There are a ton of new carnivores in Subnautica: Below Zero. The world is different, the waters are chillier, and the game is as scary as it ever was. From the snarling jaws of the Brute Shark in the Twisty Bridges biome, one of the first aggressive creatures players encounter in the game, to the alien-looking Shadow Leviathan, Below Zero doesn’t hold back when it comes to its underwater menaces.
This list covers all the new carnivores in Below Zero, where to find them, and when to keep eyes open in the back of your swimsuit. Some of them aren’t aggressive, though you’ll want to know what’s what before diving below the waves.
Note: Watch out for spoilers below!
13 Brinewing
The Brinewing is a pretty but deadly creature that will immobilize you with its freezing saliva. Yes, you read that correctly. It fires a super-charged shot of ultra-cold liquid, even colder than the frozen seas, and will immobilize your character for a few seconds. This doesn’t do any damage but does prevent you from swimming for a few seconds. Sinking slowly to the bottom of the ocean, unable to move? That’s a pure nightmare.
12 Brute Shark
The Brute Shark is the Apex Predator in the Twisty Bridges biome, although it’s also found hunting around Lilypad Islands and Tree Spires. This is likely one of the first aggressive creatures you encounter in the game, so come prepared.
Do not be fooled by this slow-moving beast. When it turns to attack mode, it can move very quickly and will attack the player if you venture too close. The powerful jaw, lined with two sets of sharp teeth, inflicts 30 points of damage.
11 Chelicerate
The few Chelicerate on the map are terrifying. With a beak-like jaw, that sort of looks like a crab claw stuck to its head, and the shock of pink-red color flashing through the murky water, is enough to send shivers down even the sturdiest player’s spines. A Leviathan-class creature, the Chelicerate comes in at 40 meters long and will attack the player, the Seatruck, and even the Prawn Suit. The creature makes a horrifying screeching sound before it attacks, and if the player’s health is below 77%, it’s an instant kill. Yep. That’s horrific.
10 Cryptosuchus
Though the Cryptosuchus might look like a nightmare bone-creature from the very depths of some alien hell, these creatures are actually a pushover. They’re largely territorial. Cryptosuchus will swim along a set path or in a circle and won’t venture far from this track. They also won’t attack the player unless they get right up in their face. Even when they do attack, a single swipe from the Survival Knife will send them packing. Cryptosuchus are almost cutely useless. Almost.
9 Ice Worm
Ice Worms are subterranean creatures and cannot swim. This makes them a menace above ground in the Arctic Spires biome. Like other creatures of this type in Science Fiction dating back decades, Ice Worms operate by listening to movements and vibrations on the surface, and when they believe prey is close they will emerge from the ground to strike. The most terrifying part of any Ice Worm encounter is the initial charge: if you’re caught, it will fling you up in the air, and swallow you whole. It’s a good idea to not get caught by it. Really.
8 Pengling and Pengwing
These bizarre penguin creatures are largely harmless. They won’t attack the player unless you decide it’s a good idea to run off with one of their babies, the Penglings.
You can even feed them fish right out of your hand. Definitely one of the more friendly carnivores in the universe of Subnautica: Below Zero.
7 Pinnacarid
The Pinncarid is the first friendly creature on this list of carnivores. They won’t attack the player, as they’re basically intelligent seal-like creatures that will even approach you if you’ve got a fist full of fish. They’re able to navigate both water and land, and sort of look like a Pengwing more adapted to underwater life.
6 Rock Puncher
Ever imagined a crab capable of punching straight through rock? Say hello to the Rock Puncher. This tank of a creature is aggressive and will leap at the player if they get too close. They can be watched from a distance hunting for Rockgrubs along the seafloor. Swoop in after they’ve punched some rocks to pieces and you might find some ore underneath, like Silver or Gold.
5 Shadow Leviathan
This where things go up a notch. The Shadow Leviathan is an enormous and extremely aggressive creature that will attack the player on sight. It’s right up there with the most deadly Leviathans in the game. These things rip Brute Sharks and Chelicerates to shreds, which gives you an idea of how dangerous they are. It will grab the Seatruck in its jaws, spray blue acid all over the window, and instantly kill you if you are below 75 health. These creatures should be avoided at all costs.
4 Snow Stalker And Snow Stalker Baby
The Snow Stalker and their babies, just referred to as Snow Stalker Babies, are carnivores that roam the Glacial Basin. Snow Stalker adults are largely aggressive, stalking the player repeatedly until they do damage.
If the player is below 30-odd health, the Snow Stalker will instantly kill the player. You can scare them away with a lit Flare, or use the Spy Pengling to surreptitiously collect Snow Stalker Fur, a crafting component of the useful Cold Suit. Snow Stalker Babies, on the other hand, are passive towards the player.
3 Squidshark
The Squidshark might be one of the grotesque carnivores in Subnautica: Below Zero. With a mouth that flaps open and reveals a set of vicious teeth, these creatures are best avoided whenever possible. They attack the player on sight and will disable the Seatruck with its electrical whips around its head. If the player is below 40 health, its attack is an instant kill.
2 Symbiote
The Symbiote is a small, aggressive creature that lives alongside the Titan Holefish. They lay their eggs inside the Holefish’s tail and, to return the favor, form shoals around the Holefish. Symbiotes will attack the player if they get too close, but are only small, and deal a total of seven damage in total. They can be safely collected using the Propulsion Cannon, or once they’re dead.
1 Noot Fish
Noot, noot! The Noot Fish is a passive creature but is still classified as a carnivore. Their large circular mouth can expand to basically inhale other small fish. They won’t attack the player, though their mouth might expand as a sign of territorial aggression.
NEXT: Subnautica: 5 Tips For Protecting Yourself From Hot Temperatures
