Modular Carrier: Quick-Swap Chassis Station for the Tadpole

Instead of just having a large submarine (like the Cyclops) that acts as a transport, I suggest a new large vessel that functions as a Mobile Engineering Hub. Inside this ship, you have a docking bay for the Tadpole.

The core feature is a Quick-Swap Chassis Station. While the Tadpole is docked, the player can use a terminal inside the large submarine to instantly swap out the Tadpole’s “Chassis” or “Shell” using mechanical arms.

How it works:

You build different specialized chassis (e.g., Armored, High-Speed, Deep-Sea, or Cargo) and store them inside the large submarine’s walls.

When you dock the Tadpole, you don’t have to leave the sub. You just press a button, and the mechanical arms strip the current chassis and click a new one into place.

Then, you launch the Tadpole again, perfectly equipped for the specific biome outside.

Why this would be cool:

True Strategic Depth: It makes the large submarine a “Command Center” rather than just a bus. It allows players to react to dangers (like Leviathans or heat zones) in real-time.

Co-op Synergy: In multiplayer, one player can be the “Engineer” inside the sub, prepping the right chassis, while the other player is the “Pilot” out on missions.

Progression: It gives players a reason to farm resources for multiple chassis types, making the mid-to-late game much more rewarding.

Visual Impact: Seeing the mechanical arms work on the Tadpole inside the docking bay would look incredible in Unreal Engine 5.

To add to this, having preset upgrade groups would be nice (Or storing them WITH the chassis), so you can trade out depth modules for solars and a storage module when you’re on a transport run without needing to rummage through chests for the upgrades.

Was just about to make a suggestion for this. Especially as we get more and more chassis’s and the map gets bigger, being able to take them with you will be incredibly important. Quick swapping being a cherry on top.