Getting Jade Fast in RimWorld 1.6 — Scanner + Deep Drill (Jade Tool)
Getting Jade Fast in RimWORLD 1.6
Fast routes (map → scanners → trade) with core-def numbers for yields, scan timers, and risks.
Quick Solution: Your 10-Minute Jade Plan
Get jade fast with these quick steps:
- 1Power on a ground-penetrating scanner (unroofed).
- 2When it pings, place a deep drill on the marker.
- 3Draft a miner to start drilling immediately (no idle delays).
- 4Buy jade when traders have it (orbital + settlements).
- 5Optional: tune a long-range mineral scanner for a big haul.
Early game: mine visible green ore first, then swap to scanners for reliable jade on any map.
Scanner & Deep Drill Loop
Locate and mine jade deposits (the universal 1.6 loop).
Jade Deposit Sizes
| Size (cells) | Jade Yield |
|---|
Core: jade uses the default 300 deep-resource count per cell.
Jade Acquisition Methods: Pros & Cons
| Method | Yield | Risks | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Mining | — | Safe, but limited by your map | Fast |
| Deep Drilling | — | Deep drill infestation risk | Steady |
| Long-Range Scanner | — | Travel time, raids, weather | Slow |
| Traders | Varies (depends on stock rolls) | Expensive, not always available | Instant |
Show exact game sources used
Deep yield per cell: /game/Source/Verse/Defs/DefTypes/ThingDef.cs → deepCountPerCell = 300
Deep deposit size: /game/Data/Core/Defs/ThingDefs_Items/Items_Resource_Stuff.xml → ThingDef Jade → deepLumpSizeRange
Surface ore yield: /game/Data/Core/Defs/ThingDefs_Buildings/Buildings_Natural.xml → ThingDef MineableJade → mineableYield + mineableScatterLumpSizeRange
Long-range site value: /game/Data/Core/Defs/Sites/Parts/PreciousLump.xml → totalValueRange (yield shown here is computed from market value × ore yield).
Map-Dependent Early Paths
Mountains / Large Hills
Mine exposed jade veins first, then transition into scanner + deep drill for reliable follow-up.
- Prioritize safe access (doors + light) to avoid ambushes.
- Veins are finite; scanners keep you supplied.
Flat / Low Hills
Visible jade can be rare. Rush scanners and buy jade as a bridge while scanning.
- Ground scanner requires power and must be unroofed.
- Long-range scanner is for big targeted hauls.
Surface vein yield (Core)
Ore tile yield and typical lump size are defined in Core.
Quick rule
If you can see jade: mine it. If you can’t: scan for it.
Scanner Timers (Core Defs)
Both scanners scale off ResearchSpeed. This is a practical estimate tool (not a perfect sim).
Show exact source fields
/game/Data/Core/Defs/ThingDefs_Buildings/Buildings_Misc.xml → ThingDef GroundPenetratingScanner / LongRangeMineralScanner → scanFindMtbDays, scanFindGuaranteedDays, basePowerConsumption.
Deep Drill Yield & Infestation Risk
Yield calculator
Tip: if a deposit “runs dry”, reinstall the drill on the next highlighted cell.
Infestation MTB (estimate)
Source (exact)
Base MTB per drill: /game/Data/Core/Defs/Storyteller/Storytellers.xml → StorytellerCompProperties_DeepDrillInfestation → baseMtbDaysPerDrill.
Difficulty factor: /game/Data/Core/Defs/Misc/DifficultyDefs/Difficulties.xml → deepDrillInfestationChanceFactor.
Who Sells Jade? (Code-backed)
Jade is in the ResourcesRaw category. Any trader with a StockGenerator_Category ResourcesRaw roll can include jade.
| Trader kind | Where | Why jade can appear |
|---|---|---|
| Orbital bulk goods | Comms console | Includes StockGenerator_Category for ResourcesRaw |
| Outlander base trader | Settlement trade | Includes StockGenerator_Category for ResourcesRaw |
| Neolithic base trader | Settlement trade | Includes StockGenerator_Category for ResourcesRaw |
Exact source paths
Trader stock generators: /game/Data/Core/Defs/TraderKindDefs/TraderKinds_Orbital_Misc.xml, TraderKinds_Base_Outlander.xml, TraderKinds_Base_Neolithic.xml.
Jade category: /game/Data/Core/Defs/ThingDefs_Items/Items_Resource_Stuff.xml → ThingDef Jade → thingCategories includes ResourcesRaw.
Buy-side quick math
Trade price is affected by social skill, faction goodwill, and difficulty trade factors — treat this as a baseline.
Do this while scanning
- Keep silver on hand (don’t tie it all into buildings).
- Use the comms console aggressively when orbitals call.
- Sell art/drugs/textiles to fund jade-heavy builds.
Long-Range Scanner Sites (Precious Lump)
When your long-range scanner finds jade, it spawns a “precious lump” site you must travel to mine.
What you get (estimated)
This yield is derived from totalValueRange and Core market values. Real maps vary.
Don’t skip
- Bring bedrolls + food + meds.
- Expect a fight (ambushes/hostiles are common).
- Watch the timer — the map removes itself.
Exact source paths
Site part + timer: /game/Data/Core/Defs/Sites/Parts/PreciousLump.xml → forceExitAndRemoveMapCountdownDurationDays, totalValueRange, mineables includes MineableJade.
Ruins / Pods / “Lucky” Sources
These can spike jade quickly, but they’re not reliable to plan around.
- Resource pods / quest rewards: take them if you can safely haul.
- Odyssey ruins: sometimes structures spawn from valuable stuff; deconstruct when safe.
- Ancient dangers: can contain jade items; risk is the real cost.
If you want guaranteed jade, scanners + trade beat “hope-based” sources.
What Jade Is Good For (Core stats)
Stuff stats snapshot
Exact source path
/game/Data/Core/Defs/ThingDefs_Items/Items_Resource_Stuff.xml → ThingDef Jade → statBases + stuffProps.
Practical ROI
- Best: sculptures, throne/temple beauty thresholds, high-prestige rooms.
- Okay: a few “statement” tiles (tables, columns) where beauty matters.
- Avoid: whole-base jade walls (wealth + work cost spikes fast).
Wealth & Timing (don’t get punished)
- If you’re stockpiling jade early, consider keeping it out of your main stockpile until you’re ready to build.
- Convert jade into beauty where it matters (mood/roles) instead of “pretty walls everywhere.”
- When drilling, build a small defended drill bay — infestations are easier to handle on your terms.