What are the best ways to gather oil for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering oil is a critical task in ARK: Survival Evolved, especially for advanced base building and crafting. Oil is used to create essential items like gasoline, polymer, and advanced structures such as industrial forges, fabricators, and turrets. There are several methods to gather oil, each with its own mechanics, strategies, and considerations. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you efficiently collect oil for your base-building needs.
One of the most common ways to gather oil is by harvesting it from oil nodes. These nodes are found in specific locations across the maps, often in underwater areas, snowy biomes, or near volcanic regions. On The Island map, for example, oil nodes are abundant in the underwater caves and the snowy mountains. To harvest oil from these nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. Using a metal hatchet yields more oil compared to a pickaxe, so itÔÇÖs the preferred tool. However, be cautious when venturing into these areas, as they are often populated by dangerous creatures. Bringing a tamed dinosaur like a Sabertooth or a Carnotaurus can help you defend yourself while gathering oil.
Another effective method is to tame and use an Ankylosaurus. The Ankylosaurus is a herbivorous dinosaur that excels at gathering resources like metal, crystal, and oil. When you use an Ankylosaurus to harvest oil nodes, it can collect a significant amount of oil in a short time. Additionally, the Ankylosaurus has a weight reduction for oil, making it easier to transport large quantities back to your base. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, taming an Ankylosaurus should be a priority, as it will greatly enhance your resource-gathering efficiency.
For players who prefer a less dangerous approach, oil can also be obtained from oil-rich creatures like Trilobites and Leechs. Trilobites are small, crab-like creatures found along beaches and shallow waters. Killing them with a pickaxe or hatchet can yield oil, chitin, and silica pearls. Leechs, on the other hand, are found in swamps and can be harvested for oil and blood packs. While this method is safer, it is less efficient compared to harvesting oil nodes directly.
If youÔÇÖre playing on a map with an ocean biome, such as The Island or Ragnarok, you can gather oil from underwater oil nodes. These nodes are typically found in deeper waters, so youÔÇÖll need a strong aquatic mount like a Megalodon or a Basilosaurus to reach them. The Basilosaurus is particularly useful because it is immune to the stings of Cnidaria and Electrophorus, which are common threats in the ocean. Additionally, the Basilosaurus has a high weight capacity and can carry a lot of oil, making it an excellent choice for underwater oil gathering.
For advanced players, oil can also be obtained through oil pumps. Oil pumps are structures that can be placed on oil veins, which are specific locations on the map where oil naturally seeps to the surface. To use an oil pump, youÔÇÖll need to find an oil vein and place the pump on top of it. The pump will then automatically extract oil over time, which can be collected from its inventory. Oil pumps require a significant amount of resources to build, including metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics, so they are typically used by established tribes or players with access to advanced crafting stations.
When gathering oil, itÔÇÖs important to consider your baseÔÇÖs location and the resources you have available. If your base is near a snowy biome or an ocean, you can focus on harvesting oil nodes or using aquatic mounts. If your base is inland, you may need to travel to these areas or rely on alternative methods like killing Trilobites or using an oil pump. Additionally, always be prepared for the dangers of the environment. Bring weapons, armor, and tamed dinosaurs to protect yourself from hostile creatures and other players.
One common mistake to avoid is overloading yourself or your dinosaur with oil. Oil is a heavy resource, and carrying too much can slow you down or prevent you from moving altogether. To avoid this, use dinosaurs with weight reduction for oil, such as the Ankylosaurus, or bring multiple dinosaurs to share the load. Another mistake is neglecting to bring enough tools or equipment. Always carry extra pickaxes or hatchets, as they can break during extended harvesting sessions.
For advanced techniques, consider using a Quetzal or an Argentavis to transport large quantities of oil. These flying dinosaurs have high weight capacities and can carry an Ankylosaurus or other resource-gathering dinosaurs, allowing you to harvest and transport oil more efficiently. Additionally, if youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to gather oil more effectively. Assign roles, such as one player gathering oil while another provides protection or transports resources back to the base.
In summary, gathering oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether youÔÇÖre harvesting oil nodes, taming resource-gathering dinosaurs, or using oil pumps, always consider the dangers of the environment and the resources you have available. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently gather the oil needed for advanced base building and crafting.
One of the most common ways to gather oil is by harvesting it from oil nodes. These nodes are found in specific locations across the maps, often in underwater areas, snowy biomes, or near volcanic regions. On The Island map, for example, oil nodes are abundant in the underwater caves and the snowy mountains. To harvest oil from these nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. Using a metal hatchet yields more oil compared to a pickaxe, so itÔÇÖs the preferred tool. However, be cautious when venturing into these areas, as they are often populated by dangerous creatures. Bringing a tamed dinosaur like a Sabertooth or a Carnotaurus can help you defend yourself while gathering oil.
Another effective method is to tame and use an Ankylosaurus. The Ankylosaurus is a herbivorous dinosaur that excels at gathering resources like metal, crystal, and oil. When you use an Ankylosaurus to harvest oil nodes, it can collect a significant amount of oil in a short time. Additionally, the Ankylosaurus has a weight reduction for oil, making it easier to transport large quantities back to your base. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, taming an Ankylosaurus should be a priority, as it will greatly enhance your resource-gathering efficiency.
For players who prefer a less dangerous approach, oil can also be obtained from oil-rich creatures like Trilobites and Leechs. Trilobites are small, crab-like creatures found along beaches and shallow waters. Killing them with a pickaxe or hatchet can yield oil, chitin, and silica pearls. Leechs, on the other hand, are found in swamps and can be harvested for oil and blood packs. While this method is safer, it is less efficient compared to harvesting oil nodes directly.
If youÔÇÖre playing on a map with an ocean biome, such as The Island or Ragnarok, you can gather oil from underwater oil nodes. These nodes are typically found in deeper waters, so youÔÇÖll need a strong aquatic mount like a Megalodon or a Basilosaurus to reach them. The Basilosaurus is particularly useful because it is immune to the stings of Cnidaria and Electrophorus, which are common threats in the ocean. Additionally, the Basilosaurus has a high weight capacity and can carry a lot of oil, making it an excellent choice for underwater oil gathering.
For advanced players, oil can also be obtained through oil pumps. Oil pumps are structures that can be placed on oil veins, which are specific locations on the map where oil naturally seeps to the surface. To use an oil pump, youÔÇÖll need to find an oil vein and place the pump on top of it. The pump will then automatically extract oil over time, which can be collected from its inventory. Oil pumps require a significant amount of resources to build, including metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics, so they are typically used by established tribes or players with access to advanced crafting stations.
When gathering oil, itÔÇÖs important to consider your baseÔÇÖs location and the resources you have available. If your base is near a snowy biome or an ocean, you can focus on harvesting oil nodes or using aquatic mounts. If your base is inland, you may need to travel to these areas or rely on alternative methods like killing Trilobites or using an oil pump. Additionally, always be prepared for the dangers of the environment. Bring weapons, armor, and tamed dinosaurs to protect yourself from hostile creatures and other players.
One common mistake to avoid is overloading yourself or your dinosaur with oil. Oil is a heavy resource, and carrying too much can slow you down or prevent you from moving altogether. To avoid this, use dinosaurs with weight reduction for oil, such as the Ankylosaurus, or bring multiple dinosaurs to share the load. Another mistake is neglecting to bring enough tools or equipment. Always carry extra pickaxes or hatchets, as they can break during extended harvesting sessions.
For advanced techniques, consider using a Quetzal or an Argentavis to transport large quantities of oil. These flying dinosaurs have high weight capacities and can carry an Ankylosaurus or other resource-gathering dinosaurs, allowing you to harvest and transport oil more efficiently. Additionally, if youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to gather oil more effectively. Assign roles, such as one player gathering oil while another provides protection or transports resources back to the base.
In summary, gathering oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether youÔÇÖre harvesting oil nodes, taming resource-gathering dinosaurs, or using oil pumps, always consider the dangers of the environment and the resources you have available. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently gather the oil needed for advanced base building and crafting.