Subnautica, the underwater survival adventure game, captivates players with its stunning alien landscapes and unique ecosystem. A key element of this world is its bioluminescent flora, with the Lantern Tree standing out as a particularly beautiful and useful plant. But can you actually cultivate these glowing wonders in your underwater bases? Let’s explore the details of Lantern Trees, their function, and the possibility of growing them in Subnautica.
Understanding the Lantern Tree
The Lantern Tree is a large, arboreal organism found in several biomes across Planet 4546B. Its defining feature is its bioluminescent properties, emitting a soft, warm light that illuminates its surroundings. These trees aren’t just aesthetically pleasing; they serve a practical purpose for both the player and the native creatures of the game.
Location and Appearance
These trees are most commonly found in the Safe Shallows, Kelp Forest, and Grassy Plateaus. They are characterized by their large, bulbous base, a thick trunk, and branching “leaves” that glow with varying intensities. The color of the light can range from a pale green to a deeper blue, depending on the specific tree.
Functionality and Purpose
Lantern Trees primarily function as a light source. In the dark depths of Subnautica, visibility is crucial for navigation, resource gathering, and avoiding hostile creatures. They act as natural beacons, guiding players and other lifeforms through the murky waters.
Beyond illumination, Lantern Trees are also a source of oxygen. While not as potent as other oxygen-producing flora, they contribute to the overall atmospheric balance, making areas near them slightly more breathable.
The Possibility of Planting Lantern Trees
The core question remains: can you actively plant and cultivate Lantern Trees within your bases or designated areas? The answer, unfortunately, is a bit nuanced.
Natural Growth vs. Player Cultivation
Lantern Trees are naturally occurring flora that cannot be directly planted using traditional methods like seeds or cuttings. Unlike some other plants in Subnautica, there is no in-game mechanic that allows you to harvest a Lantern Tree seed or propagate it from a sample.
Indirect Influence Through Environment
While you can’t plant a Lantern Tree in the same way you’d plant a Marblemelon or a Creepvine, you can create an environment that encourages their natural growth nearby.
Optimal Conditions
The conditions that foster natural growth involve mimicking the biomes where Lantern Trees typically thrive. This includes the presence of other flora and fauna, a certain level of ambient light (even though they create their own), and the specific water parameters of those regions.
Base Placement
By carefully selecting the location of your base, you might be able to build it in an area where Lantern Trees already exist. Integrating these trees into your base design offers the aesthetic benefit of having natural illumination and oxygen generation without directly planting them.
Alternative Light Sources and Decorative Flora
Since directly planting Lantern Trees isn’t possible, players must rely on alternative light sources and decorative plants to achieve the desired aesthetic and functionality within their bases.
Interior Lighting Options
Subnautica offers a range of interior lighting options for your bases.
- Wall Lights: These are energy-efficient and can be placed strategically to illuminate key areas.
- Spotlights: These provide a more focused beam of light, useful for highlighting specific objects or areas.
- Floodlights: Floodlights offer a broad, diffused light, ideal for large rooms or outdoor spaces.
Exterior Lighting Solutions
For illuminating the exterior of your base, several options are available.
- Exterior Floodlights: These provide wide-area illumination, making it easier to navigate around your base at night.
- Beacons: These act as navigational aids, helping you locate your base from a distance.
- Spotlights: Allow you to focus on key areas outside your base
Decorative Plants and Their Function
While they don’t offer the same level of illumination as Lantern Trees, several decorative plants can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your base.
- Creepvine Seeds: These can be planted in exterior growbeds to create a glowing curtain around your base.
- Jelly Plant: This plant emits a soft, purple light and can be planted in interior growbeds.
- Alien Containment Plants: The Alien Containment unit allows you to grow certain bioluminescent plants within your base. Some, like the Fevered Pepper, emit a small amount of light in addition to their other effects.
The Role of Bioluminescence in Subnautica’s Ecosystem
Bioluminescence is a recurring theme in Subnautica. Many creatures and plants exhibit this phenomenon, playing a crucial role in the game’s ecosystem.
Attracting Prey and Mates
For some creatures, bioluminescence serves as a lure, attracting prey or potential mates. The mesmer, for example, uses its glowing appendages to hypnotize and capture unsuspecting victims.
Camouflage and Defense
Other organisms use bioluminescence for camouflage or defense. Some creatures can emit a bright flash of light to disorient predators, while others blend in with their surroundings by mimicking the ambient light.
Communication and Navigation
Certain species may use bioluminescence to communicate with each other or navigate the dark depths. The Ghost Leviathan, for example, emits a distinct glow that can be seen from a considerable distance.
Modding the Game: A Possible Solution?
While the base game doesn’t allow for planting Lantern Trees, the modding community has created numerous modifications that alter the gameplay experience.
Exploring Available Mods
Some mods may introduce the ability to harvest and plant Lantern Tree seeds, while others might offer new types of bioluminescent plants for cultivation.
Potential Drawbacks of Modding
It’s important to note that using mods can sometimes introduce instability or compatibility issues with the game. It’s crucial to research and choose mods carefully, ensuring they are compatible with your version of Subnautica.
Conclusion
While you can’t directly plant a Lantern Tree in Subnautica through conventional methods, you can utilize creative base placement and alternative lighting options to achieve a similar aesthetic. By embracing the game’s diverse flora and fauna, and understanding the role of bioluminescence in its ecosystem, you can create a visually stunning and functional underwater habitat. Mods may offer a potential solution for those seeking the specific ability to cultivate Lantern Trees, but careful consideration should be given to compatibility and stability. In the end, the resourceful survivor adapts and thrives, even without the perfect ability to plant every glowing wonder of Planet 4546B. The true beauty of Subnautica lies in its ability to inspire creativity and resourcefulness, encouraging players to explore the limits of their imagination within its immersive world.
Can I plant a Lantern Tree seed in my Subnautica base?
Yes, you can absolutely plant Lantern Tree seeds in your Subnautica base. You’ll need a Growbed (either Indoor or Exterior) to provide a suitable planting location. Simply select the Growbed and interact with it to access the planting menu. Locate the Lantern Tree seed in your inventory and plant it in the Growbed to start the growing process. Remember that Exterior Growbeds require access to sunlight to function optimally, while Indoor Growbeds need a power source.
Once planted, the Lantern Tree seed will grow into a small, bioluminescent tree. This provides a soft, ambient light source within your base, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Beyond aesthetics, Lantern Trees also offer a practical benefit: they are a source of edible fruit, albeit small, which can help with basic sustenance during your survival adventure. Regularly harvest the fruit to keep the tree producing more, maintaining a reliable source of food and light.
Where can I find Lantern Tree seeds in Subnautica?
Lantern Tree seeds are primarily found in the Bulb Zone, a biome characterized by its giant, glowing bulbous trees. They are scattered around the base of these trees, often partially hidden in the sand or debris. Look closely and methodically search the area around the Bulb Zone’s distinctive flora to increase your chances of finding them. They are typically not difficult to spot due to their distinctive appearance.
Another location to find Lantern Tree seeds is the Lost River. While less common than in the Bulb Zone, you can occasionally find them near the Ghost Tree or in the various caves and tunnels that make up the Lost River biome. Remember to use your scanner to help locate the seeds more efficiently. Once scanned, they will be highlighted when you are in proximity.
What are the benefits of having Lantern Trees in my base?
Lantern Trees provide a natural and visually appealing source of light within your Subnautica base. Unlike artificial lights, they emit a soft, bioluminescent glow that creates a more calming and immersive atmosphere. This natural lighting can significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your base, making it a more pleasant and relaxing place to spend time.
Beyond aesthetics, Lantern Trees also offer a practical benefit: they produce edible fruit. While the fruit is not a substantial source of nutrition, it can provide a small boost to your food levels, especially in the early game. This can be particularly useful if you are running low on other food sources or are exploring far from your main base.
Do Lantern Trees require any specific conditions to grow?
Lantern Trees don’t have extremely demanding growth requirements, but they do need a few basic conditions to thrive. They require a Growbed to be planted in, either an Indoor or Exterior Growbed. Ensure that the Growbed is powered (for Indoor Growbeds) or exposed to sunlight (for Exterior Growbeds) for optimal growth.
Furthermore, the Growbed needs to be free of obstructions. Avoid placing objects too close to the Growbed, as this can sometimes hinder the growth of the Lantern Tree. While they are relatively low-maintenance, providing these basic conditions will ensure that your Lantern Trees grow healthy and continue to produce fruit and light.
How long does it take for a Lantern Tree to fully grow and produce fruit?
The time it takes for a Lantern Tree to fully mature and start producing fruit in Subnautica is approximately 30 minutes of real-world time. This growth time applies both to Lantern Trees grown in Interior Growbeds and Exterior Growbeds, though sunlight exposure can slightly affect the speed. Ensure the Growbed has adequate conditions for optimal growth.
Once fully grown, the Lantern Tree will continuously produce fruit. You can harvest the fruit regularly to keep the tree producing more. Leaving the fruit unharvested for too long will not hinder the tree’s growth, but you will miss out on a small but sustainable food source. Frequent harvesting encourages continuous production.
Can I move a Lantern Tree after it has been planted?
Unfortunately, once a Lantern Tree has been planted in a Growbed, you cannot directly move it to another location. The only way to relocate a Lantern Tree is to deconstruct the Growbed it’s planted in. Deconstructing the Growbed will destroy the Lantern Tree, so this is not an ideal solution if you want to preserve the plant itself.
If you need to move the tree, you will have to collect a new Lantern Tree seed and plant it in a Growbed at the desired location. It is important to carefully plan the placement of your Growbeds and Lantern Trees to avoid the need for relocation. Consider the aesthetics and functionality of your base layout before planting.
Do Lantern Trees attract any creatures in Subnautica?
Lantern Trees do not directly attract any hostile or aggressive creatures in Subnautica. They are a passive plant and do not emit any signals or substances that would lure dangerous wildlife. You can safely plant Lantern Trees in your base without worrying about increased creature encounters.
However, the light emitted by Lantern Trees can indirectly affect creature behavior. The light might make it easier to spot your base from a distance, potentially drawing the attention of curious or patrolling creatures. This is a minor effect and generally does not pose a significant threat, but it is worth considering when placing your base in areas with high creature activity.