Vehicles Overview
Vehicles are essential for deep exploration. They provide unlimited oxygen while inside, protection from predators, and access to depths impossible on foot.
Available Vehicles
| Vehicle | Max Depth | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaglide | Unlimited (player O2 limits) | Fast | Early exploration, tight spaces |
| Tadpole | 200m (base) | Medium | General exploration, 1-person |
| Tadpole MK-II | 900m (upgraded) | Medium | Deep exploration, 1-person |
| Prawn Suit | 1700m | Slow | Resource gathering, combat |
| Cyclops-class | 500m (base) | Slow | Mobile base, 3-person |
The Tadpole Submersible
The Tadpole is your primary exploration vehicle. It's fast, maneuverable, and can be upgraded significantly.
Crafting the Tadpole
To craft a Tadpole, you need:
- Mobile Vehicle Bay: Deployable station for vehicle construction. Requires: Titanium x3, Lubricant x1, Power Cell x1
- Tadpole Blueprint: Scan fragments at wrecks (need 3 fragments)
Tadpole crafting materials:
- Titanium x5
- Glass x2
- Lubricant x1
- Lead x1
- Power Cell x1
Tadpole Upgrades
Upgrade modules are crafted at the Vehicle Upgrade Console (inside Moonpool):
| Upgrade | Effect | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Depth Module MK1 | Max depth 300m | Titanium x1, Ruby x2 |
| Depth Module MK2 | Max depth 500m | Titanium x1, Nickel Ore x3 |
| Depth Module MK3 | Max depth 900m | Titanium x1, Kyanite x3 |
| Engine Efficiency | +50% energy efficiency | Polyaniline x1, Wiring Kit x1 |
| Thermal Reactor | Recharges near heat | Polyaniline x1, Magnetite x2 |
| Perimeter Defense | Shocks predators | Polyaniline x1, Battery x2 |
| Torpedo System | Deploys torpedoes | Titanium x1, Lithium x1 |
| Sonar | Detects threats and terrain | Magnetite x2, Copper Wire x1 |
| Storage Module | +4 storage slots | Titanium x1, Lithium x1 |
💡 Pro Tip
Prioritize Depth Module upgrades. Without them, you'll hit depth limits before reaching many story locations and valuable resources.
Tadpole Controls & Navigation
- WASD: Movement
- Space / Shift: Ascend / Descend
- Left Click: Toggle headlights
- Right Click: Use equipped module (sonar, defense, etc.)
- E: Enter / Exit
- 1-4: Quick-access storage
The Prawn Suit
A bipedal exosuit for extreme depths and resource gathering.
Prawn Suit Features
- Drill Arm: Harvest large resource deposits
- Grappling Arm: Fast traversal and escape tool
- Jump Jet: Vertical mobility
- High depth tolerance: Up to 1700m
Prawn Suit Upgrades
| Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|
| Jump Jet Upgrade | +100% jump height |
| Thermal Reactor | Recharges near heat sources |
| Drill Arm | Mine large ore deposits |
| Grappling Arm | Hookshot for fast movement |
| Torpedo Arm | Combat capability |
⚠️ Warning
The Prawn Suit is slow and vulnerable to leviathans. Always scout areas with the Tadpole first, and keep a grappling arm equipped for quick escapes.
Vehicle Management
Charging & Repairs
- Moonpool: Best charging station. Docks and recharges vehicles automatically.
- Cyclops Bay: Charges vehicles stored inside the Cyclops.
- Power Cells: Swap manually by opening vehicle panel.
- Repair Tool: Fix hull damage at any time.
Best Practices
- Always carry a spare Power Cell for emergencies.
- Keep a Repair Tool in your vehicle storage.
- Don't leave vehicles unattended in hostile areas.
- Mark your vehicle with a beacon if exploring on foot.
- Upgrade depth modules before entering new deep biomes.
- Use sonar in low-visibility areas to avoid collisions.
Vehicle Comparison
| Scenario | Best Vehicle | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow exploration (<100m) | Seaglide | Fast, doesn't need charging |
| General exploration | Tadpole | Balanced speed, depth, storage |
| Deep story locations | Tadpole MK-II | Can reach 900m with upgrades |
| Resource farming | Prawn Suit | Drill arm, extreme depth |
| Long expeditions | Cyclops | Mobile base, vehicle storage |