What are the best ways to farm crystal for base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming crystal efficiently in ARK: Survival Evolved is essential for base building, especially when crafting advanced structures, electronics, and tools. Crystal is a valuable resource used in many mid-to-late-game recipes, and gathering it effectively requires preparation, strategy, and the right tools or dinosaurs. Below is a detailed guide on how to farm crystal, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips for both solo players and tribes.
Crystal is primarily found in rocky areas, caves, and mountain regions. It appears as large, shiny, blueish-white clusters on rocks or cliffs. To gather crystal, you need tools like a pickaxe, metal pickaxe, or a dinosaur with high harvesting efficiency, such as an Ankylosaurus or a Metal Pickaxe-equipped Argentavis. The quality of your tools or the dinosaur you use will determine how much crystal you gather per node. For example, an Ankylosaurus is one of the best dinosaurs for farming crystal due to its high weight capacity and harvesting efficiency.
To start farming crystal, you need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have the right tools or a tamed dinosaur. If you are early in the game and do not have access to an Ankylosaurus, a metal pickaxe is your best option. However, if you have progressed further, taming an Ankylosaurus or Argentavis will significantly increase your efficiency. For solo players, taming an Ankylosaurus is highly recommended because it can carry a lot of weight and harvest crystal quickly. Tribes can assign specific roles, such as one player gathering crystal while another transports it using a high-weight dinosaur like a Brontosaurus or Quetzal.
Once you have your tools or dinosaur ready, scout for crystal-rich areas. On most maps, mountains and caves are the best locations. For example, on The Island, the volcano and the mountains near the Red Obelisk are excellent spots. On Ragnarok, the highlands and the desert canyon are rich in crystal. Be cautious when farming in these areas, as they are often populated by dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, or even Rexes. Bring weapons, armor, and a tamed dinosaur for protection.
When farming crystal, prioritize efficiency. If you are using an Ankylosaurus, position it close to the crystal nodes and use its tail attack to harvest. The Ankylosaurus will gather large amounts of crystal quickly, but it is slow, so plan your route to minimize travel time. If you are using an Argentavis, equip it with a metal pickaxe in its beak and attack the crystal nodes. This method is faster than using a pickaxe by hand but less efficient than an Ankylosaurus. For solo players, consider setting up a small outpost near crystal-rich areas to store resources and reduce travel time.
Resource management is crucial when farming crystal. Crystal is heavy, so you will need to manage your inventory or your dinosaur's weight capacity. If you are solo, consider bringing a pack mule dinosaur like a Parasaur or a Phiomia to carry extra crystal. Tribes can use a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport large quantities of crystal back to base. Additionally, crafting a storage box or vault near your farming location can help you store crystal temporarily before transporting it.
Common mistakes to avoid include overloading your dinosaur or yourself, which can slow you down or leave you vulnerable to attacks. Always keep an eye on your weight limit and plan your trips accordingly. Another mistake is farming in dangerous areas without proper protection. Always bring a strong tamed dinosaur or weapons to defend yourself against hostile creatures. Finally, avoid farming crystal during nighttime unless you have a light source, as visibility is reduced, and the risk of ambush increases.
Advanced techniques include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle and an Ankylosaurus. You can carry the Ankylosaurus on the Quetzal's platform and fly it to crystal nodes, allowing you to farm crystal quickly and safely. This method is especially useful for tribes with multiple players. Another optimization is using a Tek Stryder, a late-game dinosaur that can harvest crystal efficiently and has a built-in resource storage system. However, this requires access to Tek Tier technology.
In summary, farming crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved requires preparation, the right tools or dinosaurs, and careful planning. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, using an Ankylosaurus or Argentavis will significantly increase your efficiency. Always prioritize safety, manage your resources wisely, and avoid common mistakes like overloading or farming in dangerous areas without protection. With these strategies, you can gather crystal efficiently and build a strong, advanced base to survive in the dangerous world of ARK.
Crystal is primarily found in rocky areas, caves, and mountain regions. It appears as large, shiny, blueish-white clusters on rocks or cliffs. To gather crystal, you need tools like a pickaxe, metal pickaxe, or a dinosaur with high harvesting efficiency, such as an Ankylosaurus or a Metal Pickaxe-equipped Argentavis. The quality of your tools or the dinosaur you use will determine how much crystal you gather per node. For example, an Ankylosaurus is one of the best dinosaurs for farming crystal due to its high weight capacity and harvesting efficiency.
To start farming crystal, you need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have the right tools or a tamed dinosaur. If you are early in the game and do not have access to an Ankylosaurus, a metal pickaxe is your best option. However, if you have progressed further, taming an Ankylosaurus or Argentavis will significantly increase your efficiency. For solo players, taming an Ankylosaurus is highly recommended because it can carry a lot of weight and harvest crystal quickly. Tribes can assign specific roles, such as one player gathering crystal while another transports it using a high-weight dinosaur like a Brontosaurus or Quetzal.
Once you have your tools or dinosaur ready, scout for crystal-rich areas. On most maps, mountains and caves are the best locations. For example, on The Island, the volcano and the mountains near the Red Obelisk are excellent spots. On Ragnarok, the highlands and the desert canyon are rich in crystal. Be cautious when farming in these areas, as they are often populated by dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, or even Rexes. Bring weapons, armor, and a tamed dinosaur for protection.
When farming crystal, prioritize efficiency. If you are using an Ankylosaurus, position it close to the crystal nodes and use its tail attack to harvest. The Ankylosaurus will gather large amounts of crystal quickly, but it is slow, so plan your route to minimize travel time. If you are using an Argentavis, equip it with a metal pickaxe in its beak and attack the crystal nodes. This method is faster than using a pickaxe by hand but less efficient than an Ankylosaurus. For solo players, consider setting up a small outpost near crystal-rich areas to store resources and reduce travel time.
Resource management is crucial when farming crystal. Crystal is heavy, so you will need to manage your inventory or your dinosaur's weight capacity. If you are solo, consider bringing a pack mule dinosaur like a Parasaur or a Phiomia to carry extra crystal. Tribes can use a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport large quantities of crystal back to base. Additionally, crafting a storage box or vault near your farming location can help you store crystal temporarily before transporting it.
Common mistakes to avoid include overloading your dinosaur or yourself, which can slow you down or leave you vulnerable to attacks. Always keep an eye on your weight limit and plan your trips accordingly. Another mistake is farming in dangerous areas without proper protection. Always bring a strong tamed dinosaur or weapons to defend yourself against hostile creatures. Finally, avoid farming crystal during nighttime unless you have a light source, as visibility is reduced, and the risk of ambush increases.
Advanced techniques include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle and an Ankylosaurus. You can carry the Ankylosaurus on the Quetzal's platform and fly it to crystal nodes, allowing you to farm crystal quickly and safely. This method is especially useful for tribes with multiple players. Another optimization is using a Tek Stryder, a late-game dinosaur that can harvest crystal efficiently and has a built-in resource storage system. However, this requires access to Tek Tier technology.
In summary, farming crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved requires preparation, the right tools or dinosaurs, and careful planning. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, using an Ankylosaurus or Argentavis will significantly increase your efficiency. Always prioritize safety, manage your resources wisely, and avoid common mistakes like overloading or farming in dangerous areas without protection. With these strategies, you can gather crystal efficiently and build a strong, advanced base to survive in the dangerous world of ARK.