What is the best way to farm polymer for advanced base structures in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming polymer for advanced base structures in ARK: Survival Evolved is a critical task, especially when you need to craft high-tier items like turrets, advanced crafting stations, or reinforced structures. Polymer is a versatile resource used in many late-game recipes, and there are several ways to obtain it efficiently. Below is a detailed guide on how to farm polymer, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.
Polymer can be obtained in two main ways: organic polymer and crafted polymer. Organic polymer is a natural resource that can be harvested from certain creatures or looted from specific sources, while crafted polymer is made in a fabricator using obsidian and cementing paste. Organic polymer is more efficient for immediate use but spoils over time, while crafted polymer is permanent and ideal for long-term storage.
To farm organic polymer, the best creatures to target are Kairuku (penguins) and Mantises. Kairuku are found in cold biomes, such as the snowy regions of The Island or Ragnarok. They drop a significant amount of organic polymer when harvested with a chainsaw or a high-damage tool like a metal hatchet. Mantises, found in desert biomes like Scorched Earth or certain areas of Ragnarok, also drop organic polymer when killed. Using a chainsaw on these creatures yields the highest amount of polymer, but be prepared for combat, as Mantises can be dangerous.
Another source of organic polymer is the Hesperornis, a bird found near water. When killed, it drops organic polymer and raw fish meat. However, Hesperornis is less efficient than Kairuku or Mantises for farming. Additionally, you can loot organic polymer from beaver dams, which also contain cementing paste, a valuable resource for crafting polymer.
For crafted polymer, you will need obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions and can be harvested with a metal pickaxe or an Ankylosaurus. Cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle, or it can be looted from beaver dams. Once you have these resources, craft polymer in a fabricator. This method is more resource-intensive but provides a permanent solution for your polymer needs.
When farming organic polymer, it is important to note that it spoils over time. To maximize its use, only harvest what you need immediately or store it in a preserving bin with preserving salt to slow the spoilage timer. Alternatively, you can convert organic polymer into regular polymer using a fabricator, but this is less efficient than crafting polymer directly from obsidian and cementing paste.
For solo players, farming polymer can be time-consuming, but taming creatures like the Ankylosaurus for obsidian and the Doedicurus for stone can speed up the process. In a tribe,ÕêåÕÀÑÕÉêõ¢£ can make farming more efficient. For example, one player can focus on gathering obsidian while another collects cementing paste from beaver dams or farms chitin from insects.
A common mistake is overharvesting organic polymer without a plan for immediate use, leading to spoilage. Always prioritize crafting polymer if you have the resources, as it does not spoil. Another mistake is neglecting to bring the right tools, such as a chainsaw or high-damage weapons, when farming creatures for organic polymer. Without these tools, your yield will be significantly lower.
Advanced techniques include using a tamed Megatherium to farm chitin from insects, which can then be converted into cementing paste. Megatheriums gain a buff when killing insects, making them highly efficient for this task. Additionally, setting up a base near a beaver dam spawn point can provide a steady supply of cementing paste and organic polymer.
In summary, farming polymer in ARK requires a combination of resource gathering, creature taming, and efficient crafting. Whether you choose to farm organic polymer or craft it from obsidian and cementing paste, proper preparation and strategy will ensure you have a steady supply for your advanced base structures. Always consider your playstyle, whether solo or in a tribe, and optimize your farming methods accordingly.
Polymer can be obtained in two main ways: organic polymer and crafted polymer. Organic polymer is a natural resource that can be harvested from certain creatures or looted from specific sources, while crafted polymer is made in a fabricator using obsidian and cementing paste. Organic polymer is more efficient for immediate use but spoils over time, while crafted polymer is permanent and ideal for long-term storage.
To farm organic polymer, the best creatures to target are Kairuku (penguins) and Mantises. Kairuku are found in cold biomes, such as the snowy regions of The Island or Ragnarok. They drop a significant amount of organic polymer when harvested with a chainsaw or a high-damage tool like a metal hatchet. Mantises, found in desert biomes like Scorched Earth or certain areas of Ragnarok, also drop organic polymer when killed. Using a chainsaw on these creatures yields the highest amount of polymer, but be prepared for combat, as Mantises can be dangerous.
Another source of organic polymer is the Hesperornis, a bird found near water. When killed, it drops organic polymer and raw fish meat. However, Hesperornis is less efficient than Kairuku or Mantises for farming. Additionally, you can loot organic polymer from beaver dams, which also contain cementing paste, a valuable resource for crafting polymer.
For crafted polymer, you will need obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions and can be harvested with a metal pickaxe or an Ankylosaurus. Cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle, or it can be looted from beaver dams. Once you have these resources, craft polymer in a fabricator. This method is more resource-intensive but provides a permanent solution for your polymer needs.
When farming organic polymer, it is important to note that it spoils over time. To maximize its use, only harvest what you need immediately or store it in a preserving bin with preserving salt to slow the spoilage timer. Alternatively, you can convert organic polymer into regular polymer using a fabricator, but this is less efficient than crafting polymer directly from obsidian and cementing paste.
For solo players, farming polymer can be time-consuming, but taming creatures like the Ankylosaurus for obsidian and the Doedicurus for stone can speed up the process. In a tribe,ÕêåÕÀÑÕÉêõ¢£ can make farming more efficient. For example, one player can focus on gathering obsidian while another collects cementing paste from beaver dams or farms chitin from insects.
A common mistake is overharvesting organic polymer without a plan for immediate use, leading to spoilage. Always prioritize crafting polymer if you have the resources, as it does not spoil. Another mistake is neglecting to bring the right tools, such as a chainsaw or high-damage weapons, when farming creatures for organic polymer. Without these tools, your yield will be significantly lower.
Advanced techniques include using a tamed Megatherium to farm chitin from insects, which can then be converted into cementing paste. Megatheriums gain a buff when killing insects, making them highly efficient for this task. Additionally, setting up a base near a beaver dam spawn point can provide a steady supply of cementing paste and organic polymer.
In summary, farming polymer in ARK requires a combination of resource gathering, creature taming, and efficient crafting. Whether you choose to farm organic polymer or craft it from obsidian and cementing paste, proper preparation and strategy will ensure you have a steady supply for your advanced base structures. Always consider your playstyle, whether solo or in a tribe, and optimize your farming methods accordingly.