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Subnautica 2 takes a different approach to vehicles than the original game. Instead of a roster of separate submarines — a Seamoth for shallow dives, a PRAWN Suit for the depths — the sequel is built around one core vehicle, the Tadpole, which you customize through a swappable chassis system. At Early Access launch, the Tadpole is the only craftable vehicle in the game.
This guide covers everything confirmed and verified for the May 2026 Early Access build. Where information is incomplete or still subject to change, we say so clearly rather than guessing. Subnautica 2 is actively developing — vehicles and recipes will be added throughout Early Access.
Vehicle Fabricator — How to Build the Tadpole
In Subnautica 2, you don't build vehicles at a bench — you build them at the Vehicle Fabricator, a floating bay you craft and deploy in the water. Think of it as a construction rig that assembles the Tadpole hull right in front of you. You'll need to build the Vehicle Fabricator before you can craft any vehicle.
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🪨Titanium Ingot×2Crafted from Titanium ore
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🟠Copper Ingot×1Crafted from Copper Ore
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🔵Glass×2Crafted from Quartz
Once placed, the Vehicle Fabricator floats at the surface where you deployed it. Interact with it to open the vehicle build menu, then select the Tadpole once you have the required fragments scanned and materials gathered.
Tadpole Submarine
The Tadpole is the signature vehicle of Subnautica 2. At its base configuration it reaches a crush depth of 250 meters — enough to cover most of the early-game zones. You pilot it from inside a pressurized cabin, with oxygen supplied while you remain seated. It has four upgrade module slots and a single Power Cell slot for power.
The Tadpole is designed with co-op in mind from the ground up. Side handles on the exterior let other players grab on while one player pilots — useful for short trips and for keeping the group together without needing a second vehicle early on. As the game develops and more chassis options arrive, the Tadpole's role will expand significantly.
Building the Tadpole — Required Materials
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🪨Titanium Ingot×2Crafted from Titanium ore
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🔵Glass×1Crafted from Quartz
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⚙️System Chip×1Crafted or found in the world
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🔋Power Cell×1Crafted at your Fabricator
Remember: you need the Vehicle Fabricator built and deployed first. The Tadpole blueprint also requires scanning 3 Tadpole Fragments in the world.
Chassis System — Changing the Tadpole's Role
One of the most interesting mechanics in Subnautica 2 is the chassis swap. The Tadpole can accept different chassis configurations that fundamentally change its silhouette, capabilities, and purpose. Rather than building a new vehicle for a new task, you modify the one you already have. Chassis are unlocked the same way as the base vehicle — scan the corresponding fragments in the world, then craft the chassis at the Vehicle Fabricator.
At Early Access launch, two chassis are confirmed: the ScoutRay and the Haul. A third, called the Seafrog, is referenced but not confirmed for the launch window.
The ScoutRay chassis transforms the Tadpole into an aggressive, fast-moving scout build with an acceleration of 1600 cm/s². If you're covering ground quickly, mapping new biomes, or running ahead of the group in co-op, this is the chassis you want. The sleeker profile also makes it easier to thread through tighter terrain.
Recipe: 2× Plasteel Ingot, 1× Advanced Wiring Kit, 1× Dedicated Core, 1× Strong Acid
Unlock: scan ScoutRay Chassis fragments in the world, then craft at the Vehicle Fabricator.
The Haul chassis is built for resource runs and moving a full crew. It expands cargo capacity and provides room for additional passengers beyond what the base Tadpole supports — useful in a four-player co-op session where the group wants to gather and carry in bulk.
The Seafrog chassis is referenced in development materials but is not available at Early Access launch. Its role and recipe have not been finalized. We'll update this section when it releases — do not expect to find Seafrog fragments in the May 2026 build.
Power Cell Management
The Tadpole runs on a single Power Cell, which is a higher-capacity battery format distinct from the smaller batteries used in handheld tools. Running out of power mid-dive is one of the more stressful situations you'll encounter — the sub goes dark and stops moving, and you're left swimming from whatever depth you're at. Avoid this with a little preparation.
The good news is that Power Cells are relatively straightforward to craft and carry. Keep a spare in your personal inventory on any dive that pushes toward your depth limit, and swap it in via the vehicle's power panel if the cell runs low before you're back at base.
Power Conservation Tips
- 🌊 Coast when traveling long horizontal stretches — momentum carries you further than constant thrust
- 🔋 Always carry a spare Power Cell once you're regularly diving past 150m
- 📡 Turn off active systems when not using them — passive drain adds up over long expeditions
- 🔌 Dock at base between major expeditions to recharge fully before your next run
Co-op and Vehicles
Subnautica 2's vehicle design is built around co-op from the start, and the Tadpole reflects that clearly. The side handles on the exterior let passengers grip on while someone else pilots — it's not the same as riding inside a pressurized cabin, but it gets the group moving together without requiring a second Tadpole early on.
In a full group, the common split is one player piloting while others scan, gather, and manage inventory. The Haul Chassis (when unlocked) formalizes this further by adding passenger capacity and more storage, turning the Tadpole into a proper crew transport.
For detailed co-op strategy, communication tips, and role setups for a full four-player crew, see the Co-op Guide.
Vehicles Confirmed for Future Updates
Unknown Worlds has been transparent about the fact that Subnautica 2 is launching Early Access with a limited vehicle roster, with more planned throughout development. Here's what's confirmed or strongly indicated for later updates:
| Vehicle | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Large Multi-Crew Submarine | Fills the "big sub" role — crew quarters, interior space, multi-room design | Planned for later Early Access. Name unconfirmed. |
| Deep-Water Mech Suit | Pressurized suit for extreme depths, tied to deep biome content | Planned when deep biome content releases. Details TBD. |
| Seafrog Chassis | Alternative Tadpole configuration | Referenced in development, not in May 2026 launch build. |
Pro Tips for Vehicle Mastery
Build the Vehicle Fabricator Early
The Vehicle Fabricator is not expensive — 2 Titanium Ingots, 1 Copper Ingot, 2 Glass. Build it as soon as you have the materials and deploy it near your starting base. Then start scanning for Tadpole Fragments immediately. The Tadpole unlocks a huge amount of the game's map and makes resource gathering dramatically faster.
Scan Everything That Looks Like Wreckage
Tadpole Fragments, ScoutRay Chassis fragments, and Vehicle Fabricator blueprints all come from scanning debris in the environment. Make scanning a habit early — every time you see a piece of wreckage or unidentified object, scan it before you move on. Fragment scanning in Subnautica 2 is cumulative across multiple pieces, so three fragments of the same item anywhere in the world will complete the blueprint.
The Side Handles Are Better Than They Sound
Until someone in your co-op group has the Haul Chassis or a second Tadpole, the exterior handles are how everyone travels together. Coordinate so the player with the lowest oxygen supply sets the pace. The pilot should check in verbally or via chat before descending past 100m to make sure handle riders are still comfortable on their O2.
Don't Overextend Your First Dives
The base Tadpole crushes at 250m. That's a firm limit — go past it and the hull integrity will take damage rapidly. Respect the depth ceiling on every dive until you have the upgrade modules in place to extend it. Losing a Tadpole to crush damage is a painful and expensive setback in Early Access.