Subnautica: Below Zero sets players on an aquatic adventure within the chilly waterscape of Planet 4546B. Along the ride, players will encounter various creatures, discover new locations, and stumble upon artifacts left behind by the planet’s previous inhabitants: The Architects. These artifacts are fittingly called Architect Artifacts. 15 Architect Artifacts are scattered throughout Subnautica: Below Zero, waiting for players to find and scan them.
Architect Artifacts are pieces of architectural technology left behind by the Architects before they uploaded their minds to a datahub on Planet 4546B. Along their playthrough of Subnautica: Below Zero, players will interact with the only Architect whose mind was left conscious within the datahub. This Architect, named Al-An, transfers into the protagonist’s mind and gives players indicators toward various Architect Artifact locations. Scanning Architect Artifacts will reward players with new blueprints depending on the number of artifacts they have scanned. It does not matter the order in which players scan them.
Among the Architect Artifacts is the Ground Sampler. The Ground Sampler is described as a robot that analyzes samples of soil and rock. There are two Ground Samplers in Subnautica: Below Zero. One of the Ground Samplers is in The Tree Spires, and the other is in the East Arctic. If players are using The Seatruck on their journey to find the Ground Samplers, they will need The Seatruck upgraded to Mark 2 to withstand the depths.
Subnautica: Below Zero: Finding The Ground Samplers
The Tree Spires Ground Sampler
Players can easily find the Ground Samplers by starting from the Delta Station Dock Beacon. Facing toward the South/Southeast of the Delta Station Beacon will lead players along the edge of the island where the dock resides. Follow the edge of the land in this direction, moving downward into the depths, until it is possible to head directly south. Keep heading south and descending until a large ventgarden is visible. This ventgarden should be located about 650 meters from the Delta Station Dock Beacon. Go past the ventgarden to find a large mass of rock with holes that serve as passageways. Head through the holes to discover a second ventgarden. Descend at the second ventgarden, following the tentacles, to find cracks at the bottom wide enough to squeeze through. Go through the crevice in the cracks to find the Ground Sampler at the bottom.
The East Arctic Ground Sampler
The East Arctic Ground Sampler can also be found by starting at the Delta Station Stock Beacon. Head just a bit right of east (about one tick from the E) for about 800 meters. Try to stay as deep as possible, descending while moving eastward. After players pass the Mercury 2 Thruster, the seafloor will drop off dramatically. Descend at this drop-off to find a sizeable crater at the bottom. Keep descending into the crater to find the Ground Sampler at the bottom of the abyss.
Subnautica: Below Zero is available on Mac, PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S