What are the best ways to farm oil for base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming oil is a critical part of base building in ARK: Survival Evolved, as it is used to craft essential items like gasoline, polymer, and advanced structures. Oil is a versatile resource, and there are several methods to gather it efficiently, depending on your location, progression level, and available tools or dinosaurs. Below is a detailed guide on the best ways to farm oil, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.
One of the most common ways to gather oil is by harvesting oil nodes. These nodes are found in specific locations, such as underwater areas, snowy biomes, and certain caves. On maps like The Island, oil nodes are abundant in the ocean, particularly around the underwater trenches and near the edges of the map. To harvest these nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. However, using a metal hatchet yields more oil per node compared to a pickaxe. For underwater nodes, you will need scuba gear or a water-breathing dinosaur like the Basilosaurus to stay submerged for extended periods. Alternatively, you can use an underwater base or a raft with a bed to respawn if you drown.
Another effective method is taming and using oil-gathering dinosaurs. The Ankylosaurus is a great choice for land-based oil farming, as it can harvest oil nodes efficiently with its tail attack. For underwater oil nodes, the Dunkleosteus is the best option. This dinosaur can break oil nodes quickly and carry large amounts of oil due to its high weight capacity. If you are playing on a map with oil-rich biomes like the Snow Biome on The Island or the Oil Fields on Scorched Earth, taming a Mammoth or a Doedicurus can help you gather oil nodes while also collecting other resources like wood and stone.
Oil can also be obtained passively by placing oil pumps in oil-rich areas. Oil pumps are advanced structures that require metal, cementing paste, and electronics to craft. Once placed on an oil node, the pump will automatically generate oil over time. This method is ideal for long-term oil farming, as it requires minimal effort once the pump is set up. However, oil pumps are expensive to craft and require a steady supply of gasoline to operate, so they are best suited for mid-to-late-game players with established bases.
For players who prefer a more hands-off approach, taming and breeding creatures like the Hesperornis or the Dung Beetle can provide a steady supply of oil. The Hesperornis can be tamed and used to fish for oil in water, while the Dung Beetle converts feces into oil and fertilizer over time. These methods are slower but require less active effort, making them suitable for solo players or small tribes.
When farming oil, it is important to consider your base location and resource management. If your base is far from oil-rich areas, you may need to set up an outpost or use a flying dinosaur like the Argentavis to transport oil back to your base. Additionally, oil is heavy, so using dinosaurs with high weight capacity or crafting storage boxes near oil nodes can help you manage your inventory more efficiently.
Common mistakes to avoid include not bringing enough tools or dinosaurs for oil farming, as this can limit your efficiency. For example, forgetting to bring a metal hatchet or a tamed Ankylosaurus can result in lower oil yields. Another mistake is not preparing for hostile creatures, especially in underwater or snowy areas. Always bring weapons, armor, and tamed dinosaurs for protection when farming oil in dangerous locations.
Advanced techniques for oil farming include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport oil nodes or setting up a network of oil pumps across multiple nodes. These methods require significant preparation and resources but can greatly increase your oil production. Additionally, using a Tek Transmitter to teleport oil back to your base can save time and effort, especially on large maps.
In summary, farming oil in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of resource gathering, dinosaur taming, and base building. By using the right tools, dinosaurs, and strategies, you can efficiently gather oil for your base and ensure a steady supply for crafting and progression. Whether you are a solo player or part of a tribe, understanding the mechanics and optimizing your approach will help you succeed in this essential aspect of the game.
One of the most common ways to gather oil is by harvesting oil nodes. These nodes are found in specific locations, such as underwater areas, snowy biomes, and certain caves. On maps like The Island, oil nodes are abundant in the ocean, particularly around the underwater trenches and near the edges of the map. To harvest these nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. However, using a metal hatchet yields more oil per node compared to a pickaxe. For underwater nodes, you will need scuba gear or a water-breathing dinosaur like the Basilosaurus to stay submerged for extended periods. Alternatively, you can use an underwater base or a raft with a bed to respawn if you drown.
Another effective method is taming and using oil-gathering dinosaurs. The Ankylosaurus is a great choice for land-based oil farming, as it can harvest oil nodes efficiently with its tail attack. For underwater oil nodes, the Dunkleosteus is the best option. This dinosaur can break oil nodes quickly and carry large amounts of oil due to its high weight capacity. If you are playing on a map with oil-rich biomes like the Snow Biome on The Island or the Oil Fields on Scorched Earth, taming a Mammoth or a Doedicurus can help you gather oil nodes while also collecting other resources like wood and stone.
Oil can also be obtained passively by placing oil pumps in oil-rich areas. Oil pumps are advanced structures that require metal, cementing paste, and electronics to craft. Once placed on an oil node, the pump will automatically generate oil over time. This method is ideal for long-term oil farming, as it requires minimal effort once the pump is set up. However, oil pumps are expensive to craft and require a steady supply of gasoline to operate, so they are best suited for mid-to-late-game players with established bases.
For players who prefer a more hands-off approach, taming and breeding creatures like the Hesperornis or the Dung Beetle can provide a steady supply of oil. The Hesperornis can be tamed and used to fish for oil in water, while the Dung Beetle converts feces into oil and fertilizer over time. These methods are slower but require less active effort, making them suitable for solo players or small tribes.
When farming oil, it is important to consider your base location and resource management. If your base is far from oil-rich areas, you may need to set up an outpost or use a flying dinosaur like the Argentavis to transport oil back to your base. Additionally, oil is heavy, so using dinosaurs with high weight capacity or crafting storage boxes near oil nodes can help you manage your inventory more efficiently.
Common mistakes to avoid include not bringing enough tools or dinosaurs for oil farming, as this can limit your efficiency. For example, forgetting to bring a metal hatchet or a tamed Ankylosaurus can result in lower oil yields. Another mistake is not preparing for hostile creatures, especially in underwater or snowy areas. Always bring weapons, armor, and tamed dinosaurs for protection when farming oil in dangerous locations.
Advanced techniques for oil farming include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport oil nodes or setting up a network of oil pumps across multiple nodes. These methods require significant preparation and resources but can greatly increase your oil production. Additionally, using a Tek Transmitter to teleport oil back to your base can save time and effort, especially on large maps.
In summary, farming oil in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of resource gathering, dinosaur taming, and base building. By using the right tools, dinosaurs, and strategies, you can efficiently gather oil for your base and ensure a steady supply for crafting and progression. Whether you are a solo player or part of a tribe, understanding the mechanics and optimizing your approach will help you succeed in this essential aspect of the game.