I surface with my HUD screaming low oxygen and the Research Outpost looming ahead. The structure sat like a black tooth against the seabed, and for a second I taste panic—then a simple fact cuts through: the Modification Station is the shortcut from “slow grind” to “late-game toys.” I’m going to walk you to that scan, place the station, and rig your Tadpole so you stop wasting time.
I’ve spent hours testing routes in the Steam Early Access build and racing the clock with a Wakemaker. You’ll get directions you can follow blind, plus the few tricks that save runs, protect your resources, and get upgrades like Engine Efficiency and Sonic Resonator mods online fast.
You can see the Alien Ruins on the east compass at about 1300m — the towers are unmistakable
Head due east from the lifepod for roughly 1,300 meters. Set your compass to East and either swim or use a Wakemaker to shave minutes off the trip; I recommend the Wakemaker if you value your sanity.
The Research Outpost sits at about 140 meters depth, tucked left of the large alien tower. If you overshoot and drop deeper, hold spacebar to rise; the vertical corridors can be disorienting if you panic. Enter through the main arch, scan the interior, and you’ll find a short corridor that leads to the Engine Efficiency module first.
Keep going into the main tunnel and take the right turn: the Modification Station itself sits in that chamber. Scan it once and the blueprint is added to your tech tree—no more guesswork, no rare loot table gamble.
Where is the Modification Station blueprint?
Short answer: the Research Outpost in the Alien Ruins, east of your lifepod at ~1300m. Steps that work every run:
- Set compass to East and travel 1,300m.
- Use a Wakemaker for speed or swim if you prefer conservation mode.
- Find the outpost at ~140m depth, enter the main tunnel, turn right, and scan the station.
Most players already own a Habitat Builder before they need this station — that tool places the station in your base
Bring the blueprint home and craft the Modification Station with your Habitat Builder (resources required). You’ll place it inside a habitat module where it becomes a crafting terminal for modification recipes.
Open the station to see a list of available modifications and their resource costs. Crafting applies the mod automatically to eligible items—you don’t need a separate attachment step. Think of mods snapping into the Tadpole like a second skin: they’re immediate and dependable, and they change how you play.
How do I use the Modification Station?
Place the station inside any habitat using the Habitat Builder. Interact with the terminal to view mods, provide the listed ingredients, then confirm craft. The station shows which tools or vehicles accept each mod; the application is instant.
What upgrades can the Modification Station craft?
Current options in early access include Engine Efficiency (Tadpole), weapon and tool upgrades like improved Sonic Resonator range, and utility mods that reduce power draw. Expect new recipes as the devs push updates on Steam; I track patches so you don’t have to.
Small tips from my test runs: mark the outpost on your in-game map if you use mods like HandyWaypoints, carry extra air tanks for nervous ascents, and scan everything visible once inside the outpost—there are other tech fragments nearby. If you’re playing on a controller, map a quick-access button to ascend vertically; it saves lives.
If you want to reach late-game content faster, prioritize the Modification Station blueprint over two optional story fragments—your Tadpole’s upgrades repay the time with interest. Will you keep running empty-handed, or fit your sub with the tools that change how you play?