Subnautica 2: How to unlock all Tadpole upgrades

The Tadpole in Subnautica 2 is something you'll want to acquire as soon as possible. Instead of swimming around, learning how to get the Tadpole is going to allow you to safely contain yourself from all the aggressive sea creatures littered around the world. But, acquiring it is just the beginning. You'll want to start unlocking the Tadpole upgrades pronto, so you can kit out your Tadpole to be the best little submarine there ever was.

In Subnautica 2, there's two different Chassis upgrades you can find and craft and five separate Upgrade Modules. This will take a whole lot of searching, but fortunately I've put together exactly where you can find everything you need and what you'll need to craft them. You'll be spending a lot of time in the Alien Ruins for this one, so prepare yourself!

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Tadpole Scout Ray Chassis

Image credit: RPS/Unknown Worlds

This is the first upgrade you'll likely come across as its Blueprint is found in the Tadpole Pens. Located 700 meters east of the Lifepod, this is also where you'll likely unlock the Tadpole.

In order to travel to the Tadpole Pens, you'll need to have figured out how to explore the hot biome. Fortunately, we've got a guide for that!

Scan the Scout Ray Chassis on the Tadpole docked in the Moonpool room. It looks like a Tadpole wearing shark fins and it's pretty hard to miss.

Then, head to your Vehicle Fabricator and craft using 2x Pasteel Ingots, 1x Advanced Wiring Kit, 1x Dedicated Core and 1x Strong Acid. You'll need a Fully Functional Fabricator and a Processor to craft these resources.

Note: If you're getting the warning: ‘Construction area is obstructed', you might need to make your Moonpool bigger or move it/raise it from the seabed. The Scout Ray Chassis will automatically attach when you move near it, but if it doesn't, it's simple to attach and remove.

The Tadpole Scout Ray Chassis will allow you to move and turn faster through the water, which is important for acquiring the next Chassis upgrade.

Tadpole Haul Chassis

Image credit: RPS/Unknown Worlds

As mentioned, you'll likely want to have the Tadpole Scout Ray Chassis equipped for the treacherous journey to the Alien Ruins Research Lab, located 800 to 1000 meters east of your Lifepod. Why? Well, because to get there you'll need to pass the Collector Leviathan, one of four Leviathans you can find in Subnautica 2.

For the Tadpole Haul Chassis, you need to scan three separate fragments. The first is in the Needler Nest located 300m southeast of the Alien Ruins Research Lab (see above). The Needler Nest is a cavernous structure covered by annoying Needlers that can carry out ranged attacks. You'll need to head down around 300m deep too for this one, so having the Tadpole Depth Module unlocked is helpful, but not essential.

You'll also need to leave your Tadpole at the hole in the ground inside the Needler Nest. If you've got the Ruby's black box 2 signal, it'll be next to that. Swim down and luckily it's not too far or hard to spot as there's an abandoned Chassis flashing red. This is where you'll scan the first fragment. Also, scan the Tadpole Depth Module MK. 1 data card while you're at it.

Image credit: RPS/Unknown Worlds

Then, head back to the Alien Ruins Research Lab and head east-southeast at around 105 degrees and 200 meters of depth. You'll travel through the giant alien arch. Keep going until you hit a cliff edge where you'll find the second fragment propped beside a platform.

Image credit: RPS/Unknown Worlds

Your third and final scan is directly northeast of the second fragment where you'll find another cliff with the Tadpole Haul Chassis sitting atop of it.

Once the Blueprint is unlocked, you'll use your Vehicle Fabricator to craft using 4x Titanium Ingot, 3x Strontium, 3x Enameled Glass and 1x Dedicated Core.

The Tadpole Haul Chassis unlocks 30+ storage slots, extra seats, and comes with additional hardpoints for external modules to fill with even more stuff. You'll have to take the Scout Ray off though if you want to attach it. These two Chassis upgrades are exclusive, so pick between speed and agility or extra storage and space for friends.

Tadpole Upgrade Modules

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Alongside the two Chassis upgrades, there's also five Tadpole Upgrade Modules available to unlock and they can all be found around the Alien Ruins Research Lab. Again, this is located 800 to 1000 meters east from your Lifepod and you should use it as your base between points.

You can complete these in no particular order, but I recommend grabbing the Tadpole Depth Module MK. 1 first as it's the most helpful for unlocking the others. Place any of these Upgrade Modules into the back of your Tadpole.

Image credit: RPS/Unknown Worlds

To add any of the following Tadpole Upgrade Modules, you'll need to craft a Modification Station first. For this, you need to scan the Blueprint at the Alien Ruins Research Lab. Then, craft it using 2x Titanium, 2x Celestine and 2x Copper.

Tadpole Depth Module MK. 1

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Found near Ruby's black box 2 where you scan one of the Tadpole Haul Chassis fragments. This is inside the Needler Nest located around 300 meters southeast of the Alien Ruins Research Lab. To craft, you'll need 3x Celestine, 2x Enameled Glass and 1x System Chip.

This Upgrade Module will allow you to travel down to 450 meters in your Tadpole, as opposed to the previous 250 meters.

Tadpole Strike Armor

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This is found at the Alien Ruins Research Outpost located around 200 meters east of the Research Lab. You'll need to head another 60 meters past and to 190 meters depth to find it on a small platform. To craft, you'll need 2x Enameled Glass and 2x Strontium.

This Upgrade Module reduces your Tadpole's damage by 50% meaning you can handle attacks from hostile sea creatures a lot better.

Tadpole Engine Efficiency

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The easiest one to get as it's located in the first room of the Alien Ruins Research Lab. This is also where you can set your Biobed for respawn and pick up all kinds of resources and items. To craft, you'll need 1x Titanium Ingot, 2x Glass and 1x System Chip.

This Upgrade Module will reduce your Tadpole's energy consumption by 15%. It can be stacked four times, culminating in an overall reduction of 60%.

Tadpole Cavitation Muffler

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Head 850 meters north east of the Alien Ruins Research Lab towards the Metal Farms. On your way, you'll see an enormous arc structure and you'll want to head underneath around 350 to 370 meters depth. This is where having the Tadpole Depth Module MK. 1 comes in very handy. On a platform on the cliff edge, you'll find the Cavitation Muffler data card. To craft, you'll need 3x Titanium and 2x Strontium.

This Upgrade Module will reduce your Tadpole's noise making it easier to stealthily creep past enemies.

Tadpole Photovoltaic Charger

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Finally, you can find the Photovoltaic Charger data card inside the Cicada Wreck (Therapy Room) located 600 meters southeast of the Alien Ruins Research Lab. For this, you'll need to have a Repair Tool (of which we've got a handy guide). It's very helpful here to have a High Capacity Air Tank too as you'll be diving into a wreckage.

When you reach the room with the hole in the corner, don't head down that hole. Instead, turn around and look at the desk in the corner of the room. On top of that desk is this Tadpole Upgrade Module. To craft, you'll need 1x Copper Ingot, 1x Strong Acid and 1x Troilite.

This Upgrade Module recharges your Tadpole's power cell while in shallow waters during the day.

With a fully pimped out Tadpole, you're ready for some real adventure in Subnautica 2. Or, at least you're ready in case you find the Leviathans. It's still good to learn how to reach max oxygen for those solo dives and your Tadpole will help out when it comes to working out how to unlock the Axum Door in the Observatory.

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