Learn the best methods for getting Clay Soil and what it can be used for
Ah, dirt, it keeps us grounded. Joking aside, in 7 Days to Die, there are a surprising number of uses for such a simple and widespread material. Since most of the ground in Navezgane is made up of clay substrates and all dirt here is classified as Clay Soil. This material can be used in farming, crafting, construction, and even forging.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about finding, looting, and harvesting Clay Soil in 7 Days to Die and how it can be used.
How to get Clay Soil in 7 Days to Die
It would be simple enough to say that Clay Soil is found in the ground, but that isn’t always true. Not only do certain biomes, such as the Desert and Wasteland, have completely different terrain, but there are numerous other ways to find clay other than just digging.
1. Scavenging
Trash piles and many common loot containers will likely contain clumps of usable Clay Soil. While not the most efficient way to gather this material, gathering clay from loot can quickly add up and prevent you from having to dig a giant hole next to your base.
2. Reclaiming
Certain environmental features, such as dried-out farm plots and tarp-covered pallets, can be harvested with a shovel to collect Clay Soil alongside other resources such as Crushed Sand and Small Stones.
3. Digging
Digging or mining is usually the fastest way to collect Clay Soil. Some biomes have Clay Soil as their standard terrain, while others may require some digging to find. Players should utilize a shovel when digging to increase harvesting speed and yield.
Tips and tricks for farming Clay Soil
Clay Soil is a resource players will be using throughout the entire game. From farming and construction at early levels to forging at later levels, players will be hard-pressed to produce several of the game’s most useful resources without clay. For that reason, it’s important to know where to find Clay Soil the easiest and how to harvest lots of it in short order.
1. Harvesting Perks
Certain perks like Miner 69er and Motherlode can make harvesting resources from the environment easier. Miner 69er increases the damage dealt by harvesting tools and reduces the stamina cost to use them. Motherlode can also increase the amount of materials harvested from resource nodes and terrain blocks such as ore boulders, trees, and the ground itself.
2. Forest Biomes
Not all biomes are created equal. The differences in terrain and soil type can make living and harvesting materials in different biomes vastly different experiences. Players looking for Clay Soil should stick to the Burnt Forest and Pine Forest biomes, as these two regions have their entire topsoil layer made of clay. Finding clay underneath the snow layer in the Snow Biome is also possible, but doing so is more difficult and less certain.
3. Building Mines
Building mines is a great way to actively harvest clay on the side, as players digging below the surface will likely need to burrow through terrain blocks to find ore.
How to use Clay Soil in 7 Days to Die
You probably never imagined there could be so many uses for actual dirt, but Clay Soil is a vital component in some of the most valuable materials at all stages of the game.
1. Dirt
Of course, it’s possible to turn Clay Soil back into dirt terrain blocks. Though quite weak overall, these blocks can be used to fill in holes, create natural bridges, or dump in your friend’s house. Building your house out of the dirt is not recommended, as it won’t keep out the zombies in this game.
2. Cobblestone
Clay Soil is a necessary material for creating cobblestones. Cobblestone is used to craft structures, workstations, and sturdy defenses. Cobblestone is also a useful resource for upgrading wooden blocks to sturdier stone, more than doubling their hp in the process.
3. Farm Plots
If you plan on growing your crops for food and meds, you will need farm plots. Farm plots are crafted by fertilizing Clay Soil with essential nutrients found in materials like Rotten Flesh and Nitrate Powder. These plots can then be placed, and seeds can be planted in them.
4. Forging
Clay Soil has a vital role in every step of the forging process. First off, it’s needed to craft the cobblestone to even build a Forge. Once the Forge is built, however, almost anything crafted with this workstation will require Clay for use as a mold.
Clay is added to your forge by smelting Clay Soil, and though they have slightly different names, it’s easier to think of them as the same material. After being smelted, clay can be used to forge components or to refine Raw Iron into Forged Iron and Forged Steel.
5. Crucible
In addition to being a central part of forging, Clay Soil is also used in the production of the coveted Crucible upgrade. This valuable tool allows players to use a forge to craft Forged Steel, the strongest material in the game.
6. Other Recipes
There are many other esoteric recipes in which Clay Soil can be used. Breaching slugs for shotguns, mushroom spores, and even decorative potted plants can all be crafted by players who know how to use Clay Soil.
Final thoughts on Clay
So why are we spending so much time talking about literal dirt? Because The Fun Pimps recognized the usefulness of fertile soil and malleable clay that can be found in the ground we walk on. In the zombie apocalypse, you can’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.
If you’re looking for more tips to help you get started in Navezgane, check out our 10 Tips for Getting Started or our 7 Days to Die Beginner’s Guide.
