Early Access 1.2 - Buddy System

-| Feature | Details |+| Property | Details | | :--- | :--- | | **Version** | 123362 | | **Type** | Content Update | | **Release Date** | August 19th, 2026 |-| **Focus** | Multiplayer Improvements |+| **Focus** | Multiplayer Improvements, Quality of Life |  -![Buddy System Update](Buddy System Update.png)+![Buddy System Update](Buddy_System_Update.png)  -**Early Access 1.2 - Buddy System** was the second content update for *Subnautica 2* Early Access. It primarily focused on enhancing the multiplayer experience with features like cross-platform voice chat, player-to-player item trading, and cooperative revival mechanics.+**Early Access 1.2 - Buddy System** was the second content update for *Subnautica 2* Early Access. Released on August 19th, 2026, this update focused heavily on enhancing the multiplayer experience with features like cross-platform voice chat, direct item trading, and player revives, alongside significant bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements to base building and vehicle handling.   ## Gameplay Features   ### Multiplayer & Communication *   **Cross-Platform Voice Chat:** Added support for voice communication across platforms. Hosts can choose between **Global** and **Proximity** Voice Chat (volume decreases with distance). Modes include "always on," "push to talk," or "always off."-*   **Player Revival:** Players can now revive each other before reprinting. Revived players retain their equipment and regain a small amount of oxygen. Downed players may also choose to immediately reprint at their assigned Biobed.-*   **Item Trading:** Players can interact with each other to directly exchange inventory items.-*   **Emotes:** Added Wave, Clap, Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down, and Frustrated emotes, accessible via a new radial menu. These can be triggered in water or on land and interrupted by gameplay input.+*   **Item Trading:** Players can now interact with each other to directly exchange inventory items.+*   **Revival System:** Players can revive downed teammates before they reprint. Revived players retain their equipment and regain a small amount of oxygen. Downed players also have the option to immediately reprint at their assigned **Biobed**.+*   **Emotes:** Added a radial menu for emotes, including Wave, Clap, Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down, and Frustrated. These can be triggered in water or on land and are interruptible by gameplay actions.  -### New Items & Mechanics-*   **Tracking Tag:** A new item that can be placed in carryables (like lockers) to act as a short-range beacon. If held in hand or inventory when reprinting, it increases the black box search range.+### Tools & Mechanics+*   **Tracking Tag:** A new item that acts as a short-range beacon when placed in carryables (like lockers). If held in hand or inventory during reprinting, it increases the black box search range. *   **Character Customization:** Added **Jegna** and **Grace** character options, along with two new color schemes.-*   **Upgrade Biobeds:** Interaction text clarified. Added a distinct beep and screen flash when using upgrade spots within a small radius.+*   **Upgrade Biobeds:** Interaction text clarified. Added distinct audio beeps and visual flashes when interacting with upgrade spots.   ## Fauna & Flora Updates  -*   **Animations & VFX:**-    *   Added flinch animations and VFX to Marrowbreach, Hammerhead, Nibbler, Needlershark, Epicurean, and Twin Eel.-    *   Revised model and animations for the Bloom Parasite.-    *   Improved Jelly Ring tentacles.-    *   Added more Coral Crab animations.-    *   Added impact VFX for Tongue Thief.-    *   Added shock VFX for Hammerheads impacting objects.-*   **Behavior Adjustments:**-    *   **Bulletheads:** Deal more damage but are now dodgeable.-    *   **Nibblers:** Hunt small fish more reliably and visibly.-    *   **Epicurean:** Can now only be infected by one Tongue Thief at a time.-    *   **Sandspear:** Fixed issue where it could grab players from minimal touch; fixed getting stunned while underground.+Several creatures received animation and behavior updates:+*   **Flinch Animations/VFX:** Added to **Marrowbreach**, **Hammerhead**, **Nibbler**, **Needlershark**, **Epicurean**, and **Twin Eel**.+*   **Bullethead:** Adjusted to deal more damage but with dodgeable attacks.+*   **Coral Crab:** Added new animations.+*   **Bloom Parasite:** Revised model and animations.+*   **Jelly Ring:** Improved tentacle visuals.   ## Base Building Improvements  -*   **Placement UI:** Improved alignment guide lines and obstruction indicators. Items preventing construction are now displayed in a list.-*   **Move Mode:** Improved handling for clients in multiplayer sessions.-*   **Deconstruction:** Bases now account for size snapping, allowing full deconstruction of rooms with Shrink.-*   **Trashcan:** Now functional; items added are destroyed one by one after a five-second delay.-*   **Restrictions:** Bases can no longer be built inside the Great Jaw.+*   **Placement UI:** Enhanced with alignment guide lines for easier construction.+*   **Multiplayer Move Mode:** Improved handling for clients moving objects in multiplayer sessions.+*   **Size Snapping:** Base edits now account for size snapping, allowing full deconstruction of rooms using the Shrink tool.+*   **Trashcan:** Now functional; items placed inside are destroyed one by one after a five-second delay.+*   **Construction Restrictions:** Bases can no longer be built inside the **Great Jaw**. Objects preventing construction are now listed in the UI. *   **Tadpole Dock:** Icon updated to reflect the new model.   ## Vehicles, Tools & Equipment  -*   **Feedback Resonator:** Now stuns creatures instead of causing them to flee. Unlock requires two scans.-*   **Sonic Resonator:** Creature stun duration extended to 10 seconds. Atacamite can no longer be harvested with this tool.-*   **Scanner HUD:** Acid sources now appear as green dots. Tallshrooms now have an icon.-*   **Repair Tool:** Unlocks after two scans.-*   **Tadpole Safety:** Tadpoles destroyed outside the Early Access fence teleport inside for recovery.+*   **Feedback Resonator:** Now stuns creatures instead of causing them to flee.+*   **Sonic Resonator:** Stun duration extended to 10 seconds.+*   **Scanner HUD:** Acid sources now appear as green dots. **Tallshrooms** now have a scanner icon.+*   **Repair Tool:** Unlocks after scanning two fragments.+*   **Tadpole Recovery:** Tadpoles destroyed outside the **Early Access Barrier** now teleport inside the fence for recovery.  -## UI & Menus+## UI & Visual Enhancements  -*   **Signals:** Icons increase in size as the player approaches; text appears on hover for distant signals.-*   **Save Codes:** Can be directly pasted into the Cloud Save Download input box.-*   **Builder Menu:** Scroll position persists when closing and re-opening.-*   **Pinned Recipes:** Highlight when relevant resources are acquired; items are no longer dimmed for better readability.+*   **Signals:** Icons scale with proximity; text appears on hover for distant signals to reduce HUD clutter.+*   **Save Codes:** Can now be pasted directly into the Cloud Save Download input.+*   **Builder Menu:** Scroll position persists when reopening the menu.+*   **Pinned Recipes:** Highlighted when relevant resources are acquired; items are no longer dimmed for better readability. *   **Audiologs:** Display elapsed and remaining playback time.-*   **Error Messages:** Improved language for non-Game Pass Microsoft users.+*   **VFX Performance:** Optimized for the **Graveyard** and **Water Slugs**. Improved consistency for sparks, electricity, and shock effects (e.g., **Hammerhead** impacts).+*   **Environment:** Added light poles connecting the **Observatory** and **Rosetta Stone**. Enhanced environmental effects in abandoned outposts and wrecks.  -## Art, Audio & Narrative+## Audio & Narrative  -*   **Visual Effects:** Performance improvements for Graveyard Water Slugs. Improved consistency of sparks and electricity VFX. Removed blue outline on Collector Leviathan.-*   **Music:** Added to Tufa Zona, Thermal Area, and North Coral Gardens.-*   **Localization:** Previously unlocalized lines are now localized. Naming of Carryable Racks standardized. Adjusted pacing of dialog.-*   **Databank:** Added entries for Mod Station and missing audiologs.-*   **NOA Alerts:** Reduced frequency. Voice line no longer references Lifepod after building a NOA Terminal.+*   **Localization:** Previously unlocalized lines are now localized. Naming for **Carryable Racks** standardized.+*   **Databank:** Added entries for the **Modification Station** and missing audiologs.+*   **Music:** New tracks added to **Tufa Zone**, **Thermal Area** (Graveyard), and North Coral Gardens.+*   **Voice Over:** Improved prioritization to ensure critical lines are heard. Reduced frequency of NOA alerts.  -## Technical & Performance- -*   **Frame Generation:** New modes 5x and 6x for RTX 5000 series. Dynamic Frame Generation automatically selects the appropriate mode. VSync and DLSS Frame Generation can now run simultaneously.-*   **Nvidia Reflex:** Description added to Settings.-*   **Privacy Policy:** New additions from July 15th pop up on first play.-*   **Feedback Tool:** Now allows attaching a save file.-  ## Bug Fixes  -### Multiplayer & Networking-*   Fixed clients being unable to trigger signals for Camp One and Old Habitat.-*   Fixed issues where clients couldn't move certain Growbed items, causing desynchronization.-*   Fixed base objects' ghosts being invisible to clients with high latency.-*   Fixed Power Transmitter ray visibility issues for multiplayer clients.-*   Fixed inconsistent player markers and beacon name updates.-*   Fixed issue where rejecting a game invite prevented receiving new invites.-*   Fixed client camera getting stuck in the starting Biobed.-*   Fixed prologue completion exploit regarding Pressure Tolerance Adaptation.+This update included a massive list of bug fixes, particularly focusing on multiplayer stability and progression blockers:  -### Gameplay & Mechanics-*   Fixed Metal Farms producing resources while UI signaled lack of power, or losing power in series connections.-*   Fixed Solar Panels stopping power production after 45-60 mins in multi-base saves.-*   Fixed Hydroturbines stopping power production after 120-160 mins.-*   Fixed bases remaining powered after Power Storage depletion.-*   Fixed battery duplication exploit via saving/loading.-*   Fixed Unstuck function failing when in a Tadpole or holding carryables.-*   Fixed player sprinting permanently if paused while sprinting.-*   Fixed O2 not depleting when attached to an unpowered Tadpole HAUL.+### Multiplayer & Progression+*   Fixed an exploit where swapping resources in a **Metal Farm** inherited previous growth times.+*   Fixed issues where clients could not move **Growbed** items, causing desynchronization.+*   Fixed bases remaining powered after **Power Storage** depletion.+*   Fixed **Hydroelectric Turbines** stopping production after 120-160 minutes of gameplay.+*   Fixed **Solar Panels** stopping power provision after 45-60 minutes in multi-base saves.+*   Fixed clients being unable to trigger signals for **Camp One** and **Old Habitat**.+*   Fixed an issue where clients could complete the prologue without obtaining **Pressure Tolerance**.+*   Fixed **Adaptations** being obtainable without healing the related **Angel Comb**.+*   Fixed network disconnects trapping players in the initial **Biobed**.  -### Creatures & World-*   Fixed Collector Leviathan spinning 360 degrees when grabbing/throwing Tadpoles.-*   Fixed Shiver Leviathan unable to attack players in vehicles.-*   Fixed Sandspears floating out of ground if nest blocked.-*   Fixed various terrain clipping, floating objects, and gaps.-*   Sealed multiple under-map exploits near Observatory, Power Plant, Axum Metal Farms, Sparse Plains, and Ruins.-*   Fixed Jetocaris PDA image mismatch.-*   Fixed Pneuma appearing as Halfmoon at long distances.-  ### Vehicles & Base Building-*   Fixed Tadpole docking issues when space is insufficient or when chassis is attached during docking.-*   Fixed Tadpole collision offset for host when client exits moving vehicle.-*   Fixed HAUL detachment causing spinning.-*   Fixed base decorations appearing inactive after save/load.-*   Fixed Power Cell Terminals only constructible on lower base parts.-*   Fixed ladders placement sequence difficulties.-*   Fixed Habitat Beacons remaining indestructible after base deconstruction.+*   Fixed **Collector Leviathan** spinning 360 degrees when grabbing/throwing a **Tadpole**.+*   Fixed **Tadpole** docking issues when space is insufficient or when detaching chassis.+*   Fixed **Power Transmitter** ray visibility issues for multiplayer clients.+*   Fixed **Metal Farms** producing resources while UI indicated no power, or losing power in series connections.+*   Fixed **Habitat Beacons** remaining indestructible after base deconstruction/refund.+*   Fixed **Tailing Jars** having inconsistent sizing in rooms.+*   Fixed players getting stuck in **Tadpoles** when detaching chassis or exiting near walls.  -### UI & Audio-*   Fixed settings menus cutting off with controller navigation.+### Creatures & World+*   Fixed **Jetocaris** PDA image mismatch.+*   Fixed **Sandspear** getting stunned underground or floating out of nests.+*   Fixed **Epicurean** infection limits (only one **Tongue Thief** at a time).+*   Fixed **Nibblers** hunting reliability.+*   Sealed multiple under-map exploits near the **Observatory**, **Power Plant**, **Axum Metal Farms**, and **Ruins**.+*   Fixed **Bloom** infestations showing **Alterra** logos on Scanner Stations.+ +### UI & General+*   Fixed save file deletion appearance after crashes.+*   Fixed Steam Overlay not pausing the game. *   Fixed FOV changes only applying after exiting Settings.-*   Fixed music playing in incorrect regions.-*   Fixed missing SFX for Chap Blackbox and Feedback Resonator.-*   Fixed voice over mismatches in various logs and dialogs.-*   Fixed "Scanner Required" VO playing repeatedly for clients with full inventory.+*   Fixed various texture clipping, floating objects, and missing collision issues.+*   Fixed audio mismatches in several logs and dialogues.  -### Miscellaneous-*   Fixed Algae/Nutrient Blocks not working as BioReactor fuel.-*   Fixed Necrolei Cysts not plantable in Growbeds.-*   Fixed Deepwing Egg Clump and Axum Bacterial Culture not scannable.-*   Fixed various typos and localization errors (including Chinese names in Russian localization).-*   Fixed crash and performance issues related to save files and graphics settings.+## Gallery+ +![A Buddy System update infographic released by UWE on 15 September 2026](Buddy_System_Update_Highlights.png)