Offshore Drilling Says It Makes Sand, But How? Also Collecting Oil With Gamepad?

[DaetherX]

1) I can't figure out how to make "free sand". I assumed I'd either use the building and it would produce at a certain rate, or I'd just have infinite sand. Neither seems to be true. How do I produce this "free sand"?

2) Also the oil it makes is puts directly in the center, which is unreachable. In another thread someone said "mouse over it" but that's impossible with a gamepad. I tried putting water-walkways around it, tried left stick, right stick, D-pad, tried using bow cursor to see if that worked. Seems impossible.

[The Grand Mugwump]

Sounds like you'll need to get the automation skill, which automatically picks up drops from buildings. I can't think of another work around since you can't walk close enough to the drill's drops due to its size and the pet can't swim to collect for you.

[DaetherX]

Actually my pet did collect it, because I put it sandwiched between 2 land masses on either side. Somehow it was able to collect from top side. I've been avoiding getting automation to see if there's another way for gamepad users, but I guess next level-up I'll just give up and take it.

Any word on that "free sand"?

[Killer]

Originally posted by DaetherX:

Actually my pet did collect it, because I put it sandwiched between 2 land masses on either side. Somehow it was able to collect from top side. I've been avoiding getting automation to see if there's another way for gamepad users, but I guess next level-up I'll just give up and take it.

Any word on that "free sand"?

Not sure if every bottle produces one sand but sand do came up along with the bottled oil. Usually the sand 'hides' behind the drill when they pop up so u gotta collect it yourself. For gamepad users i guess you gotta get the droids to help you if your pet can't do it.

[The Grand Mugwump]

Originally posted by DaetherX:

I've been avoiding getting automation to see if there's another way for gamepad users, but I guess next level-up I'll just give up and take it.

Any word on that "free sand"?

Automation is totally worth the skill point. It even works with auto fishers, which is where I get a significant amount of my sand from instead of the driller which requires glass bottles to have a chance to make one (it doesn't create sand while it's just sitting there). Upgrading your shovel to where it will drop common drops from any tile and just running around digging randomly is also an excellent source of sand.

[DaetherX]

Thanks for the replies!
I've since taken the automation skill. But, IIRC, the fish trap has a skill linked to it that already makes stuff caught from it automatically gather itself, as I've been getting whatever is in there for most of the game. It seems I just read too much into the "free sand" line on the Offshore Drilling. I've now noticed that when you create oil, it does produce sand, at least sometimes. I don't usually stick around.