Subnautica 2 is currently in Early Access—and it’s already managed to surprise with one unusual mechanic. Adaptations. These are essentially genetic mutations that allow your character to adopt useful traits from the local fauna. For example, the ability to digest strange alien life. Useful, you’ll agree.
This mechanic is introduced almost immediately. One of the first tasks in NoA is to find the nearest Angel Comb Jellies and unlock the ability to breathe high-pressure air. And then there’s more. All new Adaptations are obtained in the same way, but you’ll have to find these Comb Jellies yourself. The map isn’t explained.
Currently, six Adaptations are displayed in the game. The bottom two, however, haven’t been officially added yet—they’re listed as “unknown.” So, only four are actually available. Including the tutorial. They are listed on the tab of the same name in the menu, but only the ones you’ve already unlocked are visible.
So, your task is to find just three Angel Comb Jellies. This may seem like a minor detail, but it’s far more complicated than that.
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Where to Find Angel Comb Jellies in Subnautica 2?
The last two Comb Jellies will be infected. Before you can obtain the corresponding Adaptation, you’ll need to cleanse them. And each requires its own tool—two different ones, actually.
The first infected one grants Heat Resistance. It has two nodes with seaweed growths. Clean it with a Sonic Resonator—the node opens when the corruption is removed. The second infected one unlocks Axum Vision. It has three nodes, each covered in two growths. More work.
You’ll know a node is cleaned when it starts to open. Sometimes, smaller infected “plagues” remain near the main Comb Jellie—these also need to be removed. If everything is done correctly, the Comb Jellie will open. It did not open? Then you missed something.
And here’s where things get interesting. The plague on the last Ctenophora behaves differently—the growths close up as soon as you get close. Melee combat will not work. You’ll need the “Reflected Wave Resonator” upgrade for the Sonic Resonator. Crafted at the Modification Station, it allows you to shoot the plagues from afar—before they have a chance to close up. It’s tricky, but doable.
If you’re stuck searching, take a closer look at the purple vines of the Titanic Stoneworm. They stretch straight from the Ctenophora. It works flawlessly.
Below are all the currently known locations. The coordinates are tied to the Escape Pod. Let’s go.
Pressure Resistance Adaptation Coordinates
Allows you to breathe compressed air. Can’t miss it—it’s part of the intro. The crash site itself is 600 meters due south of the capsule. Depth: 580 meters.
Where to Find the Surface Digestion Gene?
Allows you to digest local marine life and restore your food and water levels. Easy to find: 160 meters north-northeast (azimuth 25°), depth: only 3 meters. Almost at the surface.
How to Unlock Heat Resistance and Clear the Nodes?
This is where things get interesting. This adaptation allows you to withstand high temperatures. The Crest Jelly itself is 200 meters west-northwest (300°), 50 meters deep. However, you’ll need a Sound Resonator to clear two nodes:
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North Node: 241 meters north-northwest (340°), 17 meters deep.
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Southwest Node: 233 meters west-southwest (245°), 70 meters deep.
Clean both to gain overheat protection.
Where to Get Axumite Vision and Find All Three Nodes?
Unlocks interaction with Axumite technology. The Crest Jelly itself is hidden far away: 1,760 meters east-northeast (75°), 425 meters deep. Clearing the three nodes requires a Reflected Wave Resonator (an upgrade to the standard Resonator). Here are their coordinates:
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Node 1 — in a cave beneath the Observatory. The Observatory is 1,175 meters due east of the capsule, 180 meters deep.
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Node 2 — at the edge of the Power Plant, 1,516 meters east-southeast (100°), 305 meters deep.
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Node 3 — inside a cave accessible only through the Cicada wreck. Coordinates: 2,150 meters due east, 320 meters deep.
Yes, it’ll take some work. But Axum Vision is worth it — without it, you won’t be able to use all the high-tech stuff here. In deep water, that’s critical.
Tactics of Cleaning the Last Infected Comb
We return to the very crest behind the alien base. You should already have a reflected wave Resonator on your hands — nothing will work without it. Then we act clearly.
Instructions for Using the Reflected Wave Resonator
First, inspect the trunk of the comb. There will be reinforced foreign elements on it — the same closing growths. Shoot from a medium range before they snap shut. If you’ve removed the periphery, move to the center.
In the central part there is an inflorescence with a pink bulb. There’s a lot of contagion around her, too. Carefully remove each growth without getting too close. The resonator of the reflected wave allows you to strike from a distance — use it.
When all the nodes are cleared, the last one remains. Interact with the inflorescence. Everything. The Aksum Vision adaptation gene is in your pocket.
A few tips from personal experience: take your time, check each node twice. Sometimes one small growth remains on the side, and the crest does not open. Take the extra five minutes, but it’s worth it. The eyesight of the Aksum will open up access to local technologies, and in deep water without them, it’s like without hands.
Frequently Asked Questions About DNA Genes and Adaptations in the Game
Genes are forever. Once you’ve sewn a mutation into the DNA, it stays with the character until the very end. Death, rebooting, or jumping between single player and co-op do not reset progress. However, Subnautica 2’s early access is not complete without crutches. Sometimes “Aksum vision” disappears from the logs without a trace after loading the save. If this happens, find the same Comb and communicate with the inflorescence again. The main thing is that the Comb itself has already been cleared of infection.
The Number of Available Mutations in Early Access
At the start of early access, which happened on May 14, 2025, four mutations were rolled out to the players. These are “Pressure Resistance”, “Digestion”, “Overheating Resistance” and the very “Aksum vision”. At the same time, two more empty cells marked “Unknown” are displayed in the character’s menu. Obviously, they were reserved for major content updates. We wait.
How to Unlock DNA Upgrades Before the Plot?
Breaking the sequence and taking the genes earlier than expected is quite realistic. The same Combworm with the “Digestion” gene is drifting just 150 meters north of the Escape Capsule. No need to wait for a special invitation — go ahead and take it. With “Overheating Resistance”, the scheme is the same. If you already have a Sound Resonator in your inventory, you are free to clean up the first infected Combworm at any time. The game swallows it up.
Features of Gene Pumping in a Joint Mode
There will be no freebies in the joint mode. If your friend has already turned into a superhuman, you will not get his abilities. Each participant of the session unlocks adaptations independently through the Comb Angels. DNA pumping and genetic upgrades are tied to a specific character, not to the world. The host can provide resources or a spare tool to speed up the process, but you will have to do the final injection of the genes yourself. Fair.
Why is it Necessary to Discover the Digestion Mutation?
Skipping this gene is not a good idea. Technically, the game doesn’t force you to take it, but without this mutation, any local flora and fauna will literally burn your stomach out. The starter bars and water are designed for just a couple of hours of thoughtful gameplay. Then it’s either mutation or slow death from starvation during long—distance swimming. The choice is obvious.
What to Do if the Comb Does Not Open?
Inattention is usually to blame: tiny morata growths love to hide in blind spots on the side of the main node. Check everything again. The second reason is technical. For the second Comb, a conventional resonator is useless, it requires a reflected wave resonator. If the devices are correct, but there are no growths, then you have caught an early access bug. It is treated with a standard exit to the main menu and a reboot.
The Application of Axum Vision to Alien Technology
Without this improvement, you are just an ordinary tourist. Terminals, alien gates, and ancient scanners simply won’t respond to your presence. At a depth of more than 300 meters, this becomes a critical factor: without connection with Aksum technology, you will not see even half of the story content. So take this gene as the third in a row — you will not lose.
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