Where is obsidian in ark

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Obsidian is a valuable resource in Ark: Survival Evolved found primarily in volcanic regions and caves. It can be mined from black volcanic rocks using a metal pickaxe or an Ankylosaurus, yielding 1-2 pieces per node. Key locations include the volcano on The Island (coordinates 41.5, 47.0), the lava cave in the northwest, and various mountains on Scorched Earth and Ragnarok maps.

Key Facts

Obsidian spawns in volcanic biomes at coordinates like 41.5, 47.0 on The Island map
Mining yields 1-2 pieces per node with a metal pickaxe or Ankylosaurus
Required for crafting advanced items like polymer and tek tier structures
Found in 5+ key locations including caves and mountains across DLC maps
Vulnerable to damage from environmental hazards like lava in caves

Overview

Obsidian is a crucial late-game resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, a survival game developed by Studio Wildcard and released in August 2017. This volcanic glass forms from rapidly cooled lava and appears as shiny black rocks in-game, primarily in hazardous environments. Players must venture into dangerous areas to collect it, often facing threats from extreme temperatures, aggressive creatures, and environmental hazards.

The resource was introduced with the game's early access launch and remains essential across all official maps and expansions. Its importance grew with updates adding tek tier technology, which requires obsidian for advanced crafting. Understanding its locations and mining methods is key to progressing in Ark's challenging survival gameplay, where resource gathering directly impacts a player's ability to thrive and build advanced bases.

How It Works

Obsidian functions as a high-tier crafting material obtained through specific mining techniques in designated areas.

Key Point 1: Mining Requirements: Obsidian can only be harvested effectively with a metal pickaxe or an Ankylosaurus dinosaur. Using a stone pickaxe yields minimal results (0-1 piece per node), while a metal pickaxe provides 1-2 pieces. An Ankylosaurus with high melee damage can gather 50-100+ pieces from a single node, making it the most efficient method.
Key Point 2: Primary Locations: On The Island map, obsidian spawns abundantly in the volcano at coordinates 41.5, 47.0, with additional nodes in the northwest lava cave (19.0, 19.0) and mountain peaks. In DLC maps like Scorched Earth, it's found in mountains and canyons, while Ragnarok features it in the highlands and volcano region.
Key Point 3: Crafting Applications: Obsidian is required for crafting polymer (combined with cementing paste), electronics, and tek tier structures like replicators and generators. A single fabricator recipe for advanced rifle ammunition might use 20 obsidian, 50 metal ingots, and 15 gunpowder.
Key Point 4: Environmental Challenges: Mining obsidian often involves navigating extreme heat in volcanic areas, where temperatures can exceed 50°C (122°F), requiring heat resistance gear or consumables. In caves, players face lava pits that cause 25-50 damage per second and aggressive creatures like arthropluera and onyc.

Key Comparisons

Feature	Obsidian	Metal Ore
Primary Location	Volcanic biomes & caves	Mountains & riverbanks
Mining Tool Efficiency	Metal pickaxe (1-2 pieces)	Metal pickaxe (2-4 pieces)
Dinosaur Harvesting	Ankylosaurus (50-100+)	Ankylosaurus (100-200+)
Crafting Use	Polymer, electronics, tek	Tools, structures, weapons
Environmental Risk	High (lava, heat, predators)	Medium (cold, carnivores)

Why It Matters

Impact 1: Game Progression: Obsidian is essential for unlocking tek tier technology, the end-game content in Ark. Without it, players cannot craft advanced items like tek rifles, which deal 200% more damage than primitive weapons, or tek generators that power bases indefinitely.
Impact 2: Resource Economy: On multiplayer servers, obsidian locations become strategic hotspots, influencing base placement and tribe conflicts. Controlling a volcano with 20+ obsidian nodes can yield 500+ pieces per harvest cycle, dominating the server's economy.
Impact 3: Survival Challenge: Gathering obsidian tests player skills in navigation, combat, and preparation. Success requires managing inventory weight (obsidian weighs 1.0 per piece), bringing adequate supplies, and using tames like argentavis for transport, which can carry 300-500 weight units.

As Ark continues to evolve with new maps and updates, obsidian remains a cornerstone resource that drives exploration and technological advancement. Future expansions may introduce alternative sources or crafting methods, but its role in fostering risky, rewarding gameplay is likely to endure, encouraging players to brave volcanic dangers for high-tech rewards.