zaro

How do you get clay in Vintage Story?

Published in Vintage Story Resources 3 mins read

To get clay in Vintage Story, you primarily locate clay deposits in suitable biomes and then dig them up using a shovel. Clay is a fundamental resource for early-game progression, used extensively in pottery and construction.

Finding Clay Deposits

Clay deposits are naturally generated features within the game world, and their appearance is dependent on specific environmental conditions.

Ideal Locations

When searching for clay, prioritize areas that meet the following criteria:

  • High Precipitation: Clay tends to form in wetter regions of the world. This means you won't find it in arid or desert biomes.
  • High Temperature: Coupled with precipitation, sufficient warmth is also necessary for clay deposits to generate. Cold regions, such as the arctic, will not yield clay.

This combination often leads you to find clay near:

  • Riverbanks and Lake Shores: These are prime spots due to consistent moisture.
  • Swamps and Bogs: These marshy biomes are excellent candidates as they are inherently wet.
  • Forests and Grasslands: Many temperate and humid forest or grassland biomes will also contain clay, especially if there are small ponds or damp areas.

Think of damp, non-frozen, non-desert areas as your best bet.

Environmental Conditions for Clay Spawns

To quickly visualize the required environmental conditions:

Requirement Condition Exclusions
Precipitation High enough Deserts, Arid Regions
Temperature High enough (above freezing for most of year) Arctic, Cold Biomes
Typical Biomes Forests, Grasslands, Swamps, River Valleys Hot Deserts, Cold Tundras

Extracting Clay

Once you've located a clay deposit, extracting it is straightforward:

  1. Equip a Shovel: Any tier of shovel (stone, copper, iron, etc.) can be used to dig up clay. Using a shovel is significantly faster and more efficient than digging by hand or with a pickaxe.
  2. Dig: Simply left-click on the clay blocks with your shovel equipped to break them. Each block will drop clay items into your inventory.
  • Tip: Clay blocks often appear as light grey or brownish-grey patches on the ground, sometimes slightly raised or near water sources. They have a distinct texture different from regular dirt or stone.

What is Clay Used For?

Clay is an incredibly versatile resource early in Vintage Story, essential for:

  • Pottery: Crafting various pottery items like storage vessels, crocks for fermentation, and molds for metal casting.
  • Bricks: Firing clay into bricks for durable and aesthetic building blocks.
  • Bloomery: Creating a bloomery for initial iron production, which requires fired clay bricks.

By understanding where and how to find clay, players can quickly progress through the early game, unlocking key crafting and survival mechanics. For more detailed information, you can always consult the Vintage Story Wiki.