At a Glance
Silver and Lead are two mineral resources that gate your mid-game progression. Silver enables better dive equipment and electronics; Lead unlocks the Sonic Resonator, which lets you mine large ore deposits. Collect them in order: Silver first, then Lead.
| Resource | Early Location | Direction from Lifepod | Depth Zone | Collection Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | Caves near Camp One | North-northeast | Shallow caves | Hand pick (small) / Sonic Resonator (large outcrops) |
| Lead | Cicada Wreck (Lander Garage) | Northeast | Mid-depth seafloor near wreck | Hand pick (small) / Sonic Resonator (large deposits) |
Requirements
Before heading out, bring these items:
- Scanner — requires 2 Titanium + 2 Quartz + 1 Basic Battery at a Fabricator
- Basic Fins — improves swim speed (Fiber + Rubber at Fabricator)
- Survival Multitool — cuts Acidic Raion Pouches for spare batteries
- A few beacons or mental landmarks — Silver and Lead spots are hard to find on return trips
- Distraction Flares (optional) — useful if you explore near the Cicada Wreck
Route Part 1: Silver
Where to Look
The best early Silver is found in caves north-northeast of the Lifepod, in the area around Camp One. Several connected cave systems in this area hold silver nodes.
Landmark cues:
- Swim north toward the Angel Comb / Blackbox Anita signal area
- Look for cave entrances marked by glowing blue flowers with pink centers
- The caves are shallow, well within starting dive limits
Coral Dome note: The dome structure near Anita’s Blackbox area also has small silver nodes at the bottom.
How to Collect
| Node Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small silver node | Pick up by hand | No tool required |
| Silver outcrop (large) | Requires Sonic Resonator | Unlocked later in progression |
For your first trip, pick up small nodes by hand. You need 1 Silver for a Wiring Kit and 2–3 Silver for a Standard Air Tank to start.
Tip: Silver looks similar to Titanium — both are grey metallic rocks. Silver is slightly shinier with more pointed edges. Check the resource label before picking.
What to Craft First
| Item | Silver Needed | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Wiring Kit | 1 Silver | Required for the Sonic Resonator, equipment, and base components |
| Standard Air Tank | 2 Silver | Extends dive time for deeper exploration |
| Wakemaker | 2 Silver | Swim speed boost for long trips |
Priority: Craft the Wiring Kit and Standard Air Tank first. These directly enable deeper exploration and the Sonic Resonator.
Route Part 2: Lead
Where to Look
Lead is concentrated around the Cicada Wreck (also called Lander Garage), northeast of the Lifepod.
Route:
- From the Lifepod, face northeast
- Swim toward the large damaged wreck on the seafloor
- Descend to the seafloor around the base of the wreck and the shallow canyons nearby
- Lead appears as purple blocky cuboid crystals — distinct from the grey Titanium and Silver rocks
Alternative early spot: Look for a blue natal current northeast of the Lifepod. Follow it into a ravine where Lead deposits sit near a ruined colony platform.
How to Collect
| Node Type | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small lead node | Pick up by hand | No tool required |
| Large lead deposit | Requires Sonic Resonator | Returns extra material per node |
For your first Sonic Resonator, you need 2 Lead. Look for small hand-pickable nodes first. Once you craft the Sonic Resonator, return to the large deposits for a bigger haul.
Hazards
The Cicada Wreck area is patrolled by a Marrowbreach — a large apex predator. Stick to the seabed, use wreckage for cover, and avoid open water. Distraction Flares can help if you get its attention.
Strong water currents in the area can push you around. Watch your air supply and keep the wreck in sight so you can navigate back.
From Lead
| Item | Lead Needed | Made At | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic Resonator | 2 Lead | Fabricator | Opens large ore deposits across the game |
| Germanium Ingot | 2 Lead | Processor | Advanced material for later use |
| Sugar of Saturn | 1 Lead + 1 Salt | Fabricator | Food for advanced cooking |
Priority: Your first 2 Lead should go toward the Sonic Resonator. It pays back every piece of Lead by opening large deposits of every mineral.
Efficiency Tips
- Get Silver first. It is closer, shallower, and requires no special tools for the small nodes you need early. Use Silver to craft a Standard Air Tank before heading to the Cicada Wreck.
- Mark your spots. Place a Beacon (1 Copper + 1 Titanium) at reliable Silver and Lead locations. Both are hard to spot on return trips.
- Bring inventory space. Portable Lockers found during exploration can double your carrying capacity on mining runs.
- Build a Scanner Station. A Scanner Station tracks nearby mineral nodes from your base. Building northeast of the Lifepod helps cover the Cicada Wreck Lead deposits.
- Return after the Sonic Resonator. Large deposits give extra material per node compared to hand-picking.
Common Mistakes
- Going for Lead before Silver. The Cicada Wreck is farther and riskier than the Silver caves. Upgrade your air capacity first so you are not rushing against your supply.
- Confusing Silver with Titanium. Both are grey rocks with metallic tint. Silver is shinier and has sharper edges, but check the label to be sure.
- Using Lead for Sugar of Saturn first. Sugar of Saturn is a food item. Your first Lead should always go to the Sonic Resonator.
- Not marking the Cicada Wreck. The wreck looks similar to other seafloor terrain from a distance. A Beacon saves you a lot of swimming.
- Swimming in open water near the Cicada Wreck. The Marrowbreach patrols the open area. Stick to the seabed and use wreckage as cover.
Next Steps
With Silver and Lead secured:
- Build the Sonic Resonator and return for large mineral deposits — see the Sonic Resonator Blueprint Locations guide
- Refill your early material stock with the Early Game Resources Guide
- Return to the Beginner Guide for a full first-session walkthrough