Resources / Gold
Where to find Gold
Gold is found in the volcanic vent region east of the Lifepod, especially on rocks around the crashed colony ship. Unlock Heat Tolerance before making this trip, and bring a Sonic Resonator for the larger deposits.
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Eastern wreck Gold route
The volcanic region is a progression trip: temperature and predators matter as much as finding the right rock. The wreck described in the route is roughly 450 meters east of the Lifepod. Treat that distance as a way to narrow your search, then identify the ship and surrounding rocky ground.
- Prepare the mining tool first. Make the Sonic Resonator and charge its battery. If Lead is the missing ingredient, use the northeast ravine route before setting out east.
- Unlock Heat Tolerance. The Angel Comb northwest of the Lifepod provides the route to this adaptation; its viral growths require the Resonator. Finish that detour before committing to the hot zone.
- Travel east toward the wreck. Orange water, drifting sparks and an on-screen temperature gauge identify the volcanic environment. Keep track of where you crossed into it so the return direction remains clear.
- Search the rocks around the ship. Pick up loose Gold fragments and break the mineable deposits with the Resonator. Larger predatory fish patrol the wreck, so inspect the area before stopping to mine.
- Bank the haul. Return when you have the materials for your next project. Scanning more wreckage and extending the mining trip are separate decisions: leave an oxygen and battery reserve for the journey home.
A large ore deposit and a loose fragment require different actions. If a piece can be picked up, collect it directly; if the game requests a tool, use the Resonator. Heat Tolerance opens the region, but it does not refill oxygen or protect you from the fish around the wreck.
What to save Gold for
Reserve 3 Gold for one Thermal Plant, or 1 Gold, 1 Sulfur and 1 Wiring Kit for an Advanced Wiring Kit when an electronics project is next. A Thermal Plant and one Advanced Wiring Kit therefore need 4 Gold before any extra acid production.
The advanced chip chain ends in a Dedicated Core: it uses an Advanced Wiring Kit, 2 Quartz and Strong Acid. A regular System Chip uses a Wiring Kit and 2 Quartz, so you do not need to enter the volcanic region just to make that basic chip. Strong Acid also has a Necrolei Cyst recipe, allowing you to save Gold for other projects.
| Craft | Station | Materials per craft |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal Plant | Habitat Builder | 3 Titanium + 3 Copper + 3 Gold |
| Advanced Wiring Kit | Fabricator | 1 Wiring Kit + 1 Gold + 1 Sulfur |
| Strong Acid (from Sulfur, Gold) | Processor | 1 Sulfur + 1 Gold |
| Dedicated Core | Fabricator | 1 Advanced Wiring Kit + 2 Quartz + 1 Strong Acid |
For a combined shopping list, add your planned crafts to the crafting planner. Each row above is one craft; it does not include materials already spent making its components.
Make the hot-zone trip worthwhile
Take food, water, a charged movement tool and a mining battery with enough power for the return plan. An upgraded tank or vehicle can make the trip more forgiving, but check your actual oxygen supply before each mining stop. Do not treat the ship itself as a guaranteed refill point.
Sulfur is a useful companion resource because it combines with Gold in both Advanced Wiring Kits and one Strong Acid recipe. If you only need Sulfur for a Repair Tool, its shallower southeast route avoids this full Gold expedition.
For later exploration, the same heat preparation leads into the Tadpole Pens route. Complete the immediate crafting objective before turning a successful collection run into a deeper cave expedition.