This Subnautica 2 Tadpole guide covers everything you need to know to unlock and craft your first vehicle. You’ll learn exact fragment locations, all required blueprints, resource farming spots, and step-by-step crafting instructions.
Tadpole Fragment Locations
You need to scan three Tadpole fragments to unlock the vehicle blueprints.
- First Fragment
From the Lifepod, swim south approximately 145 meters. Dive down following the wreckage. The fragment is near the bottom. Scanning this also unlocks the Vehicle Fabricator. - Second Fragment
From the first fragment location, swim a short distance to another wreckage hanging off a cliff (roughly 200 meters from the Lifepod). Dive straight down. There’s an air pocket and scannable items inside the structure, including the second Tadpole fragment. This unlocks the Moonpool blueprint. - Third Fragment
From the second location, head toward the giant clam (visible and glowing). The final fragment is directly underneath the giant clam. Use the nearby air bubble if needed. Oxygen drains faster at this depth, so move quickly.
Alternative/Easier Fragment (if the clam one feels too deep):
Head northwest from the Lifepod for a shallower Tadpole fragment that can replace the third one.
Tip: Do this during daytime for better visibility. Bring a Scanner and basic oxygen management.
Unlocking Required Base Structures
Large Room
Head north from the Lifepod to the Old Habitat. Enter the structure, go up the ladder, and scan the room blueprint in the corner. Build and expand the room using Titanium — you can make it as large as needed.
Moonpool
Unlocked automatically after scanning the second Tadpole fragment. Place it inside your Large Room and expand as desired.
Vehicle Fabricator
Unlocked from the first Tadpole fragment. Place it next to the Moonpool.
Processor
In the same Old Habitat (north of Lifepod), go up the ladder to find and scan the Processor. This is essential for crafting ingots and Strong Acid.
All Resources Needed for the Tadpole
Basic Battery (x2 for Power Cell)
- Copper (found on cave walls directly beneath the Lifepod)
- Acidic Rayon Pouch (pink pods under the Lifepod — cut them open safely)
Strong Acid
Crafted at the Processor using Cysts.
Location: Northwest of the Lifepod. Follow the current, then swim to the flower-like pods on stalks. Hit them with your Multi-Tool.
Salt
Southeast of the Lifepod, past the Welcome Center. Large deposits are scattered on the seafloor in this general area.
System Chip
Requires a Wiring Kit:
- Copper Wire (made from Copper)
- Silver
Silver
North-northwest of the Lifepod (around 210 meters). Dive into the cave system between coral pillars. Silver nodes are pointed and abundant here, along with extra Titanium.
Quartz (for Glass)
Found inside coral domes straight north of the Lifepod. Enter the domes for fast collection.
Titanium Ingots
Process raw Titanium (everywhere) at the Processor.
How to Craft the Tadpole
- Build your Large Room, Moonpool, and Vehicle Fabricator.
- At the Processor:
- Create Titanium Ingots
- Create Strong Acid (from Cysts)
- At the Fabricator:
- Craft Basic Batteries
- Craft Wiring Kit → System Chip
- Craft Power Cell (2 Basic Batteries + Strong Acid + Salt)
- Craft Glass (from Quartz)
- Go to the Vehicle Fabricator and select the Tadpole.
Required materials:
- Titanium Ingots
- Glass
- System Chip
- Power Cell
Once crafted, the Tadpole appears in the Moonpool. It provides much better oxygen, storage, protection, and mobility for deeper exploration.
Pro Tips for Early Tadpole Unlock
- You can technically get all fragments with just a Scanner and careful oxygen management (no upgraded tank needed).
- Scan everything in the habitats (Power Storage, etc.) for extra blueprints.
- Stockpile resources in base containers — crafting pulls from storage automatically.
- Expand your base room generously to fit the Moonpool and fabricator comfortably.
- The Tadpole is modular, so plan ahead for future upgrades like wings or depth modules.
