What the Vehicle Modification Station Does

The Vehicle Modification Station is a fabricator you build inside your base that upgrades your submarines and the Prawn Suit. Once it's constructed, you can walk up to it and add modules to your vehicles — things like depth upgrades, faster engines, or specialized tools. The station itself doesn't move; you bring your vehicle to the base, dock it if needed, and then use the station to install the upgrades you've crafted.

This is different from the Vehicle Upgrade Console, which you find inside the Aurora and use to unlock new module types. The Modification Station is what you actually use to build and attach those modules once you know the blueprints.

Key Takeaways

  • The Vehicle Modification Station blueprint comes from the Modification Station data boxes found in the Aurora, Safe Shallows, and Kelp Forest.
  • You need 1 Titanium, 1 Aerogel, 1 Computer Chip, and 2 Plasteel to build the station inside your base.
  • The station only works on vehicles that are docked or parked nearby — you cannot upgrade a vehicle while it's in the water far from your base.
  • Depth modules are the most important upgrades early on, because they prevent your submarine from imploding in deep water.

Finding the Blueprint and Gathering Materials

You unlock the Vehicle Modification Station blueprint by scanning data boxes. Three locations hold these boxes: the Aurora wreck (in the cargo bay and other rooms), the Safe Shallows (in small wrecks), and the Kelp Forest (in wrecks scattered around). You only need to scan one box to get the blueprint, so finding any single one is enough.

Once you have the blueprint, gather the crafting materials. You need Titanium (found in limestone outcrops and metal salvage), Aerogel (crafted from Gel Sacks and Rubies in a fabricator), a Computer Chip (crafted from Gold, Copper, and Silicone Rubber), and 2 Plasteel (crafted from Titanium and Lithium). Plasteel is the slowest to gather because you need Lithium, which only appears in deeper biomes like the Dunes and Mushroom Forest.

Building the Station in Your Base

Place the Vehicle Modification Station in a room with enough floor space — it takes up a 2×2 footprint, similar to a fabricator. You can place it in your main base room or in a dedicated workshop area. The station does not need to be powered, so you don't have to connect it to your power grid.

Once built, walk up to it and interact with it the same way you would a fabricator. The interface shows all the vehicle modules you can build, organized by vehicle type (Seamoth, Prawn Suit, Cyclops). If you don't see a module in the list, you haven't unlocked its blueprint yet — you'll need to find the data box or blueprint fragment for it.

How to Upgrade Your Seamoth

The Seamoth is your first submarine, and depth modules are the priority. The Seamoth starts able to go 200 meters deep before it takes damage. Build the Seamoth Depth Module Mark 1 (goes to 300 meters), then Mark 2 (500 meters), then Mark 3 (800 meters). Each module requires different materials, but all are crafted at the Modification Station.

After depth, add the Seamoth Engine Efficiency Module to reduce power drain, or the Seamoth Sonar Module to see obstacles in murky water. The Seamoth Torpedo Arm and Seamoth Drill Arm are tools that let you fight creatures or harvest resources, but they're less essential early on. Once you've built a module, dock your Seamoth at your base (if you have a Moon Pool), park it nearby, and use the station to attach the module to the vehicle.

How to Upgrade Your Prawn Suit

The Prawn Suit is a walking mech you pilot from inside. It's slower than the Seamoth but much tougher and can carry more tools. Prawn Suit depth modules work the same way as Seamoth ones — start with Mark 1, then Mark 2, then Mark 3 as you go deeper. The Prawn Suit also benefits from the Prawn Suit Thermal Charger, which lets it recharge by standing near lava vents.

The Prawn Suit Drill Arm and Grappling Arm are the most useful tool modules. The Drill Arm lets you mine large mineral deposits and break through certain walls. The Grappling Arm lets you climb steep terrain and pull yourself up cliffs. You can equip both arms at once, but you'll need to build both modules and have the resources to attach them.

How to Upgrade Your Cyclops

The Cyclops is your largest submarine — a full base you can drive. It has its own depth limit, and you upgrade it the same way: build depth modules at the Modification Station and attach them to the vehicle. The Cyclops Depth Module Mark 1 goes to 500 meters, Mark 2 to 1,100 meters, and Mark 3 to 1,700 meters.

The Cyclops also has engine modules that reduce power drain and a Cyclops Sonar Module for navigation. Because the Cyclops is so large, you need to park it very close to your base to use the Modification Station — usually right outside the Moon Pool or docking area. If your base is in the Safe Shallows and you want to upgrade a Cyclops, you may need to build a second base closer to where you park it.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is building modules without having the blueprints unlocked. If you try to craft a module and the station says you don't have the blueprint, stop and search for the data box or blueprint fragment instead. Wasting resources on a module you can't use is frustrating.

Another mistake is forgetting that the station only works on vehicles that are docked or parked nearby. If you're deep underwater in your Seamoth and realize you need a depth upgrade, you have to drive back to your base first. Plan your upgrades before you leave on long expeditions.

Finally, don't neglect depth modules. A Seamoth without a depth upgrade will implode if you take it below 200 meters, and you'll lose the vehicle and everything in it. Prioritize depth over weapons or tools until you can safely explore the biome you're in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Vehicle Modification Station on a vehicle that's in the water?

No. The vehicle must be docked in a Moon Pool or parked on the seafloor very close to your base. If it's floating or swimming away, you cannot attach modules to it. Dock or park first, then interact with the station.

What happens if my submarine goes too deep without a depth module?

The submarine takes damage and eventually implodes, destroying the vehicle and any items inside it. You'll respawn at your base or last safe location, but you lose the submarine and its contents. Always upgrade depth before exploring deeper biomes.

Do I need multiple Vehicle Modification Stations?

No. One station works for all your vehicles. You can build more than one if you have multiple bases in different locations, but a single station in your main base is enough to upgrade everything.

Where do I find Aerogel and Plasteel?

Aerogel is crafted in a fabricator using Gel Sacks (from the Kelp Forest) and Rubies (from the Dunes and Crash Zone). Plasteel is also crafted in a fabricator using Titanium and Lithium. You cannot find either material lying around — you have to craft them.

Can I remove a module after I attach it?

Yes. Interact with the Vehicle Modification Station while your vehicle is docked, and you can remove any module you've installed. You'll get the module back in your inventory, but you won't get the resources used to craft it back.