RimWorld Odyssey Obsidian Guide
Written by Jason B. | RimWorld
Obsidian is a volcanic crafting material added in the RimWorld: Odyssey expansion. Found only in lava field maps, obsidian delivers the highest sharp damage multiplier in the game. It’s ideal for brutal melee weapons and high-beauty furniture but breaks easily due to low durability.
How to Get Obsidian
You can mine obsidian from veins located on lava field tiles or world map locations with the obsidian deposits feature. These veins range from 2 to 8 tiles normally, but larger deposits can hold up to 35 tiles.
Each tile has 1,200 health and drops 32 obsidian per block, adjusted by mining yield and difficulty.
Traders may rarely sell obsidian, but the most reliable source is directly mining it from volcanic terrain.
Obsidian Stats
Stack Limit: 75
Mass: 0.5 kg
Market Value: 5 silver
Beauty Offset: +8
Beauty Factor: ×2
Max Hit Points: ×0.5
Terrain Affordance: Heavy
Flammability: 0%
Rest Effectiveness: 0.9
Cold Insulation: +3 °C
Sharp Armor: 0.85
Blunt Armor: 0.40
Heat Armor: 0.70
Melee Sharp Damage: ×1.4
Melee Cooldown: ×1
Work To Build Factor: ×5.5
Best Uses for Obsidian
Sharp Melee Weapons
Obsidian gives a 1.4× multiplier to sharp damage, making it the strongest material for cutting weapons like spears, ikwas, and longswords. Tribals and low-tech colonies benefit the most, especially in melee-focused raids.
Its only downside is durability. Obsidian weapons have 50% of the HP of steel, so they’ll wear out faster in long fights.
Sculptures and Interior Furniture
With high beauty stats and a ×2 modifier, obsidian sculptures are ideal for throne rooms, gravships, and rec areas. While it has less beauty than jade, it’s more abundant in volcanic maps and fits better in combat-focused colonies.
Decorative Building
Obsidian walls look sharp and add beauty, but aren’t practical for exterior defenses. Use them indoors where damage is unlikely. Pair with granite or steel for outer walls, and keep obsidian inside for visual impact.
Obsidian vs Other Crafting Materials
| Material | Sharp DPS | Durability | Beauty | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian | ★★★★★ | Low | High | Sharp melee, decor |
| Plasteel | ★★★★☆ | High | Low | Mixed gear |
| Bioferrite | ★★★★☆ | High | Medium | Psycasters, rituals |
| Steel | ★★☆☆☆ | Medium | Low | General crafting |
| Jade | ★☆☆☆☆ | Medium | High | Sculptures only |
Extra Tips
You cannot use obsidian for floors
Obsidian weapons will break faster, so keep backups
Tribal enemies now spawn with obsidian gear, increasing early raid danger
Use obsidian in killzones or throne rooms for sharp aesthetics and combat bonuses
Gravships with obsidian interiors are stylish, but increase colony wealth fast
Final Blurb
The RimWorld Odyssey obsidian system turns lava maps into high-risk, high-reward opportunities. Obsidian is unmatched for sharp melee damage and powerful interior designs.
If you can mine and manage it, obsidian becomes a top-tier tool for both survival and style.
FAQ
What is obsidian used for in RimWorld Odyssey?
Mainly sharp melee weapons and beautiful furniture. It’s the highest DPS material for cutting weapons.
Where do you find obsidian?
Only in lava field maps or volcanic tiles marked with obsidian deposits. Sometimes sold by traders.
Is obsidian better than plasteel?
Yes, for sharp damage. Plasteel is more durable, but obsidian hits harder with cutting weapons.
Can I build floors with obsidian?
No. Obsidian cannot be used for flooring at this time.
Does obsidian increase room beauty?
Yes. Obsidian has +8 beauty and a ×2 multiplier, making it great for sculptures and royal rooms.
Should I make obsidian weapons or save it?
Craft weapons if you rely on melee. Use the rest for statues or key interior designs.
Is obsidian affected by fire?
No. Obsidian has 0% flammability.
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