From 1777 to 1778, she was under Lieutenant Bidé de Maurville.[1]
During the War of American Independence, Subtile served in the Indian Ocean in a squadron under Rear-Admiral Thomas d'Estienne d'Orves. Lieutenant Périer de Salvert was in command from 13 September 1780 to 1 November.[2]
On 9 February 1782, Estienne d'Orves died and Suffren assumed command of the squadron. He re-appointed his captains and gave Tromelin de La Nuguy command of Subtile.
She took part in the Battle of Negapatam under Huon de Kermadec on 6 July 1782.
In the year 1787, she sailed for a cruise to China with Résolution (under Bruni d'Entrecasteaux), arriving on 7 February 1787, two days after Lapérouse had left.
In November 1788, she was decommissioned in Toulon and became a hulk in 1789.