How Do You Make Cementing Paste in Ark: Survival Evolved? A Survivor’s Guide

Cementing Paste is arguably one of the most crucial resources you’ll need to thrive in the harsh world of Ark: Survival Evolved. From crafting powerful weapons and sturdy structures to taming formidable creatures, Cementing Paste is the glue that holds your survival together. But how do you make Cementing Paste in Ark: Survival Evolved? This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know, from gathering the necessary resources to efficient crafting methods, ensuring you’re never short on this vital component.

Unlike some resources that can be found readily scattered across the Ark, Cementing Paste requires a bit more effort to acquire. This guide goes beyond the basics, offering expert tips and tricks to optimize your Cementing Paste production, allowing you to focus on dominating the Ark rather than grinding for resources. Prepare to elevate your crafting game and unlock the full potential of your Ark experience.

Understanding Cementing Paste: The Cornerstone of Ark’s Crafting System

Cementing Paste is more than just a crafting ingredient; it’s a fundamental element that underpins your progression in Ark: Survival Evolved. Its versatility makes it indispensable for constructing advanced structures, crafting potent weaponry, and taming some of the game’s most challenging creatures. Understanding its properties and efficient production methods is key to long-term survival and dominance.

At its core, Cementing Paste acts as an adhesive, bonding various materials together to create stronger, more durable items. It’s a non-renewable resource, meaning it can only be crafted or harvested from specific sources, making efficient acquisition strategies paramount. Neglecting your Cementing Paste supply can severely hinder your progress, leaving you vulnerable to both the environment and other players.

Its importance stems from its extensive use in crafting a wide range of essential items, including:

• Weapons: From firearms to melee weapons, Cementing Paste is a critical component in many of Ark’s most powerful offensive tools.
• Structures: Fortify your base with reinforced walls, ceilings, and foundations, all requiring significant amounts of Cementing Paste.
• Armor: Protect yourself from the elements and enemy attacks with durable armor sets crafted using Cementing Paste.
• Tools: Improve your resource gathering efficiency with advanced tools that rely on Cementing Paste for their construction.
• Taming: Many taming strategies require specific items, such as tranquilizer darts, which rely on Cementing Paste.

The demand for Cementing Paste increases exponentially as you progress through the game. Early on, you might only need small amounts for basic tools and structures. However, as you advance and seek to build larger bases, craft more powerful weapons, and tame more challenging creatures, your Cementing Paste consumption will skyrocket. Efficient production and resource management become essential to avoid bottlenecks and maintain a steady supply.

The Recipe for Success: Gathering the Ingredients for Cementing Paste

Crafting Cementing Paste requires a specific combination of resources, each playing a crucial role in the final product. The standard recipe calls for:

• Chitin or Keratin: These organic polymers are primarily obtained from insects and other creatures.
• Stone: A readily available resource found throughout the Ark’s various environments.

The standard crafting recipe in a mortar and pestle, chemistry bench, or castroides dam is 2 Chitin/Keratin and 1 Stone. The specific amount of resources required may vary depending on the crafting station and any applied crafting bonuses. While the recipe itself is simple, the real challenge lies in efficiently acquiring the necessary ingredients, particularly Chitin or Keratin.

Chitin vs. Keratin: Understanding the Differences and Sources

While both Chitin and Keratin can be used interchangeably in the Cementing Paste recipe, understanding their differences and sources is crucial for optimizing your resource gathering strategy.

• Chitin: Primarily obtained from insects and arthropods, such as ants, spiders, and scorpions. It’s generally more abundant in caves and swampy areas.
• Keratin: Derived from the horns, scales, and shells of various creatures, including turtles, snails, and some dinosaurs. It’s often found in coastal regions and areas with diverse fauna.

The choice between Chitin and Keratin often depends on your location and the available resources in your immediate vicinity. If you’re near a cave teeming with insects, Chitin might be the more readily available option. Conversely, if you’re based near the coast, Keratin from turtles and other marine creatures might be easier to acquire.

Optimizing Chitin and Keratin Harvesting: Tips and Tricks

Efficiently harvesting Chitin and Keratin requires the right tools, tames, and strategies. Here are some expert tips to maximize your yields:

• Use the Right Tools: Certain tools are more effective at harvesting Chitin and Keratin than others. Metal tools generally yield higher amounts compared to stone tools.
• Tame Specialized Harvesters: Some creatures excel at harvesting specific resources. For Chitin, consider taming a Megatherium, which gains a damage bonus against insects. For Keratin, Ankylosaurus can be effective at harvesting from turtles.
• Target High-Yield Creatures: Focus on creatures that provide significant amounts of Chitin or Keratin. For Chitin, Arthropluera and Pulmonoscorpius are excellent targets. For Keratin, Carbonemys (turtles) and snails are good options.
• Explore Caves: Caves are often teeming with insects and other creatures that yield Chitin. However, be prepared for the dangers lurking within.
• Use a Sabertooth: The Sabertooth is a versatile tame that can efficiently harvest chitin and keratin from a variety of creatures.

Crafting Cementing Paste: Mortar and Pestle vs. Chemistry Bench

Once you’ve gathered the necessary ingredients, the next step is to craft the Cementing Paste. There are two primary crafting stations you can use:

• Mortar and Pestle: An early-game crafting station that’s relatively easy to acquire. It’s a good option for basic Cementing Paste production.
• Chemistry Bench: A mid-to-late-game crafting station that offers faster crafting speeds and reduced resource costs. It’s the preferred option for large-scale Cementing Paste production.

The Mortar and Pestle is a simple crafting station that can be crafted relatively early in the game. It requires minimal resources and is a good option for beginners. However, its crafting speed is slow, and it doesn’t offer any resource efficiency bonuses. The Chemistry Bench, on the other hand, requires more advanced resources and blueprints to construct, but it offers significantly faster crafting speeds and can reduce the amount of resources required per craft.

Optimizing Crafting Speed and Efficiency

Regardless of the crafting station you choose, there are several ways to optimize your Cementing Paste production:

• Crafting Skill: Increasing your character’s crafting skill can reduce the amount of resources required per craft and increase crafting speed.
• Crafting Bonuses: Certain creatures, such as the Dung Beetle, can provide crafting bonuses when placed near a crafting station.
• Industrial Grinder: While not directly involved in crafting, the Industrial Grinder can efficiently convert Stone into Flint, which can be used for other crafting recipes, freeing up your Stone supply for Cementing Paste.

Alternative Cementing Paste Sources: Beyond Crafting

While crafting is the most common method for obtaining Cementing Paste, there are alternative sources you can explore:

• Beaver Dams: Castoroides (Beavers) construct dams that often contain Cementing Paste, along with other valuable resources. Raiding these dams can be a quick way to acquire Cementing Paste, but be prepared to face the angry beavers guarding them.
• Achatina: These giant snails passively produce Cementing Paste over time. Taming and keeping Achatina can provide a steady, albeit slow, supply of Cementing Paste.
• Loot Crates: Occasionally, Cementing Paste can be found in loot crates scattered throughout the Ark.

Beaver dams are a risky but rewarding source of Cementing Paste. They can be found in rivers and lakes and are easily identifiable by their large size and the presence of Castoroides nearby. Be cautious when approaching a dam, as the beavers will become aggressive if you get too close. Achatina are a passive source of Cementing Paste. They produce it slowly over time, but they require minimal maintenance and can be a valuable addition to your base. Loot crates are a less reliable source of Cementing Paste, as their contents are random. However, it’s always worth checking loot crates when you come across them, as you might find other valuable resources as well.

Cementing Paste: A Review of Its Strengths and Weaknesses

Cementing Paste is an indispensable resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, but it’s not without its drawbacks. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses can help you make informed decisions about your resource management strategy.

Pros:

• Versatility: Used in a wide range of crafting recipes, from weapons and structures to armor and tools.
• Essential for Progression: Required for crafting advanced items and taming powerful creatures.
• Multiple Acquisition Methods: Can be crafted, harvested from beaver dams, or obtained from Achatina.

Cons:

• Time-Consuming to Craft: Requires gathering specific resources and crafting them in a crafting station.
• Can Be Difficult to Acquire in Large Quantities: Requires efficient resource gathering strategies and optimized crafting methods.
• Beaver Dams are Dangerous: Raiding beaver dams can be risky due to the aggressive beavers guarding them.

Ideal User Profile:

Cementing Paste is essential for all players in Ark: Survival Evolved, regardless of their playstyle or level. However, it’s particularly important for players who:

• Focus on Building: Requires large amounts of Cementing Paste for constructing fortified bases.
• Engage in Combat: Needs Cementing Paste for crafting powerful weapons and armor.
• Tame Creatures: Uses Cementing Paste for crafting taming-related items.

Key Alternatives:

While Cementing Paste is the primary adhesive in Ark: Survival Evolved, there are a few limited alternatives:

• Sap: Can be used as a substitute for Cementing Paste in some crafting recipes, but it’s less versatile.

Overall, Cementing Paste is a vital resource that every Ark player must master. While it can be time-consuming to acquire, its versatility and essential role in progression make it well worth the effort. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can ensure a steady supply of Cementing Paste and thrive in the harsh world of Ark: Survival Evolved.

Mastering the Art of Cementing Paste Production

In conclusion, mastering how do you make Cementing Paste in Ark: Survival Evolved is a crucial step towards dominating the game. From understanding the nuances of Chitin and Keratin harvesting to optimizing your crafting methods, this guide has provided you with the knowledge and strategies to efficiently produce this vital resource. Remember, a steady supply of Cementing Paste is the key to unlocking advanced crafting recipes, building formidable structures, and taming powerful creatures.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to become a Cementing Paste master, share your own tips and tricks in the comments below! What are your favorite methods for gathering Chitin and Keratin? What crafting strategies have you found most effective? Let’s build a community of expert survivors and conquer the Ark together!