What is the best way to farm thatch for early-game building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming thatch in ARK: Survival Evolved is one of the most essential early-game activities, as it is the primary material for building basic structures like thatch walls, floors, and ceilings. Thatch is gathered by harvesting trees, and while it may seem straightforward, there are several strategies and considerations to maximize efficiency and ensure a steady supply for your base-building needs.
To start, you will need a tool to harvest thatch. The most basic tool is the Stone Pick, which can be crafted using 1 wood, 1 stone, and 10 fiber. The Stone Pick is effective for early-game thatch farming, but it also yields a significant amount of wood, which can be useful for crafting other items. As you progress, you can upgrade to a Metal Pick, which provides a higher yield of thatch per swing and is more durable. However, crafting a Metal Pick requires access to metal, which is typically found in rocky areas or mountains, so it may not be immediately available in the early game.
When farming thatch, the type of tree you harvest matters. Larger trees, such as redwoods or jungle trees, tend to yield more thatch compared to smaller trees or bushes. However, these larger trees are often found in more dangerous areas, so you need to balance risk and reward. In the early game, it is safer to stick to smaller trees near your base or in relatively safe zones like the beaches or forests. As you gain confidence and better tools or tames, you can venture into more dangerous areas for higher yields.
One of the most efficient ways to farm thatch is by using tamed dinosaurs. Certain creatures, such as the Trike, Brontosaurus, or Mammoth, are excellent for gathering thatch. These dinosaurs have high harvesting efficiency and can gather large amounts of thatch in a short time. For example, the Brontosaurus can clear entire forests with its tail swipe, making it ideal for bulk thatch farming. However, taming these creatures requires preparation, such as gathering the necessary resources for taming food (e.g., berries for herbivores) and crafting a saddle to ride them. If you are playing solo, taming a Trike early on is a great strategy, as it is relatively easy to tame and provides a significant boost to your thatch-gathering capabilities.
When farming thatch, it is important to manage your inventory space. Thatch stacks up to 100 per slot, and it can quickly fill your inventory, especially when using dinosaurs. To avoid frequent trips back to your base, consider bringing a pack animal like a Parasaur or a storage dinosaur like a Phiomia to carry extra thatch. Alternatively, you can build temporary storage boxes near your farming area to store excess thatch before transporting it to your base.
A common mistake early-game players make is over-harvesting thatch without a clear plan for its use. Thatch structures are the weakest in the game and are easily destroyed by predators or other players in PvP. While thatch is great for quick shelters, you should aim to upgrade to wood or stone as soon as possible for better durability. Additionally, avoid farming thatch in areas with high predator density, as you may be attacked while harvesting. Always keep an eye on your surroundings and be ready to defend yourself or flee if necessary.
For advanced players, optimizing thatch farming involves using higher-tier tools and tames. The Metal Pick, as mentioned earlier, is a significant upgrade over the Stone Pick. Additionally, using a Therizinosaurus, which is a late-game tame, can yield massive amounts of thatch due to its high harvesting efficiency. However, taming a Therizinosaurus is challenging and requires advanced preparation, such as tranquilizer arrows or darts and a secure taming pen.
In terms of resource requirements, farming thatch is relatively low-cost. You only need basic tools like a Stone Pick or Metal Pick, and optionally, a tamed dinosaur. For solo players, focus on taming a Trike or Parasaur early on to make the process easier. For tribes, coordinating with teammates to tame larger dinosaurs like Brontosauruses or Mammoths can significantly speed up thatch farming and allow for large-scale base construction.
A specific example of efficient thatch farming would be setting up a small base near a forested area. Use a Trike to clear the trees, and store the thatch in a nearby storage box. Once you have a sufficient amount, transport it back to your main base using a pack animal. This method minimizes travel time and maximizes efficiency.
In conclusion, farming thatch in ARK: Survival Evolved is a fundamental early-game activity that requires careful planning and resource management. By using the right tools, tames, and strategies, you can gather thatch efficiently and build a strong foundation for your base. Always prioritize safety, upgrade to stronger materials when possible, and consider the benefits of taming dinosaurs to streamline the process. With these tips, you will be well-equipped to handle the challenges of base building in ARK.
To start, you will need a tool to harvest thatch. The most basic tool is the Stone Pick, which can be crafted using 1 wood, 1 stone, and 10 fiber. The Stone Pick is effective for early-game thatch farming, but it also yields a significant amount of wood, which can be useful for crafting other items. As you progress, you can upgrade to a Metal Pick, which provides a higher yield of thatch per swing and is more durable. However, crafting a Metal Pick requires access to metal, which is typically found in rocky areas or mountains, so it may not be immediately available in the early game.
When farming thatch, the type of tree you harvest matters. Larger trees, such as redwoods or jungle trees, tend to yield more thatch compared to smaller trees or bushes. However, these larger trees are often found in more dangerous areas, so you need to balance risk and reward. In the early game, it is safer to stick to smaller trees near your base or in relatively safe zones like the beaches or forests. As you gain confidence and better tools or tames, you can venture into more dangerous areas for higher yields.
One of the most efficient ways to farm thatch is by using tamed dinosaurs. Certain creatures, such as the Trike, Brontosaurus, or Mammoth, are excellent for gathering thatch. These dinosaurs have high harvesting efficiency and can gather large amounts of thatch in a short time. For example, the Brontosaurus can clear entire forests with its tail swipe, making it ideal for bulk thatch farming. However, taming these creatures requires preparation, such as gathering the necessary resources for taming food (e.g., berries for herbivores) and crafting a saddle to ride them. If you are playing solo, taming a Trike early on is a great strategy, as it is relatively easy to tame and provides a significant boost to your thatch-gathering capabilities.
When farming thatch, it is important to manage your inventory space. Thatch stacks up to 100 per slot, and it can quickly fill your inventory, especially when using dinosaurs. To avoid frequent trips back to your base, consider bringing a pack animal like a Parasaur or a storage dinosaur like a Phiomia to carry extra thatch. Alternatively, you can build temporary storage boxes near your farming area to store excess thatch before transporting it to your base.
A common mistake early-game players make is over-harvesting thatch without a clear plan for its use. Thatch structures are the weakest in the game and are easily destroyed by predators or other players in PvP. While thatch is great for quick shelters, you should aim to upgrade to wood or stone as soon as possible for better durability. Additionally, avoid farming thatch in areas with high predator density, as you may be attacked while harvesting. Always keep an eye on your surroundings and be ready to defend yourself or flee if necessary.
For advanced players, optimizing thatch farming involves using higher-tier tools and tames. The Metal Pick, as mentioned earlier, is a significant upgrade over the Stone Pick. Additionally, using a Therizinosaurus, which is a late-game tame, can yield massive amounts of thatch due to its high harvesting efficiency. However, taming a Therizinosaurus is challenging and requires advanced preparation, such as tranquilizer arrows or darts and a secure taming pen.
In terms of resource requirements, farming thatch is relatively low-cost. You only need basic tools like a Stone Pick or Metal Pick, and optionally, a tamed dinosaur. For solo players, focus on taming a Trike or Parasaur early on to make the process easier. For tribes, coordinating with teammates to tame larger dinosaurs like Brontosauruses or Mammoths can significantly speed up thatch farming and allow for large-scale base construction.
A specific example of efficient thatch farming would be setting up a small base near a forested area. Use a Trike to clear the trees, and store the thatch in a nearby storage box. Once you have a sufficient amount, transport it back to your main base using a pack animal. This method minimizes travel time and maximizes efficiency.
In conclusion, farming thatch in ARK: Survival Evolved is a fundamental early-game activity that requires careful planning and resource management. By using the right tools, tames, and strategies, you can gather thatch efficiently and build a strong foundation for your base. Always prioritize safety, upgrade to stronger materials when possible, and consider the benefits of taming dinosaurs to streamline the process. With these tips, you will be well-equipped to handle the challenges of base building in ARK.