Finding clay in Astroneer can sometimes be a challenge for new players exploring planetary surfaces. This essential natural resource is required for smelting ceramic, making it crucial for crafting advanced base structures and equipment. Understanding how to locate and harvest clay efficiently will help streamline your base progression immensely.
Locating Clay Deposit Spots Across Planets
Clay spawns naturally on every planet and moon in Astroneer, though its visibility varies across biomes. On starting planets like Sylva, it appears as reddish-brown cluster deposits primarily near flat surface biomes, elevated hills, or mountain regions.
Scanning surface terrain visually from a rover or high point is one of the easiest ways to spot these distinct deposits. Although clay can occasionally be found underground, searching open surface landscapes remains the most reliable natural method.
Using the Soil Centrifuge for Infinite Clay Production
Relying solely on surface deposits can become tedious over time as natural nodes deplete near your base. Crafting a Soil Centrifuge using compound and aluminum offers a far superior long-term farming solution.
By filling small soil canisters using your terrain tool, you can process raw dirt directly into clay at your home base. Running two full canisters through the Soil Centrifuge yields six units of clay in a matter of seconds.
Alternative Methods and Base Automation Tips
Players can also utilize the Trade Platform to convert scrap directly into clay when surface mining is unavailable. Trading scrap provides a consistent alternative that saves exploration time during late-game expansion phases.
Once obtained, smelting clay inside a Smelting Furnace transforms it into ceramic for high-tier recipes. Integrating automated storage units next to your centrifuge ensures a steady stream of materials for all future base crafting needs.
