Tadpole Submersible
The Tadpole is Subnautica 2's first player submersible. Start its fragment route after the Welcome Center, prepare the Moonpool, Tadpole Dock, and Vehicle Fabricator chain, then use it for longer exploration trips.
Updated .
Tadpole will not dock or returns outside the map
Buddy System Hotfix 2 fixes docking failures caused by the Tadpole's own geometry blocking its docking check in certain orientations. Update first, then try a clear approach with your current chassis before rebuilding the dock. If it still fails, record the chassis and approach direction for a bug report.
The October 6 patch also fixes incorrect teleportation when returning from out-of-bounds areas and recovery of destroyed Tadpoles with attached chassis. These recovery fixes do not add a new playable region or guarantee that a damaged vehicle survives.
Shiver Leviathans no longer interact with unpiloted vehicles. That change does not protect nearby divers or occupied Tadpoles. The patch separately improves Leviathan grab attacks without naming a species or damage value.
Official October 6 patch notes →How the Tadpole supports exploration
- A mobile return point. Use the powered vehicle to support longer collection trips, then plan the oxygen needed for every swim away from it.
- Early exploration role. It is the first vehicle most players should work toward after the Welcome Center and a powered starter base.
- Built through the base vehicle chain. Launch guides describe a Moonpool, Tadpole Dock, and Vehicle Fabricator setup after scanning fragments.
- Hotfix 3 behavior note. Hammerheads no longer attack unpiloted Tadpoles, but can still take an interest in Tadpoles.
- Buddy System Hotfix 1 oxygen fix. Players attached to a Tadpole or Haul now reliably receive oxygen replenishment.
- Trading restriction. Inventory sharing is blocked while riding a Tadpole. The hotfix also fixes a share prompt remaining open after driving away.
- Power is essential. An unpowered Tadpole does not provide oxygen to attached riders or Haul passengers. Replenish the Power Cell before a long expedition.
How to unlock it
- Start with the southwest wreck. After the Welcome Center, swim southwest between 210 and 240 degrees to the nearby wreck around 25m. One Tadpole scan starts vehicle progress; it does not complete the full blueprint.
- Build a starter base first. You need the Habitat Builder scans and enough power/storage to support the vehicle work.
- Set up Moonpool pieces. The confirmed player-guide chain is Moonpool, Tadpole Dock, then Vehicle Fabricator.
- Craft the Tadpole through that setup. Do not look for a starter-pod Fabricator recipe or a standalone Vehicle Bay recipe.
Before a Tadpole trip
- Read the vehicle's depth limit with your equipped modules before choosing the route.
- Check energy and condition, and bring food, water, and repair supplies for the return.
- Finish inventory exchanges before boarding; sharing is blocked while riding.
- Keep a route back to your base. Oxygen replenishment aboard the vehicle does not replace planning the swim away from it.
- Hammerheads can still take an interest in Tadpoles. The unpiloted-vehicle fix does not make every encounter safe.
Choose the upgrade for your next trip
If the next cave exceeds the vehicle limit, prioritize Depth Module Mk. 1: 3 Celestine, 2 Enameled Glass and 1 System Chip. If you already have enough depth but keep returning for power, compare Engine Efficiency and your charging setup first.
The Scout Ray and Haul chassis solve a different problem from modules. Choose according to travel or carrying needs, and leave enough docking clearance for the installed chassis. Test the approach before stocking the vehicle for an expedition.
Meet the Tadpole
See the vehicle take shape in Unknown Worlds' Crafting the Tadpole dev vlog. This December 2025 preview introduces its design; use the current upgrade and construction guides for your build.
Watch on YouTube Plays when you choose
Sources: official Buddy System Hotfix 1 for oxygen and inventory sharing; official Hotfix 3 for Hammerhead behavior and passenger goggles.
Related pages
Buddy System Hotfix 2
October 6 docking, boundary recovery and Leviathan interaction fixes.
Module Choices
Depth, Engine Efficiency, Strike Armor and Cavitation Muffler costs and uses.
Scout Ray and Haul
Choose a chassis for travel or carrying tasks.
Power Cell Charging
Keep charged reserves at the base before long journeys.
Advanced Power
Separate tool battery upgrades from vehicle power upgrades.
All Vehicles
Tadpole hub, docking and fabrication, upgrade notes, and vehicle routes.
Hotfix 3
Unpiloted Tadpole, Hammerhead interest, and Tadpole Haul Chassis passenger goggles.
Buddy System Hotfix 1
Current Tadpole oxygen and co-op stability fixes.
Tadpole Fragments
Scan locations, Tadpole Pens and vehicle construction.
Hammerhead
Hammerhead behavior around occupied and unpiloted vehicles.
Biomes
Where the Tadpole is most useful.
Oxygen & Depth
Why the vehicle changes your route budget.