Games / Subnautica 2 / Tadpole
1 Why the Tadpole Changes Everything
The Tadpole is your first and most transformative vehicle in Subnautica 2. This compact submarine gives you unlimited oxygen, 200m depth capability, and a safe mobile base to explore the alien ocean. Without it, you're stuck swimming. With it, the entire planet opens up.
The Tadpole isn't just transportation — it's survival. Swimming below 100m drains your oxygen fast. The Tadpole lets you explore deep wrecks, scan fragments safely, and carry resources back to base. Every other vehicle in the game builds on this foundation.
2 Crafting Recipe
Final Craft
Titanium Ingot x2 + Glass x1 + System Chip x1 + Power Cell x1 → @ Mobile Vehicle Bay = Tadpole
Complete Materials List
| Material | Qty | Source | Location | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tadpole Fragment | 3 | Scan wreckage fragments | Northeast Canyon (280m) / North Old Habitat (350m) / Southwest Cliffs (160m) | 100% (scan) |
| Titanium Ingot | 2 | Craft from Titanium | 10 Titanium each @ Fabricator — from Limestone Outcrops | — |
| Glass | 1 | Craft from Quartz | 2 Quartz @ Fabricator — from Quartz nodes (caves/reefs) | — |
| System Chip | 1 | Craft from Gold + Copper Wire | 1 Gold + 1 Copper Wire @ Fabricator | — |
| Power Cell | 1 | Craft from Battery + Silicone Rubber | 2 Battery + 1 Silicone Rubber @ Fabricator | — |
| Gold | 1 | Sandstone Outcrops / Shale Outcrops | Kelp Forest caves / Grassy Plateaus / Crash Zone | ~25% |
| Copper Ore | 2 | Limestone Outcrops | Everywhere — Safe Shallows, Kelp Forest, Grassy Plateaus | ~40% |
| Quartz | 2 | Large Quartz nodes | Caves in Safe Shallows / Kelp Forest / Grassy Plateaus | 100% (node) |
| Lithium | 2 | Lithium nodes / Shale Outcrops | Kelp Forest caves / Mushroom Forest / Underwater Islands | 100% (node) |
| Silicone Rubber | 1 | Craft from Creepvine Seed Cluster | Kelp Forest — harvest Creepvine Seed Clusters | — |
3 Materials & Locations
Each material with exact location, drop rate, and farming tips.
⚒ Tadpole Fragment
Location: Northeast Canyon (280m) / North Old Habitat (350m) / Southwest Cliffs (160m)
Drop Rate: 100% (scan)
⚒ Titanium Ingot
Location: 10 Titanium each @ Fabricator — from Limestone Outcrops
Drop Rate: —
⚒ Glass
Location: 2 Quartz @ Fabricator — from Quartz nodes (caves/reefs)
Drop Rate: —
⚒ System Chip
Location: 1 Gold + 1 Copper Wire @ Fabricator
Drop Rate: —
⚒ Power Cell
Location: 2 Battery + 1 Silicone Rubber @ Fabricator
Drop Rate: —
⚒ Gold
Location: Kelp Forest caves / Grassy Plateaus / Crash Zone
Drop Rate: ~25%
⚒ Copper Ore
Location: Everywhere — Safe Shallows, Kelp Forest, Grassy Plateaus
Drop Rate: ~40%
⚒ Quartz
Location: Caves in Safe Shallows / Kelp Forest / Grassy Plateaus
Drop Rate: 100% (node)
⚒ Lithium
Location: Kelp Forest caves / Mushroom Forest / Underwater Islands
Drop Rate: 100% (node)
⚒ Silicone Rubber
Location: Kelp Forest — harvest Creepvine Seed Clusters
Drop Rate: —
4 Optimal Collection Route
Follow this order to minimize backtracking and maximize efficiency.
① Scan All 3 Tadpole Fragments
Fragment 1: Northeast Canyon wreckage (~280m depth) — follow the northeast beacon signal
Fragment 2: North Old Habitat ruins (~350m) — deep wreck with Leviathan nearby, approach cautiously
Fragment 3: Southwest Cliff ledge (~160m) — easiest to reach first, has great views
Pro tip: Fragment 3 is easiest — go there first to unlock the blueprint, then use your knowledge of the Tadpole's layout to find the other two faster.
② Gather Basic Materials
Farm Limestone Outcrops in Safe Shallows for Titanium (need 20 total for 2 Ingots)
Harvest Creepvine Seed Clusters in Kelp Forest for Silicone Rubber
Mine Quartz nodes in caves for Glass
Find Gold in Sandstone Outcrops (Kelp Forest caves have the best spawn rate)
③ Craft Components
Craft 2 Titanium Ingots (10 Titanium each)
Craft Glass (2 Quartz)
Craft Copper Wire (2 Copper) → then System Chip
Craft 2 Batteries (2 Acid Mushroom + 1 Copper each) → then Power Cell
④ Deploy and Build
Deploy Mobile Vehicle Bay near your base (needs 1 Titanium Ingot + 1 Lubricant)
Interact with Vehicle Bay → Select Tadpole → Build!
TADPOLE ACQUIRED
5 ⚠ Gotcha Tips — Don't Waste Your Time
Read this BEFORE you start.
The North Old Habitat fragment is near a Leviathan patrol route. Listen for roars, stay close to the seafloor, and bring a Seaglide to escape quickly. Scan fast and leave.
Two of the three fragments are below 200m. Without a Seaglide (or High Capacity Air Tank), you won't have enough oxygen to reach them. Build a Seaglide before attempting fragment collection.
You need 20 Titanium total for the 2 Ingots. That's about 40-50 Limestone Outcrops. Farm in Safe Shallows where they're abundant and safe.
Gold only comes from Sandstone/Shale Outcrops at ~25% rate. Kelp Forest caves have the best density. Bring a spare Oxygen Tank for longer cave dives.
You can't build the Tadpole from your handheld Fabricator. You MUST craft and deploy a Mobile Vehicle Bay first (1 Titanium Ingot + 1 Lubricant).
6 🎁 Free Benefits — Loot Along the Way
Don't leave empty-handed.
While traveling to fragment locations: You'll pass through Grassy Plateaus (Titanium, Copper) and Kelp Forest caves (Lithium, Gold). Scan everything — you'll need Lithium for Base Builder later.
The North wreck contains data logs (story progression), supply crates (free food/water), and sometimes unlocked storage lockers with useful early-game items.
While searching Sandstone Outcrops for Gold: You'll find Silver Ore (for Wiring Kit), Lead (for radiation suit/base), and cave sulfur deposits (for Crash Powder).
While getting Creepvine Seeds: Collect Creepvine Samples (for Fiber Mesh → First Aid Kits), Metal Salvage (4x Titanium when recycled), and scan Stalker teeth (for Enamelled Glass later).