If you are diving into Subnautica 2 and want to explore deeper waters without constantly watching your oxygen meter, the Tadpole is your ticket to freedom. This small submarine completely changes how you experience the ocean, letting you cover massive distances, carry more gear, and survive at depths that would kill an unprotected diver. In this guide, I will walk you through exactly how to unlock the Tadpole vehicle and upgrades in Subnautica 2, from finding your first fragment to installing the best modules for deep-sea exploration.
Building on what made vehicles like the Seamoth so useful in the original game, the Tadpole fills a similar early-game role but with its own mechanics and quirks. I have spent hours scanning wrecks, farming materials, and testing every upgrade so you do not have to waste time figuring it out yourself.
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What Is the Tadpole Vehicle in Subnautica 2?
The Tadpole is the primary small submarine vehicle in Subnautica 2, designed for solo exploration across the ocean depths. It serves as your first real vehicle, letting you travel faster than swimming, carry extra supplies, and dive deeper than you could on your own with just a tank and fins.
Think of it as the successor to the Seamoth from the original Subnautica. The Tadpole has a compact, rounded hull with an exposed propeller at the rear. It runs on power cells and can be upgraded with various modules that improve its depth rating, speed, storage capacity, and durability.
Unlike the larger submarine options in the game, the Tadpole is nimble and relatively quick to build once you have the blueprint. It is the vehicle you will rely on for most of the early and mid-game exploration, from shallow coral reefs to the darker biomes far below the surface.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before Unlocking the Tadpole
Before you can build a Tadpole, you need to set up the right infrastructure at your base. There are three key prerequisites you must complete first, and I recommend tackling them in this exact order to save time.
Step 1: Get a Scanner
If you have been playing for any length of time, you probably already have this. The Scanner is your primary tool for unlocking blueprints by scanning fragments scattered around the ocean. You start with the blueprint for it, so craft one at any Fabricator using titanium and copper if you have not already.
Step 2: Build a Moonpool
The Moonpool is the docking station for your Tadpole, and it is also where you attach the Vehicle Fabricator needed to build one. The Moonpool blueprint unlocks automatically once you scan a certain number of base components and habitat pieces. You need the Habitat Builder tool to construct it.
To build the Moonpool, gather these materials:
- Titanium (several ingots)
- Lubricant
- Glass
- Power source for your base (solar panels, thermal plants, or bioreactors)
Place the Moonpool as an extension of your seabase, ideally in deeper water so your Tadpole has room to enter and exit without getting stuck. The Moonpool also charges your vehicle when it is docked, which is essential for keeping your power cells topped up.
Step 3: Attach a Vehicle Fabricator
Once the Moonpool is built and powered, you need to attach a Vehicle Fabricator to its interior wall. The Vehicle Fabricator is what actually constructs the Tadpole from raw materials once you have the blueprint unlocked. You craft the Vehicle Fabricator at a standard Fabricator using titanium and computer chips, then place it inside the Moonpool using the Habitat Builder.
With all three prerequisites done, you are ready to scan fragments and unlock the Tadpole blueprint.
Where to Find Tadpole Fragments in Subnautica 2
To unlock the Tadpole blueprint, you must scan a total of three Tadpole fragments. These fragments are broken pieces of Tadpoles scattered around wreck sites and specific locations on the ocean floor. Once you scan all three, the full crafting recipe unlocks in your PDA.
Early Game Fragment Locations
The first two Tadpole fragments can be found in relatively shallow areas near your starting location. Head south from your Lifepod and look for wreckage scattered across the seabed in the grassy plateaus and kelp forest biomes. These areas are generally safe to explore with basic equipment.
Look for damaged, partially buried Tadpole hulls lying on the ocean floor. They are fairly distinctive with their rounded shape and greenish exterior. Swim up to each one and use your Scanner to add data to the blueprint. Each scan contributes roughly one-third of the total blueprint, so after three successful scans, you will have the complete recipe.
Some fragments spawn near wrecked vehicles close to the seafloor in the shallow zones. Check around debris fields and crashed equipment, as fragments sometimes spawn next to or underneath larger wreckage pieces. If you are struggling to spot them, try exploring during the day when visibility is better and scan any unusual objects you find.
Cicada Wreck and Deeper Areas
The third fragment is often found near or inside the Cicada Wreck, a larger wreck site that requires more preparation to reach. The Cicada Wreck is located past the Alien Base, in deeper and more dangerous waters. This area has stronger creatures and lower light levels, so bring extra oxygen tanks and a Seaglide if you have one.
When approaching the Cicada Wreck, look for the EVA Prep area, which is a good landmark for navigation. The Tadpole fragment here is typically found inside or near the wreck structure. You may need to navigate tight corridors, so be careful not to get turned around. Mark the entrance with a beacon if you have spare ones.
Once you have scanned all three fragments, your PDA will confirm that the Tadpole blueprint is fully unlocked. At this point, you can head back to your Moonpool and start crafting.
How to Craft the Tadpole Using the Vehicle Fabricator
With the blueprint unlocked and your Moonpool set up, crafting the Tadpole is straightforward but does require some material gathering. Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Swim into your Moonpool and approach the Vehicle Fabricator on the wall.
Step 2: Interact with the Vehicle Fabricator and select the Tadpole from the vehicles tab.
Step 3: Check the required materials list. You typically need titanium ingots, lubricant, a power cell, glass, and some wiring kits. The exact recipe may vary slightly depending on game updates.
Step 4: Gather any missing materials. Titanium comes from breaking limestone outcrops and metal salvage. Lubricant is crafted from creepvine seed clusters. Power cells require batteries and silicone rubber.
Step 5: Once you have all materials, interact with the Vehicle Fabricator again and confirm the build. The Tadpole will construct right there in the Moonpool.
Step 6: Board your new Tadpole by swimming up to it and interacting. You now have a fully operational submarine ready for exploration.
The entire crafting process takes only a few seconds once you have the materials. The real time investment is in gathering titanium and the components for power cells, so keep collecting resources as you explore even before you unlock the blueprint.
All Tadpole Upgrades and Modules in Subnautica 2
The stock Tadpole is useful right out of the Moonpool, but upgrades are what make it a serious exploration machine. Upgrades improve depth tolerance, speed, durability, storage, and more. Here is a complete breakdown of every upgrade type available for the Tadpole and how to get them.
How to Install Upgrades on Your Tadpole
Installing upgrades is simple once you know where to look. On top of your Tadpole, there is a small compartment labeled with an upgrades icon. Swim above the vehicle and interact with this compartment to open the upgrade panel. You can then drag and drop any crafted upgrade modules into the available slots.
The number of upgrade slots is limited, so you need to choose your loadout based on what you plan to do. For deep exploration, prioritize depth modules. For long supply runs, add storage. For general use, a balanced setup with depth and speed upgrades works well.
To craft the upgrades themselves, you use either the Modification Station (which you build at your base) or the Vehicle Upgrade Console inside the Moonpool. Some upgrades unlock through blueprint scanning, while others are available by default once you have the relevant crafting station.
Depth Modules and Crush Depth
The default Tadpole has a crush depth limit, which is the maximum depth it can reach before taking hull damage from pressure. Going past this depth causes continuous damage that will eventually destroy your vehicle if you do not ascend.
Depth modules increase the crush depth of your Tadpole, allowing it to dive deeper safely. Each tier of depth module extends the maximum operating depth by a significant margin. The higher tiers require rarer materials and sometimes additional blueprint scans to unlock.
I recommend crafting at least the first depth module as soon as possible. It opens up access to biomes with better resources that you simply cannot reach on foot. If you plan to explore the deepest zones in the game, you will want the highest-tier depth module you can build.
Speed and Efficiency Upgrades
Speed modules make your Tadpole move faster through the water, which is more valuable than it sounds. Faster travel means less oxygen consumed on trips, quicker escapes from predators, and more efficient resource runs between your base and distant biomes.
Engine efficiency upgrades reduce the rate at which your power cells drain. This translates to longer trips between charges and fewer emergency situations where your Tadpole dies in the middle of nowhere. Pair an efficiency upgrade with spare power cells stored in the Tadpole for maximum range.
For most players, the combination of a speed module and an efficiency module is the best general-purpose loadout. You get where you are going faster and can stay out longer.
Hull Reinforcement and Storage Modules
Hull reinforcement modules increase the Tadpole’s resistance to damage from creature attacks and environmental hazards. If you frequently travel through areas with aggressive leviathans or volcanic vents, this upgrade can save your vehicle from an early grave.
Storage modules add extra inventory space inside the Tadpole. The base storage is limited, so adding even one storage module makes a noticeable difference when you are hauling resources back to base. For dedicated mining runs where you are collecting large quantities of materials, max out your storage slots.
There are also specialized modules like the NOA module, which can be found at the Cicada Wreck past the Alien Base. This module provides unique functionality that enhances the Tadpole’s capabilities in specific situations. Check the module description in your PDA for details on what it does and where to use it.
Common Tadpole Issues and How to Fix Them
The Tadpole is a great vehicle, but the Subnautica 2 community on Reddit and Steam has identified several common issues that can be frustrating if you are not prepared for them. Here are the problems players report most often and what you can do about them.
Propeller Jammed by Creep Vines: The Tadpole has an exposed propeller at the rear, and it can get tangled in creep vine clusters. If your Tadpole suddenly stops moving or slows down dramatically near kelp forests, the propeller is likely jammed. The fix is to dismount, swim behind the Tadpole, and physically move it away from the vines. Avoid piloting through dense creep vine patches when possible.
Tadpole Stuck in Base: Some players report that the Tadpole gets stuck inside the Moonpool or base structures when trying to dock or undock. This usually happens if the Moonpool is placed too close to terrain or other base pieces. If it happens, try save-quitting and reloading. To prevent it, build your Moonpool with clearance on all sides and avoid placing it against walls or the seafloor.
Speed Glitches: Community members have reported speed glitches where the Tadpole accelerates beyond its normal maximum or moves erratically. These are typically caused by physics interactions with terrain or other objects. If you experience a speed glitch, dismount and remount the vehicle. If it persists, try parking the Tadpole in the Moonpool to reset its physics state.
Dock Not Working: If your Moonpool is not recognizing the Tadpole for docking or charging, check that the Moonpool is powered and that you are approaching from directly below the opening. The docking zone is specific, and entering at an angle can cause the interaction to fail. Also verify that the Moonpool is connected to a powered base.
Tips for Getting the Tadpole Early in Subnautica 2
If you want to minimize the time you spend swimming everywhere, here are some strategies for getting your Tadpole as early as possible in a new playthrough.
First, prioritize building a base with a power source right away. Solar panels are cheap and effective in the shallows. Once you have a powered base, construct the Moonpool before you even have the Tadpole blueprint. This way, when you do unlock it, you can craft immediately without waiting.
Second, keep your Scanner on you at all times and scan everything you find, not just Tadpole fragments. Scanning general habitat and equipment fragments unlocks the Moonpool and Vehicle Fabricator blueprints faster, which are prerequisites anyway.
Third, stockpile titanium and creepvine seed clusters from the very start. Titanium is the backbone of almost every crafting recipe, and lubricant (made from creepvine seeds) is required for both the Moonpool and the Tadpole. Having a stockpile ready means you can build as soon as the blueprint unlocks.
Finally, be brave about exploring the shallower wreck sites early. The first two Tadpole fragments are usually accessible with just a standard oxygen tank and fins. You do not need fancy equipment to start scanning them. Grab those first two fragments early, and you will only need one more from deeper water to complete the set.
FAQs
Where to find Tadpole fragments in Subnautica 2?
You can find Tadpole fragments scattered around wreck sites on the ocean floor. Two fragments are typically located in shallow areas south of your Lifepod, near grassy plateaus and kelp forests. The third fragment is usually found at or near the Cicada Wreck past the Alien Base. Scan all three to unlock the full Tadpole blueprint.
How to craft a Tadpole in Subnautica 2?
To craft a Tadpole, you need a Moonpool with a Vehicle Fabricator attached. Once you have scanned three Tadpole fragments to unlock the blueprint, interact with the Vehicle Fabricator inside the Moonpool and select the Tadpole. You will need titanium ingots, lubricant, a power cell, glass, and wiring kits to build it.
How to upgrade Tadpole in Subnautica 2?
To upgrade your Tadpole, craft upgrade modules at the Modification Station or Vehicle Upgrade Console. Then swim above the Tadpole and interact with the upgrade compartment on top of the vehicle to open the upgrade panel. Drag your crafted modules into the available slots. Available upgrades include depth modules, speed modules, hull reinforcement, storage expansion, engine efficiency, and the NOA module.
What is the crush depth of Tadpole in Subnautica 2?
The default Tadpole has a crush depth limit that restricts how deep it can safely travel. Going past this depth causes continuous hull damage. You can increase the crush depth by installing depth modules, with each tier allowing you to dive progressively deeper without taking pressure damage.
Getting the Most Out of Your Tadpole
Unlocking the Tadpole vehicle and its upgrades in Subnautica 2 transforms the entire game. What starts as a slow, oxygen-limited swim through shallow waters becomes a fast, deep-diving expedition to the farthest reaches of the ocean. The key is getting the blueprint early by scanning fragments in the shallows, setting up your Moonpool and Vehicle Fabricator as prerequisites, and then choosing the right upgrade modules for your playstyle.
Focus on depth modules first to access better resources, then add speed and efficiency upgrades for quality of life. Watch out for the exposed propeller around creep vines, and build your Moonpool with enough clearance to avoid docking issues. With the right setup, your Tadpole will carry you through the entire game and into the deepest biomes Subnautica 2 has to offer.