What are the best ways to gather cementing paste for base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Cementing Paste is one of the most important resources in ARK: Survival Evolved for base building, as it is required for crafting advanced structures like metal buildings, polymer, and other high-tier items. Gathering Cementing Paste efficiently is crucial for progressing in the game, especially when building large or fortified bases. There are several methods to obtain Cementing Paste, each with its own mechanics, strategies, and considerations.
The most common way to gather Cementing Paste is by harvesting it from specific creatures or resources. One of the easiest methods is to collect Chitin or Keratin and Stone, then craft Cementing Paste in a Mortar and Pestle or Chemistry Bench. Chitin and Keratin can be obtained by killing insects like Trilobites, Araneo, or Scorpions, or by harvesting the shells of creatures like Ankylosaurus or Sabertooth Salmon. Stone is abundant and can be gathered by mining rocks with a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. To craft Cementing Paste, combine 4 Chitin or Keratin with 8 Stone in a Mortar and Pestle, or 2 Chitin or Keratin with 4 Stone in a Chemistry Bench for a more efficient conversion rate.
Another effective method is to gather Cementing Paste directly from beaver dams. Beavers build dams in specific locations, such as rivers or lakes, and these dams contain large amounts of Cementing Paste, along with other resources like Wood and Rare Flowers. To gather Cementing Paste from beaver dams, approach the dam and take the resources from its inventory. However, be cautious, as beavers are territorial and will attack if they see you stealing from their dams. It is recommended to either kill the beavers first or use a fast mount like a Raptor or Argentavis to quickly grab the resources and escape. Be aware that taking all the items from a beaver dam will destroy it, so leave at least one item (like a single piece of Wood) to prevent the dam from despawning, allowing it to respawn later.
For players with access to tamed creatures, certain dinosaurs can make gathering Cementing Paste much easier. The Achatina, a giant snail, passively produces Achatina Paste, which can be used as a substitute for Cementing Paste. While Achatina Paste is not as efficient as Cementing Paste (it requires 2 Achatina Paste to equal 1 Cementing Paste), it is a renewable resource that can be collected over time. Additionally, the Megatherium, a giant sloth, is highly effective at gathering Chitin from insects, making it an excellent choice for players looking to craft large amounts of Cementing Paste. The Megatherium's Insect Killer buff increases its damage and harvesting efficiency when fighting insects, allowing it to gather massive amounts of Chitin quickly.
When gathering Cementing Paste, it is important to plan your resource runs and manage your inventory efficiently. Cementing Paste is heavy, so carrying large amounts can quickly encumber you. Use weight-reducing mounts like the Argentavis or a high-weight stat creature to transport resources back to your base. If you are playing solo, consider setting up a temporary storage area near your farming location to reduce the number of trips needed. For tribes, coordinate with your teammates to divide tasks, such as having one player gather Chitin while another collects Stone, to maximize efficiency.
One common mistake players make is neglecting to protect their Cementing Paste once it is gathered. Cementing Paste is a valuable resource, and other players in PvP servers may target your base to steal it. Store your Cementing Paste in secure containers like Vaults or hidden storage areas to prevent theft. Additionally, avoid overharvesting beaver dams in one area, as this can deplete the local beaver population and reduce the availability of Cementing Paste. Instead, rotate between different dam locations to allow time for respawns.
Advanced players can optimize Cementing Paste production by using a Chemistry Bench, which reduces the resource cost and speeds up the crafting process. Additionally, taming a Doedicurus for Stone gathering and a Megatherium for Chitin can significantly increase your resource output. For tribes, consider setting up a dedicated crafting area with multiple Mortar and Pestles or Chemistry Benches to process large amounts of Cementing Paste simultaneously.
In summary, gathering Cementing Paste in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of resource management, creature taming, and strategic planning. Whether you are crafting it from Chitin and Stone, looting beaver dams, or using Achatina Paste, efficient methods and proper preparation will ensure a steady supply for your base-building needs. By avoiding common mistakes and utilizing advanced techniques, you can maximize your Cementing Paste production and progress smoothly in the game.
The most common way to gather Cementing Paste is by harvesting it from specific creatures or resources. One of the easiest methods is to collect Chitin or Keratin and Stone, then craft Cementing Paste in a Mortar and Pestle or Chemistry Bench. Chitin and Keratin can be obtained by killing insects like Trilobites, Araneo, or Scorpions, or by harvesting the shells of creatures like Ankylosaurus or Sabertooth Salmon. Stone is abundant and can be gathered by mining rocks with a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. To craft Cementing Paste, combine 4 Chitin or Keratin with 8 Stone in a Mortar and Pestle, or 2 Chitin or Keratin with 4 Stone in a Chemistry Bench for a more efficient conversion rate.
Another effective method is to gather Cementing Paste directly from beaver dams. Beavers build dams in specific locations, such as rivers or lakes, and these dams contain large amounts of Cementing Paste, along with other resources like Wood and Rare Flowers. To gather Cementing Paste from beaver dams, approach the dam and take the resources from its inventory. However, be cautious, as beavers are territorial and will attack if they see you stealing from their dams. It is recommended to either kill the beavers first or use a fast mount like a Raptor or Argentavis to quickly grab the resources and escape. Be aware that taking all the items from a beaver dam will destroy it, so leave at least one item (like a single piece of Wood) to prevent the dam from despawning, allowing it to respawn later.
For players with access to tamed creatures, certain dinosaurs can make gathering Cementing Paste much easier. The Achatina, a giant snail, passively produces Achatina Paste, which can be used as a substitute for Cementing Paste. While Achatina Paste is not as efficient as Cementing Paste (it requires 2 Achatina Paste to equal 1 Cementing Paste), it is a renewable resource that can be collected over time. Additionally, the Megatherium, a giant sloth, is highly effective at gathering Chitin from insects, making it an excellent choice for players looking to craft large amounts of Cementing Paste. The Megatherium's Insect Killer buff increases its damage and harvesting efficiency when fighting insects, allowing it to gather massive amounts of Chitin quickly.
When gathering Cementing Paste, it is important to plan your resource runs and manage your inventory efficiently. Cementing Paste is heavy, so carrying large amounts can quickly encumber you. Use weight-reducing mounts like the Argentavis or a high-weight stat creature to transport resources back to your base. If you are playing solo, consider setting up a temporary storage area near your farming location to reduce the number of trips needed. For tribes, coordinate with your teammates to divide tasks, such as having one player gather Chitin while another collects Stone, to maximize efficiency.
One common mistake players make is neglecting to protect their Cementing Paste once it is gathered. Cementing Paste is a valuable resource, and other players in PvP servers may target your base to steal it. Store your Cementing Paste in secure containers like Vaults or hidden storage areas to prevent theft. Additionally, avoid overharvesting beaver dams in one area, as this can deplete the local beaver population and reduce the availability of Cementing Paste. Instead, rotate between different dam locations to allow time for respawns.
Advanced players can optimize Cementing Paste production by using a Chemistry Bench, which reduces the resource cost and speeds up the crafting process. Additionally, taming a Doedicurus for Stone gathering and a Megatherium for Chitin can significantly increase your resource output. For tribes, consider setting up a dedicated crafting area with multiple Mortar and Pestles or Chemistry Benches to process large amounts of Cementing Paste simultaneously.
In summary, gathering Cementing Paste in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of resource management, creature taming, and strategic planning. Whether you are crafting it from Chitin and Stone, looting beaver dams, or using Achatina Paste, efficient methods and proper preparation will ensure a steady supply for your base-building needs. By avoiding common mistakes and utilizing advanced techniques, you can maximize your Cementing Paste production and progress smoothly in the game.