates.
Pro tips: use Steam’s discussion threads, follow Unknown Worlds on social, and watch outlets like Moyens I/O for screenshots and early impressions. If you want to prioritize, craft the Bioscanner as soon as you have the blueprint — it pays off faster than extra storage mods.
Which Biomod are you chasing first, and will you play it safe or gamble for a rarer trait?