What is the best way to farm obsidian for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming obsidian in ARK: Survival Evolved is essential for advanced base building, as it is a key resource for crafting high-tier items like polymer, electronics, and advanced structures. Obsidian is primarily found in mountainous regions and volcanic areas, making it a challenging resource to gather due to its limited spawn locations and the dangerous environments where it is found. To efficiently farm obsidian, you need to understand the mechanics, prepare properly, and use the right tools and creatures.
First, you need to locate obsidian nodes. These are large, black, shiny rocks that are typically found in mountainous or volcanic areas. On The Island map, for example, obsidian is abundant in the volcano and the mountains near the Red Obelisk. On other maps like Ragnarok or Extinction, obsidian can be found in specific biomes or caves. Once you locate these nodes, you need the right tools to harvest them. Obsidian can only be harvested effectively with a metal pick or a high-level creature with good gathering abilities, such as an Ankylosaurus or a Magmasaur. Using a stone pick or a low-level creature will yield very little obsidian, so upgrading your tools or taming the right creatures is crucial.
To prepare for obsidian farming, you should first ensure you have a strong mount that can carry a lot of weight and survive in dangerous areas. An Ankylosaurus is one of the best creatures for this task, as it has a high weight capacity and can gather obsidian efficiently. If you are playing solo, you may need to make multiple trips or use a flying mount like an Argentavis to transport the Ankylosaurus to the obsidian nodes. In a tribe, you can coordinate with other players to use multiple Ankylosaurs or even a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry the Ankylosaurus, allowing for more efficient farming.
When farming obsidian, it is important to be aware of the dangers in the area. Mountainous regions are often populated by aggressive creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even Rexes. Flying predators like Argentavis and Pteranodons can also pose a threat. To mitigate these risks, bring a strong combat mount like a Rex or a Spino to protect your gathering creature. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near the obsidian nodes to store your resources and provide a safe retreat if needed. This outpost can include a bed for respawning, storage boxes, and a feeding trough for your tames.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough weight capacity or forgetting to level up their creature's weight stat. Obsidian is extremely heavy, so even a single node can fill up your inventory quickly. To avoid this, level up your Ankylosaurus's weight stat and consider using a weight-reducing saddle if available. Another mistake is not bringing enough food or healing items for your tames, as the harsh environments can drain their health and stamina. Always carry extra food and medical brews to keep your creatures in top condition.
Advanced techniques for obsidian farming include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry an Ankylosaurus directly to the nodes. This allows you to farm obsidian without dismounting, making the process faster and safer. Another optimization is to use a Tek Suit or a high-level Argentavis with a weight-reducing saddle to transport large amounts of obsidian back to your base. If you are playing on a map with a Tek Transmitter, you can also use it to teleport resources directly to your base, saving time and effort.
In terms of resource requirements, you will need a metal pick or a high-level Ankylosaurus to gather obsidian efficiently. You will also need a strong mount for protection and transportation, as well as storage solutions like a Quetzal or a Tek Transmitter for moving large quantities of obsidian. Preparing food, medical brews, and backup tools is also essential for long farming sessions.
For solo players, obsidian farming can be more challenging due to the need for multiple trips and the lack of backup from tribe members. However, with proper preparation and the right creatures, it is still manageable. Tribe players have the advantage of being able to coordinate efforts, such as using multiple Ankylosaurs or a Quetzal to carry resources, making the process faster and more efficient.
In conclusion, farming obsidian in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, the right tools and creatures, and an awareness of the dangers in the environment. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently gather obsidian for advanced base building and crafting. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, proper preparation and resource management are key to successful obsidian farming.
First, you need to locate obsidian nodes. These are large, black, shiny rocks that are typically found in mountainous or volcanic areas. On The Island map, for example, obsidian is abundant in the volcano and the mountains near the Red Obelisk. On other maps like Ragnarok or Extinction, obsidian can be found in specific biomes or caves. Once you locate these nodes, you need the right tools to harvest them. Obsidian can only be harvested effectively with a metal pick or a high-level creature with good gathering abilities, such as an Ankylosaurus or a Magmasaur. Using a stone pick or a low-level creature will yield very little obsidian, so upgrading your tools or taming the right creatures is crucial.
To prepare for obsidian farming, you should first ensure you have a strong mount that can carry a lot of weight and survive in dangerous areas. An Ankylosaurus is one of the best creatures for this task, as it has a high weight capacity and can gather obsidian efficiently. If you are playing solo, you may need to make multiple trips or use a flying mount like an Argentavis to transport the Ankylosaurus to the obsidian nodes. In a tribe, you can coordinate with other players to use multiple Ankylosaurs or even a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry the Ankylosaurus, allowing for more efficient farming.
When farming obsidian, it is important to be aware of the dangers in the area. Mountainous regions are often populated by aggressive creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even Rexes. Flying predators like Argentavis and Pteranodons can also pose a threat. To mitigate these risks, bring a strong combat mount like a Rex or a Spino to protect your gathering creature. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near the obsidian nodes to store your resources and provide a safe retreat if needed. This outpost can include a bed for respawning, storage boxes, and a feeding trough for your tames.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough weight capacity or forgetting to level up their creature's weight stat. Obsidian is extremely heavy, so even a single node can fill up your inventory quickly. To avoid this, level up your Ankylosaurus's weight stat and consider using a weight-reducing saddle if available. Another mistake is not bringing enough food or healing items for your tames, as the harsh environments can drain their health and stamina. Always carry extra food and medical brews to keep your creatures in top condition.
Advanced techniques for obsidian farming include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry an Ankylosaurus directly to the nodes. This allows you to farm obsidian without dismounting, making the process faster and safer. Another optimization is to use a Tek Suit or a high-level Argentavis with a weight-reducing saddle to transport large amounts of obsidian back to your base. If you are playing on a map with a Tek Transmitter, you can also use it to teleport resources directly to your base, saving time and effort.
In terms of resource requirements, you will need a metal pick or a high-level Ankylosaurus to gather obsidian efficiently. You will also need a strong mount for protection and transportation, as well as storage solutions like a Quetzal or a Tek Transmitter for moving large quantities of obsidian. Preparing food, medical brews, and backup tools is also essential for long farming sessions.
For solo players, obsidian farming can be more challenging due to the need for multiple trips and the lack of backup from tribe members. However, with proper preparation and the right creatures, it is still manageable. Tribe players have the advantage of being able to coordinate efforts, such as using multiple Ankylosaurs or a Quetzal to carry resources, making the process faster and more efficient.
In conclusion, farming obsidian in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, the right tools and creatures, and an awareness of the dangers in the environment. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently gather obsidian for advanced base building and crafting. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, proper preparation and resource management are key to successful obsidian farming.