Finding a good spot to build on The Center is easy. Finding where the actual loot is? That’s a whole different headache. If you’ve spent any time staring at an ark survival evolved center resource map, you know the frustration. The map looks massive, the verticality is insane, and half the time the "nodes" you're looking for are hidden under a jungle canopy or tucked inside a literal hole in the world.
Honestly, most players overcomplicate it. You don't need to scour every inch of the map to get a vault full of metal and obsidian. You just need to know which biomes actually pay out and which ones are just bait for a Rex to eat your favorite Pteranodon.
Where the Metal Actually Hides
Everyone goes to the mountains. It’s the obvious choice, right? But on The Center, the "Floating Island" (the big rock hanging in the sky at about 35, 35) is a goldmine that people often overlook because it's a pain to get to without a high-weight flyer. If you can get a Quetzal or a couple of good Argents up there, the density of metal nodes is staggering.
The "Skull Island" at the far south (95, 66) is another heavy hitter. It looks cool, sure, but the eye sockets and the top of the skull are packed with high-quality metal nodes.
If you're more of a "I like to stay on the ground and not die" person, the jungles have smaller clusters, but they're scattered. You’ll find yourself spending more time searching than mining. Stick to the peaks. The North and South Snowy Mountains are also loaded, but you’ve gotta deal with the freezing temps and the occasional Yutyrannus screaming at you. Not exactly a relaxing Sunday drive.
The Cementing Paste Hack: Beaver Dams
Let’s be real: nobody wants to craft Cementing Paste by hand. It’s a soul-crushing grind of Chitin and Stone. On The Center, you basically never have to. The map is crawling with Castoroides (Giant Beavers), and they are busy little hoarders.
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The best spot is the "Penguin Pond" area and the small rivers snaking through the Redwoods. Specifically, check the ponds around 80, 45 and the river systems near the center of the map.
- Don't just take the paste. If you leave the wood in the dam, it won't respawn. Empty the whole thing, drop the wood on the floor, and let the beaver reset its "cooldown."
- Watch your back. Beavers are cute until you touch their house. Then they become furry chainsaws with a personal vendetta.
Obsidian and Crystal: The Volcanic Shortcut
If you need Obsidian, there is only one place worth your time: the Volcanic Island in the far north. It’s scorched, it’s ugly, and it’s dangerous. But the basalt pillars and the area around the actual lava flows are practically made of Obsidian.
You’ll also find plenty of Crystal here. However, if you don't want to risk the lava, the "Underground World" is a much cooler (literally) alternative. You can find entrances at places like 34.9, 65.8 (the flyer entrance). This place is a whole different map inside the map. It has its own sun, its own ecosystem, and enough Crystal to build a palace.
The Polymer Problem
Organic Polymer is a life-saver for late-game gear. You could kill Kairuku (the penguins), but they’re mostly up in the far north on the icebergs around 25, 10. It’s a long flight.
A better way? Head to the Redwoods or the Swamp. If you have a decent Megatherium, you can grind through insects for Chitin and just craft the hard polymer, or hunt Hesperornis if you’re desperate. But honestly, the "Iceberg" is the undisputed king of organic poly. Bring a club or a Pelagornis. It sounds cruel, but those little flightless birds are basically walking Ghillie suits.
Black Pearls and Oil: Going Deep
Oil is everywhere in the snow biomes. You’ll see the black, greasy rocks sticking out of the snow. Easy. But if you want the real quantities—and those elusive Black Pearls—you have to get wet.
The trench in the eastern ocean is deep. Like, "bring-a-Basilosaurus-or-you're-dead" deep. The Tusoteuthis (giant squids) down there drop Black Pearls, but you can also find them in small clusters in the Underground World's central lake. It's much safer than the open ocean where Alpha Mosasaurus like to hang out.
Finding Silica Pearls Without Drowning
Silica pearls are all over the shallow shores of the Iceberg and the various "Tropical Islands." You don't even need Scuba gear for most of them. Just look for the glowing white shells in the riverbeds. The "Beaver Dam" trick also works here; those dams are often stuffed with pearls.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
Stop wandering aimlessly. If you want to be efficient, do this:
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- Tame an Argentavis immediately. The Center is too vertical to traverse on foot.
- Set up a small mining outpost on the Snowy Mountain or the Volcanic Island. Don't build your main base there—it's too hostile. Just a bed, a forge, and some storage.
- Run the Beaver Dam circuit every 30 minutes. You’ll have thousands of Cementing Paste in an hour.
- Explore the Underground World. It’s the safest place for high-end resources once you clear out the initial spawns.
The Center is a rewarding map if you respect the biomes. Use the terrain to your advantage, stay off the jungle floor when you can, and keep your weight stats high.