Subnautica 2 launched into early access last week to major commercial success, but one frustration has dominated player conversation: the game makes killing fish nearly impossible, leaving divers vulnerable to constant harassment from underwater predators. While Unknown Worlds Entertainment discusses internal solutions, the community has already begun mapping workarounds that actually work.
The core problem is straightforward. The game offers flares to deter fish, but no purpose-built weapons or tools designed to inflict damage. Players diving through the depths face relentless nibbling attacks with few reliable defenses, turning exploration into a grinding endurance test rather than the triumphant journey many expected.
Yet solutions exist for those willing to dig deep into progression. Across Reddit, Discord servers, and social media, experienced players have identified mid-game upgrades that shift the balance toward survival.
The Feedback Resonator stands out as the most direct answer. This upgrade transforms the Sonic Resonator into a projectile weapon capable of dealing actual damage to fish from distance. The catch: reaching it requires substantial progression into the game. Another option comes from the Shockwave biomod upgrade, which delivers an electric discharge that physically repels attacking fish. Combined with strategic flare use and evasive dashing, these tools create a survival toolkit.
Player Jeidoz documented completing the entire early access campaign without taking any damage, relying on layered defenses. Early game tactics involved flares and sprinting away from predators, then deploying the Sonic Resonator to discourage aggressive fish. As progression accelerated, the Electric Discharge handled dangerous situations while the Feedback Resonator dealt with single-target threats. "In the current version of Early Access, I believe we only have mid-game options," Jeidoz explained, noting that the game's PDA hints at future additions. "With future updates, we can expect new vehicles, new bio-mods, fixed fish reactions to light, and other tools or actions."
The situation reflects a fundamental design philosophy at Unknown Worlds. Level designer Artyom O'Rielly stated bluntly in the Subnautica Discord: "We aren't a killing game. Go play Sons of the Forest or something if you want to kill." The studio explicitly resists the idea of letting players dominate their environment or clear threats indiscriminately. While players do consume fish for food and crafting materials, that happens off-screen and doesn't scratch the itch for active combat.
Still, developers acknowledge the frustration. Lead game designer Anthony Gallegos confirmed that creature behavior tuning is underway. "One thing that should help with this soon is the array of creature flinches we're doing," he said. "Right now they aren't communicating that you've impacted them, and that will change." He added that aggression levels, cooldown periods between encounters, and overall difficulty balancing remain active development priorities. "We clearly have work to do there, and we're doing it," Gallegos stated.
The developer's approach aims for middle ground: players won't get a stasis rifle or hard-reset weapon, but the game will become less punishing through behavior refinement. Fish will react more visibly to player actions, attack less relentlessly, and take longer to re-engage after being deterred. It's an incremental path rather than a revolutionary one.
For now, the community consensus is clear. Patient players who progress far enough unlock legitimate defensive options. Those still in early exploration can survive through caution, flares, and rapid escape. Unknown Worlds maintains its vision of Subnautica as an exploration game where creatures demand respect, not eradication.
Author Emily Chen: "The debate reveals a real tension between designer intent and player expectation, but Unknown Worlds seems determined to stick with their vision while making the existing systems feel less tedious."
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