Guide to Obtaining Clay and Ceramic Resources in Astroneer

Astroneer is rich in resources, yet some, like Clay, can be elusive. This essential material is crucial for crafting Ceramic, and running low on Clay can significantly hinder your technological advancements. Fortunately, there are various strategies to obtain Clay in the game. In this guide, we’ll explore effective methods to gather Clay and how to transform it into Ceramic.

How to Find Clay in Astroneer

Mining Clay Nodes — Screenshot courtesy of Prima Games

To acquire Clay, players must embark on an exploration adventure across the planet’s surface. Clay appears as refined rocks or boulders scattered around. While you can mine these formations with your tool, their scarcity can make this approach challenging. However, there is a more efficient alternative to find Clay without extensive searching.

If you have unlocked the Soil Centrifuge—which can be crafted using a Medium Printer—you can produce Clay from other resources instead of mining for it directly.

Start by crafting Small Canisters from Resin. Having at least two canisters is ideal, as this will facilitate the next steps. Once equipped, begin to mine terrain that you do not plan to modify later, thus maintaining the aesthetics of your base. Continue until your canisters are full.

After filling the two canisters, head towards your Soil Centrifuge. This essential device allows you to convert the terrain you’ve collected into Clay.

To create a Soil Centrifuge, you’ll require Aluminum and Compound. Once assembled, insert the filled Small Canisters. Access the menu on the Soil Centrifuge, select Clay, and initiate the process. Each cycle yields six Clay from two canisters, establishing an efficient 2:6 conversion ratio. This method represents one of the best strategies for acquiring Clay in Astroneer.

How to Craft Ceramics in Astroneer

Smelting Clay into Ceramic — Screenshot courtesy of Prima Games

Once you’ve gathered Clay, transforming it into Ceramic is straightforward. Simply process the Clay in any of your Smelting Furnaces. Ceramics are vital for crafting a variety of tools, structures, and upgrades, essential for progressing through the game. Their utility persists into the late stages, where they are needed for larger shuttles and storage expansions, among other things. Therefore, it’s advisable to keep a substantial stockpile of Ceramics as you progress through Astroneer.

For more insights and strategies on maximizing your gameplay experience in Astroneer, please visit Prima Games.