- What to know
- Quick overview of all Subnautica 2 vehicles
- The Tadpole is currently the main vehicle in Early Access
- Scout Ray chassis focuses on speed and maneuverability
- Haul Rig chassis turns the Tadpole into a cargo vehicle
- Why players expect the Trident submarine later
- The Prawn Suit may return later in development
- How vehicle progression currently works
- Subnautica 2 vehicle lineup is only getting started
What to know
- The Tadpole is the only fully playable vehicle currently available in Subnautica 2 Early Access.
- Two chassis variants are already available: Scout Ray and Haul Rig.
- Unknown Worlds has confirmed more vehicles and submersibles are planned during Early Access updates.
- The community widely expects a larger late-game submarine, often referred to as the “Trident,” though it is not officially confirmed yet.
Subnautica 2 has already introduced one of the biggest gameplay systems in the series through its new modular vehicle design. While the original game featured iconic vehicles like the Seamoth, Cyclops, and Prawn Suit, the sequel is starting smaller during Early Access. Right now, the spotlight belongs entirely to the Tadpole, a customizable mini-submarine built for exploration, storage, and mobility.
The current roadmap also hints that additional vehicles are coming later in development, which has led many players to speculate about a larger submarine-style craft often referred to by the community as the “Trident.”
Here is a complete breakdown of every known and expected vehicle in Subnautica 2 so far.
Quick overview of all Subnautica 2 vehicles
| Vehicle | Status | Type | Main Purpose | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tadpole | Available | Small Submersible | Exploration and survival | Early Access |
| Scout Ray Chassis | Available | Tadpole Upgrade | Faster movement and agility | Early Access |
| Haul Rig Chassis | Available | Tadpole Upgrade | Extra storage and hauling | Early Access |
| Trident (Expected) | Rumored/Expected | Large Submarine | Mobile base exploration | Not officially released |
| Prawn Suit | Expected | Exosuit | Deep-sea traversal and mining | Mentioned but unavailable |
The Tadpole is currently the main vehicle in Early Access
The Tadpole acts as the primary submarine players can build during the current Early Access build of Subnautica 2. It fills a role somewhat similar to the Seamoth from the original game, but with a much heavier focus on modular upgrades and chassis customization.
Players must scan multiple Tadpole fragments before unlocking the blueprint. Once unlocked, the vehicle is crafted using a Moonpool and Vehicle Fabricator setup inside your base.
Unlike previous Subnautica vehicles, the Tadpole supports interchangeable chassis systems that dramatically change how it handles underwater travel.
Key features of the Tadpole
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Oxygen Supply | Generates breathable air while inside |
| Upgrade Slots | Supports multiple upgrade modules |
| Chassis System | Can switch between specialized builds |
| Docking | Uses Moonpool and Vehicle Fabricator |
| Early Game Role | Main exploration vehicle |
The vehicle is especially important because many deeper biomes and story objectives become significantly easier once you have it. Players also gain access to advanced upgrades such as Depth Modules, Photovoltaic Chargers, Cavitation Mufflers, and efficiency upgrades.
Scout Ray chassis focuses on speed and maneuverability
The Scout Ray Chassis is one of the first major Tadpole modifications available in Early Access. This variant is designed for players who prioritize mobility, tighter cave navigation, and fast exploration.
According to developer previews and player reports, the Scout Ray setup increases movement agility and allows smoother traversal through narrow underwater tunnels.
Scout Ray strengths
| Advantage | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Faster movement | Better long-distance exploration |
| Improved turning | Easier cave navigation |
| Lightweight setup | Efficient energy usage |
| Early accessibility | Great for mid-game progression |
This chassis works especially well when exploring dangerous biomes where speed matters more than cargo capacity.
Haul Rig chassis turns the Tadpole into a cargo vehicle
The Haul Rig Chassis transforms the Tadpole into a heavier transport-focused vehicle. Instead of mobility, this version prioritizes inventory space and resource gathering efficiency.
Players who spend time base-building or farming rare materials may prefer this setup because it reduces the number of return trips needed during expeditions.
Haul Rig advantages
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Increased storage | Carry more resources |
| Resource hauling | Better for mining runs |
| Longer expeditions | Reduced backtracking |
| Base expansion support | Easier material transport |
The Haul Rig already hints at Subnautica 2’s deeper customization direction compared to previous games.
Why players expect the Trident submarine later
While Unknown Worlds has not officially announced a vehicle named “Trident,” the community strongly expects a larger submarine-style vehicle to arrive during Early Access development.
This expectation comes from several clues:
- Developers confirmed additional vehicles and submersibles are planned.
- Early Access currently lacks a true mobile-base submarine equivalent to the Cyclops.
- Developer discussions reference “larger vehicles” beyond the Tadpole.
- Multiple previews suggest deeper late-game biomes will require more advanced traversal systems.
Right now, “Trident” is mainly a community nickname used for the expected large submarine class. There is still no official confirmation regarding its name, design, or functionality.
The Prawn Suit may return later in development
The Prawn Suit has also been referenced in several discussions surrounding upcoming content. Some reports suggest it is planned for future Early Access phases, though it is not currently obtainable in-game.
If it returns, players can likely expect familiar gameplay focused on:
| Possible Feature | Expected Use |
|---|---|
| Deep-sea mining | Resource extraction |
| Heavy durability | Dangerous biome survival |
| Vertical mobility | Cliff and trench traversal |
| Drill upgrades | Rare ore collection |
A mech-style vehicle would help fill the gap between the agile Tadpole and any future large submarine.
How vehicle progression currently works
Right now, Subnautica 2’s progression heavily revolves around improving the Tadpole rather than replacing it quickly with larger crafts.
Current progression flow
| Stage | Vehicle Goal |
|---|---|
| Early Survival | Basic swimming and tools |
| Mid Game | Unlock and craft Tadpole |
| Advanced Exploration | Install chassis and upgrades |
| Late Game (Future Updates) | Additional vehicles expected |
This structure is likely temporary because Early Access only includes part of the planned content roadmap.
Subnautica 2 vehicle lineup is only getting started
At the moment, the Tadpole remains the centerpiece of Subnautica 2’s Early Access experience, offering modular exploration through its Scout Ray and Haul Rig chassis systems. However, the current roadmap strongly suggests that the vehicle roster will expand significantly over time.
Whether the rumored “Trident” becomes reality or arrives under another name, it is very likely that larger submarines and additional traversal systems are still ahead for the game’s full release.
