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Silica Pearl Bonanza: Your Scorched Earth Guide in Ark: Ascended

Silica pearls are essential for crafting advanced technology in Ark: Ascended, and the harsh landscape of Scorched Earth presents unique challenges for finding them. Fear not, survivor! This guide reveals the best locations and strategies for harvesting these precious resources on Scorched Earth.

The Oasis is Your Oyster: Locating Silica Pearls

On Scorched Earth, silica pearls are primarily found within and around the Oasis biome. Unlike the Island map, which features underwater pearl deposits, Scorched Earth’s pearls are largely located in the Oasis’s shallow waters and along its rocky edges. Look for the distinctive white, shimmering clusters nestled among the rocks at the Oasis. More precisely, you’ll find them:

Submerged in the Oasis Water: Dive in! The most plentiful source is directly beneath the surface of the Oasis’s central pool and smaller satellite pools.
Along the Rocky Shores of the Oasis: The edges of the Oasis are lined with rocks, and often, silica pearls are attached to these rocks, partially submerged or entirely exposed.
Inside Beaver Dams: Beaver dams are randomly generated structures commonly found within the Oasis. They often contain a small number of silica pearls alongside other resources like wood and cement paste. Be warned – the beavers will fiercely defend their dams!
Occasionally found on the Surface of Riverbeds: While less common than in the Oasis, some pearls may be found scattered along the drier riverbeds leading to or from the Oasis, especially near small pools of stagnant water.

Beyond the Oasis: Alternative Pearl Sources

While the Oasis is the prime hunting ground, there are alternative, though less abundant, sources you can explore:

Deep within Caves: Certain caves on Scorched Earth may contain scattered silica pearls, often in hard-to-reach areas. Explore thoroughly and be prepared for dangerous creatures.
Supply Drops (Rarely): Occasionally, supply drops may contain a handful of silica pearls, but this is not a reliable source.

Essential Tools and Tames for Pearl Harvesting

Efficient pearl gathering requires the right tools and tames:

Metal Pick: A metal pick is the most efficient tool for harvesting silica pearls. It yields significantly more pearls per node than a stone pick or your bare hands.
Direwolf: Direwolves excel at resource gathering. Their ability to detect nearby resources and their high carry weight makes them invaluable for long pearl-collecting expeditions. Their pack bonus also helps greatly.
Thorny Dragon: While not as versatile as the Direwolf, the Thorny Dragon is well-suited to the Scorched Earth environment. It can gather pearls and defend itself against the desert’s dangers.
Ichthyornis: This shoulder-mounted bird can be used to passively fish for pearls, but this method is very slow and ineffective.
Otter: While not native to Scorched Earth (requiring transfer from another map), an Otter will grant you insulation and has the ability to carry multiple artifacts.
Swimming: As most pearls are submerged underwater, the ability to swim is a must. Consider investing points into your Oxygen stat.

Staying Alive: Survival Tips for Scorched Earth

Scorched Earth is a brutal environment, so be prepared:

Water is Paramount: Heatstroke is a constant threat. Carry water skins or canteens, or build a water well near your base. Hydrate frequently.
Heat Protection: Wear desert cloth armor to mitigate the effects of the heat. Consider taming a Jerboa, which will alert you to incoming weather changes.
Creature Threats: Scorched Earth is home to dangerous creatures like Deathworms, Rock Elementals, and Wyverns. Be aware of your surroundings and travel with appropriate defenses.
Sandstorms: Sandstorms reduce visibility and can disorient you. Seek shelter or ride a fast mount to escape the worst of the storm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are Silica Pearls Renewable on Scorched Earth?

Yes, silica pearls respawn after a certain period. The respawn rate is affected by server settings, but generally, pearls will reappear within a few in-game days.

2. Can I Farm Silica Pearls on Scorched Earth?

Yes! By establishing a base near a reliable pearl source in the Oasis and regularly harvesting them, you can create a silica pearl farm.

3. Do Silica Pearls Exist in Caves on Scorched Earth?

Yes, but they are less common than in the Oasis. Explore the caves thoroughly, as some might contain hidden deposits of silica pearls.

4. Are Beaver Dams a Reliable Source of Silica Pearls?

Beaver dams are a decent source but are less reliable than direct harvesting from the Oasis. They also contain wood and cement paste, making them valuable for other resources. However, the beavers protecting them can be aggressive.

5. Can I Find Silica Pearls in Supply Drops?

Rarely. It’s not a reliable method for obtaining silica pearls. Focus on the Oasis and its surroundings.

6. What is the Best Tool for Harvesting Silica Pearls?

A metal pick is the most efficient tool. It provides the highest yield of silica pearls per node.

7. What Dinos are Best for Farming Silica Pearls on Scorched Earth?

Direwolves are arguably the best due to their resource detection, carry weight, and pack bonus. Thorny Dragons are also viable due to their desert adaptation and decent gathering capabilities.

8. How Can I Protect Myself from the Heat While Farming Pearls?

Wear desert cloth armor, stay hydrated, and seek shade whenever possible. A Jerboa can also help you anticipate weather changes.

9. What are the Biggest Dangers I Should Watch Out For When Farming in the Oasis?

Scorched Earth is known for its harsh weather and aggressive dinosaurs. Some key dangers include heatstroke, sandstorms, aggressive dinosaurs, and potential encounters with Deathworms and Rock Elementals.

10. Do Silica Pearls Respawn Faster in Certain Locations?

No, the respawn rate is generally consistent across the map, determined by the server settings. Focus on harvesting from areas with the most dense pearl deposits.

11. Can I Use an Aquatic Dino to Harvest Silica Pearls in the Oasis?

The Oasis is very shallow. Aquatic dinos are not really useful because they cannot operate effectively in such shallow water. They also cannot defend themselves effectively against the dangers of the map.

12. Can I transfer silica pearls to another map?

Yes! As long as server settings allow for it, you can transfer silica pearls between maps. This can be incredibly helpful if you are struggling to find them on Scorched Earth or need to bring a surplus to another map.