Crafting Cementing Paste in ARK: A Complete Tutorial
Cementing paste is a crucial resource in the video gameARK: Survival Evolved and its successor,ARK: Survival Ascended. Its significance stems from its role as a fundamental building block for a vast array of mid-to-high-level items and structures. From crafting powerful weapons and tools to constructing robust bases and fortifications, cementing paste is indispensable for survival and advancement within the game's challenging environment. This guide will delve into every aspect of cementing paste, from its acquisition and crafting to its diverse applications and strategic implications, catering to both novice and experienced players.
Specific Methods of Obtaining Cementing Paste
1. Direct Crafting: The Mortar and Pestle Method
The most common method of obtaining cementing paste involves crafting it using a mortar and pestle. This requires specific ingredients: chitin or keratin (obtained from insects and other creatures) and stone. The exact ratio varies slightly depending on the game version and platform, but generally, it involves a combination of 4 units of chitin/keratin and 8 units of stone. While straightforward, this method can be time-consuming, particularly in the early stages of the game when resources are scarce.
2. Enhanced Crafting: Utilizing the Chem Bench
For more efficient production, players can utilize a chemical bench. This advanced crafting station significantly increases the yield of cementing paste per batch compared to the mortar and pestle. While the input ratio remains similar, the output is notably higher, often yielding 7,500 units compared to the mortar and pestle's much lower output. This method represents a substantial increase in efficiency for large-scale projects.
3. Exploiting Natural Resources: Beaver Dams and Achatina
Nature offers alternative avenues for acquiring cementing paste. Giant beaver dams naturally generate a considerable amount of the paste. This serves as a passive and readily available source, although the location and size of these dams can vary. Furthermore, taming and utilizing Achatina (giant snails) provides another sustainable method. These creatures produce Achatina paste, which functions identically to cementing paste, offering a continuous supply once tamed and properly cared for. This requires the player to acquire sweet vegetable cakes to feed the snails.
4. Utilizing the Beelzebufo: A Unique Harvesting Method
The Beelzebufo, a unique amphibian creature, offers a more unconventional approach to cementing paste acquisition. By feeding it specific insects (Titanomyrma, Meganeura, and Jug Bugs), this creature produces cementing paste as a byproduct. This method requires taming the Beelzebufo and a consistent supply of the necessary insects, making it a more specialized but potentially rewarding approach. The efficiency of this method depends on insect density in the area and the Beelzebufo's feeding rate.
5. Maximizing Chitin Acquisition: The Megatherium Advantage
For players focused on crafting cementing paste via the mortar and pestle or chemical bench, maximizing chitin acquisition is key. Taming and utilizing a Megatherium, a powerful ground sloth, significantly boosts chitin harvesting efficiency. The Megatherium's unique ability to increase damage upon killing insects leads to a substantial increase in chitin yield per insect, streamlining the crafting process.
Understanding the Properties and Uses of Cementing Paste
Cementing paste, whether crafted or gathered, acts as a versatile binding agent withinARK. Its primary function is as a crucial component in a vast number of crafting recipes. Its waterproof nature makes it particularly suitable for constructing durable structures and equipment.
Crafting Applications: A Wide Range of Uses
Cementing paste is a vital ingredient in the creation of a diverse range of items, including:
- Advanced Weapons: Many high-damage weapons require cementing paste for their construction, enhancing offensive capabilities.
- Fortifications: Stronger walls, foundations, and other structural elements rely on cementing paste for their durability and weather resistance.
- Tools and Equipment: Several essential tools and pieces of equipment necessitate cementing paste as a crafting component.
- Other essential items: The exact items that require cementing paste vary depending on the game version and installed DLC.
Strategic Considerations and Advanced Techniques
Efficient cementing paste management is crucial for long-term success inARK. Understanding the trade-offs between different acquisition methods and planning for future projects is paramount.
Balancing Resource Acquisition and Consumption
Players should strive to maintain a consistent supply of cementing paste, anticipating future construction and crafting needs. This involves optimizing resource gathering, choosing the most efficient methods based on available resources and creature taming capabilities, and carefully managing inventory space.
Long-Term Planning and Base Construction
Large-scale base construction requires a significant amount of cementing paste. Players should plan their base designs accordingly, estimating the necessary amount of paste and coordinating resource acquisition with construction phases. Efficient base design can minimize material waste and optimize resource utilization.
Comparative Analysis of Acquisition Methods
Each method of obtaining cementing paste presents unique advantages and disadvantages. Direct crafting offers simplicity but limited yield, while the chem bench drastically improves efficiency. Exploiting natural resources like beaver dams offers a passive income, but its reliability depends on location. The Beelzebufo method is specialized but potentially highly effective. Choosing the optimal strategy depends on the player's current stage of the game, resources available, and preferred play style. A balanced approach, combining multiple methods, is often the most effective long-term strategy.
Addressing Common Misconceptions and Challenges
Several common misconceptions surround cementing paste acquisition and utilization. Understanding these misconceptions and potential challenges can significantly improve gameplay.
Mythbusting: Efficiency vs. Simplicity
Some players may mistakenly believe that simpler methods are always preferable. While direct crafting via the mortar and pestle is straightforward, the significant time and resource investment make it less efficient than the chem bench in the long run. Players must weigh the simplicity of one method against the efficiency gains of another.
Overcoming Resource Scarcity in Early Game
In the early stages of the game, resources can be limited. Focusing on efficiently gathering chitin and stone, and strategically utilizing the mortar and pestle, is crucial. Exploring for beaver dams can also significantly supplement early-game cementing paste supplies.
Advanced Strategies for Experienced Players
Experienced players can optimize cementing paste acquisition through a combination of techniques. Mass taming of insects for chitin, effectively utilizing the Megatherium for harvesting, and establishing a long-term supply chain through Achatina farming are all viable strategies. The use of automation and server-side commands (where applicable) can further enhance efficiency.
Cementing paste is undeniably a cornerstone resource inARK: Survival Evolved andARK: Survival Ascended. Understanding its various acquisition methods, properties, and strategic applications is crucial for survival and advancement. By combining efficient crafting techniques, resource management, and strategic planning, players can overcome challenges and establish a sustainable supply of cementing paste, enabling them to build powerful bases, craft advanced weapons, and ultimately thrive in the challenging world of ARK.
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