Seamoth

The Seamoth is a one-person personal submersible featured in the original Subnautica. It was the primary exploration vehicle for mid-depth biomes, favored for its speed and compact design. The Seamoth does not return in Subnautica 2; the Tadpole fills a similar role as the new personal submersible.

Design and specifications

The Seamoth is a compact, spherical-cockpit submarine designed for single-occupant operation. The pilot enters through a hatch on top, and the interior provides a 360-degree view through the transparent canopy. Its small size allows it to navigate tight spaces that larger vehicles like the Cyclops cannot reach.

Depth modules

The Seamoth's default crush depth of 200 meters limits it to shallow and mid-depth biomes. Players can extend its operational range by installing depth modules at the Moonpool's Vehicle Upgrade Console.

Upgrade modules

The Seamoth supports four upgrade module slots. Available modules include a hull reinforcement (reduces collision damage), a solar charger (recharges power cells in sunlight), a sonar module (provides a sonar pulse showing nearby terrain), a perimeter defense system (emits an electric field to repel aggressive creatures), and a torpedo system that supports two torpedo types: gas torpedoes and vortex torpedoes.

Gameplay role

In the original Subnautica, the Seamoth was typically the first vehicle players built after securing basic survival needs. Its speed made it the fastest way to travel across the map. Most players kept a Seamoth stationed at their main base throughout the entire game, using it for routine resource runs and exploration before switching to the Prawn Suit or Cyclops for deeper expeditions.

The Seamoth could be docked inside the Cyclops's internal bay, allowing players to carry it as a scout vehicle during deep-sea operations. It could also be docked at a Moonpool for recharging and upgrade installation.

Creature interactions

The Reaper Leviathan could grab the Seamoth in its mandibles and shake it violently, dealing heavy damage. This interaction became one of the most iconic and terrifying moments in the original game. Stalkers, Bonesharks, and other aggressive creatures could also attack the Seamoth, draining its health. Players could repair damage using the Repair Tool.

Construction

The Seamoth is built using the Mobile Vehicle Bay, a deployable platform that floats on the ocean surface. The blueprint is unlocked by scanning Seamoth fragments scattered across various biomes including the Grassy Plateaus, Kelp Forest, and Mushroom Forest. Crafting requires Titanium Ingot, Power Cell, Glass, Lubricant, and Lead.

Legacy in Subnautica 2

The Seamoth does not appear in Subnautica 2. The Tadpole is described by the development team as combining "the positive aspects of the Seatruck" with "the fluid movement of the Seamoth," directly acknowledging the Seamoth's influence on the new vehicle's design. The Tadpole shares the Seamoth's focus on maneuverability and personal exploration but adds modular chassis elements for greater customization.