What are the best ways to farm metal ingots for base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming metal ingots is one of the most important tasks in ARK: Survival Evolved, as metal is essential for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and structures. Metal ingots are created by smelting metal ore in a forge, and the process requires careful planning and resource management. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to efficiently farm metal ingots for base building.
First, you need to gather metal ore. Metal ore is found in rocks with a shiny, metallic appearance, often located in mountainous or rocky areas. The best locations for metal farming include mountains, caves, and specific resource-rich areas like the Volcano on The Island or the Highlands on Ragnarok. To mine metal ore, youÔÇÖll need a pickaxe or a metal-harvesting dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus. Ankylosaurus is highly recommended because it gathers metal ore more efficiently than a pickaxe and can carry a large amount of weight. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, taming an Ankylosaurus should be a priority. In a tribe, multiple Ankylosaurs can be used to maximize efficiency.
Once youÔÇÖve gathered metal ore, youÔÇÖll need to smelt it into metal ingots. This requires a forge, which can be crafted using stone, wood, fiber, and hide. There are different types of forges, but the most efficient is the Industrial Forge, which smelts large quantities of metal ore quickly. However, the Industrial Forge requires advanced materials like cementing paste, metal ingots, and electronics, so early-game players will need to use a regular forge or refining forge. To smelt metal ore, place it in the forge along with fuel, such as wood or sparkpowder. Each piece of metal ore yields one metal ingot, and the process takes time, so plan accordingly.
Efficiency is key when farming metal ingots. One important tip is to use a weight-reducing dinosaur like a Argentavis or a Quetzal to transport large amounts of metal ore. Argentavis has a weight reduction for metal, making it an excellent choice for solo players. For tribes, a Quetzal with a platform saddle can carry an Ankylosaurus, allowing you to mine and transport metal in one trip. Another tip is to build a base or outpost near metal-rich areas to reduce travel time. This is especially useful for solo players who may not have access to high-capacity dinosaurs.
Resource management is crucial when farming metal ingots. Always prioritize gathering as much metal ore as possible in a single trip to minimize the number of trips needed. Use preserving bins or refrigerators to store excess metal ingots, as they do not spoil. Additionally, consider crafting a metal pickaxe or chainsaw to increase your metal ore yield when mining by hand. For tribes, assigning roles can optimize the process. For example, one player can focus on mining while another handles transportation and smelting.
Common mistakes to avoid include overloading your dinosaur or inventory, which can slow you down or leave you vulnerable to attacks. Always monitor your weight and plan your route carefully. Another mistake is neglecting base defenses while farming. Metal-rich areas are often dangerous, with predators like Rexes or Carnos nearby. Bring a tamed dinosaur for protection, such as a Rex or Spino, and avoid mining at night when visibility is low.
Advanced techniques include using a Tek Transmitter or Cryopods to quickly transport metal ore and dinosaurs. Tek Transmitters allow you to teleport items between bases, while Cryopods let you store and deploy dinosaurs instantly. These tools are end-game items, so they may not be available early on. Another advanced strategy is to use a mining drill, which can harvest large amounts of metal ore quickly but requires gasoline and is best used in a tribe setting.
In summary, farming metal ingots involves gathering metal ore, smelting it in a forge, and managing resources efficiently. Use Ankylosaurus for mining, Argentavis or Quetzal for transportation, and build outposts near metal-rich areas. Avoid overloading and prioritize safety. Advanced players can use Tek Transmitters or mining drills for optimization. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, careful planning and resource management will ensure a steady supply of metal ingots for base building.
First, you need to gather metal ore. Metal ore is found in rocks with a shiny, metallic appearance, often located in mountainous or rocky areas. The best locations for metal farming include mountains, caves, and specific resource-rich areas like the Volcano on The Island or the Highlands on Ragnarok. To mine metal ore, youÔÇÖll need a pickaxe or a metal-harvesting dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus. Ankylosaurus is highly recommended because it gathers metal ore more efficiently than a pickaxe and can carry a large amount of weight. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, taming an Ankylosaurus should be a priority. In a tribe, multiple Ankylosaurs can be used to maximize efficiency.
Once youÔÇÖve gathered metal ore, youÔÇÖll need to smelt it into metal ingots. This requires a forge, which can be crafted using stone, wood, fiber, and hide. There are different types of forges, but the most efficient is the Industrial Forge, which smelts large quantities of metal ore quickly. However, the Industrial Forge requires advanced materials like cementing paste, metal ingots, and electronics, so early-game players will need to use a regular forge or refining forge. To smelt metal ore, place it in the forge along with fuel, such as wood or sparkpowder. Each piece of metal ore yields one metal ingot, and the process takes time, so plan accordingly.
Efficiency is key when farming metal ingots. One important tip is to use a weight-reducing dinosaur like a Argentavis or a Quetzal to transport large amounts of metal ore. Argentavis has a weight reduction for metal, making it an excellent choice for solo players. For tribes, a Quetzal with a platform saddle can carry an Ankylosaurus, allowing you to mine and transport metal in one trip. Another tip is to build a base or outpost near metal-rich areas to reduce travel time. This is especially useful for solo players who may not have access to high-capacity dinosaurs.
Resource management is crucial when farming metal ingots. Always prioritize gathering as much metal ore as possible in a single trip to minimize the number of trips needed. Use preserving bins or refrigerators to store excess metal ingots, as they do not spoil. Additionally, consider crafting a metal pickaxe or chainsaw to increase your metal ore yield when mining by hand. For tribes, assigning roles can optimize the process. For example, one player can focus on mining while another handles transportation and smelting.
Common mistakes to avoid include overloading your dinosaur or inventory, which can slow you down or leave you vulnerable to attacks. Always monitor your weight and plan your route carefully. Another mistake is neglecting base defenses while farming. Metal-rich areas are often dangerous, with predators like Rexes or Carnos nearby. Bring a tamed dinosaur for protection, such as a Rex or Spino, and avoid mining at night when visibility is low.
Advanced techniques include using a Tek Transmitter or Cryopods to quickly transport metal ore and dinosaurs. Tek Transmitters allow you to teleport items between bases, while Cryopods let you store and deploy dinosaurs instantly. These tools are end-game items, so they may not be available early on. Another advanced strategy is to use a mining drill, which can harvest large amounts of metal ore quickly but requires gasoline and is best used in a tribe setting.
In summary, farming metal ingots involves gathering metal ore, smelting it in a forge, and managing resources efficiently. Use Ankylosaurus for mining, Argentavis or Quetzal for transportation, and build outposts near metal-rich areas. Avoid overloading and prioritize safety. Advanced players can use Tek Transmitters or mining drills for optimization. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, careful planning and resource management will ensure a steady supply of metal ingots for base building.