Developed by Unknown Worlds, Subnautica 2 takes the underwater survival genre to new heights with its Early Access release. As you explore a brand-new planet filled with alien biomes, one of the most essential early-game vehicles is the Tadpole, a compact mini-submarine.

Replacing the Seamoth from the first game, the Tadpole is agile and perfect for navigating underwater caves. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to craft your own Tadpole.

Tadpole Crafting Cost and Technical Specs

To build the Tadpole, you’ll first need to scan the required fragments to unlock its blueprint, then set up the right crafting station.

Step-by-Step Tadpole Crafting Guide

Step 1: Find and Scan the Blueprints

To unlock the Tadpole blueprint, explore the wreckage sites near the starting area, especially at the border of Vibrant Shallows and Kelp Depths. Scan 3 scattered Tadpole fragments with your Scanner to add the blueprint to your inventory.

Step 2: Build the Mobile Vehicle Bay

The Tadpole can’t be crafted at the standard Fabricator. Just like in the original game, you need to deploy a Mobile Vehicle Bay on the water’s surface to build larger vehicles.

Step 3: Gather Required Materials

Before heading to the Mobile Vehicle Bay, make sure you have these materials in your inventory:

• 2x Titanium Ingot: Crafted by combining 10 Titanium ores at the Fabricator.

• 1x Power Cell: Needed to power the vehicle. Crafted from 2 Batteries and 1 Silicone Rubber.

• 1x Glass: Used for the cockpit. Gather 2 Quartz from beaches to craft it.

• 1x Copper Wire: Required for electronics. Made from 2 Copper Ore found in cave walls.

Step 4: Start Crafting

Once you have all the materials, head to the surface, climb onto the Mobile Vehicle Bay, and open the console. Select the Tadpole from the "Vehicles" tab. Drones will assemble the vehicle and deploy it into the water.

Tadpole Tips for Beginners

• Watch the Depth Limit: The Tadpole’s base crush depth is 200 meters. Going below this will cause damage. Before diving deeper, craft a Tadpole Depth Module MK1 at the Vehicle Upgrade Console in your base.

• Cave Explorer: The Tadpole is slimmer than the Seamoth, making it perfect for tight lava tunnels and shallow cave systems.

• Headlights and Power Usage: Using headlights at night improves visibility but drains the Power Cell faster. Always carry a spare Power Cell to avoid getting stranded underwater.