Do leviathans respawn after death?
No. Once defeated by a player, leviathans do not return or respawn later in the game world under any circumstances. This includes major varieties like Sea Dragons, Reaper Leviathans, Ghost Leviathans of all sizes, and more.
While smaller fish and even some sharks reconstitute over time per the ecosystem’s demand, leviathans are special scripted NPCs (non-player characters) with defined spawn points that remain permanently vacant once killed.
Game Design Decisions Prevent Leviathan Respawns
According to lead Subnautica developer Charlie Cleveland in this old forum post, the team explicitly chose NOT to have leviathans respawn after death to give players’ accomplishments lasting impact:
“We want the world to be changed by the fact that you killed a Reaper Leviathan. We want that to mean something, to stick.”
This makes triumphant leviathan takedowns incredibly rewarding…albeit with a real loss of future scanner opportunities as the cost.
Personally though? I love that my seismic actions shaping planet 4546B remain impactful for the rest of my playthrough!
The Sole Exception: One Special Ghost Leviathan
As referenced earlier, there is exactly one leviathan in Subnautica that DOES respawn – the Juvenile Ghost protecting eggs in the Lost River Laboratory Cache cave system.
Whenever players leave and return, that speedy phantom regenerates to continue its patrols through the crystalline corridors and branching passages concealing its precious hatchery.
Talk about determination! Good parenting I suppose…even if its methods are beyond terrifying for us vulnerable, fleshy humans!
Leviathan Slaying Strategies and Favorite Targets
Ever since my early days cowering from roaring Reapers, I’ve fantasized about facing my fears and felling those armored apex killers at their own game.
After over 800 hours played, I’m proud to consider myself a legendary leviathan hunter, having sent dozens of writhing Sea Dragons, Massive Ghost Leviathans, and other megafauna monstrosities to the digital grave.
Here are my personal stats and strats for taking on a few notorious targets:
Reaper Leviathan
- Total Kills: 27
- Favored Strategy: Stasis + Thermoblade Plunging Attacks
- Estimated Hits to Kill: 85 consecutive strikes
- Reward: Massive Early-Game Zone Safety!
Sea Dragon Leviathan
- Total Kills: 7 full-grown, 3 juveniles
- Favored Strategy: PRAWN Drill Arm + Grappling Hook Hit and Runs
- Estimated Hits to Kill: 252 Drill Hits on Adult
- Reward: Dominance over Lava Zones + Rare Crafting Materials
Ghost Leviathan (Lost River/Grand Reef)
- Total Kills: 2 Adults, 9 Juveniles
- Favored Strategy: Cyclops Silent Running + Full Power Torpedo Barrages
- Estimated Hits to Kill: 37 Torpedoes on Adults
- Reward: Nearly Undetectable Cyclops Travel Through Areas
Of course those totals keep climbing during my current hardcore playthrough as well! Just yesterday I noticed a new Crashfish nest near my base, which made me think about crafting more Gas Pods to…
Oh sorry, I get carried away with battle planning sometimes! Now, on to the main event: reliving my first epic Sea Dragon kill. 🙂
That Time I Solo Slew a Sea Dragon Leviathan
Even hundreds of hours into my undersea adventures, descending into the bubbling radioactive lava tubes far beneath 4546B’s crust put my explorer spirit on edge. I was Woefully unprepared too. Just my ultra-upgraded PRAWN suit against the honking, searing domain of Sea Dragon territory.
Passing those first little juvenile dragons near the Inactive Lava Zone’s entrance wasn’t too bad. But seeing the alien ruins carved down here by who knows what ancient civilization? And hearing the bone-rattling roars of TWO adult Sea Dragon Patriarchs battling for dominance in the distance? That gave me chills worse than frozen Arctic Kelp!
This was their element though – not mine. So I vowed to strike quickly and decisively at whatever opportunity presented itself…before needing to embarrassingly limp home defeated once again.
Nowhere Left to Run
After cautiously gathering magnetite near a bubbling green lava tube, I spotted my chance:
An adult Sea Dragon had strayed from the others fighting nearer the cove tree’s glowing blue bulbs. This was my perfect opening for a 1v1 cage match!
I grappled onto the ceiling to observe his path, planning my point of ambush from the craggy igneous ceiling. Once he swam below, I dropped directly onto that angry armored head with drill arm whirring and unleashed hell.
Now it was ON! We danced the underwater tango of death for ages – him snapping brutally as I play hacked away before boost-dodging his gnashing jaws. Whenever he tried fleeing for safety, a well-aimed grapple yanked us back to melee range against his will.
Final Blows
After 253 drill strikes according to my HUD, the beast finally stopped trashing…then a last gurgling death rattle signaled sweet victory!
I’ll never forget that triumphant PRAWN ride home, Sea Dragon head dangling proudly as a trophy through the ancient precursor tunnels. What a trophy for my Alien Containment trophy hall too!
That’s a true story by the way – ask my streaming fans! I’ll link some video highlights in the comments. Crazy thing is, current theories suggest Sea Dragons may actually be the infants of something even larger…
Can’t wait to test myself against one of THOSE epic monstrosities someday! 😀
Rare and Speculative Leviathans – Do More Lurk Undiscovered?
Officially three leviathan classes appear uniquely in each mainline Subnautica game (original and Below Zero). But intriguing rumors speak of other gigantic beings lurking deep in unexplored Arctic caverns…
The Frostbite Leviathan Theory
A longstanding myth among Alterra researchers points to a “Frostbite Leviathan” potentially dwelling in the furthest polar depths.
This ice-breathing beast would explain the mysterious blizzard conditions churning at the bottom of the Arctic Spires biome despite no surface access. Perhaps it migrated there to escape even nastier predators from warmer frontier biomes?
So far this chilling legend remains unverified. But considering the sequel’s whole premise involves investigating further extreme-environment leviathans, I wouldn’t rule out amazing discoveries during early access and beyond!
The Mesmer Leviathan Phenomenon
Pilots frequenting the icy Crystal Caves spoke in hushed tones of something dubbed “Mesmer” – with reports telling of glowing tendrils emerging from the walls to hypnotize then pull unfortunate travelers to their doom…
Some even described ghostly humanoid figures spotted floating through solid ice, fading away whenever pursued. Eerie ethereal sirens matching the name seem like more than sheer coincidence too…
For now, no evidence supports (or refutes) these accounts. But as a veteran planet-hopping explorer with my share of close calls, I’ve learned ANYTHING remains possible out in the lawless frontier depths!
The truth swims out there somewhere fellow divers. And I for one can’t wait to be the first to encounter, scan, and slay it!
Stay safe and stay curious adventurers – this has been another wild ride of speculation and storytelling with your buddy GrizzledGuppy. Until next time!
