SubCargo Items and Data Chips
Know which structure loot is exclusive, sellable, or a trap for underfueled crews.
Alpha economies in SubCargo run on three pipes: delivery payouts, shop purchases, and structure loot. This page focuses on the third pipe—especially the Data Chip exclusive added in alpha 0.2.0—so divers stop treating every crate as equal. Pair it with Diving and Structures for the airlock loop and Dock Shops for vendor prices.
The embedded diving video shows how quickly a loot job can become a wipe. Use it as a caution tape, not a dare.
Structure loot rules of thumb
Community structure notes (alpha ~0.2.2 era) list:
- Labs — most common; broad loot tables; often missing only a few items (broken TVs called out as obvious exclusions in older notes)
- Wrecked submarines — fewer items but higher value pieces
- Drilling sites — rarer
- Newer points of interest — community editors warn older lists miss later additions such as crab-related places
Random structures can contain almost any item except the scrap collector, plus exclusives. The scrap collector’s absence from structure tables is why buying it at Underforge matters for dedicated farmers.
Data Chip (alpha 0.2.0 exclusive)
The Data Chip is documented as a structure-exclusive introduced in alpha 0.2.0. It does not behave like a welder you can simply buy every dock. That scarcity makes chips a reason to dive even when shop shelves look full.
Crew policy ideas:
- Assign chip callouts the same way you call Larry
- Bank chips before buying luxury guns
- Do not dive for chips on a single fuel rod or flooded engineering room
Track whether later patches change chip spawns on Patch Notes 0.2.
Tools versus loot versus weapons
| Category | Typical source | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Welder, wrench, mop, extinguisher | Underforge / some spawns | Buy backups; see tools tier list |
| Scrap collector | Underforge only (per community notes) | Not in structure tables |
| Fuel rods | ReCore (+ free top rod) | Dual-rod reactor rule |
| Handheld guns | Krakken’s Arsenal | Friendly fire exists |
| Data Chip | Structures only | Alpha 0.2.0 exclusive |
| Oxygen, flares | Structure loot / dock-related | Dive endurance |
Full rankings: Tools & Gear Tier List and Weapons Tier List.
When diving is worth the risk
Dive when:
- Dual rods are seated and burn time is comfortable (Reactor and Fuel)
- Reactor room is under the 20% flood threshold
- Larry is not on a surface patrol
- Someone owns welder duty after re-entry
Skip diving when you are solo on low fuel—read Solo Runs.
Selling and spending loop
- Loot structures with headlamp on
- Return through a controlled airlock
- Sell junk at dock
- Restock rods and repair tools before the next contract
- Only then upgrade guns
Crane operators should finish Crane Operations so contract freight and loot stacks do not get confused during unload.
Lore crumbs inside items
Data chips and ruined labs fit Hadron’s information-and-industry footprint across the Ocean Veins. Flavor lives on Hadron and Lore; prices live here and on shop pages.
Alpha volatility
Loot tables are the first thing silent hotfixes touch. If a chip route dries up overnight, check Updates before rewriting your entire economy plan.
Related pages
- Diving and Structures — airlock and structure access
- Dock Shops — what to buy instead of dive
- Tools Hub — utilities index
- Patch Notes 0.2 — when Data Chips arrived
- Tier List Hub — spend priority after selling loot
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for SubCargo crews in Roblox alpha.
What is a Data Chip in SubCargo?
A structure-exclusive item introduced in alpha 0.2.0. It is part of why diving still matters even when dock shops are stocked.
Can structures drop a scrap collector?
Community notes say structures exclude scrap collectors, so Underforge is the reliable purchase path.
Which structure type is most common?
Labs are described as the most common, with wrecked subs offering fewer but pricier items and drilling sites appearing rarely.
Should I dive before buying fuel rods?
No. Seat dual rods and keep engineering dry first—loot is worthless after a blackout wipe.
Where do I learn the dive loop itself?
Use the Diving and Structures guide for suits, airlocks, and headlights, then return here for loot priorities.