The Undeniable Importance of Cementing Paste
The world of ARK: Survival Evolved is a harsh and unforgiving landscape, teeming with prehistoric creatures and demanding survival instincts. Amidst the dangers, building a secure base is paramount. And the glue that holds your structures together, the essential ingredient that unlocks advanced crafting, is cementing paste. This invaluable resource is a cornerstone for anyone looking to thrive in the ARK universe. But how exactly do you acquire it? This guide will explore the various methods for obtaining cementing paste and why its acquisition is so crucial for your survival.
Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand why cementing paste is so vital. Imagine a primitive world where stone and wood are your initial building blocks. Now, envision advancing to metal structures, powerful saddles, and sophisticated tools. All of this progression hinges on this single, sticky substance.
Cementing paste is a primary ingredient in crafting a vast array of items, including:
- Structures: From metal walls and reinforced structures, cementing paste elevates your base building.
- Saddles: Taming and riding powerful dinosaurs is a core element of ARK, and cementing paste is a critical component for creating saddles.
- Tools: It unlocks the potential to craft advanced tools and equipment that increase your efficiency and power.
- Kibble: Used to tame higher-level creatures and improve the taming process significantly.
- and much more.
Without a steady supply of cementing paste, your progress will be severely limited. You’ll find yourself trapped in the early game, struggling to defend against raids or build the advanced structures necessary to survive the ever-present threats.
Methods for Obtaining Cementing Paste
Let’s explore the various methods available to obtain this essential resource.
Harvesting from Beaver Dams
One of the most efficient early-game methods involves exploring rivers and lakes in search of beaver dams. These unique structures, built by the industrious Castoroides (beavers), often contain substantial amounts of cementing paste, along with other valuable resources.
Finding these dams requires some exploration. The beavers frequently build their dams near water sources, such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. Keep an eye out for their distinctive architectural style; they’re usually large, conical structures made of wood.
When you locate a beaver dam, interact with it to access its inventory. Be warned, though: These dams are often guarded by aggressive Castoroides. It’s wise to be prepared for a fight. If you’re early game, bringing along a pack of dilophosaurs is a good way to deter them.
Once you’ve opened the dam’s inventory, you can collect the precious cementing paste. Ensure that you don’t take everything in one go. Leaving some resources in the dam will help it respawn quickly.
This method is one of the most viable early game ways to get cementing paste if you can get by the beavers!
Grinding Chitin or Keratin
As you advance in the game, you’ll discover that the most reliable way to produce cementing paste requires grinding Chitin or Keratin. These resources are found in various creatures around the island.
Chitin is primarily obtained from insects, arachnids, and arthropods such as giant spiders, scorpions, and mantises.
Keratin is found inside the dead bodies of some animals like the Iguanodon, Triceratops, and any creatures that have horns or plates.
To transform these resources into cementing paste, you’ll need a Mortar and Pestle. This crafting station is one of the first structures you’ll be able to create. To craft a Mortar and Pestle, you’ll need simple resources such as stone, wood, and thatch. Place the chitin or keratin in the mortar, along with some stone to grind the items into the paste.
As you progress, you can craft the Industrial Grinder, which drastically speeds up this process. This machine can be powered by gasoline and is far more efficient than the Mortar and Pestle, allowing for rapid production of cementing paste.
This method requires more time and effort, but it becomes a very viable way of getting cementing paste once you have access to an industrial grinder.
Acquiring from Merchants (if applicable)
On certain maps or game modes, merchants or traders may appear and sell cementing paste in exchange for specific items. This method can be a great alternative, particularly if you have an abundance of items that the merchants are looking for. However, keep in mind that this method may not be always accessible.
The Dung Beetle Approach
One of the more unconventional, yet highly effective, ways to obtain cementing paste is by utilizing the Dung Beetle. These fascinating creatures naturally produce cementing paste through their unique digestive system.
To make this work, you need to tame a Dung Beetle. You can find these beetles roaming around in the wild, but taming them will require patience and a specific approach. Once you’ve successfully tamed a Dung Beetle, place it inside of a structure, ideally with a dedicated room or pen.
Next, provide it with a source of fertilizer or feces. As the Dung Beetle digests this material, it will passively produce cementing paste in its inventory. This is a low-effort, sustainable method that can greatly contribute to your cementing paste supply.
Alternative Sources
Occasionally, the game may introduce temporary events or other niche methods for acquiring cementing paste. These can include holiday events, quests, or special creature harvests. Keeping an eye on the game’s updates and community discussions will help you take advantage of these opportunities.
Maximizing Cementing Paste Production
Obtaining cementing paste is only half the battle. You also need to optimize your methods to maximize your production.
Efficient Harvesting Techniques
If you’re focusing on gathering Chitin or Keratin, using the right tools and dinos can dramatically increase your efficiency. For example, using a metal hatchet or a chainsaw to harvest the chitin from creatures, instead of using your bare hands, can be far more effective.
Resource Storage Management
Efficient resource management is crucial. Invest in storage solutions such as preserving bins or vaults. The preserving bin helps keep chitin and keratin longer. The Vault is for storing bulk resources. Organize your resources, and ensure your production areas are well-supplied.
Optimizing Crafting Locations
Place your Mortar and Pestles or your Industrial Grinders in a convenient location, ideally near your storage solutions. Set up your production areas in a location that is safe from potential threats or creatures.
Cementing Paste Recipes and Usage Examples
The applications of cementing paste in ARK are virtually limitless. Here are a few examples to illustrate its significance:
- Metal Structures: Advanced bases demand structures that can withstand attacks. Metal walls, ceilings, and other components are crucial for this and need cementing paste.
- Advanced Saddles: Saddles for high-level dinosaurs like the Argentavis and the Rex require a significant amount of cementing paste.
- Taming: Many higher-level taming options such as kibble will use cementing paste as an ingredient.
Conclusion
From the moment you set foot on the ARK, cementing paste is essential for progress. Whether you’re harvesting from beaver dams, grinding chitin and keratin, trading with merchants, or utilizing dung beetles, the goal is to maintain a steady supply. The optimal method for acquiring cementing paste depends on your progression level, play style, and the map you’re playing on. Experiment with the various methods discussed in this guide, adapt your strategies, and you will find success.
This resource is more than just a crafting ingredient; it’s the key to survival, progression, and ultimately, conquering the ARK.
Now get out there, gather that cementing paste, and build the base of your dreams! Do you have any tips or tricks for obtaining cementing paste that weren’t covered here? Share your insights in the comments below!
