Unlocking the Tadpole Mini-Sub in Subnautica 2: A Quick Guide

Sailing around in a Tadpole is one of the highlights of Subnautica 2, providing both protection and extra oxygen as you dive into more treacherous waters. Gliding through the ocean while safely encased in glass is the ultimate way to experience the depths, though you’ll still have to watch out for local wildlife eager to snack on you.

To get your hands on a Tadpole, you’ll need to scan three Tadpole fragments scattered across various locations, then set up some equipment at your base to craft it. Here’s how to track down those fragments efficiently.

The first fragment can be found just north of the Old Habitat colony ruins, located about 370 meters due north of the Lifepod. You’ll be sent here to locate Quaker’s black box. Once you reach the ruins, head northwest a bit up the ravine to discover a crashed Tadpole near the entrance. While you’re there, don’t forget to scan valuable tools like the Sonic Resonator, Processor, and Scanner Station.

Interestingly, this area is also where you can find lead early on for crafting the Sonic Resonator. The fragment is situated in a ravine 280 meters northeast of the Lifepod. Navigate northeast at a bearing of 75° until you spot a blue natural current below, which you can drop into. This will lead you down into the ravine, where you’ll see a colony ruin platform on the left with the fragment nearby.

This location is relatively close to The Great Jaw at a lower depth, so it’s wise to boost your oxygen with Air Bladders and the Standard Air Tank upgrade, and consider using the Wakemaker for faster swimming. Head northeast from the Lifepod over the drop-off and follow the wall straight down to the edge of the crater, where you’ll find a cluster of colony wreckage. Among this debris is the final Tadpole fragment you need.

After unlocking the blueprint, you’ll need to construct a Moonpool in your base. Start by building a spacious room with plenty of clearance underneath, as the Tadpole Dock extends quite a bit downward. You’ll also need to set up a Vehicle Fabricator next to the pool. The total cost for this setup includes:

You can create the necessary ingots using the Processor facility. Once that’s done, activate the Vehicle Fabricator to craft your Tadpole, which will require:

Most of these materials are easy to gather, except for the power cell, which needs Strong Acid and salt. The easiest way to obtain Strong Acid is by harvesting Necrolei Cysts in the jelly forest near the Old Habitat, but you can find more details in a guide. Salt is readily available in the cave where Chap’s habitat and black box are located.

With everything in place, you can finally build your Tadpole. It’s also a good idea to craft an extra power cell for emergencies, and I highly recommend unlocking the Repair Tool as soon as possible. This will be your only means of keeping your Tadpole in good shape after encounters with sea creatures or accidental collisions with cliffs.