What are the best ways to gather keratin for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Keratin is a crucial resource in ARK: Survival Evolved, especially for advanced base building. It is used to craft items like saddles, armor, and certain structures, making it essential for mid-to-late game progression. Gathering keratin efficiently requires understanding the mechanics of the game, knowing which creatures drop it, and using the right tools and strategies. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to gather keratin effectively.

Keratin is primarily obtained by harvesting certain creatures. The most common sources are creatures with hard shells or horns, such as Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, Carbonemys, and Sabertooths. When you kill these creatures, you can harvest their bodies using tools like a hatchet or a tamed dinosaur with high melee damage. A hatchet is generally more efficient for gathering keratin compared to a pickaxe, which tends to yield more chitin. If you have a tamed dinosaur, creatures like the Sabertooth or Direwolf are excellent for harvesting keratin due to their high damage output and harvesting efficiency.

To start gathering keratin, youÔÇÖll need to prepare by crafting a hatchet or taming a dinosaur suitable for harvesting. If youÔÇÖre early in the game, a simple stone hatchet will suffice, but as you progress, upgrading to a metal hatchet or using a tamed dinosaur will significantly increase your yield. For solo players, taming a Sabertooth or Direwolf is highly recommended, as they can quickly kill and harvest keratin-rich creatures. In a tribe, you can coordinate with others to cover more ground and protect each other while farming.

When hunting for keratin, focus on areas where keratin-rich creatures spawn. For example, Triceratops and Ankylosaurus are commonly found in open plains and forests, while Carbonemys can be found near rivers and lakes. Sabertooths are often found in mountainous or forested areas. Be cautious when engaging these creatures, as some, like the Sabertooth, can be aggressive and dangerous. Always bring weapons, armor, and healing items to ensure your survival.

One common mistake is using the wrong tool for harvesting. As mentioned earlier, a pickaxe yields more chitin, so using a hatchet is crucial for maximizing keratin collection. Another mistake is not bringing enough supplies, such as food, water, and weapons, which can lead to unnecessary deaths and lost progress. Additionally, avoid overextending yourself by venturing too far from your base without a backup plan, especially in dangerous areas.

Advanced techniques for gathering keratin include using a tamed Therizinosaurus, which is one of the best harvesters in the game. The Therizinosaurus can gather large amounts of keratin quickly and efficiently, making it ideal for late-game farming. Another optimization is to set up a small outpost near a keratin-rich area, allowing you to store resources and respawn nearby if you die. This is particularly useful for tribes, as multiple players can use the outpost as a staging area for farming runs.

Resource requirements for keratin farming are relatively simple. YouÔÇÖll need a hatchet or a tamed dinosaur, along with basic survival gear like weapons, armor, and food. If youÔÇÖre using a tamed dinosaur, ensure it has enough food and health to survive encounters with aggressive creatures. For tribes, coordinating roles can make the process more efficient. For example, one player can focus on taming and handling dinosaurs, while another gathers resources and defends the group.

In specific scenarios, such as farming in dangerous areas like the Redwoods or the Snow Biome, preparation is key. Bring warm clothing or cooling items depending on the environment, and consider using a flying mount like an Argentavis to transport resources back to your base safely. If youÔÇÖre farming in PvP servers, always be aware of other players and potential threats. Building a small, hidden outpost can help you store resources and avoid detection.

In conclusion, gathering keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, the right tools, and knowledge of the gameÔÇÖs mechanics. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, using tamed dinosaurs like the Sabertooth or Therizinosaurus can significantly increase your efficiency. Avoid common mistakes like using the wrong tools or venturing unprepared into dangerous areas, and consider advanced techniques like setting up outposts or using specialized dinosaurs. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to gather keratin efficiently and progress in your base-building endeavors.