What is the best way to set up a smelting area in my base in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Setting up an efficient smelting area in your base in ARK: Survival Evolved is crucial for processing raw materials like metal ore into usable metal ingots. A well-designed smelting area can save you time, resources, and effort, especially as you progress to more advanced stages of the game. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to set up an effective smelting area, covering mechanics, strategies, tips, and considerations.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. Smelting in ARK requires a forge, which is a crafting station used to convert raw materials like metal ore into metal ingots. There are several types of forges, including the Campfire, Refining Forge, Industrial Forge, and Tek Forge. The Campfire is the most basic and can smelt small amounts of metal ore, but it is inefficient for large-scale operations. The Refining Forge is a significant upgrade, capable of smelting larger quantities of metal ore and other materials like oil and stone. The Industrial Forge is the most advanced and efficient, capable of smelting massive amounts of metal ore quickly. The Tek Forge is a late-game option that requires Tek Tier technology and is extremely efficient but also resource-intensive to build.
To set up a smelting area, start by choosing a location within your base that is easily accessible and has enough space for multiple forges and storage. Ideally, this area should be close to your resource storage and crafting stations to minimize travel time. If you are playing on a PvP server, consider placing your smelting area in a secure, enclosed space to protect it from raids.
Next, gather the necessary resources to build your forges. For a Refining Forge, you will need stone, wood, fiber, and hide. For an Industrial Forge, you will need metal ingots, cementing paste, and polymer. If you are just starting out, a Refining Forge is a good option, but as you progress, upgrading to an Industrial Forge is highly recommended for its efficiency.
Once you have built your forges, you will need a steady supply of fuel to keep them running. The most common fuel source is wood, but charcoal and gasoline are more efficient. To produce charcoal, burn wood in a Campfire or Forge. Gasoline can be crafted in a Refining Forge using oil and hide. For large-scale smelting operations, gasoline is the best fuel option due to its high burn time and efficiency.
To optimize your smelting area, consider building multiple forges. This allows you to smelt larger quantities of metal ore simultaneously, reducing the overall time required. For example, if you have three Refining Forges, you can smelt three stacks of metal ore at the same time, significantly speeding up the process. If you have access to an Industrial Forge, one may be sufficient due to its high capacity and efficiency.
Storage is another important consideration. Place storage boxes or vaults near your smelting area to store raw materials like metal ore and fuel. This keeps everything organized and easily accessible. You may also want to place a preserving bin or refrigerator nearby to store perishable items like cooked meat or vegetables that you may need while working in the area.
When it comes to resource management, always prioritize gathering metal ore from rich metal nodes, which are typically found in mountainous regions or caves. Use a high-weight dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus to carry large amounts of metal ore back to your base. Ankylosauruses also have a harvesting bonus for metal, making them ideal for this task. Once you have a Quetzal or Argentavis, you can transport the Ankylosaurus to metal-rich areas for even more efficient gathering.
One common mistake to avoid is overloading your forges with too much metal ore at once. While it may be tempting to fill them to capacity, this can lead to inefficiencies, especially if you are using wood as fuel. Wood burns quickly, and you may find yourself constantly refueling the forges. Instead, smelt smaller batches of metal ore and use more efficient fuel sources like gasoline to maximize productivity.
Advanced techniques for optimizing your smelting area include automating the process using industrial equipment. For example, you can use an Industrial Grinder to break down unwanted items into raw materials, which can then be smelted in your forges. Additionally, you can set up a conveyor belt system to transport metal ore directly from storage to your forges, reducing the need for manual input.
If you are playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to divide tasks. One player can focus on gathering metal ore, while another handles smelting and fuel production. This division of labor can significantly increase efficiency and allow your tribe to progress faster. For solo players, prioritize building an Industrial Forge as soon as possible to streamline the smelting process.
In summary, setting up an efficient smelting area in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful planning, resource management, and optimization. Start with a Refining Forge and upgrade to an Industrial Forge as you progress. Use efficient fuel sources like gasoline, and consider building multiple forges to speed up the smelting process. Organize your storage and gather metal ore using high-weight dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus. Avoid common mistakes like overloading forges and prioritize automation and coordination if playing in a tribe. By following these strategies, you can create a highly efficient smelting area that supports your base-building and crafting needs.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. Smelting in ARK requires a forge, which is a crafting station used to convert raw materials like metal ore into metal ingots. There are several types of forges, including the Campfire, Refining Forge, Industrial Forge, and Tek Forge. The Campfire is the most basic and can smelt small amounts of metal ore, but it is inefficient for large-scale operations. The Refining Forge is a significant upgrade, capable of smelting larger quantities of metal ore and other materials like oil and stone. The Industrial Forge is the most advanced and efficient, capable of smelting massive amounts of metal ore quickly. The Tek Forge is a late-game option that requires Tek Tier technology and is extremely efficient but also resource-intensive to build.
To set up a smelting area, start by choosing a location within your base that is easily accessible and has enough space for multiple forges and storage. Ideally, this area should be close to your resource storage and crafting stations to minimize travel time. If you are playing on a PvP server, consider placing your smelting area in a secure, enclosed space to protect it from raids.
Next, gather the necessary resources to build your forges. For a Refining Forge, you will need stone, wood, fiber, and hide. For an Industrial Forge, you will need metal ingots, cementing paste, and polymer. If you are just starting out, a Refining Forge is a good option, but as you progress, upgrading to an Industrial Forge is highly recommended for its efficiency.
Once you have built your forges, you will need a steady supply of fuel to keep them running. The most common fuel source is wood, but charcoal and gasoline are more efficient. To produce charcoal, burn wood in a Campfire or Forge. Gasoline can be crafted in a Refining Forge using oil and hide. For large-scale smelting operations, gasoline is the best fuel option due to its high burn time and efficiency.
To optimize your smelting area, consider building multiple forges. This allows you to smelt larger quantities of metal ore simultaneously, reducing the overall time required. For example, if you have three Refining Forges, you can smelt three stacks of metal ore at the same time, significantly speeding up the process. If you have access to an Industrial Forge, one may be sufficient due to its high capacity and efficiency.
Storage is another important consideration. Place storage boxes or vaults near your smelting area to store raw materials like metal ore and fuel. This keeps everything organized and easily accessible. You may also want to place a preserving bin or refrigerator nearby to store perishable items like cooked meat or vegetables that you may need while working in the area.
When it comes to resource management, always prioritize gathering metal ore from rich metal nodes, which are typically found in mountainous regions or caves. Use a high-weight dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus to carry large amounts of metal ore back to your base. Ankylosauruses also have a harvesting bonus for metal, making them ideal for this task. Once you have a Quetzal or Argentavis, you can transport the Ankylosaurus to metal-rich areas for even more efficient gathering.
One common mistake to avoid is overloading your forges with too much metal ore at once. While it may be tempting to fill them to capacity, this can lead to inefficiencies, especially if you are using wood as fuel. Wood burns quickly, and you may find yourself constantly refueling the forges. Instead, smelt smaller batches of metal ore and use more efficient fuel sources like gasoline to maximize productivity.
Advanced techniques for optimizing your smelting area include automating the process using industrial equipment. For example, you can use an Industrial Grinder to break down unwanted items into raw materials, which can then be smelted in your forges. Additionally, you can set up a conveyor belt system to transport metal ore directly from storage to your forges, reducing the need for manual input.
If you are playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to divide tasks. One player can focus on gathering metal ore, while another handles smelting and fuel production. This division of labor can significantly increase efficiency and allow your tribe to progress faster. For solo players, prioritize building an Industrial Forge as soon as possible to streamline the smelting process.
In summary, setting up an efficient smelting area in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful planning, resource management, and optimization. Start with a Refining Forge and upgrade to an Industrial Forge as you progress. Use efficient fuel sources like gasoline, and consider building multiple forges to speed up the smelting process. Organize your storage and gather metal ore using high-weight dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus. Avoid common mistakes like overloading forges and prioritize automation and coordination if playing in a tribe. By following these strategies, you can create a highly efficient smelting area that supports your base-building and crafting needs.