Subnautica 2 does not hand out crafting blueprints every time you grab a new resource. Instead, the game leans on scanning, and that makes your scanner just as important as your oxygen supply once you start pushing deeper.
To unlock new recipes for the Fabricator, you need to scan objects that match the item you want to build. In some cases, finding a new creature or a fresh material can open up a blueprint too, but the biggest upgrades usually come from scanning the environment itself.
How blueprint progress works
One of the first examples you are likely to run into is the flashlight. A broken one sits in the cave below your lifepod, and scanning it starts filling a progress bar tied to that blueprint. Some items unlock after a single scan, while others are broken into several parts, so you may need to track down multiple versions of the same object before the recipe becomes available.
Wrecks and outposts are the best places to search for core gear pieces. Those areas often hide the equipment you need inside crates, and the good news is that the game usually places more scan targets around the map than you actually need. In practice, that means a missed object rarely stops progress for long. Keep checking the area, and the recipe should come together before too long.
The same logic applies to the more useful tools in the game. The Tadpole, for example, is one of the important items for moving through Subnautica 2 because it gives you oxygen and adds a layer of protection against what is lurking below the surface.
If you have found a blueprint in a strange spot or learned something useful while scanning, tell us what you think in the comments. You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram.
Subnautica 2
Developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment
