Gold is a very useful resource in Subnautica: Below Zero, used to craft a variety of different electrical items and tools. Essential items, like Ion Batteries and Parallel Processing Units, require gold. You'll also need Gold to upgrade your hand-held scanner up to a full-on Scanner Room.
Although considered quite valuable, Gold isn't that hard to come by in Subnautica: Below Zero. You just need to know where to look. The Calaverite Outcrops that Gold can be found in are located throughout the ocean, from the Twisty Bridges biome to the Crystal Caves. This guide will cover everything you need to know about striking Gold.
How To Find Gold In Subnautica: Below Zero
An overview:
- Gold can be found in Calaverite Outcrops.
- Gold can be mined from Large Resource Deposits.
- Gold can be collected from Ore Veins.
- Sea Monkeys will offer the player Gold.
Gold is most commonly found in Calaverite Outcrops, which are typically located in deeper waters than Argentite Outcrops, where you'll find Silver.
If those Calaverite Outcrops look familiar to you, it's because they share an almost identical model to the Sandstone Outcrops from the original Subnautica. This should make them easier to find for any experienced Subnautica player.
For those who aren't familiar with the outcrops, this is where the hand-scanner comes in... handy. You can set it to scan for Calaverite Outcrops. Not every outcrop will have gold inside, as Titanium is another common drop.
Which Biomes Have The Most Calaverite Outcrops
As mentioned above, Calaverite Outcrops are located in deeper waters.
- Arctic Kelp Caves, the Crystal Caves, and the Twisty Bridges Caves have more regular spawns of the outcrops.
However, in the very early game, before you have an upgraded Oxygen tank or Seatruck, there is a chance to find Calaverite Outcrops in the upper regions of the Twisty Bridges region. This is a good place to search for your first Gold ore.
Navigating Deep Waters Is Difficult Without An Upgraded Oxygen Tank Or Seatruck
The deeper you go in Below Zero, the harder it is for your character to get enough oxygen. Oxygen depletes at a much faster rate in the deep caves, like the Crystal Caves. To start harvesting larger amounts of Gold, you will need Oxygen upgrades for your tank and a depth upgrade for the Seatruck.
Ordinary Rocks Can Drop Gold, Too
The regular rocks located in the Crystal Caves, at the Koppa Mining Site, and around the Thermal Spires biome also have a chance to drop Gold ore. You can harvest these rocks yourself, although you can also follow a Rock Puncher (at a safe distance, mind) and wait for them to smash open rocks for you.
Gold Can Be Harvested From Large Resource Deposits
Large Resource Deposits are basically much larger versions of the Calaverite Outcrops. They will typically drop between 9-18 Gold when harvested, although they cannot be mined until you have the Mining Drill upgrade for the Prawn Suit.
- Gold Large Resource Deposits are found in the Crystal Caves, at the Koppa Mining Site, and in Deep Lilypad Caves.
Gold Is Also Found In Ore Veins
Gold Ore Veins are located in the Deep Twisty Bridges biome and in the East Arctic. They have a chance to provide Gold ore, which can be collected by reaching into the center of the vein and grabbing it. However, this isn't a super reliable way of getting Gold, as the Ore Veins can contain pretty much every ore in the game.
- Ore veins are located in many biomes, such as the Arctic Spires, Lilypad Island, and Shallow Twisty Bridges, although Gold is apparently more common in the Deep Twisty Bridges biome.
Sea Monkeys Will Offer Gold Ore To The Player
Warning: spoilers ahead. Sea Monkeys will offer Gold Ore to the player once they have reached Sanctuary Zero and retrieves Al-An, who apparently has a pretty good relationship with the friendly creatures.
Once Al-An is in your head, the Sea Monkeys will occasionally offer the player resources. They are more likely to offer players resources if they have a Blueprint pinned, so if you're looking for Gold, pin an Ion Battery, for example. These creatures can also gift you rare diamonds.