How to craft improved fins in Subnautica 2

As the improved fins will increase your swim speed in Subnautica 2, it’s best to unlock this blueprint as soon as possible. Swift swimming means faster exploration, quick resource gathering, and less risk of getting bitten by mean fish, so it’s an incredibly handy upgrade to have. All you need are three improved fin locations to scan, and the right ingredients to craft your own.

Here’s how to get improved fins in Subnautica 2.

[Ed. note: Before you dive in, be sure to open the character menu and enable all landmark signals. This will make it easier to spot the locations mentioned in this guide.]

How to unlock improved fins in Subnautica 2

If you haven’t been there yet, make your way to the Alien Ruins far east of the Lifepod. You will receive the signal after you’ve investigated the Tadpole Pens. In the Alien Ruins region, you must find and scan three sets of improved fins to unlock the improved fins blueprint (crafting recipe). Although there are several pairs of improved fins to be found in the area, we’ll show you the three locations nearest to the Alien Ruins signal.

The first set of improved fins is right next to the Alien Ruins. Swim a few meters south and look down; you’ll spot the improved fins on the lower ledge.

From there, continue 230 meters east-southeast. See the pioneer platform on the tall rock formation? Here’s the second set of improved fins.

Graphic: Marloes Valentina Stella/Polygon | Source images: Unknown Worlds Entertainment/Krafton via Polygon

From there, drop down to a depth of 260 meters and look to the southeast. Look for the blue light across the chasm; the third pair of improved fins is in the open crate next to it.

Be careful; if you haven’t installed the first depth module on your tadpole yet, park it at the 250-meter threshold to avoid damage. You can swim the rest of the way.

Graphic: Marloes Valentina Stella/Polygon | Source images: Unknown Worlds Entertainment/Krafton via Polygon

Improved fins crafting recipe in Subnautica 2

With the blueprint discovered, you can craft the improved fins at the fabricator. Here’s the crafting recipe:

• 1 basic fins
  • 2 rubber (4 lucifer rotsac)
  • 2 fiber (4 fibrous pulp)
• 1 fiber mesh
  • 2 fiber (4 fibrous pulp)
  • 1 strong acid (2 necrolei cysts OR 1 gold and 1 sulfur)
• 2 conduit crystals

You most likely have a pair of basic fins equipped already, but if not, find four lucifer rotsac plants. Collect the hearts and use the multitool to collect their fibrous pulp, which should give you enough resources to craft the basic fins. Make sure to get some extra fibrous pulp for the fiber mesh.

To obtain strong acid, you must have access to a processor. Since you’re near the Alien Ruins, it may be easier to use gold and sulfur rather than necrolei cysts, as both ores are found in abundance in the large lava cave right below the Alien Ruins signal.

The trickiest ingredient is conduit crystal. Our guide on where to find conduit crystals can point you to an excellent farming spot, but in short, you must find some blue glowing pillars around the Angel Comb east of the Alien Ruins signal. These pillars will occasionally spawn conduit crystals on the surrounding seabed.

If you’re starting out in Subnautica 2, we have a plethora of guides to help you navigate the deep blue sea. Our Subnautica 2 beginner’s guide will set you off in the right direction and our base building tips will assist in planning out your sprawling base. Don’t forget to stock up on food and water, too. (And if you want to get fancy with your food, you’ll want salt!)

If you need help finding materials, we explain how to get the sonic resonator, which you’ll want to mine tons of materials. We have guides on where to find these resources, like lead, sulfur, copper, quartz, and gold.