The Tadpole is the first personal submarine you can unlock in Subnautica 2. It gives you powered oxygen, a 250-meter base crush depth, and side handles for co-op passengers, making early exploration much safer and faster.
This guide covers how to unlock, build, and upgrade the Tadpole, including its co-op features and all confirmed modules.
Subnautica 2 entered Early Access on May 14, 2026, and is actively updated. Crafting costs, fragment locations, module availability, and crush depth values in this guide reflect the current build (May 15, 2026), and may change in future updates.
1. Tadpole Base Stats in Subnautica 2
Tadpole
The Tadpole is a compact single-pilot submarine designed for early to mid-game exploration. Before you start hunting fragments, review these key specifications:
- Base Crush Depth: 250 meters
- Maximum Crush Depth: 450 meters with the Depth Module Mk. I
- Upgrade Module Slots: 4
- Fragments Needed to Unlock: 3
- Co-op Hitchhiking: Supports up to two passengers, grabbing the latches on the sides
- Creative Mode: The blueprint unlocks automatically at the start, making fragment scanning only required in Survival Mode
2. How to Unlock the Blueprint
Scan any three Tadpole fragments to unlock the crafting blueprint at the Vehicle Fabricator. Fragments are scattered near early ruins and wrecks across the seas of Zazura.
Here are the most reliable early-game locations to find these fragments:
Fragment 1 – Near the Old Habitat
- Location: At the back of the Old Habitat colony ruins, approximately 370 meters due north of the Lifepod.
- Directions: Head north from the Lifepod toward the Old Habitat. NOA will direct you here during the early black box recording missions. Once at the ruins, move toward the back section to find the fragment.
- Tip: Scan the Sonic Resonator, Processor, and Scanner Station fragments while in the area to unlock other early blueprints in one trip.
Fragment 2 – Cicada Wreck Canyon
Cicada Wreck Tadpole Fragment
- Location: Approximately 280 to 380 meters east-northeast of the Lifepod, inside a canyon near the Cicada Wreck (Lander Garage).
- Directions: Head east-northeast from the Lifepod. Look for a strong downward current that leads into the canyon. Ride it down and scan the fragment next to a cargo container with a Hydroelectric Turbine at the bottom.
- Tip: A scannable Bioreactor is nearby at the Cicada Wreck itself. Grab both scans while you are here.
Fragment 3 – Colonist Bunker
- Location: Approximately 280 meters southwest of the Lifepod, near the Blackbox – Wander signal.
- Directions: Head southwest from the Lifepod until you reach the edge of a chasm with a large piece of Cicada wreck hanging off the cliff edge. Drop down and look for a red hatch built into the cliff wall to find the Colonist Bunker. The fragment is mounted on a wall rack inside.
- Tip: The bunker also contains a permanent character upgrade biobed and other scannable items. Do not skip it.
After scanning any three fragments, the blueprint unlocks automatically.
3. How to Build the Tadpole
Before crafting the Tadpole, build a Moonpool, attach a Vehicle Fabricator, and add a Tadpole Dock to a separate side of the Moonpool.
Required Base Structures
Vehicle Fabricator Crafting requirements
Set up these modules before interacting with the Vehicle Fabricator. The Tadpole Dock and Vehicle Fabricator must both be attached directly to the Moonpool.
- Moonpool: Costs 5x Titanium. Build this inside a large room with significant vertical clearance below the floor. If there are obstructions beneath the Tadpole, it will not be able to dock properly.
- Vehicle Fabricator: Costs 2x Titanium Ingot, 1x Copper Ingot, and 2x Glass. Attach this directly to one side of the Moonpool.
- Tadpole Dock: Costs 2x Titanium Ingot, 1x Silver Ingot, and 2x Copper Wire. Attach to a separate side of the Moonpool. This automatically recharges the Tadpole’s Power Cell while the base is powered.
Crafting Materials
Tadpole Materials
Once the Vehicle Fabricator is in place, interact with it to build the submarine:
- 2x Titanium Ingot
- 1x Glass
- 1x System Chip
- 1x Power Cell
All ingots are produced in the Processor. The Power Cell requires 2x Basic Batteries, 1x Strong Acid, and 1x Salt. Harvest Strong Acid from Necrolei Cysts found in the Jelly Barrens north of the starting area.
4. Functions and Co-op Features
Three Tadpoles
Once built, the Tadpole mainly helps with oxygen, lighting, power management, limited storage through a Portable Locker, and co-op travel.
- Oxygen Supply: Provides unlimited oxygen while powered and occupied.
- Storage: Has no built-in inventory, but you can attach a Portable Locker to the rear hardpoint for 15 extra slots.
- Fragility: The hull takes damage from collisions and creature attacks, including Hammerheads and Needler Mangos. A Repair Tool is mandatory to undo any damage.
- Power Management: Energy depletes as you drive. Swap the Power Cell via the hatch on top or park at the Tadpole Dock to recharge passively.
- Built-in Flashlight: The Tadpole has an integrated flashlight that can be toggled, noticeably brighter than the handheld Flashlight tool.
Co-op Hitchhiking
Subnautica 2 officially supports up to 4-player co-op, and the Tadpole is the primary vehicle for group exploration in the current Early Access build. It handles multiplayer in two ways, depending on the chassis you have equipped:
- Base Tadpole: Up to two passengers can grab the handlebars on either side while one player pilots. Oxygen ports below each handlebar supply air to hitchhikers.
- Haul Chassis: Adds catamaran cargo pods with seating for up to 3 additional passengers, bringing the total capacity to 4, enough for a full group.
For dedicated co-op sessions, the Haul Chassis is the better choice. Use the base vehicle for solo exploration or for two-player runs, with one person scouting and the other piloting.
5. Chassis and Modules
The Tadpole supports two upgrade categories: structural chassis that change the vehicle’s role, and upgrade modules slotted into the four module slots on the vehicle’s top panel.
Chassis are built at the Vehicle Fabricator; modules are crafted at the Modification Station, which requires 2x Titanium, 2x Celestine, and 2x Copper.
Structural Chassis
Scout Ray Chassis
Only one chassis can be equipped at a time. Swap between them at the Moonpool by undocking and redocking.
- Scout Ray Chassis: Maximizes the Tadpole’s acceleration, top speed, and turn rate, making it the better choice for fast scouting and solo exploration when you do not need extra cargo or passenger space. The blueprint is found inside the Tadpole Pens. Craft it using 2x Plasteel Ingot, 1x Advanced Wiring Kit, 1x Dedicated Core, and 1x Strong Acid.
- Haul Chassis: Adds catamaran cargo pods, a second hardpoint for utility items, and seating for up to three additional passengers. Best for resource runs and co-op transport. Blueprint unlocked by scanning Haul Chassis fragments.
Upgrade Modules
Modification Station
The Tadpole has four module slots. Plan your loadout accordingly, as you cannot equip more than four modules at once.
- Engine Efficiency: Reduces power use by 20% per module and stacks up to four times for a maximum 80% power reduction. The blueprint is in the Alien Base. Craft with 1x Titanium Ingot, 2x Glass, and 1x System Chip.
- Depth Module Mk. I: Increases crush depth from 250m to 450m and does not stack. The blueprint is found by following a NOA Terminal lead south-southeast at bearing 165 degrees from the Alien Base, guarded by a Needler Mango. Craft with 3x Celestine, 2x Enameled Glass, and 1x System Chip.
- Depth Module Mk. II: Further increases crush depth beyond 450m and replaces Mk. I, since only one depth module can be active. Crafted at the Modification Station.
- Photovoltaic Charger: Charges the Tadpole’s power while in shallow waters during the day. Obtain the blueprint at the Cicada Wreck (EVA Prep) past the Alien Base. Craft with 1x Copper Ingot, 1x Strong Acid, and 1x Troilite.
- Cavitation Muffler: Reduces the noise the Tadpole makes, making it less likely to attract unwanted attention. The blueprint is in the Metal Farms area, 700 meters east-southeast of the Alien Base, where a Leviathan roams. Craft with 3x Titanium and 2x Strontium.
6. Best Tips for Using the Tadpole
Strike Armor recipe card
Keep these strategies in mind to get the most out of the vehicle and avoid common early mistakes:
- Prioritize the Tadpole once you can reach the three listed fragment spots. Unlocking it early gives you powered oxygen, safer travel, and access to deeper routes sooner.
- Always carry a Repair Tool and a spare Power Cell. Running out of power or taking heavy damage far from your base are the two most common ways to lose the vehicle.
- Attach a Portable Locker to the rear hardpoint immediately. The Tadpole has no built-in storage, and the 15 extra slots transform it into a proper resource-farming vessel.
- Use the Engine Efficiency and Depth Module Mk. I together as your first two module choices. The efficiency module stretches how far you can go on a charge, while the depth module opens up biomes you cannot reach at 250m.
- Switch between the Scout Ray (speed, exploration) and Haul Chassis (cargo, passengers) based on your objective. Swapping at the Moonpool costs nothing.
- In co-op, use the Haul Chassis for group travel. The base vehicle supports two hitchhikers, but the Haul Chassis raises the total capacity to four.
