The Subnautica 2 game department is in such a state that there’s plenty to be afraid of. Everyone’s most terrified of the game is the giant squid—the Collector Leviathan. When players first swam toward the alien ruins, this creature burst out from somewhere at incredible speed and tore them to shreds before they could even figure out what was happening.
But the fact remains: sooner or later, everyone will encounter this beast. Some will even hunt it specifically. So, we’ll show you where to find the Collector Leviathan in Subnautica 2.
Table of Contents
Collector Habitat and Finding the Tadpole Depot
This monster lives in a trench behind the hot water area, east of the escape pod. The best landmark is the Tadpole Depot signal. It’s located approximately 700 meters east of your starting point. The building where the Depot investigation took place hangs directly over the trench. My first encounter with the squid happened there.
The Tadpole provides some protection, but your tactics are evasion and flight. If the Collector Leviathan grabs your vehicle, it will destroy it effortlessly. If it grabs you outside of your vehicle, it’s a quick death.
Caution: the water near the squid is extremely hot. Therefore, before heading out, you’ll need to unlock the Overheating Adaptation ability—you can get it from an infected Angel Ctenophora.
Due to the monster’s insane speed, we strongly advise against approaching it without the Tadpole. Wait until you’ve acquired this underwater ray before heading out to confront the giant squid.
Path to the Graveyard Biome and Preparing Overheating Protection
Head to warm waters, specifically the Graveyard region. The water there is heated by underwater thermal springs. Incidentally, you’ll find plenty of salt and sulfur in this area—useful for crafting.
Towards the end of the early game, NoA will give you a quest that will lead you to this area. Once you receive the notification “Investigate Tadpole Depot,” consider it time to head east. But before you travel, be sure to unlock and craft the Tadpole transport. Without it, you’ll have no chance against the Collector.
How to find the Tadpole Depot and survive at depth?
If the mission is already unlocked but you haven’t checked it out yet, open the signals map. The Tadpole Depot is located about 700 meters east of the escape pod. Almost due east. With the Tadpole, the journey will take a couple of minutes, no more.
As you move, the water will begin to change color—it will turn orange and murky, like after a terraformer explosion. A temperature warning will immediately appear on the screen. Remember: without heat adaptation, you’ll be boiled alive. So first, the Angel Ctenophore, then the expedition.
When the Depot building comes into view, the depth will be about 150 meters. If you’re still without the Tadpole, this is where you’ll realize how stupid it is. The thing is, at depths below 100 meters, without a rebreather, oxygen starts to gobble up in no time. You didn’t come here for a picnic.
Collector Evasive Tactics and a Stealthy Route
Stick to the bottom—that’s your only chance
Your goal: cross the crevice and reach the alien ruins. Is it possible to do this without the Tadpole? Technically, yes. But that’s pure masochism. I don’t recommend it.
Before descending, look around. Where’s the squid? If you can’t see it, great. If you can see it, wait for it to swim away. It has a patrol route.
Dive sharply off the cliff with the Tadpole, press down, and land on the bottom of the crevice. Literally like a plow through the sand. Watch your critical depth—the system will warn you if you’re going too low. Rise a little and then press down again.
This will take you to the opposite wall. Rise again—and you’ve reached your destination, the alien ruins.
Is it possible to kill the Collector and farm valuable loot?
No. Forget it. Absolutely impossible. He can’t be stopped, slowed down, distracted, or reasoned with. His only plan is to tear you to shreds. If he grabs you with his tentacles, that’s it, guys, save your game. There’s not even a way out.
By the way, unlike the Bloodsucking Oyster, there’s no loot, no secrets, no hidden achievements. Your reward is to survive and get to the other side. Well, in Subnautica 2, that’s already a pretty good achievement.
All Leviathans in Subnautica 2 Where to Find and How to Survive
It’s a mistake to think that these giant beasts are created solely for your suffering. The Leviathan class in Subnautica 2 denotes extreme size, not a mandatory thirst for blood. In the Early Access version (released May 14, 2026), explorers have access to a completely new ecosystem—the developers completely scrapped the old bestiary, replacing it with fresh concepts. The ocean is currently home to five unique giants and a couple of alpha versions of common mobs.
Creature Threats and Habitats
Collector Habitat and Finding the Tadpole Depot
This predator quickly became the main jump scare generator on release. Newbies often miss one important detail: the Collector first emits a powerful electromagnetic pulse and only then goes for a grab. Don’t wait for visual contact—evade early. Want to get that coveted PDA entry? Abandon the Tadpole bathyscaphe (the monster will continue to rip apart even an empty cabin), swim behind the creature, and calmly scan it. No other reliable options have been found yet.
Leviathan Shiver How to Survive an Encounter in the Dead Zone
A 5,000-meter swim guarantees a rendezvous with this pack. Shivers exhibit sexual dimorphism. A large female always rams head-on, while three smaller males skillfully cut off escape routes from the flanks and below. Your chances of survival are zero. But the AI can be broken. Lure the pack to the orange marker at the edge of the location—beyond it, the script malfunctions, and the leviathans lose aggro and submit to scanning.
The Great Maw Guide Lithium Collection and Safe Scanning
A huge, static mollusk patiently awaits victims near the wreckage of the “Dining Room” (southwest). It won’t chase you. However, lithium is hidden within its massive shells, without which the midgame will be a torment. Looting the loot will require precision. Disturb even one internal tentacle, and the shell will instantly snap shut, dissolving you in stomach acid. We recommend scanning the Great Maw only from the outside (at most, you’ll receive a mild, non-lethal electric shock).
Deepwing Brooder Egg Search and Peaceful Leviathans
A rare example of a peaceful giant. The Brooder shows absolutely no interest in the player, preferring to drift lazily in shoals in the open ocean above you. The spawn point is always random. Occasionally, the monster drops eggs, but there’s a catch. The vast majority of objects are oily decoys that burst right in your hands. Real edible provisions will have to be carefully sought out amidst this minefield.
Secrets of the World Tree and Titan-class Leviathans
Strictly speaking, this isn’t even a Leviathan. The developers have separated the gigantic plant on the map’s border into a separate category—Titan. Getting to the roots is quite a challenge, as the approaches are heavily patrolled by Shivers. The tree itself won’t touch you, but a solid, invisible wall prevents you from entering. Adding the object to the database is also impossible.
Next post: How to Get a Repair Tool?
