Guide Steps
Minutes 0–5: Emergency collection
Exit the escape pod immediately. Collect 4–6 metal salvage (titanium), 3–4 limestone outcrops (copper/titanium), and any creepvine seed clusters you spot. Ignore decorative flora. Grab 2–3 acid mushrooms for battery crafting but don't over-collect. Your inventory should fill with raw materials, not crafted items yet.
Minutes 5–10: Craft the scanner and knife
Return to the fabricator in your pod. Craft: 1 Battery (1 acid mushroom + 1 copper), 1 Scanner (1 titanium + 1 battery), 1 Survival Knife (1 titanium + 1 silicone rubber). The scanner lets you read fragments. The knife lets you harvest creepvine samples and defend against small predators.
Minutes 10–15: First scanning run
Swim toward the nearest Kelp Forest edge. Scan every fragment you find — Seaglide fragments are common here and incredibly valuable. Harvest creepvine samples with your knife. Collect any more limestone outcrops. Watch your oxygen: turn back at 45 seconds remaining.
Minutes 15–20: Craft Fins and Air Tank
Return to base. Use creepvine samples to make silicone rubber. Craft Fins (1 silicone rubber) and a Standard Air Tank (1 titanium + 1 glass). These extend your dive time significantly. If you found enough fragments, craft a Seaglide.
Minutes 20–25: Locate Habitat Builder fragments
Search near small wrecks in the Safe Shallows and Kelp Forest border. Habitat Builder fragments are often near debris fields. Scan 3 fragments to unlock the blueprint. Collect extra titanium — you'll need 6–8 for a minimal base.
Minutes 25–30: Build first base compartment
Once you have the Habitat Builder, place a base compartment near the Safe Shallows/Kelp Forest border. Add a hatch, solar panel, fabricator, and one locker. This becomes your primary crafting and oxygen station, freeing you from the escape pod.