Cementing paste is one of the most vital crafting resources in ARK: Survival Evolved, serving as a primary ingredient for mid to late-game technology. From advanced weaponry and metal structures to essential crafting stations, maintaining a steady supply of this resource determines how fast a tribe can progress. Understanding the most efficient gathering techniques allows players to save time and streamline their base expansion.
Raiding Giant Beaver Dams for Quick Yields
Looting Castoroides dams remains one of the fastest methods to obtain massive amounts of cementing paste early in the game. These dams spawn naturally in rivers and lake areas, often containing hundreds of units of paste along with wood and silica pearls. Players must clear out the contents completely so new dams can spawn promptly in the area.
However, accessing these structures comes with significant danger because wild giant beavers will immediately become aggressive upon opening a dam. Utilizing a fast flying mount like a Pteranodon or Argentavis allows survivors to quickly grab the loot and escape safely. Keeping a clear escape route planned before opening a dam minimizes unnecessary combat and gear loss.
Utilizing the Beelzebufo for Chitin-Free Production
Taming a Beelzebufo offers a highly efficient and self-sustaining alternative to traditional crafting methods. When this giant frog consumes small insects like Meganeura or Titanomyrma, it automatically converts their remains directly into cementing paste. Exploring insect-rich environments such as swamps or cave entrances yields hundreds of paste in a short hunting session.
This organic harvesting method eliminates the need to gather stone or refine chitin manually back at base. Furthermore, the frog's exceptional mobility and torpor-inducing attacks make it an excellent creature for wilderness navigation. Combining a high-level Beelzebufo with targeted insect hunting provides an endless supply of crafting materials.
Farming Achatina for Passive Paste Generation
For tribes seeking an automated supply, taming and maintaining a snail farm using Achatina is an unbeatable strategy. Once tamed, these creatures passively produce Achatina Paste, which functions identically to standard cementing paste, inside their inventories. They also drop organic polymer over time, adding extra value to keeping them around the base.
To maximize production, players usually keep several snails set to wander inside small cages or wooden pens. Feeding them Sweet Vegetable Cake is required to maintain their health and keep passive generation active. Over time, a well-managed snail farm reduces the need for manual gathering trips entirely.
Crafting in Mortar and Pestles or Chemistry Benches
When biological methods are unavailable, crafting cementing paste directly remains a reliable fallback option. Combining stone with either chitin or keratin inside a Mortar and Pestle creates paste at a steady pace. Gathering raw chitin from harvested insects or sea creatures using a Megatherium significantly speeds up material collection.
Upgrading to a Chemistry Bench drastically accelerates this process by crafting paste in larger, high-speed batches. This advanced station consumes fewer resources per craft compared to basic crafting tables, maximizing efficiency for large tribes. Combining dedicated resource farming with automated refining ensures you never run out of materials for heavy construction.
