Subnautica 2 Scanner Station Guide : How to Find Resources, Fragments & More
The Scanner Station finds resources you cannot see. Here is how to build it, what to scan for, and which upgrades make it the most useful tool in your base.
- •The Scanner Station scans for resources, fragments, and creature locations within range. One node tracked at a time per lobby.
- •Build it early. The return on investment in saved search time is massive.
- •Range upgrades stack. With 4 range modules, you can scan nearly an entire biome from one station.
Most players build the Scanner Station, use it once, and forget about it. That is a mistake. It is the single best tool for cutting down tedious searching. Here is how to use it properly.
How to unlock the Scanner Station
Scan 3 fragments in wrecks around Coral Gardens. Once unlocked, build it in your base:
- 1 System Chip
- 3 Titanium
- 1 Wiring Kit
Place it in a room with power. It does not need its own room. It works from anywhere in range.
What the Scanner Station can track
The station has multiple scanning modes. Each takes a few seconds to complete and highlights all matching targets within range:
- Resources: Titanium, Copper, Silver, Gold, Lithium, every ore and material node lights up on your HUD
- Fragments: Blueprint fragments, wreckage, data boxes
- Creatures: Hostile and passive fauna. Useful for avoiding Leviathans or finding specific fish
- Flora: Plants for farming and crafting
Pick one mode. Scan. The results stay on your HUD for about 10 seconds. Scan again when they fade.
Range upgrades
The Scanner Station accepts range upgrade modules. Each module increases the scan radius. With 4 modules, one station covers most of a biome.
This is especially useful in Karakorum where Celestine and Conduit Crystal are spread across a large area and hard to spot against the dark terrain.
One scan per lobby
If you are in multiplayer, the Scanner Station tracks one resource node at a time for the entire lobby. Coordinate with your team. Do not have two players scanning for different things simultaneously. It overwrites.
Best places to build dedicated scanner outposts
Build small scanner outposts (1 room, Scanner Station, power source) at:
- Edge of the Shallows (covers Shallows + Jelly Barrens)
- Near the Old Habitat (covers Silver and lead deposits)
- At the trench entrance to Karakorum (covers Celestine and Conduit Crystal)
Each outpost costs a few Titanium and a System Chip. The time they save pays for itself within one expedition.
Related Guides
This guide was compiled from multiple public sources. We cross-reference with 3+ sources before publishing.
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