Subnautica is an open-world survival game that takes players on an underwater adventure filled with exploration, resource gathering, and survival challenges. One of the significant hurdles players face in Subnautica is the Kharaa bacterium infection. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to become uninfected in Subnautica, detailing the infection’s progression, crucial story milestones, and the steps required to cure the infection.
1. Understanding the Kharaa Bacterium Infection
In the world of Subnautica, the Kharaa bacterium is a highly virulent pathogen that has decimated entire ecosystems and civilizations. Players discover they are infected with Kharaa early in the game, setting the stage for a quest to find a cure. The infection is central to the game’s storyline and influences interactions with various alien technologies and lifeforms.
2. Early Signs of Infection
As players progress through Subnautica, they begin to notice signs of infection on their character’s hands. These visual cues are accompanied by story elements hinting at the necessity of finding a cure. The infection can also be detected by scanning the player character with the Scanner tool, revealing increasing levels of bacterial contamination.
3. Progression Through the Storyline
To become uninfected in Subnautica, players must follow the main storyline, which involves exploring various biomes, discovering alien facilities, and piecing together the history of the Kharaa bacterium. Key locations and milestones include:
- Degasi Bases: These underwater habitats provide clues about the previous inhabitants’ struggles with the Kharaa infection and their attempts to find a cure. Exploring these bases yields essential storyline insights and blueprints.
- Aurora Crash Site: Investigating the wreckage of the crashed spaceship Aurora reveals information about the infection and access to advanced technology and materials. Players must repair the Aurora’s drive core to prevent further environmental hazards.
- Alien Facilities: Throughout Subnautica, players encounter alien structures built by the Precursor race. These facilities are critical to understanding the Kharaa bacterium and finding a cure. Key alien facilities include:
- Alien Thermal Plant: Located in the Lava Lakes, this facility provides power to other alien structures and contains vital data on the Kharaa bacterium.
- Disease Research Facility: Found in the Lost River biome, this facility houses information on the bacterium’s origin and its impact on various lifeforms.
- Primary Containment Facility: The most crucial alien structure, located in the Lava Lakes, where players can find the Sea Emperor Leviathan, a central figure in the quest for the cure.
4. Encountering the Sea Emperor Leviathan
The Sea Emperor Leviathan plays a pivotal role in curing the Kharaa infection. Players must navigate the challenging environment of the Lava Lakes to reach the Primary Containment Facility. Inside, they will find the Sea Emperor Leviathan, who reveals that her enzyme-rich eggs hold the key to the cure.
To hatch the Sea Emperor Leviathan’s eggs, players need to gather rare ingredients to create a special enzyme mixture. The required ingredients are:
- Eye Stalk Seed: Found in the Kelp Forest biome.
- Fungal Sample: Collected from Giant Bulb Trees in the Bulb Zone.
- Ghost Weed Seed: Located in the Lost River biome.
- Sea Crown Seed: A rare plant found in specific locations, such as the Dunes or certain caves.
- Bulb Bush Sample: Harvested from Bulb Bushes in the Bulb Zone.
5. Crafting Hatching Enzymes
Once players have collected the necessary ingredients, they must combine them to create the Hatching Enzymes. This can be done using the Fabricator. After crafting the enzymes, players return to the Primary Containment Facility and use them to hatch the Sea Emperor Leviathan’s eggs.
6. The Cure
Upon hatching, the juvenile Sea Emperors release Enzyme 42, a substance capable of neutralizing the Kharaa bacterium. Players need to approach the juvenile Sea Emperors to come into contact with Enzyme 42, which will cure their infection. The infection status can be verified by using the Scanner tool or observing the absence of infection markings on the character’s hands.
7. Completing the Game
Curing the Kharaa infection is a significant milestone in Subnautica’s storyline. After becoming uninfected, players can deactivate the Quarantine Enforcement Platform, an alien weapon preventing them from leaving the planet. With the platform deactivated, players can build the Neptune Escape Rocket, the final step towards leaving the planet and completing the game.
Becoming uninfected in Subnautica is a challenging yet rewarding journey that requires players to explore diverse biomes, uncover hidden secrets, and interact with alien lifeforms. By following the storyline, collecting rare ingredients, and hatching the Sea Emperor Leviathan’s eggs, players can cure the Kharaa bacterium infection and ultimately escape the planet. This intricate quest not only provides a sense of accomplishment but also highlights the depth and complexity of Subnautica’s narrative and gameplay.