What is the most efficient way to farm stone for base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming stone efficiently in ARK: Survival Evolved is crucial for base building, as stone is one of the most commonly used resources for constructing durable structures. Stone is primarily gathered by hitting rocks with tools like a pickaxe or by using tamed creatures that excel at harvesting stone. Understanding the mechanics and optimizing your approach will save you time and effort.
To start, you need the right tools. Early in the game, a simple stone pickaxe will suffice, but it is not the most efficient method. As you progress, upgrading to a metal pickaxe significantly increases your stone yield per rock. However, the most efficient way to farm stone is by using tamed creatures. Dinosaurs like the Doedicurus, Ankylosaurus, and Magmasaur are excellent for this purpose. The Doedicurus, in particular, is the best stone-gathering creature in the game. When set to wander or manually directed to attack rocks, it can harvest large amounts of stone quickly and even reduce the weight of stone in its inventory, making it easier to transport.
To tame a Doedicurus, you will need to knock it out using tranquilizer arrows or darts. Once unconscious, feed it vegetables or kibble to tame it. After taming, equip it with a saddle to ride and control it. When farming stone, simply approach rocks and attack them with the Doedicurus. It will automatically gather stone and store it in its inventory. Be sure to keep an eye on its weight limit, as it can quickly become encumbered. You can either transfer the stone to your inventory or use a weight-reducing creature like a Argentavis or a Quetzal to transport the stone back to your base.
Another effective method is using an Ankylosaurus. While it is primarily known for gathering metal, it also collects stone efficiently. The Ankylosaurus can be tamed similarly to the Doedicurus and is useful for gathering multiple resources in one trip. However, it does not have the weight reduction perk for stone, so managing its inventory is more challenging.
For advanced players, the Magmasaur is an excellent choice for stone farming, especially in the volcanic regions of maps like Genesis Part 1. The Magmasaur can harvest stone and other resources at an impressive rate, but it requires careful handling due to its fiery nature and the need to keep it cooled in hot environments.
When farming stone, location is key. Look for areas with dense clusters of rocks, such as mountains, riverbeds, or rocky outcrops. Maps like The Island, Ragnarok, and Valguero have abundant rock formations that are ideal for stone farming. Be cautious of hostile creatures in these areas, as they can pose a threat while you are gathering resources. Bringing a tamed creature for protection, such as a Rex or a Spino, is advisable.
Resource management is also important. Always carry a few stacks of food, water, and tools for repairs. If you are farming solo, consider setting up a temporary storage box or a tamed creature with high weight capacity nearby to store excess stone. For tribes, coordinating with teammates to gather and transport stone can significantly speed up the process. Assign roles, such as one player gathering stone while another transports it back to the base.
Common mistakes to avoid include overloading your inventory or your tamed creature's inventory, which can slow you down or leave you vulnerable to attacks. Always monitor your weight and plan your trips accordingly. Additionally, avoid farming in dangerous areas without proper preparation or backup. Hostile creatures or other players in PvP servers can easily ambush you if you are not careful.
Advanced techniques include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry a Doedicurus or Ankylosaurus to remote locations for farming. This allows you to gather stone in areas that are otherwise difficult to access. You can also use a Tek Transmitter to quickly transfer large amounts of stone back to your base, though this requires advanced technology and resources.
In summary, the most efficient way to farm stone in ARK: Survival Evolved involves using tamed creatures like the Doedicurus, Ankylosaurus, or Magmasaur, combined with strategic location selection and proper resource management. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, optimizing your approach will ensure a steady supply of stone for all your base-building needs.
To start, you need the right tools. Early in the game, a simple stone pickaxe will suffice, but it is not the most efficient method. As you progress, upgrading to a metal pickaxe significantly increases your stone yield per rock. However, the most efficient way to farm stone is by using tamed creatures. Dinosaurs like the Doedicurus, Ankylosaurus, and Magmasaur are excellent for this purpose. The Doedicurus, in particular, is the best stone-gathering creature in the game. When set to wander or manually directed to attack rocks, it can harvest large amounts of stone quickly and even reduce the weight of stone in its inventory, making it easier to transport.
To tame a Doedicurus, you will need to knock it out using tranquilizer arrows or darts. Once unconscious, feed it vegetables or kibble to tame it. After taming, equip it with a saddle to ride and control it. When farming stone, simply approach rocks and attack them with the Doedicurus. It will automatically gather stone and store it in its inventory. Be sure to keep an eye on its weight limit, as it can quickly become encumbered. You can either transfer the stone to your inventory or use a weight-reducing creature like a Argentavis or a Quetzal to transport the stone back to your base.
Another effective method is using an Ankylosaurus. While it is primarily known for gathering metal, it also collects stone efficiently. The Ankylosaurus can be tamed similarly to the Doedicurus and is useful for gathering multiple resources in one trip. However, it does not have the weight reduction perk for stone, so managing its inventory is more challenging.
For advanced players, the Magmasaur is an excellent choice for stone farming, especially in the volcanic regions of maps like Genesis Part 1. The Magmasaur can harvest stone and other resources at an impressive rate, but it requires careful handling due to its fiery nature and the need to keep it cooled in hot environments.
When farming stone, location is key. Look for areas with dense clusters of rocks, such as mountains, riverbeds, or rocky outcrops. Maps like The Island, Ragnarok, and Valguero have abundant rock formations that are ideal for stone farming. Be cautious of hostile creatures in these areas, as they can pose a threat while you are gathering resources. Bringing a tamed creature for protection, such as a Rex or a Spino, is advisable.
Resource management is also important. Always carry a few stacks of food, water, and tools for repairs. If you are farming solo, consider setting up a temporary storage box or a tamed creature with high weight capacity nearby to store excess stone. For tribes, coordinating with teammates to gather and transport stone can significantly speed up the process. Assign roles, such as one player gathering stone while another transports it back to the base.
Common mistakes to avoid include overloading your inventory or your tamed creature's inventory, which can slow you down or leave you vulnerable to attacks. Always monitor your weight and plan your trips accordingly. Additionally, avoid farming in dangerous areas without proper preparation or backup. Hostile creatures or other players in PvP servers can easily ambush you if you are not careful.
Advanced techniques include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry a Doedicurus or Ankylosaurus to remote locations for farming. This allows you to gather stone in areas that are otherwise difficult to access. You can also use a Tek Transmitter to quickly transfer large amounts of stone back to your base, though this requires advanced technology and resources.
In summary, the most efficient way to farm stone in ARK: Survival Evolved involves using tamed creatures like the Doedicurus, Ankylosaurus, or Magmasaur, combined with strategic location selection and proper resource management. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, optimizing your approach will ensure a steady supply of stone for all your base-building needs.