Databank (Subnautica)

This article is about the Databank in Subnautica. For information on this subject in Below Zero, see the respective page.

The Databank is the encyclopedia of entries visible on the Player Data Assistant (PDA). These logs are copied verbatim from the game, including any grammar or spelling errors present in the original text.

Note: If you wish to look for a specific databank entry, it is highly recommended to use the search function (Ctrl + F) and type in the exact name of the entry or its contents.

Advanced Theories

Alien Eggs

Evidence suggests that a substantial number, if not all of the local species reproduce through egg-laying. Eggs can be found resting on the seafloor, buried beneath detritus, or even wedged into cracks in the rock.

Different species likely favor different biomes as their nesting grounds. Eggs discovered in the wild are in some form of natural stasis, likely awaiting ideal conditions in which to hatch, or the delivery of some vital enzyme which will kick start the process.

It is impossible to calculate the species of the egg from the exterior, however it may be possible to stimulate a hatching response if an egg is relocated to a suitable alien containment unit.

Source: Pick up Alien Egg

Bacterial Infection Report

You have been infected with a previously unknown, waterborne bacterium. It is currently multiplying in your bloodstream. Estimated incubation time: 2 weeks.

Your immune system is currently combating the infection at low efficacy. You may already be experiencing flu-like symptoms and skin irritation. These will likely be exacerbated as the bacterium takes hold.

Your immediate priority should be abatement and eradication of the infection.

Recommended steps:

• Salvage further alien research data on a possible vaccine
• Investigate the mechanisms which have enabled the indigenous ecosystem to inhibit the symptoms of the infection

Source: Enter the Disease Research Facility, obtain the Kharaa Contagion Profile and perform a Self-scan

Enzyme Host Peeper

A peeper specimen was observed emitting a faint, fluorescent enzyme trail, and engaging in unusual behavioral patterns.

• Peeper is actively approaching other creatures, including predators
• The specimen is host to a bacterial infection, however the infection is currently dormant
• Peeper's stomach cavity contains an unknown enzyme of foreign origin

Chemical Analysis of Enzyme:

• Bears some superficial similarity to the stomach enzymes of larger predators
• Contact with the enzyme appears to inhibit the symptoms of the bacterial infection
• Complex structure renders synthesis impossible

Assessment: Recommend further research into enzyme origin

Source: Scan Peeper carrying Enzyme 42

Hatching Enzymes

The emperor specimen's eggs are attached to some form of incubator.

In a normal life cycle it seems likely that sea emperors would have buried their eggs in shallower waters, where different organic materials in the soil would have triggered a hatching response. The incubator suggests the aliens had resorted to developing artificial hatching enzymes which would simulate the eggs' natural hatching environment, but were unable to discover the formula.

With extensive information on the sea emperors themselves it may still be possible to fabricate an artificial hatching enzyme using indigenous ingredients, however the only surviving source of that information may be the sea emperor itself.

Source: Scan Incubator Device in the Primary Containment Facility's Aquarium

Enzyme Host Peepers Leaving the Containment Facility

The outflow pipes are filled with peepers traveling back towards the surface.

• Specimens show no symptoms of infection
• All specimens scanned are carrying Enzyme 42, which data suggests inhibits the bacterium
• Specimens' stomach cavities are otherwise empty, suggesting they may have purged the contents before entering the pipes

Assessment: If peepers have evolved to distribute the enzyme via the pipe network this may explain part of the mechanism by which life on 4546B has survived since the bacterial outbreak.

Source: Scan Outflow Pipe in Primary Containment Facility

Peepers Entering the Containment Facility

The pipes drawing water into the containment facility are filled with peepers arriving from the surface.

• The fish show no signs of distress
• The specimens scanned have all consumed high quantities of seeds and organic matter from the surface
• Some specimens are beginning to show signs of infection

Source: Scan Inflow Pipe in Primary Containment Facility

Peepers Inside the Containment Facility

While all other creatures encountered within the facility are isolated within it, peepers appear to be coming and going of their own accord via the alien pipe network.

• On arrival, peepers are approaching the sea emperor
• Peepers exhibit a natural affinity for the stomach enzymes being expelled by the emperor
• Peepers which have come into contact with the enzyme are returning to the pipe network

Analysis:

• This behavior must be the source of Enzyme 42 on 4546B, or the area thereof which supports life
• It is likely also responsible for the survival of the emperor and the other lifeforms contained within the facility

Source: Scan Peeper inside the Primary Containment Facility's Aquarium

Ray Species on 4546B

Different species of ray indigenous to 4546B, each adapted to different environments. The specimens are 99.99% genetically identical to those encountered on the planet today, suggesting that rays in particular have undergone little evolutionary mutation in the past millenium.

Ghostrays, jellyrays, crimson rays and rabbit rays likely all share a common evolutionary ancestor. The 'alpha ray' would have evolved deep in the ocean trenches, quickly growing in line with available food supplies. It would have most resembled the ghostray in size and appearance, with translucent skin for camouflage and forward-mounted eyes for hunting. A fast and fearsome stalker of small creatures in the dark.

While some rays have stayed within the limits of the cave systems where they first evolved, others are relatively more recent adaptations to new environments, likely the results of overpopulation.

All of the rays on 4546B have given up predation in favor of herbivorous scavenging, and use poisonous flesh to protect themselves.

Source: Scan Ray Species in the Disease Research Facility

Sea Dragon Egg

This large egg is held in a hermetically sealed environment, and has been chemically sterilized. Without the means at the facility to house a fully grown sea dragon specimen, it is possible the aliens sought to study instead the egg-laying and incubation process. To what end is unclear.

Source: Scan Sea Dragon Egg in Disease Research Facility

Sea Emperor Egg Casing

Shell Composition: The shell casing is formed from thick layers of carbon-composite, suggesting an extensive gestation period. This leviathan species may give birth just once per century, perhaps just once in their lifetimes.

Shell Casing Incisions: Precise incisions suggest a laser-based tool was used to cut open the egg casing and forcibly remove the fetus inside, prior to full gestation.

Analysis:

• Time-pressure to develop a bacterial vaccine may have driven the alien researchers to cut open this egg and remove the fetus for study
• It is also possible that, removed from its parent and natural habitat, some vital condition for the infant to hatch naturally was not met

Source: Scan Preserved Egg Casing in Primary Containment Facility

Sea Emperor Fetus

Found preserved in a display case, it was likely a child of the adult specimen contained within the facility.

Physiology:

• Superficial damage to the specimen indicates it was artificially removed from its egg-casing
• Stunted tissue development suggests the organism expired during the removal process
• Tissue samples have been taken from the digestive tract

Analysis:

• It appears the aliens were attempting to formulate a cure for the bacterium from enzymes produced in this specimen's digestive system
• Without a young, healthy specimen these efforts were in vain

Source: Scan Preserved Fetus in Primary Containment Facility

Specimen with Symptoms of Infection Inhibited

Scans indicate this infected organism has recently come into contact with a unique enzyme which has counteracted the most debilitating symptoms of its infection.

• Skin blistering has rapidly receded and been replaced with healthy tissue
• Altered genetic material has been replaced with original DNA from remaining healthy cells
• Behavior normal
• The bacteria is still present in the bloodstream, but is currently dormant

Assessment: Investigate enzyme origin

Source: Scan Cured Fauna (Recently cured by a Enzyme Host Peeper)

Specimen with Symptoms of Infection

This organism is displaying signs of a bacterial infection.

• Bright green blisters are forming networks around the infection sites
• Pathology suggests a waterborne bacterium capable of penetrating the body through the skin and respiratory system
• Underlying indications of genetic mutation and aggressive behavior
• The bacterium itself is unlike any so far recorded in human exploration

WARNING: May be contagious. Avoid. Do not under any circumstances consume the flesh.

Source: Scan Infected Fauna

The Sea Emperor's Eggs

1. (Shell) Uncommonly strong shell lining. Organic growth on the exterior suggests these eggs may be hundreds or thousands of years old.
2. (Alien Tubes) Alien devices penetrate the outer shell layer. Likely designed to supply them with nutrients, and to isolate them from the surrounding environment.
3. (Amniotic Sack) Like many eggs on 4546B, these do not contain a nutrient supply which is slowly exhausted by the embryo. Instead they exist in a form of natural stasis, awaiting appropriate hatching conditions.
4. (Fetal Organism) There is a high genetic match between these organisms and the leviathan in the vicinity. They appear to be stable and healthy.

It is likely that ideal hatching conditions for the eggs vary considerably from ideal survival conditions for the parent.

Source: Scan Sea Emperor Eggs in the Primary Containment Facility's Aquarium

The Sea Emperor's Lifecycle

Available biological data has been used to synthesize the effects of the alien bacterium on the sea emperor's natural lifecycle.

This creature likely lived and moved in small herds around the planet's ocean trenches, coming to the surface to feed off the huge volumes of microorganisms in the shallower waters. Family size would be strictly limited by available food supply. Offspring would likely split off at a young age to form their own herds elsewhere.

Given their sparse population, mating and egg-laying were likely infrequent, perhaps a once in a lifetime event. The species likely had a preferred environment for egg-laying - in fact, successful hatching may depend on such conditions. Given the rarity of this event, it is impossible to calculate those conditions precisely.

There is no evidence to support the assumption that all members of the species were immune from the alien bacterium. Even if this is so, there is evidence that introduction of the bacterium decimated life on the planet, and this would have had catastrophic effects on the emperors' food supply and survival rate.

The symbiotic relationship between this specimen and other lifeforms likely developed as a direct result of the bacterial infection. Those lifeforms which learned to keep the emperor alive survived with its help. This may explain the vast tracts of lifeless ocean in a rough perimeter around the emperor's location.

Source: Unlocked after the Sea Emperor Leviathan has delivered its speech.

Blueprints

Equipment

Air Pumps

Air pumps can be used to pipe breathable air to a remote location.

• The base-attached airpump can be built at a compatible habitat, and will source oxygen directly from the habitat's oxygen generator
• The floating airpump must have access to breathable air, and be floating on the water's surface
• Pumps must be connected to a pipe chain to function

Source: Unlocked by default

Creature Decoy

This advanced deployable is a catch-all solution for mimicking the behavior of a living creature, for purposes of scientific research or predator evasion.

• Vibrates, cycles air and water, and sends out randomized, high-frequency sound waves to emulate a living organism
• May be hand-placed, or launched from compatible Cyclops submarines
• Short on-board battery provides limited lifespan
• Attracts predators of all kinds

Source: Unlock Creature Decoy Blueprint

Handheld Scanner

The essential science and survival tool, the scan...