Hytale Howling Sands Guide (Zone 2): Desert Biomes, Scaraks, Thorium and Ancient Ruins

Verified against Hytale Early Access (March 2026). Mechanics may change with future updates.

The Howling Sands hits differently from Zone 1. Where the Emerald Wilds was forgiving enough for you to learn the ropes, Zone 2 throws multiple hostile factions, a new ore tier, two bosses, and a desert climate at you simultaneously. This guide covers everything you need to arrive prepared, move through each biome efficiently, and clear both Zone 2 bosses before heading to Zone 3.

Quick Start: Zone 2 Checklist

1. Finish Zone 1 first — defeat the Firesteel Golem and have full Iron gear before crossing the border.
2. Activate the Forgotten Temple before entering Zone 2 — the Memory System is not retroactive. See our Memory System guide.
3. Enter in Iron armor — Thorium ore is exclusive to Zone 2, so you upgrade after arriving, not before.
4. Upgrade your workbenches before leaving Zone 1 — Armorer’s Workbench Tier 2 and Blacksmith’s Anvil Tier 2 are required to smelt and craft Thorium gear.
5. Bring a ranged weapon — Shortbow or Ironhand Crossbow with 40+ arrows. Flying mobs (Scarak Locusts, Wasps) require it.
6. Set up a Zone 2 Teleporter node early — the zone is large. See our Teleporter guide.
7. Farm Thorium from cliff faces, then craft full Thorium armor before attempting either boss.
8. In the Scarak Hive, destroy every egg sac on your way down — unbroken sacs spawn Larvae during the Broodmother fight.

Gear Check: Are You Ready for Zone 2?

Zone 2 mobs assume Iron-tier minimum. Leather armor in the Badlands and near Scarak patrols isn’t survivable — multiple Warriors attack simultaneously in tight terrain, and kiting is limited inside structures. There’s a deliberate bootstrap loop at play: Thorium ore is exclusive to Zone 2, so you can’t arrive fully upgraded. Enter in Iron, mine Thorium from cliff faces, then craft Thorium armor before either boss.

Pack before you leave Zone 1 [1]:

• Full Iron armor set (helmet, cuirass, greaves, boots)
• Iron sword or hammer for melee
• Shortbow or Ironhand Crossbow + 40+ arrows
• Healing potions and stamina food (Hytale has no hunger bar — food gives timed combat buffs)
• Armorer’s Workbench Tier 2 blueprint or crafting materials

Once you’ve mined enough Thorium, the crafting costs are: Thorium Helmet — 11 Thorium Ingots + 4 Medium Leather + 4 Linen Scraps + 2 Venom Sac; Thorium Cuirass — 20 Thorium Ingots + 7 Medium Leather + 7 Linen Scraps + 4 Venom Sac [1]. The Venom Sac requirement is intentional — it forces you to kill Zone 2 mobs (Scorpions, Scarak Locusts, Seekers) before you can complete the set. Zone 2 is a loop, not a sprint.

Thorium armor also grants a poison resistance bonus not available on Iron sets — useful against Scorpion venom and the Broodmother’s acid spit throughout the zone [1].

Zone 2 Biomes: What to Expect in Each Region

The Howling Sands contains three primary regions and several sub-biomes. Each plays differently in terms of mob pressure, resource availability, and navigation difficulty [2].

Desolate Basin

The heart of the desert — vast sand dunes, sparse vegetation, open sightlines. Mob encounters are spread out, making this the safest entry point when you first cross into Zone 2. The largest Gumboab trees grow here: thick gray trunks yielding Lightwood logs, with a canopy wide enough to shelter under during sandstorms. Establish your first Zone 2 camp here.

Badlands

Scorched, uneven hills with cave networks and exposed cliff faces. Thorium veins appear most visibly here — bright green or lime-colored streaks in sandstone rock. Sandswept Skeleton variants patrol around ruins in the Badlands. The uneven terrain makes fighting multiple mobs simultaneously awkward, but the mineral density and ruin loot reward the difficulty.

Golden Steppes

Flat, open golden desert with scattered Dry Trees and Bottletrees. This is core Scarak territory — the large anthill spire structures marking Hive entrances rise from this biome. Sand Temples sit here too. Your map markers for both Zone 2 boss encounters will direct you to the Golden Steppes.

Oasis

Rare pockets of water, Palm trees, and wildlife clusters. Oases are Zone 2’s natural resupply stations — food ingredients, crafting materials, and passive animals (Camels, Flamingos, Antelope) make them the safest camp locations in the zone. Mark every oasis on your map when you find one.

Savanna and Scrubland

Open dry grasslands on the zone’s edges, with lower mob density than the Badlands or Golden Steppes. Saber-Toothed Tigers hunt in the Savanna and drop Heavy Hide (needed for Backpack Upgrade I). Zone 2’s exclusive tameable mount, the Camel, roams here and near Oases. If you’re new to Zone 2 combat, spend time in the Savanna first before pushing into Scarak territory.

Volcanic Caves (Underground)

Zone 2’s deep underground contains Volcanic Cave sub-biomes with heat-based environmental hazards distinct from standard desert caves [2]. If you’re mining into deep Zone 2 networks, fire-resistant potions or food buffs become useful preparation.

Zone 2 Trees and Key Materials

Four harvestable tree types grow in Zone 2, plus one wood type that only appears in chests [3]:

The Palm Log note matters: if you need Goldenwood for a crafting recipe, the current Early Access build has no harvestable Palm trees. Chest-looting from desert structures is the only source.

For ores, Thorium is the priority. Look for bright green or lime-colored veins embedded in sandstone cliff faces and cave walls throughout the Howling Sands. Mining Sites — named POIs on your map — have the highest ore density of any location in Zone 2 [4]. Iron, Gold, Silver, and Cobalt also appear in Zone 2 caves, with Cobalt found deeper in guarded Mining Sites and serving as the entry material for Zone 3 gear prep.

One resource most players overlook: farm Void Spawns at night. These night-only mobs drop Essence of the Void, and you need 20× for the Arcanist’s Workbench (which unlocks Teleporters and Ancient Gateways). Spending dusk mining Thorium then switching to Void Spawn farming after dark is one of the most efficient dual-purpose loops in Zone 2 [5].

Hostile Mobs of the Howling Sands

Zone 2 has a faction-based mob ecosystem. Understanding each group’s behavior before you encounter them saves health and inventory space [6].

Scaraks

The dominant faction, organized like a hive insect colony with distinct castes:

The Scarak Worker is worth knowing for lore context: the Feran people — Zone 2’s fox-like humanoid faction — were historically enslaved by Scaraks. Workers actively organize “faction treasures” in the Hive, echoing that history in gameplay form.

Sandswept Skeletons

Desert undead found around Ancient Ruins. Eight variants exist: Guard, Soldier, Assassin, Scout, Archer, Ranger, Mage, and Archmage. The Mage and Archmage are priority kills — both drop 15× Cyan Crystal Shards at 100% rate, used for decorative crafting at the Builder’s Workbench. All Sandswept variants drop Bone Fragments and Linen Scraps (1–2×) [6].

Other Hostiles

• Scorpion — aggressive, extremely common across all Zone 2 biomes. Drops Sturdy Chitin and Venom Sac. Best early farming target.
• Wasp — flying, requires ranged weapon. Drops Sturdy Chitin.
• Cactee — a camouflaged cactus creature that ambushes unprepared players. Watch for suspicious-looking cacti shapes.
• Saber-Toothed Tiger — fast predator in the Savanna. Drops Heavy Hide (needed for Backpack Upgrade I).
• Void Spawn — night-only. Drops Essence of the Void. Farm aggressively every night you spend in Zone 2.

Structures: Ziggurats, Temples, Feran Villages and More

Zone 2 rewards exploration more than any other zone in Early Access. Six structure types are worth understanding [2].

Ziggurats — step pyramids in the Golden Steppes, occupied by Scaraks. Beneath each is a tunnel network leading to a Crystal Room with purple crystal deposits and chest loot. Scarak Workers store accumulated faction resources here — a direct reference to the Feran enslavement lore. Clear Warriors and Defenders through narrow passages to reach the Crystal Room.

Sand Temples — large above-ground sandstone structures decorated with Cyan Crystal formations. The Sandswept Golem boss lives underground beneath these, behind a closed door. Navigate vertically through the temple interior and look for hidden passages or switches leading to the sealed boss chamber.

Ancient Palace — a harder, optional structure containing the Sand Empress boss (a wind-manipulating encounter) at the top. Requires minimum Cobalt gear and is designed as post-Zone 2 challenge content. Mark it on your map but don’t rush it on a first playthrough.

For more on this, see hytale whisperfrost frontiers.

Feran Settlements — villages of fox-like humanoid NPCs. Neutral unless provoked, with a reputation system: make shrine offerings to Gaia and Varyn to improve standing and unlock trading for rare artifacts. Feran Shamans wield wind-based magic; the Freedom Bracers they wear bear a Wind rune — the symbol of their liberation from Scarak enslavement that gives the zone much of its lore tension.

Mining Sites — named POIs on the map with concentrated Iron, Thorium, and Cobalt deposits. Guarded by hostile mobs, but ore density makes them the most efficient mining locations in Zone 2.

Mage Towers — standalone arcane structures with rare loot and Mage-variant enemies. Worth checking as you explore the Golden Steppes.

Elemental Mechanics in Zone 2

Zone 2 carries a Wind/Air elemental affinity throughout — present in Sandswept Skeleton Mage attacks, the Sand Empress boss mechanics, and the Feran Wind rune lore. Wind elemental resistances become relevant in the zone’s harder encounters.

Sandstorms are Zone 2’s most disruptive weather event. When one hits, visibility drops sharply — navigating unfamiliar cave systems in a sandstorm is genuinely dangerous. If you’re caught in open desert during a storm, shelter inside a structure or under a large Gumboab until it passes [2].

No dedicated heat debuff mechanic is documented in the current Early Access build — no confirmed heat meter or dehydration system — but oases provide food ingredients, water-based crafting materials, and safe camp locations regardless of the climate. Worth visiting regularly in the Desolate Basin.

In the deep underground, Volcanic Cave sub-biomes carry fire-based hazards. If you plan extended underground mining sessions in Zone 2, fire-resistant food buffs or potions are worth preparing [2].

See also our guide to hytale devastated lands.

Boss 1: Sandswept Golem

Location: Underground beneath Sand Temples in the Golden Steppes. They appear as circular brown markers on the map. Navigate vertically through the temple interior to find the hidden passage or switch accessing the sealed boss chamber beneath [3].

Recommended gear: Full Thorium armor. Iron armor is survivable but the overhead slam punishes under-geared players significantly.

Attack patterns:

• Spinning Attack — wide sweep, multiple hits. Roll away or block with a shield.
• Overhead Strike — both arms slam simultaneously, or single arm raises then slams. The windup is slow and obvious.
• Punch — one arm swings horizontally. Dodge sideways.
• Stomp — lifts foot, small AoE on impact. Step back to avoid.

Every attack is slow and heavily telegraphed — don’t try to tank. Sword + Shield works best: block the telegraphed move and counterattack in the pause after each swing. Ranged players can exploit the Golem’s slow movement by sprinting away between crossbow shots [3].

Clear the temple perimeter before engaging — Sandswept Skeletons patrol the area and will join the fight if pulled during the boss encounter.

Drops: Cobblestone + Cyan Crystal Shards (15×, 100%).

Boss 2: Scarak Broodmother

Location: Deepest level of the Scarak Hive, accessed through anthill spire structures in the Golden Steppes. On the map, look for large circular brown markers with spire clusters rising above the dunes. Multiple Warriors patrol the exterior — pull them with ranged weapons before entering.

Recommended gear: Full Thorium armor. The attrition from clearing the entire Hive in Iron gear leaves too little health for the boss chamber.

Finding and Clearing the Hive

The Hive entrance is marked by a cluster of tall, sharp spires — a distinctive anthill silhouette visible from the dunes. The location is procedurally generated per world seed, so exact coordinates vary, but the visual profile is consistent. Work down through the hive in a controlled, section-by-section approach [7]:

1. Pull small groups of Warriors and Defenders at a time — don’t rush forward
2. Break every blue egg sac on walls and ceilings as you descend — unbroken sacs spawn Scarak Larvae during the Broodmother fight
3. Scarak Tanks block narrow passages — use blunt weapons and approach from angles to bypass their shield
4. Scarak Locusts in upper levels require ranged shots before closing
5. Reserve healing potions for the boss chamber — the descent is attritional

The Broodmother Fight

The Broodmother (Max HP: 145) doesn’t fight conventionally. Her primary threat is constant minion spawning — Scarak Larvae pour from remaining egg sacs throughout the fight, and the confined chamber traps you if the waves accumulate [7].

The single most important tactic: don’t attack the Broodmother first. Destroy every egg sac in the boss chamber before targeting her. Skipping this step means fighting the boss, surviving Warriors, and unlimited Larvae simultaneously in a tight space — the most common cause of wipes in this encounter.

Once egg sacs are cleared:

• Target her abdomen — the confirmed weak point for bonus damage [7]
• Use ranged weapons to stay mobile while hitting the weak point
• Fire damage and AoE effects handle any residual Larvae
• Apply DoT effects and keep moving — getting cornered against a wall ends the fight

Drops: Venom Sac (2–3×, 100%), Sturdy Chitin (4–6×, 100%). These drops complete your Thorium armor crafting requirements and unlock Armorer’s Workbench Tier 3 (40× Sturdy Chitin total needed). The Broodmother is Zone 2’s gear-up milestone — clear it and you have everything required to prepare for Zone 3: Whisperfrost Frontiers.

For every boss in the game with full strategies, see our Hytale Boss Guide.

How to Prioritise Zone 2 by Player Type

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you enter Zone 2 before finishing Zone 1?

There’s no hard gate preventing it. But Zone 2 mob density assumes Iron-tier minimum. Entering in Leather or early-game gear makes the Badlands and Scarak patrol areas unwinnable. Clear Zone 1’s Firesteel Golem and assemble a full Iron set before crossing.

Where exactly is Thorium in Zone 2?

On cliff faces and cave walls throughout the Howling Sands — look for bright green or lime-colored veins in the sandstone rock. Badlands cliff exposures are the most visible surface locations. Mining Sites (named POIs on your map) have the highest density and are the fastest route to a full Thorium gear set [4].

What are Cyan Crystal Shards used for?

Decorative crafting at the Builder’s Workbench — Cyan Crystal blocks in Small (2 shards), Medium (4), Large (6), and Standard (10) sizes. Not armor-tier materials. The Sandswept Golem drops 15× on death; Sandswept Skeleton Mages and Archmages also drop 15× each at 100% rate.

How do I tame a Camel in Zone 2?

Find a Camel in the Savanna or near an Oasis. Hold a Tomato in your hotbar without it equipped as a weapon, approach slowly without sprinting, and interact. Camels are Zone 2’s exclusive mount. See our Hytale Taming Guide for full taming mechanics and mount comparisons across all zones.

What’s the fastest way to farm Sturdy Chitin?

Scorpions are the most accessible source — common across all Zone 2 biomes with consistent drops. For bulk runs, Hive Warriors and Defenders drop 2–3× each, and the Broodmother drops 4–6× per kill. You need 40× total for Armorer’s Workbench Tier 3 [5].

Should I set up an Ancient Gateway in Zone 2?

Ancient Gateways don’t have a Zone 2 destination — the three craftable fragments reach Windrider Valley, Dragonspire Weald, and Dread Wade. But setting up a Teleporter node in Zone 2 is essential given the zone’s size. See our Ancient Gateway guide for full fast-travel options.

→ See the Hytale All Zones Guide for the complete cross-zone progression overview, gear roadmap, and departure checklists.

Sources

1. Game8 — Hytale Progression Guide
2. BisectHosting — Hytale Zones and Biomes Guide
3. Game8 — Sandswept Golem Boss Guide
4. Game8 — Hytale Ore Locations
5. AllThings.How — Sturdy Chitin Farming in the Howling Sands
6. TheGamer — Hytale Enemy Mob Locations and Drops
7. Game8 — Scarak Broodmother Boss Guide
8. 4NetPlayers — Hytale Wood Types and Tree Locations

Michael R.

I've been playing video games for over 20 years, spanning everything from early PC titles to modern open-world games. I started Switchblade Gaming to publish the kind of accurate, well-researched guides I always wanted to find — built on primary sources, tested in-game, and kept up to date after patches. I currently focus on Minecraft and Pokémon GO.