The Trident is a larger, multi-crew submarine that was cut from the Early Access launch build of Subnautica 2, but it has been announced as a planned future Early Access addition rather than permanently removed. It is not in the game at launch; the only buildable vehicle in the current build is the Tadpole. The Trident is intended to return during the Early Access period as the roster of vehicles expands.
Cut From Launch, Planned For Later
The Trident was part of earlier development plans but did not make the cut for the initial Early Access scope. Importantly, it was not abandoned: a larger multi-crew submarine remains on the development plan and is expected to arrive in a later Early Access update. This places the Trident in a different category from content that was dropped outright; it is deferred, with a stated intention to add it back as the game grows. The vehicle lineup is set to expand over the Early Access period with new craft, and a larger crewed submarine is among the planned additions.
Design Brief Reference
Although the Trident is not playable in the launch build, it left a trace in the game's creature design. The internal design brief for the Collector Leviathan describes the creature as disliking "players, tadpoles, tridents, and anything it does not recognise." The Trident being named alongside the Tadpole in that brief shows it was far enough along to be factored into creature behavior before it was held back from launch, and signals it was treated as a full player vehicle rather than a minor tool.
Relationship to the Larger Submarine
Subnautica 2's plans include a larger, multi-person submarine that will not be available at launch but is expected during later development, potentially closer to the full release. The Trident is the cut multi-crew submarine that this planned vessel corresponds to. Whether the future craft ships under the Trident name, with the same design, or as a reworked version has not been confirmed; what is confirmed is that a larger crewed submarine is planned, and that the original-series Prawn Suit is not in Early Access, with any mech-suit successor being a future plan only.
What Is Known
The Trident is a larger, multi-crew submarine (not a single-pilot craft like the Tadpole).
It is cut from the Early Access launch build.
It is announced as a planned future Early Access addition, not permanently cut.
It was developed far enough to be referenced in the Collector Leviathan's design brief.
What Remains Unknown
As of the Early Access launch build, the following Trident details have not been confirmed:
Its final physical design and visual appearance
Its exact crew capacity, depth rating, storage, and other specifications
Whether it functions as an exploration craft, a mobile base, or both
The Early Access update or timeframe in which it will arrive
Whether it ships under the Trident name or as a renamed, reworked vessel
See Cut Content for the full list of content held back from the Early Access launch build.