What are the best ways to gather polymer for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Polymer is a crucial resource in ARK: Survival Evolved, especially for advanced base building and crafting high-tier items like weapons, armor, and structures. It is used in many late-game recipes, making it essential for players who want to progress. There are several ways to gather polymer, each with its own mechanics, strategies, and considerations. Below is a detailed guide on the best methods to obtain polymer, including tips, mistakes to avoid, and advanced techniques.
One of the most common ways to gather polymer is by harvesting organic polymer from certain creatures. Organic polymer can be obtained by killing and harvesting Kairuku (penguins), Mantis, or Hesperornis. Kairuku are found in cold biomes, such as the snowy areas of The Island or Ragnarok. They are easy to kill and yield a decent amount of organic polymer. Mantis, found in the desert regions of Scorched Earth or Ragnarok, also drop organic polymer when harvested. Hesperornis, which can be found near water sources, provide organic polymer when killed. To maximize efficiency, use a high-damage weapon or a tamed creature with high melee damage, such as a Sabertooth or Direwolf. Be cautious, as organic polymer spoils quickly, so it is best to gather it when you are ready to use it immediately.
Another method is to craft polymer using obsidian and cementing paste. This is a more reliable and long-lasting option, as crafted polymer does not spoil. To craft polymer, you will need a fabricator and the following resources: 2 obsidian and 2 cementing paste per polymer. Obsidian can be mined from black rocks found in mountainous or volcanic areas, such as the volcano on The Island or the highlands on Ragnarok. Cementing paste can be crafted using chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or obtained by harvesting beaver dams, which are found near rivers and lakes. Be careful when approaching beaver dams, as they are guarded by aggressive beavers. Once you have the necessary resources, place them in the fabricator to craft polymer.
For players who prefer a more passive approach, taming a Pelagornis or a Karkinos can be beneficial. Pelagornis can harvest organic polymer from Kairuku more efficiently than most tools or weapons. Karkinos, a giant crab found on Aberration, can also gather organic polymer effectively. These creatures can make the process of gathering polymer faster and less resource-intensive.
When gathering polymer, it is important to plan your trips carefully. Organic polymer spoils quickly, so only gather what you need for immediate use. If you are crafting polymer, ensure you have enough obsidian and cementing paste before starting. Stockpile these resources in advance to avoid running out mid-crafting. Additionally, consider using a tamed Ankylosaurus or Doedicurus to gather obsidian and stone more efficiently. These creatures have weight reduction for these resources, making them ideal for large-scale gathering.
A common mistake players make is not preparing adequately for polymer gathering. For example, heading into cold biomes without proper insulation or warm clothing can lead to hypothermia. Always bring appropriate gear, such as fur armor or a torch, when venturing into snowy areas. Another mistake is underestimating the spoilage rate of organic polymer. If you gather too much at once, it may spoil before you can use it. To avoid this, only harvest what you need or use preserving bins to extend its lifespan.
Advanced players can optimize their polymer gathering by setting up resource outposts near key locations. For example, building a small base near a mountain with obsidian nodes can save time and effort. You can also use a Quetzal or Argentavis to transport large amounts of resources back to your main base. Additionally, consider using a Chem Bench to craft polymer more efficiently, as it reduces the resource cost by 25%.
Tribe considerations are also important. In a tribe,ÕêåÕÀÑÕÉêõ¢£ can make polymer gathering more efficient. For example, one player can focus on gathering obsidian while another collects cementing paste. Solo players should prioritize taming creatures that can assist with resource gathering, such as an Ankylosaurus or Pelagornis.
In summary, polymer is a vital resource for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved. Whether you choose to gather organic polymer or craft it using obsidian and cementing paste, careful planning and preparation are key. Use tamed creatures to optimize your gathering efforts, and avoid common mistakes like overharvesting or inadequate preparation. By following these strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of polymer for your base-building needs.
One of the most common ways to gather polymer is by harvesting organic polymer from certain creatures. Organic polymer can be obtained by killing and harvesting Kairuku (penguins), Mantis, or Hesperornis. Kairuku are found in cold biomes, such as the snowy areas of The Island or Ragnarok. They are easy to kill and yield a decent amount of organic polymer. Mantis, found in the desert regions of Scorched Earth or Ragnarok, also drop organic polymer when harvested. Hesperornis, which can be found near water sources, provide organic polymer when killed. To maximize efficiency, use a high-damage weapon or a tamed creature with high melee damage, such as a Sabertooth or Direwolf. Be cautious, as organic polymer spoils quickly, so it is best to gather it when you are ready to use it immediately.
Another method is to craft polymer using obsidian and cementing paste. This is a more reliable and long-lasting option, as crafted polymer does not spoil. To craft polymer, you will need a fabricator and the following resources: 2 obsidian and 2 cementing paste per polymer. Obsidian can be mined from black rocks found in mountainous or volcanic areas, such as the volcano on The Island or the highlands on Ragnarok. Cementing paste can be crafted using chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or obtained by harvesting beaver dams, which are found near rivers and lakes. Be careful when approaching beaver dams, as they are guarded by aggressive beavers. Once you have the necessary resources, place them in the fabricator to craft polymer.
For players who prefer a more passive approach, taming a Pelagornis or a Karkinos can be beneficial. Pelagornis can harvest organic polymer from Kairuku more efficiently than most tools or weapons. Karkinos, a giant crab found on Aberration, can also gather organic polymer effectively. These creatures can make the process of gathering polymer faster and less resource-intensive.
When gathering polymer, it is important to plan your trips carefully. Organic polymer spoils quickly, so only gather what you need for immediate use. If you are crafting polymer, ensure you have enough obsidian and cementing paste before starting. Stockpile these resources in advance to avoid running out mid-crafting. Additionally, consider using a tamed Ankylosaurus or Doedicurus to gather obsidian and stone more efficiently. These creatures have weight reduction for these resources, making them ideal for large-scale gathering.
A common mistake players make is not preparing adequately for polymer gathering. For example, heading into cold biomes without proper insulation or warm clothing can lead to hypothermia. Always bring appropriate gear, such as fur armor or a torch, when venturing into snowy areas. Another mistake is underestimating the spoilage rate of organic polymer. If you gather too much at once, it may spoil before you can use it. To avoid this, only harvest what you need or use preserving bins to extend its lifespan.
Advanced players can optimize their polymer gathering by setting up resource outposts near key locations. For example, building a small base near a mountain with obsidian nodes can save time and effort. You can also use a Quetzal or Argentavis to transport large amounts of resources back to your main base. Additionally, consider using a Chem Bench to craft polymer more efficiently, as it reduces the resource cost by 25%.
Tribe considerations are also important. In a tribe,ÕêåÕÀÑÕÉêõ¢£ can make polymer gathering more efficient. For example, one player can focus on gathering obsidian while another collects cementing paste. Solo players should prioritize taming creatures that can assist with resource gathering, such as an Ankylosaurus or Pelagornis.
In summary, polymer is a vital resource for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved. Whether you choose to gather organic polymer or craft it using obsidian and cementing paste, careful planning and preparation are key. Use tamed creatures to optimize your gathering efforts, and avoid common mistakes like overharvesting or inadequate preparation. By following these strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of polymer for your base-building needs.