Subnautica 2 Tadpole Upgrades: Best Modules & Loadouts
The Tadpole has five chassis upgrade modules — Storage, Depth, Engine Efficiency, Hull Reinforcement, and Torpedo System — but only a limited number of slots, so you should swap modules per mission instead of running one permanent build. Advanced modules are crafted at the Base Fabricator in a powered base.
Last updated: September 5, 2026
All Tadpole Chassis Upgrade Modules
The Tadpole is your first submersible — a fast, one-seat, battery-powered scout — and its modular chassis is what carries it from the starting shallows into the deep endgame. Here is what each module does and when it earns a slot:
| Module | Effect | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Depth Module | Raises the Tadpole's crush depth, unlocking deeper biomes and wrecks. | Essential |
| Storage Module | Adds cargo space so gathering runs carry far more ore per trip. | High |
| Engine Efficiency | Reduces battery drain, extending range between recharges. | Medium |
| Hull Reinforcement | Reduces damage from collisions and creature attacks. | Situational |
| Torpedo System | Adds a weapon deterrent for dangerous biomes. | Situational |
Your crush depth is displayed directly on the HUD. Exceeding it damages the hull continuously, so the Depth Module is not a luxury — it is the gate to every deeper resource tier on Proteus.
Slot Limits & How to Craft Modules
The chassis has limited module slots — you cannot fit all five upgrades at once. This is intentional design: the Tadpole is meant to be reconfigured per mission. Treat your modules like equipment in a locker, and swap them before each trip based on where you are going and what you are bringing back.
Advanced vehicle modules are crafted at the Base Fabricator (Titanium x1, Copper x1, Quartz x1), which also removes the Lifepod's crafting limits and produces Wiring Kits and System Chips. You will need a powered base first — see our Base Building Guide for the fastest power setup. Keep your Tadpole parked at a Docking Station so it recharges while you swap modules.
Because modules cost mid-tier materials, budget your Silver, Copper, and Gold carefully — a Wiring Kit (Silver + Copper) and System Chip (Gold + Copper + Quartz) are common gatekeepers for advanced crafting.
The Three Best Tadpole Loadouts
Since slots are limited, build for the mission. These three loadouts cover every situation the Early Access campaign throws at you:
Exploration Loadout
Depth Module + Engine Efficiency. Maximum range and depth for scouting new biomes, following NOA black box signals, and hunting fragments. You carry little cargo, but you are not supposed to — the goal is to see what is out there and get home.
Gathering Loadout
Storage Module + Depth Module. The resource-run build. Pair it with a Scanner Station ping on your target ore and you can strip a biome in one or two trips. Drop cheap Titanium if you find rarer materials — never leave Silver or Gold behind.
Danger Zone Loadout
Hull Reinforcement + Torpedo System. For deep biomes patrolled by leviathans. Carry a Repair Tool and spare batteries, keep your lights off near predators — bright lights attract them — and park out of patrol paths, because leviathans can attack parked vehicles.
Upgrade Priority Order for Your First Tadpole
Just built your first Tadpole at the Vehicle Bay? Upgrade in this order:
1. Depth Module. Everything good is deeper than your starting crush depth. This single upgrade multiplies what the sub can reach.
2. Storage Module. Gathering efficiency is progression speed. Fewer trips means less oxygen stress and fewer battery swaps.
3. Engine Efficiency. Once you are making long hauls to distant biomes, battery drain becomes the limiting factor. Spare batteries still matter — always carry them.
4. Hull Reinforcement or Torpedo System. Build these when the story pushes you into leviathan territory, not before.
You need to scan 2-3 Tadpole fragments first. Our Tadpole Fragment Location Guide shows where to look, and the Vehicles Guide covers the Vehicle Bay and Docking Station requirements.
Keeping the Tadpole Alive
The Tadpole is fast but fragile. A few habits will save you from losing it:
Watch the crush depth HUD readout. Hull damage below crush depth is continuous and unforgiving — ascend immediately if the warning appears.
Carry a Repair Tool and spare batteries on every trip. The Repair Tool fixes collision and creature damage in the field; spare batteries rescue you from a dead engine far from a Docking Station.
Respect roar warnings. Leviathans patrol specific deep biomes and telegraph attacks with loud roars. If you hear one, turn around or dive into a cave to break line of sight — no module loadout wins that fight in Early Access.
Park smart. Leviathans can attack parked vehicles. Leave the Tadpole tucked into terrain or shallow cover, not floating in open water on a patrol route.
When you die, you respawn at your last safe location and must retrieve your dropped items. Losing a loaded Tadpole deep in hostile territory can mean a long, dangerous recovery swim — fly conservatively.
Tadpole Upgrades FAQ
The Depth Module is the best first upgrade because it raises the Tadpole's crush depth, unlocking deeper biomes, wrecks, and the resources they contain. After that, the Storage Module pays for itself on every gathering run.
The Tadpole chassis has a limited number of module slots, so you cannot fit all five modules at once. Swap modules at your base to build the sub per mission instead of running one permanent setup.
Advanced vehicle modules are crafted at the Base Fabricator inside a powered base. The Base Fabricator (Titanium x1, Copper x1, Quartz x1) also removes the Lifepod's crafting limits, so build it as soon as your first base has power.
No. The Torpedo System is a deterrent, not armor. Leviathans give loud roar warnings before attacking — if you hear one, turn around and use terrain or caves to break line of sight instead of fighting.