Subnautica 2 Vehicles Guide: Tadpole, Chassis & All Craft
Complete vehicles guide for Subnautica 2 Early Access — Tadpole modular submersible, Scout Ray and Haul Rig chassis, planned Cyclops and Prawn successors, depth modules, and upgrades.
Subnautica 2 introduces a revamped vehicle system built around the Tadpole modular submersible — a direct successor to the Seamoth — plus a chassis-swapping mechanic that lets you reconfigure your vehicle on the fly. This guide covers every available and planned vehicle in Early Access.
Related: Tadpole Building Guide | Tadpole Usage Guide
All Subnautica 2 Vehicles Overview
There are currently 5 launch vehicles and several more planned for future updates. The table below covers every craft available in Early Access.
| Vehicle | Type | Purpose | Base Depth | Seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifepod ROSETTE V | Starting Shelter | Respawn point, storage, fabricator | N/A | N/A |
| Tadpole | Modular Submersible | Core exploration vehicle (Seamoth successor) | 250m | Single |
| Scout Ray Chassis | Speed Variant | High-speed cave diving | 250m (chassis) | Single |
| Haul Rig Chassis | Cargo Variant | Heavy storage, co-op passenger | 250m (chassis) | 1 driver + 1 passenger |
| Wakemaker | Personal Thruster | Faster swimming, water navigation | 150m | N/A (handheld) |
Tadpole — The Core Modular Submersible
The Subnautica 2 Tadpole is your primary vehicle after the early-game Lifepod. It replaces the original Subnautica’s Seamoth with a modular chassis system that fundamentally changes how vehicles work.
Building the Tadpole
Before you can craft the Tadpole, you must build a Vehicle Bay (Moonpool) and install a Vehicle Fabricator.
Step 1 — Build a Moonpool: Place a Standard Element — Moonpool on your base floor (requires a 2x2 room minimum). Materials: Titanium x5.
Step 2 — Build the Vehicle Fabricator: Place it inside the Moonpool. The Subnautica 2 Vehicle Fabricator location is always inside your Moonpool — you construct it there. If the vehicle fabricator is not placing, ensure you have enough vertical clearance inside the room.
Materials: Titanium Ingot x2, Copper Ingot x1, Glass x2.
Step 3 — Craft the Tadpole: Use the Vehicle Fabricator with these materials: Titanium Ingot x2, Glass x1, System Chip x1, Power Battery x1.
Step 4 — Build the Tadpole Dock: Place in the Moonpool to enable docking and recharging. Materials: Titanium Ingot x2, Silver Ingot x1, Copper Wire x2.
Troubleshooting: If you see “insufficient space to dock,” your Moonpool area may be obstructed. Clear the space beneath and around the dock mount point.
Tadpole Fragments
To unlock the Tadpole blueprint, you need to scan Subnautica 2 Tadpole fragments. These are found in:
| Fragment | Location |
|---|---|
| Module 1/3 | Reception Center: follow wreckage down (S 210) |
| Module 2/3 | Old Habitat: SW of entrance |
| Module 3/3 | Blue light platform near Lead deposits |
How to Repair the Tadpole
If your Tadpole takes damage from creature attacks or collisions, use the Repair Tool to restore durability. The Tadpole’s durability is displayed in the bottom-right of the cockpit HUD. Keep a Repair Tool in your inventory or on the Tadpole’s rear tow mount at all times.
Chassis System
The Tadpole hull is modular — you can swap between different chassis via the hardpoint system. Each chassis changes the vehicle’s appearance, handling, and capabilities.
Scout Ray Chassis
The Subnautica 2 Scout Ray chassis is a speed-focused variant designed for exploration and cave diving. It features:
- Acceleration: 1600 cm/s²
- Specialty: High-speed maneuvering in tight spaces
- Handling: Superior turn rate and responsiveness
- Best for: Scouting, speed runs, cave systems
The Scout Ray Chassis auto-attaches to the Tadpole’s rear mount. Press Q to eject when needed.
Haul Rig Chassis
The Subnautica 2 Tadpole Haul Chassis (also called the Haul Rig chassis) transforms the Tadpole into a cargo and support vehicle:
- Cargo capacity: Significantly expanded storage
- Co-op support: Seats a passenger for 2-player teams
- Best for: Resource expeditions, base supply runs, co-op gathering
The Subnautica 2 Haul Chassis is essential for multiplayer sessions where one player focuses on gathering while the other pilots.
Chassis Comparison
| Stat | Stock Tadpole | Scout Ray | Haul Rig |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Standard | High | Reduced |
| Acceleration | Standard | 1600 cm/s² | Low |
| Storage | Standard | Standard | High |
| Passenger | No | No | Yes |
| Cave Suitability | Moderate | Excellent | Poor |
| Durability | Standard | Reduced | Increased |
Depth Modules
The stock Tadpole has a base depth limit of 250m. To explore deeper biomes, you need depth module upgrades.
Subnautica 2 Depth Module MK1
The Subnautica 2 Depth Module MK1 extends your operational depth to approximately 450m. Found at the Alien Ruins (see the story walkthrough for the exact location). Craft or install it in the upgrade slot behind the Tadpole’s battery compartment.
Subnautica 2 Depth Module MK2
The Subnautica 2 Depth Module MK2 pushes the limit further to approximately 700m. This is required to access the deepest biomes currently available in Early Access.
Subnautica 2 Upgrade Locations
| Upgrade | Effect | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Depth Module MK1 | Extends depth to ~450m | Alien Ruins |
| Depth Module MK2 | Extends depth to ~700m | Deep wrecks / late-game areas |
| Improved Fins | Faster swim speed while outside vehicle | Fabricator (blueprint from fragments) |
| EVA Suit | Enhanced protection and oxygen efficiency | Fabricator (blueprint from fragments) |
The Subnautica 2 Improved Fins and Subnautica 2 EVA Suit are not vehicle upgrades but personal equipment that complement your vehicle usage. The Improved Fins increase swim speed when you exit the Tadpole to explore wrecks, while the EVA Suit provides better oxygen management during extended dives away from your vehicle.
How Depth Modules Work
Depth modules are installed in the Tadpole’s upgrade slot, located behind the battery slot on the top of the vehicle. Open the cockpit hatch, interact with the blue circle on top to access the battery, and the upgrade slot is directly behind it. Depth modules stack — installing MK1 first is required before you can use MK2.
Wakemaker — Personal Underwater Thruster
The Subnautica 2 Wakemaker is a handheld personal thruster that significantly increases your swim speed. Unlike the Tadpole, it does not provide oxygen or depth protection, but it is invaluable for:
- Quick travel between close locations
- Exploring shallow biomes where a vehicle feels cumbersome
- Emergency escapes from hostile creatures
- Navigating cave systems too tight for the Tadpole
Specs: 150m base depth, speed boost while active, consumes power from a built-in battery. Can be crafted at the standard Fabricator once the blueprint is acquired.
Planned Vehicles
Several vehicles are confirmed in development but not yet available in Early Access:
Large Submarine (Cyclops Successor)
A multi-crew mobile base that allows internal building, storage, and vehicle docking. This is the Subnautica 2 submarine that succeeds the original Cyclops. Expected features:
- Multi-crew operation
- Internal base building
- Vehicle docking bay
- Extensive upgrade system
Mech Suit (Prawn Suit Successor)
A deep-pressure walking and excavation suit for extreme depths and resource mining. Will feature:
- Extreme depth resistance
- Drill arm for large resource deposits
- Grappling hook for vertical mobility
- Walking locomotion across seafloor
Seafrog Chassis
The Subnautica 2 Seafrog chassis is a planned walker/exosuit variant for the Tadpole chassis system. It will convert the Tadpole into a legged vehicle for traversing difficult terrain. Details are limited, but it represents the third planned chassis variant alongside the Scout Ray and Haul Rig.
Summary
The Subnautica 2 vehicles system is built around modularity through the Tadpole chassis system. Start with the stock Tadpole, collect Tadpole fragments to unlock the blueprint, build your Vehicle Bay and Vehicle Fabricator, then expand with the Scout Ray chassis for speed or the Haul Rig chassis for cargo and co-op. Push your depth limit with Depth Module MK1 and MK2 to reach the deepest biomes. Future updates will bring the large submarine, mech suit, and Seafrog chassis.
Related: Full Story Walkthrough | Tadpole Building Guide | Tadpole Usage Guide