Oxygen Management
Oxygen is your most critical resource. Without it, you have seconds to live. Understanding how to manage and extend your oxygen supply is the difference between life and death.
Oxygen Tank Upgrades
| Tank Type | O2 Capacity | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Standard O2 Tank | 75 seconds | Crafted at fabricator (Titanium x2) |
| High Capacity O2 Tank | 135 seconds | Blueprint from data boxes |
| Ultra High Capacity Tank | 225 seconds | Modification station upgrade |
Oxygen Conservation Tips
- Swim efficiently: Avoid sprinting unless necessary. Sprint drains O2 faster.
- Use air pockets: Caves and certain structures have breathable air.
- Plan your route: Always know the fastest way back to surface or base.
- Rebreather: Reduces O2 consumption at extreme depths. Essential for deep diving.
- Vehicle oxygen: Vehicles provide unlimited O2 while inside. Park strategically.
When O2 reaches 0, you have approximately 5 seconds before death. Always keep an eye on your meter and surface with at least 20 seconds remaining as a safety buffer.
Food & Water Systems
Early Game Food Sources
| Food Source | Food Value | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Peepers | +32 | Shallow areas, very common |
| Garryfish | +42 | Grassy areas, day time |
| Holefish | +28 | Near caves and rocky areas |
| Creepvine Samples | +15 | Creepvine forests |
Water Sources
Water is more critical than food. Dehydration kills faster than starvation.
- Bladderfish: Catch near surface. Turn into Bladderfish Water at fabricator.
- Disinfected Water: Crafted from salt + coral tube sample.
- Water Filtration Machine: Base module for unlimited water. Priority build.
Best Food & Water Strategy
- Early game: Catch bladderfish for water, peepers for food.
- Mid game: Build water filtration machine + indoor growbeds for sustainable food.
- Late game: Marblemelons and Chinese potatoes from growbeds are the most efficient.
Build an indoor growbed as soon as you have a base. Plant Marblemelons — each plant gives 4 fruits that provide both food and water, making them the most efficient survival crop.
Health & Damage
Taking Damage
Your health bar depletes from:
- Creature attacks: Varies by creature size and aggression.
- Drowning: Rapid health loss when O2 depletes.
- Environmental hazards: Heat, radiation, crushing depth.
- Starvation/Dehydration: Slow health drain when needs are at 0.
Healing Methods
| Method | Healing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First Aid Kit | +50 HP | Crafted at fabricator. Carry 2-3 at all times. |
| Medkit Fabricator | +50 HP | Base module. Auto-generates medkits slowly. |
| Regen bed | Full heal | Advanced base module. Sleep to fully heal. |
| Food | +5 to +15 | Small heal from eating cooked food. |
Temperature & Depth Hazards
Depth Pressure
Going too deep without proper equipment causes damage:
- 0-100m: Safe for unprotected diving.
- 100-200m: Need reinforced diving suit or vehicle.
- 200m+: Requires vehicle with depth module or special suit upgrades.
Thermal Hazards
Some biomes have extreme temperatures:
- Thermal Vents: Can cause burn damage. Approach with caution.
- Lava Zones: Require reinforced suit or vehicle shielding.
- Cold Depths: Some deep areas drain body heat. Carry warming items.
Sustainable Survival Setup
Once you have a base, set up these systems for indefinite survival:
- Power: Solar near surface, thermal near vents, bioreactor as backup.
- Water: Water Filtration Machine (requires power).
- Food: Indoor growbeds with Marblemelons + Exterior growbeds for creepvine.
- Healing: Medkit fabricator or keep first aid kits in storage.
- O2: Base provides unlimited oxygen. Build multiple bases for exploration.
Build small outpost bases at strategic depths (100m, 200m, 300m+) with just a multipurpose room, solar panel, and hatch. These serve as safe oxygen refuel stations during deep exploration.