Getting Started: Installing Mods in Subnautica 2

Welcome to the Subnautica 2 modding scene! This guide walks you through everything you need to know to get mods up and running safely on your install.

Before You Begin

Make sure Subnautica 2 is fully updated via Steam.
Back up your save files before installing any mods (see the Save File Backup guide).
Disable any antivirus real-time scanning for the game folder temporarily — modding tools like BepInEx are sometimes falsely flagged.

What Kind of Mods Are There?

Subnautica 2 runs on Unreal Engine 5, which supports two main modding approaches:

Mod Type	What It Does	Loader Needed
C# / BepInEx	Code mods — new items, mechanics, UI overhauls	BepInEx
UE4SS / Lua	Lua scripts, light tweaks, blueprint injection	UE4SS
Blueprint	New content built in Unreal's visual scripting	UE4SS or pak
Config / PAK	Asset replacements, text edits	None (drop-in)

Step 1 — Install a Mod Loader

Most mods require either BepInEx or UE4SS (or both). Install the one your chosen mods need — check the mod's description page.

Step 2 — Download Your Mod

Find the mod on this site, Nexus Mods, CurseForge, or Thunderstore.
Read the mod's description carefully — note any dependencies (other mods it needs).
Download the .zip file.

Step 3 — Install the Mod

BepInEx mods (`.dll` files)

Steam\steamapps\common\Subnautica2\BepInEx\plugins\

Unzip the mod and drop the .dll (and any companion folders) into the plugins folder.

UE4SS / Lua mods

Steam\steamapps\common\Subnautica2\ue4ss\Mods\

Each mod goes in its own subfolder containing a Scripts\main.lua file.

PAK / asset mods

Steam\steamapps\common\Subnautica2\Subnautica2\Content\Paks\~mods\

Create the ~mods folder if it doesn't exist, then drop the .pak file inside.

Step 4 — Launch and Verify

Launch the game normally via Steam.
Check the main menu — many mods add a version tag or option in settings.
Check BepInEx logs at BepInEx\LogOutput.log if something seems wrong.

Tips for a Healthy Mod Setup

Install mods one at a time so you can identify which one causes problems.
Keep a text file listing all your mods and their versions.
When the game updates, check the mod page — you may need to wait for the author to update.
Use the Mod Manager tools (r2modman or Thunderstore Mod Manager) to automate installs.

Video Walkthrough

For a visual walkthrough of the full process, search YouTube:

Need help? Post in the Forum or check the Troubleshooting Guide →