Volcanic Ash

Overview

Volcanic Ash is a raw material in Pokemon Pokopia left behind by ancient volcanic activity. It appears as dark gray blocks scattered across the terrain, particularly in areas shaped by past eruptions. Volcanic Ash is one of the less accessible materials in the game because it only spawns in volcanic biomes, but it is found in large quantities once you reach those areas.

The material has two primary uses. First, it can be smelted into Glass at a Smelting Furnace, making it the most abundant input for Glass production. Second, it is a key ingredient in crafting the Bread Oven, a utility item that unlocks bread recipes and upgrades the Cut transformation.

Where to Find

Volcanic Ash can be gathered from two locations in the game.

Rocky Ridges

Rocky Ridges is the primary source of Volcanic Ash. The area is built on the remains of Pewter City and Mt. Moon from the original Kanto region, and its surface is blanketed in thick layers of volcanic ash from past eruptions. Ash blocks cover much of the terrain, especially around volcanic vents, along the canyon walls, and near the mountain summit. The sheer volume of ash in this area means you will never run short of the material while exploring Rocky Ridges.

Look for dark gray or black blocks on the ground surface. Clusters of Volcanic Ash are particularly dense near the Pokemon Center in Rocky Ridges, making them easy to collect early in the area's storyline.

Volcanic Dream Islands

Dream Islands offer an alternative source. Using an Arcanine Doll with Drifloon transports you to a Volcanic Dream Island, where Volcanic Ash spawns alongside Iron Ore and Gold Ore. Volcanic Dream Islands also carry a random chance of encountering a Legendary Pokemon, so they are worth visiting for multiple reasons.

How to Collect

Volcanic Ash is collected by using Rock Smash on ashen terrain blocks. Rock Smash is one of Ditto's transformation moves, taught by Hitmonchan at Withered Wasteland. Simply walk up to any ash block and punch it with Rock Smash to break it and add the Volcanic Ash to your inventory.

Because Rocky Ridges is covered in enormous amounts of ash, clearing it all can take several hours. Most players collect only what they need for crafting and smelting rather than attempting to clear every block.

Smelting into Glass

The most common use for Volcanic Ash is smelting it into Glass. To do this, you need a Smelting Furnace and a Pokemon with the Burn specialty assigned to operate it.

Interact with the Smelting Furnace and load up to 99 Volcanic Ash at a time. Once you exit the menu, your Burn-specialty Pokemon will begin processing the ash into Glass automatically. Magmar, Torkoal, and other Fire-type Pokemon with the Burn specialty can operate the furnace.

Volcanic Ash is the easiest and most abundant input for Glass production because of how densely it spawns in Rocky Ridges. Sand and Sandstone also produce Glass but are found in different biomes.

Obtaining the Smelting Furnace

If you do not have a Smelting Furnace yet, follow the main story quests in Rocky Ridges. You will eventually befriend Magmar, who teaches you about smelting. A furnace is available inside the caves during the story, and once you obtain the recipe from Magmar, you can craft additional furnaces at a Workbench using Iron Ore and Stone.

Crafting Recipes Using Volcanic Ash

Volcanic Ash is used directly in one crafting recipe: the Bread Oven.

The Bread Oven is taught by Torkoal during the Rocky Ridges storyline. It requires a Pokemon with the Burn specialty to power it on before first use. Once active, the Bread Oven lets you bake bread recipes including Simple Bread, Fluffy Bread, Carrot Bread, and more.

What Glass Is Used For

Glass produced from Volcanic Ash is used across dozens of crafting recipes. It appears in building components, furniture, and decorative items that require transparent or reflective surfaces.

Glass is used in roughly 37 recipes across the Outdoor, Building, and Blocks crafting categories. For a full list of Glass recipes, see the Glass article.

Habitat Uses

Items crafted from Volcanic Ash contribute to certain habitat requirements. The most notable example is the Best Bread Bakery habitat.

Building the Best Bread Bakery requires the Bread Oven, which in turn requires 4 Volcanic Ash. Meeting the habitat requirements attracts Dachsbun and Fidough to visit your area.

Hidden Items Beneath the Ash

Clearing Volcanic Ash blocks in Rocky Ridges sometimes reveals hidden items underneath. Players have reported finding Glowing Stones (rainbow-colored blocks) buried beneath the ash, along with occasional hidden items and buried structures. Clearing ash from pathways also opens up navigation through the canyon and creates usable building space.

While some players have spent hours clearing every ash block in Rocky Ridges, the consensus is that the main rewards are Glowing Stones and the building space itself. There are no major secrets hidden under the ash beyond what you encounter naturally while clearing paths through the canyon.

Tips

• Collect Volcanic Ash early when you arrive in Rocky Ridges. The blocks near the Pokemon Center are the easiest to reach.

• Stock up on Volcanic Ash before leaving Rocky Ridges. It is the only main biome where this material spawns, so gathering extra saves return trips.

• Volcanic Dream Islands (via the Arcanine Doll) are the best alternative source if you need more ash after leaving Rocky Ridges.

• Volcanic Ash is more efficient than Sand for Glass production since it spawns in denser clusters. Sand is spread thinly along shorelines, while ash covers entire mountainsides.

• You can also obtain Glass without smelting by breaking the broken windows in abandoned buildings at Bleak Beach and Sparkling Skylands, though the supply from this method is limited.

• Remember to bring a Burn-specialty Pokemon when heading to Rocky Ridges so you can start smelting immediately.

See Also

• Glass

• Rocky Ridges

• Smelting and Furnaces

• Rock Smash

• Dream Islands

• Crafting

• Materials Guide

• Cooking Equipment