Where to Find Lead in Subnautica 2

Quick answer

For early lead, head northeast from the Lifepod toward the ravine with a blue natural current, roughly 280 meters out on a 75 degree bearing. Current launch-build route notes point to small lead pickups and larger deposits along this ravine.

How to reach the lead ravine

Swim northeast from the Lifepod until you see the blue current below you, then drop into the ravine. Watch for the colony platform and Tadpole fragment on the left; lead appears along the ravine floor and nearby sides.

• Bring enough oxygen for a return swim, especially before vehicle access.
• Pick up hand-collectable lead first because the Sonic Resonator itself needs lead.
• After crafting the Sonic Resonator, return for larger lead deposits if needed.
• Combine this trip with Tadpole fragment scouting when inventory allows.

Fast lead run

This run is mainly for players trying to craft the Sonic Resonator. Get enough lead for the recipe first, then return later for larger deposits after the tool is built.

• Leave the Lifepod with a mostly empty inventory and enough oxygen for a ravine descent.
• Hold a northeast line toward about 75 degrees until the blue current becomes visible below.
• Drop into the ravine, sweep the floor and lower walls, and collect small lead pieces before checking large deposits.
• Scan nearby Tadpole fragments only if oxygen allows; do not lose the lead run trying to complete a vehicle route early.
• Return once you have the lead needed for the Sonic Resonator or any immediate recipe.

What to combine with lead

The lead route overlaps useful progression, but only combine objectives when you can safely return.

• Sonic Resonator: lead is one of the key materials, so this is the main early reason to visit.
• Tadpole scans: one efficient Tadpole fragment route overlaps the same northeast ravine.
• Base outpost scouting: the northeast route has later progression value, but do not build there before power and storage are solved.
• Large deposit farming: return after the Sonic Resonator is crafted.

What lead is used for

Lead is a focused progression material in the opening phase. Its main early value is getting the Sonic Resonator built so larger ore deposits stop blocking progress.

• Sonic Resonator crafting.
• Germanium ingot processing paths when silver is not used.
• Later vehicle, tool, and base-related material chains.

If the ravine looks empty

Lead can be easy to miss because the useful search area is below the visible surface route.

• Drop into the ravine rather than circling above the blue current.
• Check the sand and walls near the colony platform and Tadpole fragment route.
• If every useful object is a large deposit, finish the Sonic Resonator path and return for deposit mining.
• If oxygen is the problem, do silver and air tank progress first.

References

• PC Gamer lead launch-build route

Lead FAQ