Tadpole

The Tadpole Sea-Space Mobility Pod is a player-controlled submersible vehicle constructed using the Vehicle Fabricator within a seabase Moonpool. It is powered using a Power Cell.

Originating from a stripped down and modified Seamoth, the Tadpole is a cheap, versatile and heavily customizable submersible.

Recipe

The blueprint is unlocked after scanning three Tadpole fragments. Locations for the fragments can be found below.

Crafted at: Vehicle Fabricator

Overview

The Tadpole is a single pilot submersible with a large front window which opens from the top, a large rear propeller and a set of thrusters for omnidirectional movement.

Atop the vehicle, behind the cockpit, a Power Cell socket is present, which can be used to replace the Tadpole's Power Cell. Behind this socket there is an upgrade panel with four slots for Upgrade Modules. Two circular interface points are present on both sides of the Tadpole for transmission of power, and an additional Hardpoint is located in the rear for Chassis docking and object mounting. Objects such as a Portable Locker can be attached to the Hardpoint and transported. The Portable Locker is the only form of storage that is possible to be placed on the Tadpole without the use of a Chassis.

The Tadpole possesses a handlebar on each side of the vehicle, which players can use to hold on to the Tadpole whilst another player pilots it. Below each handlebar there is an oxygen port, allowing to regain oxygen without entering the Tadpole.

Recharging

• The Power Cell on top of the vehicle can be manually removed for charging.
• The vehicle automatically recharges while docked at a Tadpole Dock.
• The Photovoltaic Charger upgrade will automatically recharge the Tadpole while in shallow water during the day.

Damage and Repairing

The Tadpole will take damage from collisions with objects such as Seabases and the terrain, as well as from creature attacks.

When damaged, the Tadpole's health can be restored using a Repair Tool.

Upon reaching zero health, the Tadpole will explode, damaging the player if they're nearby. When a Tadpole is in this state, it must be fully repaired to 100 health points before it can be used again.

Chassis

The Tadpole features several external modifications that can be crafted at a Vehicle Fabricator called Chassis, which augment the Tadpole's capabilities. A Chassis will be equipped automatically when the Tadpole gets within a close proximity of it. Only one Chassis can be equipped on the Tadpole at a time. A Chassis can be ejected at any time while piloting the Tadpole by pressing the appropriate key.

The following Chassis can be crafted and equipped on a Tadpole:

• Scout Ray Chassis: Increases the Tadpole's top speed, acceleration, and maneuverability. It preserves the Hardpoint on the back of the Tadpole.
• Haul Chassis: Adds two seats, as well as a handlebar, allowing 4 players to travel with the Tadpole. It features a 30-slot storage on the back, and two Hardpoints on the sides. It features an underside camera for easier maneuverability. The top speed remains the same as that of a regular Tadpole, albeit with a much lower acceleration, increasing the time needed to reach top speed.

Deconstructing

A Tadpole or Chassis can be deconstructed with a Habitat Builder to regain the materials, however certain conditions must be met before it is possible.

For the Tadpole:

• The Tadpole is not docked.
• The Power Cell socket is empty.
• The Upgrade Module Panel is empty.
• There is no Chassis attached to the Tadpole.

For a Chassis:

• The Chassis is not attached to a Tadpole.
• All Hardpoints are cleared of items.

Fragments

Three fragments are required to unlock the blueprint.

Coords & Depth	Description	Image
-347630, 465928 @ 125m	Beneath the Great Jaw
-352967, 450530 @ 88m	In a Colonist Bunker West of the big hole
-338250, 444410 @ 90m	Partway down the trench just SW of the Welcome Center
-306829, 465456 @ 90m	South of the Hot Cave Basecamp
-271190, 434613 @ 150m	Outside the front hatch of the Tadpole Pens
-268969, 435418 @ 150m	Docked in the Tadpole Pens
-308947, 408013 @ 65m	In the Lander Garage wreck
-313037, 401444 @ 45m	North of the Lander Garage wreck
-322745, 389389 @ 35m	In the Plateaus NE of the Old Habitat
-339070, 391576 @ 60m	Near the Old Habitat
-289066, 446929 @ 125m	On the North side of the Tailings Village
-276853, 440938 @ 145m	SW of the Tadpole Pens
-315624, 420176 @ 62m	E of Digestion Angel Comb in cave

Upgrades

Modules & Datacard Locations

Upgrade module blueprints are obtained by scanning datacards found in the world.

Upgrade	Function	Detail	Stackable	Biome	Depth	Coordinates
Tadpole Depth Module Mk. 1	Increases maximum crush depth.	450m crush depth	❌	Karakorum Power Plant	~294 m	−2002, 4506
Tadpole Depth Module Mk. 2	Increases maximum crush depth further.	800m crush depth.	❌	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Cavitation Muffler	Reduces noise produced by the Tadpole, making hostile Lifeforms less likely to notice it.	N/A	❌	Root Canyon	~375 m	−1452, 4021
Engine Efficiency	Optimizes engine function in real time to reduce power use.	-20% per module (up to -80%).	✅	Karakorum Power Plant	~139 m	−2068, 4257
Photovoltaic Charger	Rapidly recharges the Power Cell of the Tadpole during daytime.	While above 40m depth. 15-30% charge per hour.	❌	Karakorum Power Plant	~94 m	−1613, 4588
Strike Armor	Provides the Tadpole additional physical resistance from attacks & collisions.	50% damage reduction.	❌	Overgrown Ruins	~196 m	−2146, 4440

Chassis Stats

Chassis	Function	Velocity (m/s)
Scout Ray Chassis	Allowing for both increased speed and maneuverability, at the cost of greatly increasing the vehicle's width. When the vehicle is not in use the wings fold away. Preserves the hardpoint at the back. Can be detached and deconstructed with the Habitat Builder.	10 m/s
Haul Chassis	Adds two seats and a handlebar, a 30-slot storage, and two hardpoints. Allows four players to travel with a single vehicle. Each spot has an oxygen port. Also features a camera under the main body that can be used to make navigation and locating resources easier. Can be detached and deconstructed with the Habitat Builder.	8 m/s

Databank Entry

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Versatile single-pilot submarine. Provides unlimited oxygen while powered. Fabricate at a Vehicle Bay next to a moonpool—ensure that the moonpool is large and deep enough to accept the Tadpole. Recharge power cell when depleted. In the event of damage, apply standard repair tool.

The Tadpole takes damage when diving below its crush depth. This depth can be upgraded through modifications, fabricated at a modification station and installed via an external access slot.

The Tadpole has a single hardpoint for a deployable locker, work light, oxygen generator or other utility item.

The Tadpole can be docked to a range of add-on chassis constructed at the moonpool Vehicle Fabricator:

—The Scout Ray hydrofoil improves speed

—The HAUL rig adds a second hardpoint and built-in storage for extra cargo

These chassis may be swapped out in the field by undocking and redocking.

BACKGROUND

The Tadpole sea-space mobility pod is a single-seat, six-degrees-of-freedom personal transport powered by a single replaceable/rechargable power cell. Designed by AI to minimize its resource footprint, the Tadpole is a minimum-cost descendant of the popular and highly mature Seamoth/Spacemoth/Sunmoth series. (Sales brochures describe the Tadpole as an 'aspirational beginning'.) The Tadpole can be fabricated on demand at a vehicle bay, so it is often stored in components.

The pod doubles as a command module for a series of dockable chassis, ranging from high-speed hydrofoils to powerful workmechs. With alterations to its propulsion and radiator, it can serve equally well in ocean, atmosphere or space. In its underwater configuration the Tadpole cruises on a long-helix main propeller and steers with four shrouded thrusters.

The passenger compartment is sealed with the same selective membrane used on the Super Barrique entry portal, providing both direct canopy access to the cockpit and long-requested catheterless hygiene functions.

"The Tadpole: it's omniphibious."

Gallery

In Game

 Scout Ray Chassis attached to the Tadpole.

 One of the Tadpole Fragments located under the Great Jaw.

 The view from the Tadpole cockpit.

 A Tadpole with a Scout Ray Chassis.

Development

 Partial concepts.

 Partial concepts.

 Partial concepts.

 Partial concepts.

 Partial concepts.

Other

 A render of the Tadpole.

Trivia

• The PDA mentions an unreleased Bullfrog Workmech chassis.
• In the "Crafting The Tadpole" devlog, the Tadpole can be seen with a foldable steering wheel, and two handles on the sides of the cockpit as an alternate way of piloting it. This is currently not present in the game.