What is the most efficient way to farm metal for base upgrades in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming metal efficiently in ARK: Survival Evolved is crucial for base upgrades, as metal is one of the most important resources for crafting advanced structures, tools, and weapons. Metal nodes are the primary source of metal, and they are typically found in mountainous or rocky areas. To maximize your metal farming efficiency, you need to understand the mechanics, prepare properly, and use the right strategies.
First, you need to locate metal-rich areas. On most maps, metal nodes are abundant in high-altitude regions like mountains. For example, on The Island map, the volcano, the mountain near the red obelisk, and the mountain in the snow biome are excellent locations. On other maps like Ragnarok or Valguero, metal nodes are also found in similar mountainous areas. Once you identify a good farming spot, you need to prepare for the trip. Bring a strong pickaxe or a metal hatchet, as these tools yield the most metal when harvesting nodes. Additionally, bring a high-weight dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus, which is the best dinosaur for farming metal due to its ability to gather large amounts of metal quickly and its weight reduction for metal in its inventory.
Before heading out, ensure you have a safe base nearby or a tamed flying mount like an Argentavis or a Quetzal to transport the metal. Argentavis is particularly useful because it has a weight reduction for metal and can carry an Ankylosaurus using its grab ability. If you are playing solo, this setup is ideal for transporting large amounts of metal back to your base. If you are in a tribe, you can coordinate with teammates to have one person farm while another transports the metal using a Quetzal with a platform saddle, which can carry multiple Ankylosauruses.
When farming metal, focus on the shiny, golden-colored rocks, as these yield the most metal. Use your Ankylosaurus to harvest these nodes, as it can gather metal much faster than using tools. After harvesting, transfer the metal to your Argentavis or Quetzal to take advantage of their weight reduction. If you are farming in a dangerous area, bring defensive dinosaurs like Rexes or Carnotaurus to protect you from hostile creatures. Additionally, consider building a small outpost with storage boxes and a bed near the farming area to reduce travel time and provide a respawn point in case of death.
One common mistake is overloading your dinosaur or yourself with too much metal, which can slow you down and make you vulnerable to attacks. Always monitor your weight and make multiple trips if necessary. Another mistake is not bringing enough tools or backup dinosaurs, which can leave you stranded if your primary tools break or your dinosaur dies. Always carry extra tools and have a backup plan.
Advanced techniques include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry multiple Ankylosauruses, allowing you to farm metal even faster. You can also use a mining drill, which is an advanced tool that can harvest metal nodes quickly but requires gasoline and is best used in late-game scenarios. Additionally, consider using a Tek Stryder with a mining drill attachment if you have access to Tek-tier technology, as it can automate the farming process.
Resource requirements for efficient metal farming include a high-level Ankylosaurus, a flying mount like an Argentavis or Quetzal, and a strong pickaxe or metal hatchet. You will also need a safe base or outpost near the farming area, as well as defensive dinosaurs if the area is dangerous. For tribes, coordination is key, as multiple players can work together to farm and transport metal more efficiently.
In summary, efficient metal farming in ARK: Survival Evolved involves locating metal-rich areas, using the right tools and dinosaurs, and preparing for the trip. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, proper planning and coordination will ensure you gather large amounts of metal quickly and safely. Avoid common mistakes like overloading your inventory and always have a backup plan. Advanced techniques like using a Quetzal with a platform saddle or a Tek Stryder can further optimize your farming process. With these strategies, you will have a steady supply of metal for all your base upgrades and crafting needs.
First, you need to locate metal-rich areas. On most maps, metal nodes are abundant in high-altitude regions like mountains. For example, on The Island map, the volcano, the mountain near the red obelisk, and the mountain in the snow biome are excellent locations. On other maps like Ragnarok or Valguero, metal nodes are also found in similar mountainous areas. Once you identify a good farming spot, you need to prepare for the trip. Bring a strong pickaxe or a metal hatchet, as these tools yield the most metal when harvesting nodes. Additionally, bring a high-weight dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus, which is the best dinosaur for farming metal due to its ability to gather large amounts of metal quickly and its weight reduction for metal in its inventory.
Before heading out, ensure you have a safe base nearby or a tamed flying mount like an Argentavis or a Quetzal to transport the metal. Argentavis is particularly useful because it has a weight reduction for metal and can carry an Ankylosaurus using its grab ability. If you are playing solo, this setup is ideal for transporting large amounts of metal back to your base. If you are in a tribe, you can coordinate with teammates to have one person farm while another transports the metal using a Quetzal with a platform saddle, which can carry multiple Ankylosauruses.
When farming metal, focus on the shiny, golden-colored rocks, as these yield the most metal. Use your Ankylosaurus to harvest these nodes, as it can gather metal much faster than using tools. After harvesting, transfer the metal to your Argentavis or Quetzal to take advantage of their weight reduction. If you are farming in a dangerous area, bring defensive dinosaurs like Rexes or Carnotaurus to protect you from hostile creatures. Additionally, consider building a small outpost with storage boxes and a bed near the farming area to reduce travel time and provide a respawn point in case of death.
One common mistake is overloading your dinosaur or yourself with too much metal, which can slow you down and make you vulnerable to attacks. Always monitor your weight and make multiple trips if necessary. Another mistake is not bringing enough tools or backup dinosaurs, which can leave you stranded if your primary tools break or your dinosaur dies. Always carry extra tools and have a backup plan.
Advanced techniques include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry multiple Ankylosauruses, allowing you to farm metal even faster. You can also use a mining drill, which is an advanced tool that can harvest metal nodes quickly but requires gasoline and is best used in late-game scenarios. Additionally, consider using a Tek Stryder with a mining drill attachment if you have access to Tek-tier technology, as it can automate the farming process.
Resource requirements for efficient metal farming include a high-level Ankylosaurus, a flying mount like an Argentavis or Quetzal, and a strong pickaxe or metal hatchet. You will also need a safe base or outpost near the farming area, as well as defensive dinosaurs if the area is dangerous. For tribes, coordination is key, as multiple players can work together to farm and transport metal more efficiently.
In summary, efficient metal farming in ARK: Survival Evolved involves locating metal-rich areas, using the right tools and dinosaurs, and preparing for the trip. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, proper planning and coordination will ensure you gather large amounts of metal quickly and safely. Avoid common mistakes like overloading your inventory and always have a backup plan. Advanced techniques like using a Quetzal with a platform saddle or a Tek Stryder can further optimize your farming process. With these strategies, you will have a steady supply of metal for all your base upgrades and crafting needs.