Scariest Subnautica Creatures, Ranked

Subnautica is an open-world action-adventure game where players have to survive the deep oceans on an alien planet. Everyone knows that our planet’s oceans are filled with uncovered secrets and mysteries. But for the creators of Subnautica, that wasn’t enough, so they introduced the terrifying underwater ecosystem of planet 4546B.

Some creatures are mesmerizing, some are breathtakingly beautiful, and some are even adorable, but most are either scary or just unsettling. A lot of these alien lifeforms might look disturbing for players, leaving them uncomfortable just looking at them. For this list, we’ve gathered all the scariest Subnautica creatures that make the hair stand up on every player’s back and ranked them according to their actual strength.

Updated on December 16, 2024, by John Hitchcock: Subnautica’s oceans continue to amaze players, who continue to find wondrous and terrifying things lurking in its depths. This list has been updated to include even more of Subnautica’s hidden terrors. Additionally, the original list only covered the first game. The update has also added in some of the disturbing creatures found in Below Zero.

23 Research Specimen Theta

Intimidating Predator With a Tragic Story

This mysterious skeleton only appears in one place — an aquarium built in the Architects’ research facility in the lost river. It doesn’t even get a name, just the label of “research specimen theta.” From what can be discerned, it would have been an imposing predator. The heavy-plated bones and blunt jaws do appear similar to Dunkleosteus, an actual apex predator from the Devonian Period of Earth’s history, characterized by an armored skull and a jaw that could bite harder than any living shark today. Imagine something like that, but even bigger (21m vs. Dunkleosteus’s 8m), with more armor, a more refined jawline, and four eyes. This could easily have split Riley in half with one hit.

However, there is another unsettling aspect to this skeleton. Piecing together the clues left in the facility paints a pretty bleak picture of its life. Theta appears to have been captured and put into an aquarium for study, where it might have been deliberately infected with the Kharaa virus. Its remains are still there when Riley arrives, suggesting one of two outcomes: either it was terminated when the Architects evacuated the lab, or it was simply abandoned and left to die of starvation. Either way, this creature was probably subjected to some unethical experiments and suffered greatly when it was alive.

22 Blood Crawler

Swift, Unpredictable Movements & Spider-Like Appearance

Gamers who love scary video games will enjoy getting to know Subnautica‘s creepy Blood Crawler. This nightmarish being has spindly legs and sharp, elongated appendages, and resembles a cross between a crab and a spider. Thanks to its swift movements and aggressive nature, it is a formidable challenge, especially for new players who are just learning how to navigate the game’s complex ecosystem. Gamers can find the Blood Crawler in the deeper, darker regions of the ocean, like spooky cave systems and crevices. While it might not be a gigantic beast, it is a dangerous creature that has startling speed and can appear suddenly seemingly out of nowhere, which contributes significantly to its reputation as one of the game’s scariest entities.

Dealing with a Blood Crawler requires a blend of caution and quick reflexes. Players are advised to maintain a safe distance and use ranged tools or weapons for defense. In situations where escape is the only option, swift swimming or the use of vehicles like the Seamoth can provide a crucial advantage in evading these menacing creatures.

21 Shuttlebug

Eerie, Unsettling, Spider-Like Creature

The Shuttlebug in Subnautica earns its reputation as one of the game’s scariest creatures not through direct threat or aggression, but through its ability to create an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. This visual eeriness, combined with its behavior of suddenly appearing and disappearing in the murky waters, can startle players, especially in the game’s immersive, deep-sea environment.

Although the Shuttlebug isn’t as aggressive as some of Subnautica’s other inhabitants, it still can be quite startling, particularly for new players. Gamers can find Shuttlebug mostly in the shallower areas, and it’s often one of the first mysterious creatures they’ll encounter, which adds an element of surprise to the game.

When gamers come across a Shuttlebug, a confrontational approach isn’t necessary. These creatures are generally passive, posing little threat. Observing from a distance or gently steering clear is usually the best course of action. For those wishing to interact, it’s advisable to move slowly and cautiously. This approach helps avoid startling the Shuttlebug, allowing for a peaceful passage through its aquatic habitat.

20 Stalker

Fearsome Predator With Sharp Teeth & Aggressive Behavior

Subnautica players know that Stalker is a true terror of the deep. This creepy creature is one of the most terrifying monsters in games and has a predatory fish vibe that’s complete with razor-sharp teeth and a body built for speed. Its piercing blue eyes and metallic gleam make it look like the ocean’s own terminator.

Stalkers are especially attracted to shiny metal objects and like to hoard them like underwater magpies. They’re also pretty fast, unpredictable, and love to charge at players when they least expect it.

Players will have to use their strategic thinking if they want to deal with the Stalker successfully. Gamers can avoid carrying metallic items, which can reduce the likelihood of attracting their attention. If confrontation is inevitable, it is best if players try to distract the Stalkers by deploying metal salvage until they can escape. When evasion is not possible, players should use defensive tools like the Repulsion Cannon to fend off these daunting predators effectively.

19 Ancient Skeleton

The Remains Of A Terrifying Predator

This skeleton’s so old it doesn’t even get a name, though the popular fan nickname is “Titan Leviathan.” There isn’t a lot known about it, especially since only one skeleton has been found, but it seems to be a large predatory creature from a time when Leviathan-class creatures were even more common than they are now. The part that is visible has teeth of similar size to Riley’s body, and he can literally swim through a gap in the creature’s jawline.

While there isn’t an exact size, it is theorized this thing is bigger than anything currently on 4546B (the gargantuan leviathan being the only creature ever known to be bigger). It would have been able to easily take on reaper leviathans or sea dragons, and its armored plating would have made it hard to fight back. Something that size could probably have swallowed Riley whole or crushed a sea moth with ease.

The question of the mysterious large holes in its rib cage, of which there are at least five on each side (assuming more aren’t hidden in the buried portion of the skeleton), doesn’t help. The player’s imagination is left to run wild about what these were for. While they could have been for flippers, they also could have facilitated large legs or tentacles, both of which sound pretty unsettling.

18 Lava Lizard

Aggressive, Dangerous, Delivers Strong Attacks

Subnautica is an excellent game for those players who love creature collection games and Lava Lizard is one of its most aggressive creatures with a fairly strong attack that causes 30% damage to players. This creepy Subnautica creature can not only bite players but spit lava at them.

While Lava Lizards are only mid-sized they’re still feared thanks to their hostile and violent behavior and considerable high attack damage. Players can find these carnivorous monsters at the Lava Lakes, the Inactive Lava Zone, or while exploring the Lava Castle.

Even though Lava Lizards are hostile, players can choose not to interact with them, or they can also use Lava Larvae as bait because the Lava Lizard will just eat the Lava Larvae and leave the player alone.

17 Boneshark

Large, Fast, Aggressive, Powerful Bite

Boneshark is one of the largest and most aggressive shark-like Subnautica creatures. These hostile monsters not only have a scary look, but they’re actually pretty fast and can easily catch up to players. Bonesharks also have a bite that causes 30% damage.

Players can encounter these carnivorous creatures at multiple locations including The Crash Zone, Underwater Islands, Bulb Zone Biomes, and Crag Field.

These highly aggressive predators are infamous for fiercely defending their hunting ground and players’ best option to deal with them is to use flares when they’re attacked by a Boneshark. Bonesharks are attracted to lights, so they will attack the light instead of the players.

16 Crabsnake

Grotesque, Surprise Attacks, Immobilizes Its Prey

Players who love monster-tamer video games will love interacting with Crabsnakes because of their unique behavior. Crabsnakes are also some of the most nauseating-looking Subnautica creatures that can get easily agitated by players.

When Crabsnakes attack they cause 35% damage while also making players immobile for a while. However, they often decide to just patrol the area or simply go back to their Jellymushroom. Players will only encounter Crabsnakes in the Jellyshroom Cave.

Since Crabsnakes love to hide in their Jellymushrooms to surprise attack players it’s fairly difficult to avoid them. However, players’ best option is to avoid Jellymushrooms and swim as far away from them as possible, or they can also use their vehicle.

15 Mesmer

Deceptively Beautiful, Dangerous, Uses Hypnosis To Attack Its Prey

Mesmers are the most colorful and beautiful Subnautica creatures that are surprisingly aggressive and cause 35% damage with their attacks. These gorgeous yet scary creatures use hypnosis to attract their prey, including players. They then open their body and spit out spiked tentacles at their enemies.

Players can find these unique monsters at multiple locations including the Bulb Zone, the Kelp Forest, as well as a couple of biomes.

How To Deal With Mesmer

Unfortunately, because Mesmers are capable of manipulating players’ minds it’s difficult to deal with them. Players can either try to push the Mesmer away with cannons or simply swim as far from these hauntingly beautiful and dangerous creatures as they can.

14 Peeper

Creepy, Omnipresent

While in general a harmless creature, the Peeper sure has a way into people’s nightmares. Scopophobia is the fear of being stared at. Players who didn’t know what it was, or thought they didn’t have this disorder, now realize, that they indeed have scopophobia.

Unfortunately, Subnautica is full of creatures whose only purpose is to stare deep into every player’s soul, and they’re literally everywhere. If it’s not the Peeper, it’s Eyeye, and even though they’re small and harmless, people want to slay them all. Every gaming forum that asks the question “Which Subnautica creature gives you the creeps” gets an overwhelming wave of responses saying the Peeper.

Thankfully, Peepers are passive, so players don’t have to worry about them dealing any damage.

13 Eyeye

Unsettling With Intense Gaze

Another passive creature that can dive deep into the subconscious of players, the Eyeye is harmless in the game, but attacks the player on a deep level, unlocking once again, the unknown fear of being constantly stared at.

If people thought a toddler could stare into their souls, they haven’t been face-to-face with this adorable nightmare. And to make things worse, the Eyeye is found almost everywhere on the map, so it’s basically unavoidable. Future Subnautica players, get ready to be stared at.

Like Peepers, Eyeyes are passive creatures, so they can be ignored.

12 Bleeder

Annoying, Dangerous, With Damaging Bite

The Bleeder is the most annoying creature in Subnautica bar none. It has minimal health, so it’s easily killed, but it’s very relentless and highly aggressive, and if a player doesn’t notice it clinging to their body, it can cause quite a bit of damage.

This little creature causes some sort of PTSD in players, as they say, that after learning what they’re capable of, even seeing one from a distance causes irritation and fear. The number one task when starting this game is to avoid these leeches.

How To Deal With Bleeders

Bleeders are a nuisance to deal with, as most players won’t see them until it’s too late. Consequently, even the most observant players need to be prepared for one leeching onto them.

Thankfully, Bleeders have very low health, so are easy to kill. When entering a location that contains Bleeders, be sure to have the Survival Knife handy, as a few swings will be enough to kill them. Bleeders congregate in the following 4546B areas:

• Aurora
• Bone Fields
• Deep Sparse Reef
• Lost River

11 Warper

Eerie, Biomechanical, Unpredictable Attacks

The Warper is one of the creepiest creatures as told by most players, because of its unusual and highly unsettling look. In fact, it’s not even a creature, but rather a biomechanical life form created by the Precursor race. Even though it only attacks when provoked, it can cause damage between levels 10 and 69, so it’s better to not take those chances.

It has the ability to generate a teleportation gate, and they’re not shy about using it. Some say the Warper is to Subnautica, what the Enderman is to Minecraft. This analogy isn’t that far off, as both cause high damage and relentlessly attack when provoked. Not to mention, that both of them are creepy-looking.

Firstly, it’s important to note that Warpers flip between passive and aggressive, depending on where players are in the story. When the player’s infection level is at level 1 or 5, Warpers are passive. However, when their infection level is between 2 and 4, Warper’s become aggressive.

Warpers are very tricky to deal with, as they can warp other creatures to fight by their side, meaning there is no one strategy to deal with them. Moreover, Warpers can warp players out of any vehicle (excluding the Cyclops) into the water, leaving them vulnerable. The Stasis Rifle is also largely ineffective against them, as they can warp out of being frozen.

The only reliable way to deal with Warpers is to use the Seamoth’s Perimeter Defense System, as the system’s blast will cause Warpers to warp away to safety.

10 Spikey Trap

Ambush Predator That Lurks In The Dark

Sure, they can’t move, but make no mistake — the Spikey Traps are deadly. These creatures are typically planted on a surface, waiting for prey to swim by to then grab with their tentacles. That includes human divers. Their grip is strong and difficult to fight off without a knife, and even that isn’t a guarantee, since you still have to react quickly.

Now, one might think the logical solution is to avoid Spikey Traps since players know what they look like. Well, unfortunately, Spikey Traps like to live in darker parts of sector zero where there isn’t much sunlight, so it can actually be really hard to spot them. This makes it very easy to be grabbed by one while swimming in the area and pulled into its mouth.

9 Sand Shark

Scary, Sudden Attacks

The Sand Shark, as can be assumed by its name, is always near the seafloor and never goes near the surface. It’s an aggressive predator, but its looks are much scarier than its actual damage rates. It has four eyes, a huge fin on top of its head, and a lot of teeth. A scary amount of teeth. And for some reason, it always looks like it’s smiling which makes it even creepier.

But besides all of these horrifying qualities, it’s not that hard to beat. Its bite is only at a level 30 damage, and its health is at a low 250. Although it’s faster than some, it can be defeated if players aren’t too startled by the sight of this monster.

As their name suggests, Sandsharks predominantly reside in the sand. This can lead to some nasty surprises, as they’ll jump out of the sand and attack players if they get too close to the ocean floor.

Thankfully, there is a way to spot Sandsharks. Like a great white shark on the ocean’s surface, the Sandshark’s fins will protrude out of the sand, making them easy to spot. When nearing a section of sand, keep an eye out for approaching sets of fins, and swim up to safety until they leave.

8 Crabsquid

Aggressive With Electronic-Disabling Abilities

People either find the Crabsquid magical, ridiculous, or plain terrifying. But even if some can’t take its absurd exterior seriously, they should avoid it, because it is very aggressive, and has a decent damage level to be scared of.

That said, its health is not that high, so this creature is one of the easier to defeat. But keep in mind, that they’re also capable of temporarily disabling electronics. It is one of the most alien-looking creatures in the game, reminding the player once again, that they’re far from home.

Avoiding the attention of a Crabsquid requires players to make a counterintuitive and unsettling decision. Crabsquid are located in deep sections of the ocean, so players will predominantly come across them in a vehicle. Unfortunately, vehicles are a dangerous place to be around Crabsquid, as they are attracted to light like a moth.

So, to avoid Crabsquid, players must make the difficult decision to turn off their lights, leaving them blind to whatever creatures could be lurking nearby.

7 Sea Treader

Gigantic With Spider-Like Features

The Sea Treader is not an aggressive creature, but very defensive. They’re mesmerizing and colorful, but players shouldn’t go closer because when threatened, these beasts have very high damage levels using their ginormous legs.

The Sea Treaders move in herds, and they’re active day and night. For some, they’re beautiful creatures resembling AT-ATs, but all the arachnophobes out there should steer clear of these giants, as they do resemble giant spiders, and can look very overwhelming up close, with their skeleton-like faces and pitch-black eyes.

Sea Treaders are defensive creatures, so thankfully, they won’t attack players unless provoked. Players just need to ensure that they don’t swim in front of a Sea Trader, or they will suddenly become aggressive.

Due to their enormous size and tendency to walk in herds, avoiding their path is a simple task.

6 Chelicerate

Sea Truck Destroyer With Too Many Mandibles

The Chelicerate is a predator guaranteed to terrorize any sea truck operators unfortunate enough to be stuck working in Sector Zero. At first glance, they look like sharks, but then their jaws open into five pieces — and those jaws are powerful. They can easily grab a seatruck, and they don’t let go.

Anyone who has encountered one of these things will know the sound of the hull buckling under its tight grip — and the uneasy feeling of getting a clear view of its throat through the front porthole. And, unlike many of the creatures Subnautica offers, you don’t even have to go deep to find them. They live near the surface, so it’s easy to find one without even trying.

5 Shadow Leviathan

Huge Glowing Mouth Of Death

Cave diving is already scary enough. Exploring a lengthy series of tunnels with limited oxygen and no direct route to the surface takes a special kind of diver. So, naturally, 4546B has a way to make it even more dangerous. The Shadow Leviathan is a predator that stalks the crystal caverns of sector zero and makes reapers look calm by comparison. The Shadow Leviathan is actually slightly bigger, about 60m in length, and it has a mouth where it really shouldn’t be — underneath, surrounded by glowing tendrils that are surrounded by even bigger tendrils to reel in prey.

Reaper Leviathans might seem frightening, but at least they appear more in open water. Shadow Leviathans like to hunt in caves. Between limited space and a lack of light, they are hard to see coming — and even harder to avoid when they do appear.

4 Ghost Leviathan

Massive Size & High Damage

The Ghost Leviathan is highly dangerous even in its juvenile state. With a damage level of 84, this beast is one of the most dangerous in the game. They’re the giants of predators, with only one being bigger, the Sea Dragon Leviathan.

At first glance, they may seem transparent, but under that glowing exterior, players can see a massive bulk of pure muscle. These monsters lurk all around the map, as they’re not picky about their surroundings. And as mesmerizing as they may seem, players should not go take a closer look, as they can easily kill anything in one or two bites. So if anyone is feeling adventurous, they should make sure to have enough health to survive a bite of over eighty points.

If Ghost Leviathans’ appearance and devastating damage capabilities weren’t enough, players will be delighted to know that there’s no reliable way to deal with them. Ghost Leviathans’ are fast, aggressive, and can even capsize a Cyclops.

The best way to deal with Ghost Leviathans is in the Prawn Suit. The suit isn’t impenetrable to the Leviathans’ damage, though players can return fire by using the Prawn Suit’s robotic arms as fists, or with the Torpedo Arm upgrade.

It’s worth pointing out, however, that there is absolutely no chance of survival when encountering the Ghost Leviathans at the Crater Edge (the edge of the map). The Crater Edge Ghost Leviathans essentially act as an extreme invisible wall that will constantly respawn, even if killed, until they successfully defeat the player for venturing too far off the map. Suffice to say, it’s a good idea to avoid the Crater Edge.