You've finally made the jump from The Island to The Center. Maybe it was the massive underground world that sold you, or maybe you just wanted a map where the wild dino levels aren't consistently stuck at level 5. But then reality hits. This map is huge. It’s vertical. It’s confusing.
If you're staring at your GPS wondering why the "high density" metal spot you saw on an old forum is actually just a cliffside full of Rexes, you aren't alone. The Center is a masterpiece of level design, but its resource distribution is a complete departure from what you’re used to.
Why The Center Resource Map is a Different Beast
Most players expect resources to be tucked away on one or two specific "farming mountains." On The Island, you go to the Volcano for metal. On Scorched Earth, you hit the dunes for silk. On The Center? Everything is everywhere, yet nowhere at the same time.
Basically, the map is built in layers. You have the surface, the floating island, the deep ocean, and the massive Underworld. A single coordinate on your map could represent three different vertical locations.
Honestly, the "1.5x gather rate" people talk about isn't just a myth—the nodes here are technically richer than The Island's, but they are spread out to keep your frame rate from tanking. You have to be smart about where you take your Anky.
The Metal Grind: Forget the "Metal Mountain"
In the original ARK and the Ascended remake, everyone asks for the best metal spot. On The Center, that's almost always Lava Island (the northern volcanic region).
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The peaks of the two volcanoes are loaded with rich metal nodes. But it's a nightmare. You’ve got Magmasuars (in Ascended), Rexes, and constant heat. If you want a "safer" run, look at the Floating Island (roughly 35, 30). There are metal nodes tucked into the various levels and inside the cave systems of the island itself.
- Skull Island (Batman Island): Down at the bottom right (around 95, 66), this place is a metal goldmine. It’s also creepy.
- Southern Jungle Ridge: Around 60, 80, there’s a long ridge that has clusters of nodes. It's relatively safe if you have a decent guard dino.
- The Peaks: Almost every major jungle spire has a few nodes on top.
If you're playing Ascended, the new "wireless" power and improved building mean you don't need to live on top of a node anymore. Just grab a Rhyniognatha or a Quetzal and haul an Anky to the Volcano. You’ll get thousands of ingots in a single trip.
Finding Obsidian and Crystal Without Dying
Obsidian is usually the bottleneck. You need it for Polymer, and you need a lot of it for late-game gear.
The Volcano Island is, again, the undisputed king here. The "Maw" area and the paths leading up the volcanoes are littered with black, shiny rocks. If you’re allergic to lava and Rexes, check the Snow Biomes. The transition areas between the snow and the jungle often have small clusters of obsidian.
Crystal is way easier. It’s basically the "side dish" to metal. Anywhere you find metal, you'll find crystal. The Center Island (the big one in the middle) has massive quantities in its cave systems.
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Pro Tip: If you’re brave enough to go underwater, there are massive crystal deposits in the Deep Ocean Trench (eastern edge of the map). You’ll need a Dunkleosteus to make it worth the oxygen, though.
The Cementing Paste and Pearl Problem
Silica Pearls are a pain on The Center if you only look on land.
Sure, you can find a few in the shallow pools on Lava Island or the small pond on the Floating Island. But for real volume? You have two choices: Beaver Dams or the Ocean.
Beaver Dam Hotspots
Beavers on this map are busy. Look at these spots:
- The Redwoods: The ponds at 85.2, 45.5 and 83.1, 26.4 are classic dam locations.
- The Floating Island: There’s a specific level on the island with a pond that frequently spawns dams.
- Jungles North: Check the small inland waterways.
Don't just take the paste and leave the wood. Empty the dam entirely so it can respawn. Don't be that person on the server.
Deep Sea Pearls
If you have Scuba gear and an Anglerfish, head to the bottom of the ocean on the eastern side (the dark blue zone). The floor is literally covered in pearls. In ARK: Survival Ascended, they don't glow as brightly as they did in the original game, so they just look like small, round rocks. Look for the clusters near the giant seaweed.
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Organic Polymer: The Penguin Massacre
Farming Organic Polymer on The Center is actually easier than on most maps because of the Icebergs.
There is a massive iceberg at roughly 37.6, 11.5 (near Green Obelisk). It is covered in Kairuku (penguins). Bring a Pelagornis or a high-melee Moschops. You will walk away with thousands of polymer in minutes.
If the iceberg is being camped by a big tribe, head to the Southern Snow Mountain (around 57, 14). It’s more dangerous because of the Yutyrannus and Wolves, but the penguins still spawn along the shoreline.
Black Pearls and Exotic Loot
Black pearls are the "end-game" resource. You won't find many of these just lying around.
On The Center, your best bet is hunting Eurypterids (sea scorpions) in the deep ocean trenches or killing Alpha Mosas/Tusos.
If you're feeling adventurous, the Underworld has some sporadic spawns, but the ocean is much more reliable. Just watch out for the Xiphactinus in Ascended; they will shred your armor before you even see them.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Farming Run
Stop flying aimlessly. If you want to actually get stuff done, follow this workflow:
- Setup a "Farming Outpost" on the edge of the Lava Biome. Put an Industrial Forge there. It’s easier to fly ingots back to base than heavy raw metal.
- Tame a Dunkleosteus. Seriously. It can harvest metal, stone, and oil rocks underwater. The eastern ocean floor is much safer than the volcano if you have a high-level Dunky.
- Use the Map Layers. Remember that if you see a resource icon on a web map but don't see the resource, it’s probably in a cave directly beneath you.
- Clear the Bushes. When pearl hunting in caves (like the Small Lava Cave), use a sickle or a whip. The pearls are often hidden under thick foliage, and you’ll spend forever clicking on grass instead of loot.
The Center is built for tribes that love to explore. If you stay in the "safe" tropical islands, you'll be hand-picking stones forever. Get a flyer, head North, and embrace the chaos of the volcanoes.