If you’ve hit a wall trying to explore the deeper biomes of Subnautica and keep getting crushed by water pressure before you can find rare resources or hidden story clues, you’re not alone. I ran into this exact problem on my first playthrough, when I tried to dive into the Jellyshroom Cave’s lower levels and watched my Seamoth implode 30 feet from a lithium deposit. Figuring out how to get depth upgrade 2 subnautica is one of the most important milestones for mid-game players, as it massively expands your Seamoth’s depth limit and opens up entire regions you couldn’t access before. I’ve put this guide together after 120+ hours of playthroughs, skipping all the unnecessary fluff and focusing only on the steps that actually work, no spoilers included.
What the Subnautica Depth Upgrade 2 Actually Does
A lot of new players assume this upgrade only gives a small boost to your Seamoth’s depth limit, but it’s a total game-changer for exploration. It pushes your Seamoth’s default crush limit from 200m all the way to 500m, which is more than enough to access almost all mid-game biomes without taking constant pressure damage. No more unexpected implosions mid-dive when you drift a little too far down to check a resource deposit. You’ll also get unrestricted access to biomes like the Lost River entrance, lower Jellyshroom Cave, and deep Grassy Plateaus, where you’ll find rare materials needed for late-game upgrades like the Prawn Suit and Cyclops depth modules. The best part? You don’t need to complete any story beats or fight any bosses to unlock it, you just need to gather the right materials and have the right base setup.
Prerequisites to Craft Depth Upgrade 2 in Subnautica
Before you run off to gather materials, there are a few simple boxes you need to tick first. I made the mistake of skipping this step on my first run, and ended up with a pile of magnetite and lithium I couldn’t use for three hours while I built out the rest of my base. You’ll need all of the following:
So if you don’t have any of these sorted yet, take 20 minutes to get them set up first. The Modification Station only takes a couple of basic materials to craft, and you can make Depth Upgrade 1 right at your Seamoth’s upgrade console with just a plasteel ingot if you haven’t already.
Where to Find All Required Crafting Materials
Once you have your prerequisites sorted, you just need four core components to craft the upgrade. None of these are locked behind late-game areas, so you can grab all of them with just your Seamoth and basic tools. First, you’ll need the existing Depth Upgrade 1 you installed on your Seamoth. Don’t forget to pull it out of the Seamoth’s upgrade panel before you head to the Modification Station, or you’ll have to make a wasted trip back to your parked vehicle.
Next, you’ll need 2x Plasteel Ingots. Each one is crafted from 1 titanium ingot and 1 lithium. You can find lithium scattered all over the Jellyshroom Cave floors and walls, or in small clusters around the Mountain Island shoreline. Titanium is super common, so you probably already have a stack of it in your storage lockers.
Then, you’ll need 1x Advanced Wiring Kit. This is crafted from 2 regular wiring kits, 1 computer chip, and 1 piece of gold. Gold spawns in large chunks in the deeper parts of the Grassy Plateaus, or in small veins in the Jellyshroom Cave walls. If you’ve explored any small wrecks near the Aurora, you might already have a few gold pieces saved up.
Last, you’ll need 3x Magnetite. This dark, shiny ore spawns in large deposits on the walls of the Jellyshroom Cave, or around the base of the underwater mountains near the Aurora’s front section. You don’t need a Prawn Suit drill to collect it, your survival knife works just fine for small deposits. I usually spend 20 minutes looping around the Jellyshroom Cave’s outer edges to collect all the lithium, gold, and magnetite I need in one trip, rather than making multiple runs back to base.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After Installing the Upgrade
Once you’ve crafted the upgrade and slotted it back into your Seamoth, there are a few common missteps that can ruin your first deep dive. I’ve made all of these, so you don’t have to. First, don’t assume your 500m depth limit makes you invincible. You still have to watch out for hostile fauna like Reaper Leviathans near the Aurora, or Crabsnakes in the Jellyshroom Cave, which can deal massive damage to your Seamoth if you’re not paying attention. Always keep a repair tool and extra power cells in your Seamoth’s storage before you head out on deep dives.
Second, don’t waste extra materials making duplicate Depth Upgrade 2 modules for other vehicles. This upgrade only works for the Seamoth. Your Cyclops and Prawn Suit have their own dedicated depth upgrade lines, so you’ll need to craft those separately if you want to take those vehicles into deep biomes.
Third, don’t skip bringing extra oxygen supplies if you plan on leaving your Seamoth to explore wrecks or caves. Even if your Seamoth can go to 500m, your default oxygen tank only lets you stay underwater for a couple of minutes at that depth without additional support. Pack a few extra tanks or a rebreather if you’re planning on exploring outside your vehicle for long stretches.
Once you follow these steps, figuring out how to get depth upgrade 2 subnautica will feel far less frustrating than scrolling through vague forum posts or watching hour-long playthroughs. Take your time gathering materials, double check you have all your prerequisites sorted, and you’ll be exploring the deepest, most interesting parts of the map in no time. If you run into any snags during the process, just take a quick break and come back with fresh eyes – you’ve probably just missed a simple step you overlooked earlier.
