If you’ve been playing Planet Crafter, you probably know that zeolite is one of the top-tier materials in the game. This versatile material is used for various purposes, including crafting the gas extractor, tree spreaders in tiers two and three, teleporters for fast base travel, and, most notably, for crafting pulsar quartz. In this guide, we’ll explore how to efficiently obtain zeolite to meet all your crafting needs.
The Problem with Blue Crates
Initially, you might think that you can find zeolite in the blue crates scattered around the game. However, relying on these crates is not the most efficient strategy for acquiring zeolite. Here’s why:
- RNG Luck: Blue crates depend on random chance, so you can’t guarantee that you’ll find zeolite in them.
- Unlock Requirements: To even access the blue crates, you must progress to the moss terraformation stage, which can take some time.
Given these limitations, depending solely on blue crates for zeolite is not advisable.
Harvesting Zeolite from Plant Roots
In the earlier stages of the game, the traditional method of acquiring zeolite was by harvesting it from plant roots. These roots would start appearing at around 250 MTI (Mega Terraformation Index), and you could start finding zeolite pieces on them when you reached approximately 500 MTI. However, there’s a significant drawback to this method:
- Non-Respawning Zeolite: Once you collect zeolite from these roots, it doesn’t respawn. So, your supply is limited.
The Balcony – A New Option
Planet Crafter introduced a new location called the Balcony, which offers an alternative source of zeolite. To access the Balcony, climb the large vine inside the Iridium Mine. However, this requires you to wait until you’ve progressed far enough in the game. Once inside the Balcony, you’ll find some zeolite pieces to help you advance, but it’s not the primary source.
The Zeolite Cave – Your Best Bet
The Zeolite Cave is the go-to place for collecting zeolite efficiently. Originally, zeolite was a non-replenishable resource, meaning you couldn’t obtain more once you collected it all. However, with the Caves and Crater update, the Zeolite Cave was introduced, providing a new way to gather zeolite.
Here’s how to do it:
- Set Up Extractors: Place your tier two or tier three extractors anywhere in the Zeolite Cave.
- Start Mining: Your extractors will start mining zeolite for you, making it a much more reliable method of obtaining this valuable material.
Different Ways to Reach the Zeolite Cave
Getting to the Zeolite Cave can be done through various routes:
- Osmium Cave: This cave connects to the steep hill area and the sulfur fields, and it has an entrance that leads directly to the Zeolite Cave.
- Arches Biome: There’s an entrance near the edge of the Arches Biome, close to the Sand Falls area, which connects to the Zeolite Cave.
- Crater Entrance: If you’re entering the crater from the Waterfalls area, the Zeolite Cave is the closest cave entrance along that pathway.
By taking one of these routes, you can easily access the Zeolite Cave and set up your extractors to mine zeolite efficiently.
In conclusion, while you might still find zeolite by picking it off vines or getting lucky with crates, the most reliable and efficient method is to head to the Zeolite Cave. Setting up extractors inside the cave, accessible through various routes, ensures a steady supply of zeolite for all your crafting needs. If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to give it a thumbs up and leave a comment letting us know which part of the video was most beneficial to you. Happy crafting in Planet Crafter!
