Subnautica 2 Tadpole Upgrades: Locations & Recipes

This guide covers every Tadpole upgrade in Subnautica 2, where to find the blueprints, and the exact crafting recipes you need. Think of it as a recipe book for your vehicle: gather the ingredients, follow the steps, and you’ll have a fully upgraded Tadpole ready for deep-sea exploration.

Ingredients

• Tadpole Hull Upgrade – 1x Titanium Ingot, 1x Plasteel Ingot, 1x Enameled Glass
• Tadpole Depth Module MK1 – 1x Plasteel Ingot, 1x Nickel Ore, 1x Enameled Glass
• Tadpole Depth Module MK2 – 1x Plasteel Ingot, 2x Nickel Ore, 1x Ruby
• Tadpole Depth Module MK3 – 1x Plasteel Ingot, 2x Kyanite, 1x Crystalline Sulfur
• Tadpole Engine Efficiency Module – 1x Plasteel Ingot, 1x Aerogel, 1x Wiring Kit
• Tadpole Storage Module – 1x Titanium Ingot, 1x Lithium, 1x Silicone Rubber
• Tadpole Sonar Module – 1x Advanced Wiring Kit, 1x Magnetite, 1x Copper Wire
• Tadpole Perimeter Defense Module – 1x Plasteel Ingot, 1x Polyaniline, 1x Wiring Kit
• Tadpole Hull Reinforcement – 1x Plasteel Ingot, 1x Titanium Ingot, 1x Enameled Glass

Instructions

1. Unlock the Modification Station – Before crafting any Tadpole upgrade, you must have the Modification Station built in your base. Its blueprint is found in wrecks in the Kelp Forest and Grassy Plateaus.
2. Find the Tadpole Upgrade Blueprints – Most Tadpole upgrade blueprints are found in data boxes inside wrecks or from scanning fragments. The Hull Upgrade blueprint is in the wreck at the edge of the Grassy Plateau. Depth Module MK1 is in a data box in the Kelp Forest. Depth Module MK2 is in a wreck in the Mushroom Forest. Depth Module MK3 is in a data box in the Lost River. Engine Efficiency is in a wreck in the Blood Kelp Zone. Storage Module is in a wreck in the Underwater Islands. Sonar Module is in a wreck in the Dunes. Perimeter Defense is in a wreck in the Mountains. Hull Reinforcement is in a wreck in the Sparse Reef.
3. Gather the Materials – Collect the required ingredients listed above. Titanium Ingots are made from 5 Titanium. Plasteel Ingots are made from 1 Titanium Ingot and 1 Lithium. Enameled Glass is made from 1 Glass and 1 Stalker Tooth. Nickel Ore is found in the Lost River. Ruby is found in the Grand Reef and Blood Kelp Zone. Kyanite is found in the Lava Zones. Crystalline Sulfur is found in the Lost River and Lava Zones. Aerogel is made from 1 Gel Sack and 1 Ruby. Wiring Kit is made from 2 Silver Ore and 1 Copper Wire. Advanced Wiring Kit is made from 1 Wiring Kit and 1 Gold. Silicone Rubber is made from 1 Creepvine Seed Cluster. Polyaniline is made from 1 Gold and 1 Hydrochloric Acid. Magnetite is found in the Mountains and Jellyshroom Caves.
4. Craft the Upgrade – Approach the Modification Station and select the Tadpole upgrade you want to craft. Ensure you have all the materials in your inventory.
5. Install the Upgrade – Go to your Tadpole vehicle and open the upgrade panel (right-click or interact). Place the crafted module in an available slot. The upgrade is now active.
6. Stack Depth Modules (Optional) – Depth Modules can be stacked to increase depth rating further. For example, MK1 + MK2 gives you the combined depth increase. Each module takes a slot, so plan accordingly.

Tips

• Substitutions – If you’re short on Nickel Ore, you can find it in the Lost River, but beware of the Ghost Leviathan. For Kyanite, you’ll need the Prawn Suit with a Drill Arm to mine it efficiently.
• Storage – Keep your upgrades in a dedicated locker near your Modification Station. This prevents accidental crafting of duplicates and keeps your inventory organized.
• Common Mistake – Don’t craft a Depth Module MK2 before MK1. The MK2 requires Nickel Ore, which is found deeper than the MK1’s depth limit. Craft MK1 first to safely reach the Lost River.
• Plan Your Slots – The Tadpole has 4 upgrade slots. Prioritize Depth Modules first, then Engine Efficiency to reduce power drain, and finally Storage or Sonar depending on your playstyle.

Serving Suggestions

Combine the Tadpole Hull Upgrade with the Hull Reinforcement to maximize durability against aggressive fauna. Pair the Depth Module MK3 with the Perimeter Defense Module for safe exploration in the Lava Zones. The Engine Efficiency Module is essential for long-distance travel, especially when towing the Cyclops.

Variations

• Speed Build – Instead of Storage, equip two Engine Efficiency Modules to cut power consumption by 40%. This allows you to travel further without returning to base.
• Explorer Build – Use Sonar Module + Storage Module to map out new areas while collecting resources. Sonar helps avoid dangers, and storage lets you bring back more loot.
• Defensive Build – Equip Perimeter Defense + Hull Reinforcement to survive encounters with Leviathans. The defense module shocks attackers, giving you time to escape.

Storage and Reheating

Once crafted, upgrades are stored in the Tadpole’s upgrade panel. They do not expire or degrade. If you remove an upgrade, it goes back into your inventory. You can store them in any locker or container. There is no need to “reheat” or repair upgrades; they remain functional indefinitely. However, if your Tadpole is destroyed, all installed upgrades are lost. Always remove upgrades before exploring dangerous areas if you’re worried about losing them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I craft Tadpole upgrades without the Modification Station?
A: No, all vehicle upgrades require the Modification Station. It’s a mid-game structure that you must build in your base. Its blueprint is found in wrecks.

Q: Where exactly is the Depth Module MK1 blueprint?
A: The MK1 blueprint is in a data box in the Kelp Forest, often near the Grassy Plateau border. Look for small wrecks with a glowing orange box inside.

Q: Do Depth Modules stack with each other?
A: Yes, they stack. If you have MK1 and MK2, your Tadpole’s depth rating is the sum of both. But each module takes a slot, so you’ll have fewer slots for other upgrades.

Q: How do I get Kyanite for the MK3 module?
A: Kyanite is found in the Lava Zones, which are deeper than 1300 meters. You’ll need a Prawn Suit with a Depth Module MK2 to reach it safely. Mine the blue crystals with the Prawn’s Drill Arm.

Q: What’s the maximum depth of a fully upgraded Tadpole?
A: With all three Depth Modules (MK1, MK2, MK3), the Tadpole can reach 1700 meters. This covers almost all of the map, except the deepest parts of the Lava Lakes.

Q: Can I move upgrades between vehicles?
A: Yes, you can remove an upgrade from one vehicle and install it in another, as long as the vehicle supports that type of module. For example, a Depth Module MK1 works on both the Tadpole and the Seamoth.

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