Ultimate Cementing Paste Farming Guide for Scorched Earth

Cementing Paste is a cornerstone resource in ARK: Survival Ascended’s Scorched Earth DLC, vital for constructing durable structures, crafting advanced tools, and upgrading your survival setup in the harsh desert environment. Unlike other maps, traditional sources like beaver dams are absent, forcing players to adopt creative farming strategies. This guide explores the most effective methods to secure a steady supply, ensuring you never run short during critical base expansions or taming sessions.

Why Cementing Paste Matters in Scorched Earth

In the arid expanses of Scorched Earth, Cementing Paste enables the creation of reinforced walls, saddles, and industrial machinery that withstand sandstorms and aggressive wildlife. Its scarcity early on can halt progress, but mastering farming techniques turns it into an abundant resource. Players often overlook its role in late-game projects like railgun tracks or massive fortresses, where hundreds of units are required per build.

The map’s unique ecosystem—lacking beavers and frogs—shifts reliance to creature harvesting, taming specific mobs, and efficient crafting. With sandstorms disrupting outdoor activities, indoor or passive farms become game-changers for sustained production.

Primary Farming Methods: From Active Hunts to Passive Yields

Scorched Earth offers diverse approaches to Cementing Paste acquisition, categorized into active harvesting, creature-based production, and industrial crafting. Each method suits different playstyles, from solo adventurers to tribe operations.

Active Chitin Harvesting: Hunt the Desert Dwellers

The desert fringes teeming with scorpions, Mantis, and other chitin-dropping creatures provide the quickest initial hauls. Venture to the map’s edges where these mobs spawn densely, prioritizing Mantis for superior yields—up to 133 chitin per kill compared to 80-84 from alternatives like Sabertooths or Argentavis.

• Best Mounts: Use a tamed Sabertooth or Argentavis for mobility and harvesting efficiency.
• Strategy: Clear packs methodically, collecting stone en route for mortar crafting.
• Yields: Expect 100+ Cementing Paste per hour with optimized tools.

Equip a Stone Pick or tamed creature with high melee damage. Return to base to process via Mortar and Pestle: 16 Chitin + 8 Stone yields 4 Paste. This method shines pre-tame farms but demands constant exposure to heat and threats.

Passive Production: Tame the Achatina Snails

Achatina snails revolutionize farming by producing Paste passively every 30 minutes—approximately 100 units per snail. Caves on Scorched Earth host high-level specimens (up to 389+ on official servers), tameable with Sweet Vegetable Cakes.

Taming Process:

1. Locate accessible caves beyond initial sections, avoiding aggressive fauna.
2. Shoot narcoberries to immobilize; force-feed cakes from range.
3. Tame times average 10 seconds for low-levels; scale up for elites.

House 10-20 snails in enclosed pens with cake feeders. Risks include cave dangers, but rewards are immense: a dozen snails eliminate Paste needs forever. Note potential patches may alter cave tameability—act swiftly.

Crafting Optimization: Gear Up for Bulk Production

Transition from Mortar and Pestle to Chemistry Bench for stacks of 6 Paste rapidly. Requires Oil and Stone alongside Chitin, unlocked mid-game.

Combine with industrial grinders for infinite loops using excess resources. Forums confirm this as the late-game staple.

Advanced Setups: Building Your Paste Empire

Scale operations with dedicated farms. Start with a stone foundation outpost near oases: tent, multiple Mortars, water vein extractor.

• Achatina Farm Blueprint: Enclosed cave-adjacent pen with auto-feeders; monitor via tribe log.
• Mantis Grinding Loop: Tame Thorny Dragon for wood, pair with Chitin runs.
• Hybrid Base: Central Chemistry Bench fed by dino haulers.

For mega-builds like train tracks (200 Metal, 50 Paste, 400 Wood), stockpile via 20+ snails. Weather-proof with Wind Turbines to sustain during storms.

Common Pitfalls and Pro Tips

Avoid overexposure in deserts—heat stroke kills faster than mobs. Stock narcotics for tames; use spyglasses for level scouting. On official servers, cave Achatina remain viable but monitor patches.

Pro Tips:

• Tame high-health Achatina (10k+ HP) for turret-proof breeders.
• Desert edges for endless Mantis respawns.
• Pair with Rock Elemental tames using rocket-farmed Paste.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I find Cementing Paste directly on Scorched Earth?

No natural deposits exist; rely on crafting or creature drops.

Are cave Achatina still tameable?

Yes, on current official settings, but exploit windows close quickly.

What’s the fastest early-game method?

Mantis hunting in deserts with a Stone Pick.

How much Paste for a basic base?

200-500 units for starters; thousands for expansions.

Alternatives to Achatina?

Pulmonoscorpius milking (killing for instant Paste) or Chemistry Bench bulk crafts.

Conclusion: Secure Your Supplies Today

By integrating Achatina farms, chitin hunts, and smart crafting, Cementing Paste becomes a non-issue in Scorched Earth. Experiment with setups to match your playstyle, and dominate the dunes with unbreakable fortifications.