How to Get the Tadpole in Subnautica 2 — Fragment Locations & Best Upgrades

What Is the Tadpole?

You need the Tadpole. It's your first submarine, faster, tougher, and able to dive deeper than you can on foot. Getting it marks the shift from struggling to survive to exploring.

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How to Unlock the Tadpole

Step 1: Scan 3 Tadpole Fragments

Fragments are scattered around the Coral Gardens near your Lifepod:

| Fragment Location | Direction | Distance | |------------------|-----------|----------| | Fragment 1 | South of Lifepod | ~80m | | Fragment 2 | Southwest of Lifepod | ~120m | | Fragment 3 | East-northeast of Lifepod | ~150m |

Look for small, damaged Tadpole wrecks on the seabed. Each scan counts toward the blueprint.

Step 2: Build Infrastructure

Before you can build the Tadpole, you need:

| Structure | Materials | |-----------|-----------| | Moonpool (in your base) | 5× Titanium | | Vehicle Fabricator (inside Moonpool) | 2× Titanium Ingot, 1× Copper Ingot, 2× Glass | | Tadpole Dock (optional but recommended) | 2× Titanium Ingot, 1× Silver Ingot, 2× Copper Wire |

Step 3: Craft the Tadpole

| Material | How to Get | |----------|-----------| | 2× Titanium Ingot | 5× Titanium each (Fabricator) or 3× Titanium (Processor) | | 1× Glass | 2× Quartz | | 1× System Chip | 1× Wiring Kit + 2× Quartz | | 1× Power Cell | 2× Basic Battery + 1× Strong Acid + 1× Salt |

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Tadpole Chassis (Pick One)

You can equip one chassis at a time, swappable at the Vehicle Fabricator.

Scout Ray Chassis (Speed Build)

Use this if: You want to explore quickly and dodge predators.

| Material | Amount | |----------|--------| | Plasteel Ingot | 2× | | Advanced Wiring Kit | 1× | | Dedicated Core | 1× | | Strong Acid | 1× |

Effects: Faster speed, better agility, tighter turning radius. Fragment location: Tadpole Pens area (mid-game).

Haul Chassis (Storage Build)

Use this if: You're doing resource runs and need cargo space.

| Material | Amount | |----------|--------| | Titanium Ingot | 4× | | Strontium | 3× | | Enameled Glass | 3× | | Dedicated Core | 1× |

Effects: +30 inventory slots, 2 anchor points for additional lockers. Slower movement.

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Best Upgrade Modules (4 Slots Available)

All modules crafted at the Modification Station (built from 2× Titanium, 2× Celestine, 2× Copper).

| Priority | Module | Materials | Effect | |----------|--------|-----------|--------| | 🔴 1 | Engine Efficiency | 1× Titanium Ingot, 2× Glass, 1× System Chip | -20% energy per module. Stack up to 4. | | 🔴 2 | Depth Module Mk. 1 | 3× Celestine, 2× Enameled Glass, 1× System Chip | Increases max depth to 450m. | | 🟡 3 | Impact Armor | 2× Enameled Glass, 2× Strontium | Reduces collision & creature bite damage. | | 🟡 4 | Cavitation Muffler | 3× Titanium, 2× Strontium | Makes you quieter, fewer predator attacks. | | 🟢 5 | Photovoltaic Charger | 1× Copper Ingot, 1× Strong Acid, 1× Troilite | Solar recharge in shallow water. |

Recommended early loadout: 2× Engine Efficiency + Depth Module Mk. 1 + Impact Armor.

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Where to Find Rare Materials for Upgrades

| Material | Location | |----------|----------| | Celestine | Karakorum, Alien Ruins, Power Plant, deep cliffs | | Troilite | Metal Farms (Karakorum, 300m+), rare, limited spawns | | Strontium | Craft from 2× Skystone in Processor (found in Karakorum) | | Enameled Glass | 1× Glass + 1× Creature Enamel (Needler Nest, Observatory) | | Dedicated Core | 1× Advanced Wiring Kit + 2× Quartz + 1× Strong Acid |

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Related Guides

• base building guide
• resource guide
• story walkthrough
• leviathan survival guide

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Tadpole Tips

• Always carry a Repair Tool, the Tadpole takes damage from collisions and creatures.
• The Tadpole has lights. Turn them on in dark biomes (default keybind).
• Exit the Tadpole to scan. You can't use the Scanner while piloting.
• Park in Moonpool to recharge. The dock auto-charges and repairs the Tadpole.
• Don't go below 450m without Depth Module Mk. 2. Your Tadpole will crush.