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Subnautica 2 vehicles are the backbone of mid-to-late game exploration. Without a submarine, you are limited to the shallowest 50–100 meters — which means you will miss the vast majority of the ocean's resources, story content, and base-building locations. This guide covers every vehicle available in the Early Access version (May 2026), including the brand-new Tadpole modular submarine, a signature addition to the sequel's co-op-focused design.
Whether you're playing solo or with friends in co-op, understanding your vehicles' depth ratings, power systems, and upgrade slots is the difference between a successful deep-sea expedition and a catastrophic loss of gear. The vehicles in Subnautica 2 are significantly more capable than those in the original game — but they also require more resources and planning to build and maintain.
Which Vehicle to Build First — and Why
New players often wonder whether to prioritize the Seamoth or dive straight into the Tadpole. The answer depends on whether you are playing co-op or solo.
Co-op players (2–4 players): One player should prioritize the Tadpole immediately. Its multi-passenger cabin makes resource runs dramatically more efficient when everyone can ride together.
The build order most experienced players recommend:
- Craft the Mobile Vehicle Bay (deployable vehicle constructor) — requires Titanium Ingot ×1, Lubricant ×1, Power Cell ×1
- Build the Seamoth for immediate mobility and 200m depth access
- Install a Moonpool in your base and add the Vehicle Upgrade Console
- Upgrade Seamoth with Depth Module Mk1 to push to 300m
- Begin gathering resources for the Tadpole or PRAWN Suit depending on goals
- Build the PRAWN Suit for accessing the 500m+ zones like the Lost River
Tadpole Modular Submarine
The Tadpole is Subnautica 2's headline new vehicle and the heart of the co-op experience. Unlike any vehicle in the original Subnautica, the Tadpole features a modular chassis system — you choose the hull configuration when constructing it, and you can add modules over time to expand its capabilities. Think of it as building a ship from components rather than clicking a single button.
The Tadpole features a pressurized multi-passenger cabin at the front of the hull. In co-op mode, up to four players can ride simultaneously — two in the pilot/co-pilot seats and two in rear observation pods. The pilot controls movement; other passengers can deploy drones, manage modules, or scan the surrounding environment from inside the sub.
Tadpole Chassis Options
When you build a Tadpole, you select a starting chassis configuration. You can only choose one at construction time — upgrading to a different chassis requires significant additional resources.
| Chassis | Focus | Module Slots | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scout Hull | Speed + Agility | 4 slots | Exploration, fast travel, solo play |
| Cargo Hull | Storage capacity | 5 slots, 3 cargo bays | Resource gathering, co-op mining runs |
| Deep Hull | Pressure resistance | 5 slots | Deep-sea exploration, accessing 500m+ zones |
| Combat Hull | Defense and weapons | 4 slots, hardpoints | Traversing dangerous biomes with aggressive fauna |
Building the Tadpole — Required Materials
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🪨Plasteel Ingot×2Crafted: Titanium Ingot + Lithium ×2
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🔵Enameled Glass×2Crafted: Glass + Stalker Tooth
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🔋Power Cell×2Crafted: 2× Battery + Silicone Rubber
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🟡Advanced Wiring Kit×1Crafted: Gold + Computer Chip + Wiring Kit
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⚙️Lubricant×2Crafted: Creepvine Seeds ×2
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🪨Titanium Ingot×1Crafted: 10× Titanium
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🔵Enameled Glass×1Crafted from Glass + Stalker Tooth
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🟡Wiring Kit×2Crafted: Silver Ore ×2
Seamoth
The Seamoth returns from the original Subnautica as the essential first vehicle. It is relatively cheap to build, extremely agile, and can be upgraded to impressive depths with the right modules. The Seamoth is the workhouse of early and mid-game exploration — you will rely on it heavily until your target biomes exceed its upgraded depth rating.
The Seamoth is a single-passenger vehicle. It seats one player and has four upgrade slots accessed via the Vehicle Upgrade Console in your Moonpool. Its power cell is user-replaceable — you can carry spare cells and swap them in the field without returning to base.
Building the Seamoth — Required Materials
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🪨Titanium Ingot×1Crafted: 10× Titanium → 1 Ingot
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🔵Glass×2Crafted from Quartz, 0–100m
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⚙️Lubricant×1Crafted from 2× Creepvine Seeds
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🔋Power Cell×1Crafted: 2× Battery + Silicone Rubber
Where to find Titanium: orange ore rocks in all biomes, 0–200m. Farm 30+ pieces before starting to build.
Seamoth Upgrades
All Seamoth upgrades are crafted at the Vehicle Upgrade Console inside your base's Moonpool room. The Seamoth has 4 upgrade slots — plan your loadout carefully for each dive type.
PRAWN Suit
The PRAWN Suit is a hardened exosuit designed for extreme depths — the deepest zones of Subnautica 2 that no other vehicle can reach without extensive upgrading. Unlike the Seamoth or Tadpole, the PRAWN Suit is not a submarine you sit inside — you wear it, like a mech. You walk along the seafloor, use grappling hooks to climb cliff faces, and use interchangeable arm attachments for mining, combat, and propulsion.
The PRAWN Suit is essential for reaching the Lost River, Inactive Lava Zone, and Active Lava Zone — the final content areas of Subnautica 2. It is expensive to build and requires materials that are only available at 300m+, so plan accordingly.
Building the PRAWN Suit — Required Materials
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🪨Plasteel Ingot×2Crafted: Titanium Ingot + Lithium ×2
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🟡Aerogel×2Crafted: Gel Sack + Ruby
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🔵Enameled Glass×1Crafted: Glass + Stalker Tooth
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🪨Titanium×5All biomes, 0–200m
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⚙️Lubricant×1Crafted from 2× Creepvine Seeds
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🔋Power Cell×1Crafted: 2× Battery + Silicone Rubber
PRAWN Suit Arm Attachments
| Arm Attachment | Function | Key Materials | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drill Arm | Mines large resource deposits | Diamond ×2 + Titanium ×2 | Resource harvesting in deep zones |
| Grappling Arm | Grapple to surfaces, swing through water | Titanium ×2 + Aerogel ×1 | Traversal, especially in Lost River caves |
| Torpedo Arm | Fires torpedoes at creatures | Titanium ×2 + Nickel ×2 | Combat in Active Lava Zone |
| Propulsion Arm | Grabs and throws objects | Magnetite ×2 + Titanium ×2 | Moving large objects, puzzle solving |
Power Cell Management
All vehicles in Subnautica 2 run on Power Cells — rechargeable battery packs that drain as you move the vehicle, use active sonar, fire weapons, or run auxiliary systems. Running out of power in a deep zone is one of the most dangerous situations in the game.
Power Cell Types
| Cell Type | Capacity | Recipe | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Power Cell | 200 units | Battery ×2 + Silicone Rubber ×1 | Early game; crafted at Fabricator |
| Ion Power Cell | 1000 units | Power Cell + Ion Crystal ×2 | 5× capacity; requires late-game Ion Crystals |
Power cells recharge automatically in the Moonpool when your vehicle is docked. You can also manually swap cells in the field — open the vehicle's power cell panel (interact key on the rear of the Seamoth) and replace the depleted cell with a fresh one from your inventory.
Power Conservation Tips
- 🔋 Install the Power Efficiency Module to cut passive drain by 50%
- 🌊 Coast without thrust when traveling long horizontal distances — momentum carries you further than constant boosting
- 📡 Turn off Sonar when not actively mapping — it drains power continuously when active
- ⚡ Switch to Ion Power Cells before deep expeditions — they last 5× as long
- 🔌 Dock in the Moonpool between expeditions to fully recharge at no cost
Vehicle Depth Comparison Table
| Vehicle | Base Depth | Mk1 | Mk2 | Mk3 | Accessible Biomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seamoth | 200m | 300m | 500m | 900m | Safe Shallows → Grand Reef → Lost River |
| Tadpole (Scout) | 300m | 450m | 650m | 900m | Kelp Forest → Blood Kelp → Deep Grand Reef |
| Tadpole (Deep Hull) | 400m | 600m | 800m | 1100m | Grand Reef → Lost River → Inactive Lava Zone |
| PRAWN Suit | 900m | 1100m | 1400m | 1700m | Lost River → Active Lava Zone → Primary Containment |
For a full breakdown of what you'll find at each depth, see the Subnautica 2 Biomes Guide. Matching the right vehicle to the right depth zone is essential for safe and efficient exploration.
Pro Tips for Vehicle Mastery
Always Leave a Beacon at Your Vehicle
When you exit your vehicle to explore on foot, always drop a Beacon next to it. Getting back to your vehicle after an unexpected creature encounter or oxygen emergency is far easier with a visible HUD marker. Losing track of your Seamoth at 300m depth is a genuinely terrifying experience.
Use the Moonpool as a Staging Area
Your base Moonpool is more than a docking station — it is your vehicle's service bay. Use it to swap upgrades between the Seamoth and Tadpole, recharge cells, and load cargo before major expeditions. See the Base Building Guide for Moonpool placement tips.
Manage Your Upgrade Slots Situationally
There is no single "best" upgrade loadout. Configure your slots based on what the dive demands:
- 🔍 Exploration dive: Sonar + Depth Module + Storage + Power Efficiency
- ⚔️ Dangerous biome: Perimeter Defense + Torpedo + Depth Module + Power Efficiency
- 📦 Resource run: 2× Storage Module + Depth Module + Power Efficiency
The Tadpole Is Not a Late-Game Exclusive
Many players assume the Tadpole is a late-game vehicle. In co-op, it should be your first priority. The ability to transport your entire four-player team in one submarine changes the pacing of the game dramatically — no more splitting up and losing track of teammates. If you need coordination tips, check the Co-op Guide.