What is the best way to gather metal for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering metal efficiently in ARK: Survival Evolved is crucial for advanced base building, as metal is one of the most important resources for crafting high-tier structures, tools, and weapons. Metal nodes, which are large, shiny rocks with a golden or silver hue, are the primary source of metal. These nodes are commonly found in mountainous regions, caves, and certain areas of the map. To gather metal effectively, you need to understand the mechanics, prepare the right tools and dinosaurs, and optimize your resource-gathering process.
First, you need the right tools. A metal pickaxe is the most efficient tool for harvesting metal from nodes. Early in the game, you can use a stone pickaxe, but it yields less metal compared to a metal pickaxe. Once you have access to metal tools, prioritize crafting a metal pickaxe to maximize your metal yield. Additionally, having a high-level Ankylosaurus is highly recommended. The Ankylosaurus is one of the best dinosaurs for gathering metal, as it can harvest large amounts of metal quickly and has a weight reduction for metal in its inventory. If you donÔÇÖt have an Ankylosaurus, a high-level Doedicurus can also be useful for gathering stone, which is often found near metal nodes and is needed for crafting metal ingots.
To begin gathering metal, you need to locate metal nodes. On most maps, metal nodes are abundant in mountainous areas. For example, on The Island map, the mountains in the northwest, northeast, and central regions are rich in metal. On Ragnarok, the highlands and volcano areas are excellent spots. Once youÔÇÖve identified a good location, bring your Ankylosaurus or other gathering dinosaur to the area. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, you can ride the Ankylosaurus directly. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, you can use a Quetzal or Argentavis to carry the Ankylosaurus to the metal-rich areas, which saves time and reduces the risk of encountering dangerous creatures.
When gathering metal, itÔÇÖs important to manage your inventory weight. Metal is heavy, and both you and your dinosaur can quickly become over-encumbered. To mitigate this, you can use a weight-reducing dinosaur like a Argentavis or a platform saddle on a Quetzal to transport the metal back to your base. Alternatively, you can set up a temporary forge near the metal nodes to smelt the metal into ingots on-site, which reduces the weight significantly. Smelting metal requires wood or sparkpowder as fuel, so make sure to bring enough resources to power the forge.
One common mistake is not bringing enough protection. Metal-rich areas are often populated by aggressive creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even Rexes. Always bring a strong combat dinosaur like a Rex or Spino to defend yourself while gathering. Additionally, avoid overloading your inventory or your dinosaurÔÇÖs inventory, as this can leave you vulnerable to attacks. Another mistake is not planning your route. Before heading out, scout the area to identify the safest and most efficient path to the metal nodes. This minimizes the risk of getting lost or ambushed.
Advanced techniques include using a mining drill, which is a late-game tool that can harvest metal and other resources at an extremely fast rate. However, the mining drill requires gasoline and is best used in conjunction with a high-level Ankylosaurus for maximum efficiency. Another optimization is to build a small outpost near metal-rich areas. This outpost can include a forge, storage boxes, and a bed for respawning if you die. This setup allows you to gather and smelt metal without needing to travel back to your main base constantly.
Resource requirements for efficient metal gathering include a metal pickaxe, a high-level Ankylosaurus, and a transport dinosaur like an Argentavis or Quetzal. YouÔÇÖll also need wood or sparkpowder for smelting and a forge to convert metal ore into ingots. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering metal, another defending, and another transporting resources. This division of labor ensures that the process is smooth and efficient.
In summary, gathering metal for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, the right tools and dinosaurs, and efficient resource management. By locating metal-rich areas, using an Ankylosaurus, and setting up temporary forges, you can gather and smelt metal quickly. Avoid common mistakes like overloading your inventory and not bringing enough protection. Advanced techniques like using a mining drill and building outposts can further optimize your metal-gathering process. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather the metal you need to build a strong and secure base.
First, you need the right tools. A metal pickaxe is the most efficient tool for harvesting metal from nodes. Early in the game, you can use a stone pickaxe, but it yields less metal compared to a metal pickaxe. Once you have access to metal tools, prioritize crafting a metal pickaxe to maximize your metal yield. Additionally, having a high-level Ankylosaurus is highly recommended. The Ankylosaurus is one of the best dinosaurs for gathering metal, as it can harvest large amounts of metal quickly and has a weight reduction for metal in its inventory. If you donÔÇÖt have an Ankylosaurus, a high-level Doedicurus can also be useful for gathering stone, which is often found near metal nodes and is needed for crafting metal ingots.
To begin gathering metal, you need to locate metal nodes. On most maps, metal nodes are abundant in mountainous areas. For example, on The Island map, the mountains in the northwest, northeast, and central regions are rich in metal. On Ragnarok, the highlands and volcano areas are excellent spots. Once youÔÇÖve identified a good location, bring your Ankylosaurus or other gathering dinosaur to the area. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, you can ride the Ankylosaurus directly. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, you can use a Quetzal or Argentavis to carry the Ankylosaurus to the metal-rich areas, which saves time and reduces the risk of encountering dangerous creatures.
When gathering metal, itÔÇÖs important to manage your inventory weight. Metal is heavy, and both you and your dinosaur can quickly become over-encumbered. To mitigate this, you can use a weight-reducing dinosaur like a Argentavis or a platform saddle on a Quetzal to transport the metal back to your base. Alternatively, you can set up a temporary forge near the metal nodes to smelt the metal into ingots on-site, which reduces the weight significantly. Smelting metal requires wood or sparkpowder as fuel, so make sure to bring enough resources to power the forge.
One common mistake is not bringing enough protection. Metal-rich areas are often populated by aggressive creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even Rexes. Always bring a strong combat dinosaur like a Rex or Spino to defend yourself while gathering. Additionally, avoid overloading your inventory or your dinosaurÔÇÖs inventory, as this can leave you vulnerable to attacks. Another mistake is not planning your route. Before heading out, scout the area to identify the safest and most efficient path to the metal nodes. This minimizes the risk of getting lost or ambushed.
Advanced techniques include using a mining drill, which is a late-game tool that can harvest metal and other resources at an extremely fast rate. However, the mining drill requires gasoline and is best used in conjunction with a high-level Ankylosaurus for maximum efficiency. Another optimization is to build a small outpost near metal-rich areas. This outpost can include a forge, storage boxes, and a bed for respawning if you die. This setup allows you to gather and smelt metal without needing to travel back to your main base constantly.
Resource requirements for efficient metal gathering include a metal pickaxe, a high-level Ankylosaurus, and a transport dinosaur like an Argentavis or Quetzal. YouÔÇÖll also need wood or sparkpowder for smelting and a forge to convert metal ore into ingots. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering metal, another defending, and another transporting resources. This division of labor ensures that the process is smooth and efficient.
In summary, gathering metal for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, the right tools and dinosaurs, and efficient resource management. By locating metal-rich areas, using an Ankylosaurus, and setting up temporary forges, you can gather and smelt metal quickly. Avoid common mistakes like overloading your inventory and not bringing enough protection. Advanced techniques like using a mining drill and building outposts can further optimize your metal-gathering process. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather the metal you need to build a strong and secure base.