There are three confirmed Leviathan species in SN2 Early Access plus one variant: the Collector Leviathan, the Shiver Leviathan with its smaller Shiver Male, and the passive Deepwing Brooder. Each occupies a specific depth band. Knowing which one lives where is half of staying alive at depth.
Behaviour: Aggressive. Patrols a long corridor between Coral Gardens and the Karakorum entrance, plus a deep-vent variant.
Depth: 50-300m on the Karakorum approach corridor; the vent variant roams 200-350m.
Survival: The Collector's pattern is a slow loop. If you spot it, hold position behind cover and wait 20-40 seconds — it will pass. Cavitation Muffler reduces detection radius. A Distraction Flare buys 15-20 seconds of escape window.
Why you'll meet it: Every Karakorum trip crosses its territory. The "Karakorum safe approach" route on our map hugs the south cliff to minimise exposure.
Behaviour: Aggressive pack predator. Where you see one Shiver, expect 2-3 within striking range. The Shiver Male is the smaller, faster variant — males hunt cooperatively with females.
Depth: 200-400m, concentrated in the far Karakorum south alien ruins.
Survival: The Shiver pack is the hardest threat in current EA. Do not engage. Mk.2 Depth Module on the Tadpole is highly recommended so you can outpace the pack. Cavitation Muffler is borderline mandatory — without it, you cannot break detection once a Shiver Male locks on.
Why you'll meet it: Conduit Crystal and the richest Gold pockets are inside Shiver territory. Plan the trip around when the pack rotates.
Behaviour: Passive (database confirmed). Enormous arthropod Leviathan that drifts through deep Karakorum, using fatty deposits to nurture egg clumps. It will not attack you unless you provoke it.
Depth: 250-400m, alien ruin corridors.
Survival: Do not harvest its egg clumps if a Brooder is nearby — that triggers an aggressive defensive cycle. Wait until it has drifted at least 80m away, then take the Deepwing Egg Clump.
Why you'll meet it: Deepwing Egg Clumps are required for the Pavlova food and the Axum Etching Acid recipe.
The EA play area is bounded on the east and west sides. Approaching the map edge triggers an off-screen creature engagement that turns you back. As of EA Phase 1, this is community-described as a "boundary Leviathan" effect rather than a confirmed unique species — it may be a re-skinned Collector or a future-content placeholder. Either way: don't test it. The damage is fatal at low gear levels.
Drop a Beacon as you approach the boundary so you can see it visually on your HUD next time.
Those are Subnautica 1 / Below Zero Leviathans and are not in Subnautica 2. The closest analogues in SN2 are:
Future EA phases may add new species — the Open Ocean (unexplored east map edge) and any planned third biome are likely to ship with their own Leviathans.
