Where to Find Blue Tablets in Subnautica

Blue tablets are scattered throughout the game world as loot items you can pick up directly. The most reliable locations are inside wrecks — sunken ships on the ocean floor that contain multiple rooms and corridors. Wrecks spawn in most biomes, and blue tablets appear in storage lockers, on the ground, and inside small crates throughout these structures.

The Safe Shallows biome has several accessible wrecks in shallow water, making it a good starting point if you need blue tablets early. As you progress deeper, wrecks in the Kelp Forest, Mushroom Forest, and Sparse Reef also contain them. Each wreck is procedurally generated, so the exact number and location of tablets varies, but you can expect to find at least one or two per wreck if you search thoroughly.

Key Takeaways

  • Blue tablets spawn as loot inside wrecks throughout most biomes, particularly in storage lockers and small crates.
  • You can craft blue tablets at a fabricator if you have one ion cube and two table coral samples.
  • Safe Shallows wrecks are the easiest to access early in the game without advanced equipment.
  • Bring a flashlight and a repair tool when exploring wrecks, since corridors are dark and doors may be blocked.

Crafting Blue Tablets at a Fabricator

If you cannot find enough blue tablets through exploration, you can craft them at any fabricator — the machine you use to build tools and supplies. The recipe requires one ion cube and two table coral samples. Ion cubes are rare and found only in specific late-game locations like the Lava Castle and the Alien Containment facility, so this route is not practical early on.

Table coral grows in the Kelp Forest and Sparse Reef biomes. You harvest it by swimming up to the plant and pressing the interact button — it looks like a branching purple or orange structure on the seafloor. Once you have both materials, open a fabricator, navigate to the "Tablets" category, select the blue tablet recipe, and confirm the craft. The tablet appears in your inventory when ready.

What You Need Before Exploring Wrecks

Wrecks are dark, confined spaces that can be dangerous if you are unprepared. Bring a flashlight or equip a headlight on your helmet so you can see inside corridors. You will also want a repair tool to fix your suit if it takes damage from sharp wreckage or hostile creatures. A knife is useful for cutting through plant growth blocking doorways.

Depending on the wreck's depth, you may need a reinforced dive suit or radiation suit to survive the pressure or radiation in that area. Check the biome's depth before entering — if your current suit does not protect you at that depth, craft or find a better one first. Wrecks in the Safe Shallows require minimal protection, but deeper wrecks demand better gear.

How to Search Wrecks Efficiently

When you enter a wreck, move slowly and check every room. Blue tablets are often in storage lockers — small metal boxes mounted on walls — so open every locker you see. Small crates on the ground also contain tablets. Some tablets sit loose on the floor or shelves, so scan the room visually before moving on.

Wrecks have multiple levels and branches, so it is straightforward to miss areas. If a door is sealed or blocked, try another route — most wrecks have multiple paths through them. Mark your entry point mentally or place a beacon outside so you do not get lost. If your oxygen is running low, exit and return later rather than risk drowning inside.

Avoiding Common Mistakes When Hunting Blue Tablets

Do not assume the first wreck you find has blue tablets — some wrecks are smaller or have already been looted in your save file. If you search a wreck thoroughly and find nothing, move to the next one. Wrecks respawn tablets if you leave the area and return much later, but this takes significant in-game time.

Another mistake is entering a wreck without enough oxygen. Blue tablets are not worth drowning for. Bring a high-capacity oxygen tank or use a Seamoth or Prawn Suit to extend your time underwater. If you are using a vehicle, park it near the wreck entrance so you can return to it quickly if needed.

Alternative Sources for Blue Tablets

Some creatures drop blue tablets when killed. The Reaper Leviathan and other large predators occasionally leave tablets behind, but hunting them is dangerous and not a reliable method early in the game. This approach is better as a secondary source once you have weapons and armor.

Certain story-related locations also contain blue tablets as part of the game's progression. If you are following the main storyline, you will encounter tablets naturally at key points. However, if you need tablets for crafting or building before those story moments, wreck exploration is your fastest option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get blue tablets without going into wrecks?

Yes, you can craft them at a fabricator with one ion cube and two table coral samples. However, ion cubes are rare and found only in late-game areas, so this is not practical early on. Wreck exploration is the most straightforward method for most players.

Do I need a submarine to find blue tablets?

No, you can swim to most wrecks in the Safe Shallows and Kelp Forest without a vehicle. A Seamoth or Prawn Suit makes exploration safer and gives you more oxygen, but it is not required. Deeper wrecks may demand a vehicle for safety and oxygen management.

What happens if I die inside a wreck?

You respawn at your last safe location, and your inventory drops where you died. You can return to the wreck and retrieve your items, but be careful not to die again in the same spot. Bring backup supplies or a repair tool to avoid losing gear.

Are blue tablets used for anything besides crafting?

Blue tablets are primarily crafting materials and ingredients for building structures and tools. Some story-related puzzles require them as well. Check your PDA for recipes that call for blue tablets so you know how many you need.

Which biome has the most blue tablets?

Wrecks are distributed across multiple biomes, so no single biome has significantly more tablets than others. The Safe Shallows is the easiest to access early, but Kelp Forest and Sparse Reef wrecks are equally productive once you have the gear to explore them safely.