Quick answer
After Hotfix 3, Hammerheads no longer attack unpiloted Tadpoles. That is the big parking change. The official note still says Hammerheads can take an interest in Tadpoles, and Hotfix 3 also fixes cases where Hammerheads were not attracted to Flares. Park the Tadpole near a landmark, leave a clean swim path to the hatch, avoid creature-heavy approach lanes, and do not treat an empty vehicle as invisible.
Field notes before you leave the hatch
Empty is safer than before
The useful part of Hotfix 3 is narrow: Hammerheads should not attack an unpiloted Tadpole. That helps when you step out to scan, gather, or build.
Interest is not the same as safety
The patch note leaves room for Hammerheads to notice Tadpoles. If the area is already bad, the smarter move is still to park farther out and swim the last stretch.
Flares matter again
Hotfix 3 fixes Hammerheads occasionally not being attracted to Flares. Keep that in mind before copying an old workaround that treated Flares as unreliable.
Visual notes and source media
Original route art
Abyss Guides uses original chibi deep-sea art for page visuals instead of copying wiki screenshots or fan uploads.
Source: Abyss Guides original artwork
Official Subnautica 2 gameplay trailer
Use the trailer for mood, vehicles, and biome context. Do not treat trailer scenes as exact farming coordinates.
Source: Official Subnautica YouTube embedA safer Tadpole parking routine
Stop before the dangerous pocket
If the route narrows or a Hammerhead patrol crosses it, stop early. A short swim is usually cheaper than dragging the vehicle into a bad pocket.
Face the hatch toward home
Turn the Tadpole so the hatch faces the line you expect to use on the way back. It sounds small, but it saves seconds when oxygen or nerves are low.
Leave space under and around the vehicle
Do not wedge the Tadpole into a pretty corner. You want room to enter, reverse, and leave without tapping terrain or base pieces.
Use Flares for attention control
Because Hotfix 3 fixes Hammerhead attraction to Flares, update old advice that dismissed them. A Flare can buy space, but it should not replace a clean parking spot.
Recheck the lane after multiplayer rejoin
Hotfix 3 also fixes some client rejoin position rollback. In co-op, confirm where everyone and the Tadpole actually are before assuming the old parking spot is still clear.
Tadpole parking card
Patch
Hotfix 3
Hammerheads no longer attack unpiloted Tadpoles.
Still risky
Interest
Hammerheads can still take interest in Tadpoles.
Tool
Flares
Attraction behavior was fixed in Hotfix 3.
Parking risk table
| Situation | Safer call |
|---|---|
| Empty Tadpole near Hammerhead | Safer than before Hotfix 3, but still worth moving if Hammerheads patrol the lane. |
| Tadpole in a tight coral pocket | Move it. The patch does not fix bad geometry or awkward hatch access. |
| Flares feel inconsistent in older guides | Retest after Hotfix 3 because Hammerhead attraction to Flares was patched. |
| Base entrance near Tadpole route | Keep the vehicle approach lane away from repeated creature traffic. |
| Co-op parking | Call out the vehicle position before players split up or rejoin. |
Do not park like the vehicle is invisible
This patch makes one behavior less punishing. It does not turn the Tadpole into a safe locker, a creature shield, or a permanent beacon. Park for the return route, not just the screenshot.
FAQ
Do Hammerheads attack empty Tadpoles after Hotfix 3?
The official Hotfix 3 note says Hammerheads no longer attack unpiloted Tadpoles.
Can Hammerheads still notice the Tadpole?
Yes. The same note says Hammerheads can still take an interest in Tadpoles, so parking in creature traffic is still a bad habit.
Should I still use Flares?
Yes, but carefully. Hotfix 3 fixes Hammerheads occasionally not being attracted to Flares, so they are worth retesting after the patch.
Does this change Tadpole Dock placement?
Indirectly. If Hammerhead traffic crosses the approach lane, put the Dock and vehicle route somewhere calmer even if the base view is worse.