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 a key resource for building advanced structures, crafting high-tier tools, and creating powerful weapons. Metal ingots are crafted by smelting metal ore in a forge, so the process involves gathering metal ore, transporting it to a forge, and then smelting it into ingots. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to efficiently farm metal ingots for base building.
First, you need to locate metal-rich areas. Metal nodes are found in specific locations across the map, often in mountainous or rocky regions. On The Island, for example, the mountains in the northwest, northeast, and central areas are excellent spots for metal farming. On other maps like Ragnarok or Valguero, metal nodes are abundant in high-altitude areas and caves. Use a map resource guide to identify the best locations for your specific map.
Once youÔÇÖve located a metal-rich area, youÔÇÖll need the right tools and dinosaurs to gather metal efficiently. A metal pickaxe is the most basic tool for mining metal ore, but using a tamed dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus is far more efficient. The Ankylosaurus has a high metal-gathering efficiency and can carry a large amount of ore. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, taming an Ankylosaurus should be a priority. In a tribe, multiple Ankylosaurs can be used to speed up the process. Additionally, a Quetzal or Argentavis can be used to carry the Ankylosaurus to metal-rich areas, making transportation easier.
After gathering the metal ore, youÔÇÖll need to transport it to a forge for smelting. Metal ore is heavy, so weight management is crucial. If youÔÇÖre using an Ankylosaurus, its weight capacity will determine how much ore you can carry at once. For solo players, itÔÇÖs often necessary to make multiple trips or use a weight-reducing dinosaur like a Paracer or Mammoth to help transport the ore. In a tribe, you can assign roles, with one player gathering ore and another transporting it.
Smelting the ore into ingots requires a forge. The simplest option is a regular forge, but a refining forge or industrial forge is much faster and more efficient. The industrial forge can smelt large quantities of metal ore quickly, making it ideal for tribes or advanced players. To use a forge, place the metal ore and fuel (wood or sparkpowder) inside and light it. The smelting process will begin, and youÔÇÖll receive metal ingots once itÔÇÖs complete.
There are several tips and considerations to keep in mind when farming metal ingots. First, always prioritize safety. Metal-rich areas are often populated by dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even Rexes. Bring a strong mount or tamed dinosaurs for protection. Second, consider building a small outpost near metal-rich areas to store ore and reduce travel time. This can include a bed for respawning, storage boxes, and a forge. Third, use weight-reducing gear like the Tek Chestpiece or a high-level Argentavis to maximize your carrying capacity.
Common mistakes to avoid include overloading your inventory or mount, which can leave you stranded in dangerous areas. Always monitor your weight and plan your trips carefully. Another mistake is not bringing enough fuel for the forge. Wood is the most common fuel source, but sparkpowder is more efficient and burns longer. Make sure you have enough fuel to smelt all your ore in one go.
Advanced techniques include using a Tek Transmitter or Cryopods to transport dinosaurs and resources more efficiently. A Tek Transmitter allows you to teleport items and dinosaurs across the map, while Cryopods let you store dinosaurs in a portable device, making it easier to move them to metal-rich areas. Additionally, using a mining drill can speed up the gathering process, but it requires gasoline and is best used in late-game scenarios.
Resource requirements and preparation include having the right tools, dinosaurs, and structures. YouÔÇÖll need a metal pickaxe, a tamed Ankylosaurus, and a forge at minimum. For advanced setups, consider taming a Quetzal or Argentavis for transportation and building an industrial forge for faster smelting. Stock up on fuel and ensure you have enough storage space for both ore and ingots.
Tribe and solo considerations differ slightly. In a tribe, you can divide tasks among members, with one player gathering ore, another transporting it, and a third managing the forge. This division of labor makes the process faster and more efficient. Solo players will need to handle all tasks themselves, so planning and preparation are key. Focus on taming an Ankylosaurus and a weight-reducing mount early on to make the process manageable.
Specific examples include farming metal on The IslandÔÇÖs Volcano or RagnarokÔÇÖs Highlands. These areas are rich in metal nodes but are also dangerous, so bring strong tames and be prepared for combat. Another example is setting up a mining outpost in a cave system, which often contains large amounts of metal ore but requires careful navigation and defense.
In conclusion, farming metal ingots in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, the right tools and dinosaurs, and efficient resource management. By following these strategies and tips, you can ensure a steady supply of metal for your base-building needs.
First, you need to locate metal-rich areas. Metal nodes are found in specific locations across the map, often in mountainous or rocky regions. On The Island, for example, the mountains in the northwest, northeast, and central areas are excellent spots for metal farming. On other maps like Ragnarok or Valguero, metal nodes are abundant in high-altitude areas and caves. Use a map resource guide to identify the best locations for your specific map.
Once youÔÇÖve located a metal-rich area, youÔÇÖll need the right tools and dinosaurs to gather metal efficiently. A metal pickaxe is the most basic tool for mining metal ore, but using a tamed dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus is far more efficient. The Ankylosaurus has a high metal-gathering efficiency and can carry a large amount of ore. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, taming an Ankylosaurus should be a priority. In a tribe, multiple Ankylosaurs can be used to speed up the process. Additionally, a Quetzal or Argentavis can be used to carry the Ankylosaurus to metal-rich areas, making transportation easier.
After gathering the metal ore, youÔÇÖll need to transport it to a forge for smelting. Metal ore is heavy, so weight management is crucial. If youÔÇÖre using an Ankylosaurus, its weight capacity will determine how much ore you can carry at once. For solo players, itÔÇÖs often necessary to make multiple trips or use a weight-reducing dinosaur like a Paracer or Mammoth to help transport the ore. In a tribe, you can assign roles, with one player gathering ore and another transporting it.
Smelting the ore into ingots requires a forge. The simplest option is a regular forge, but a refining forge or industrial forge is much faster and more efficient. The industrial forge can smelt large quantities of metal ore quickly, making it ideal for tribes or advanced players. To use a forge, place the metal ore and fuel (wood or sparkpowder) inside and light it. The smelting process will begin, and youÔÇÖll receive metal ingots once itÔÇÖs complete.
There are several tips and considerations to keep in mind when farming metal ingots. First, always prioritize safety. Metal-rich areas are often populated by dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even Rexes. Bring a strong mount or tamed dinosaurs for protection. Second, consider building a small outpost near metal-rich areas to store ore and reduce travel time. This can include a bed for respawning, storage boxes, and a forge. Third, use weight-reducing gear like the Tek Chestpiece or a high-level Argentavis to maximize your carrying capacity.
Common mistakes to avoid include overloading your inventory or mount, which can leave you stranded in dangerous areas. Always monitor your weight and plan your trips carefully. Another mistake is not bringing enough fuel for the forge. Wood is the most common fuel source, but sparkpowder is more efficient and burns longer. Make sure you have enough fuel to smelt all your ore in one go.
Advanced techniques include using a Tek Transmitter or Cryopods to transport dinosaurs and resources more efficiently. A Tek Transmitter allows you to teleport items and dinosaurs across the map, while Cryopods let you store dinosaurs in a portable device, making it easier to move them to metal-rich areas. Additionally, using a mining drill can speed up the gathering process, but it requires gasoline and is best used in late-game scenarios.
Resource requirements and preparation include having the right tools, dinosaurs, and structures. YouÔÇÖll need a metal pickaxe, a tamed Ankylosaurus, and a forge at minimum. For advanced setups, consider taming a Quetzal or Argentavis for transportation and building an industrial forge for faster smelting. Stock up on fuel and ensure you have enough storage space for both ore and ingots.
Tribe and solo considerations differ slightly. In a tribe, you can divide tasks among members, with one player gathering ore, another transporting it, and a third managing the forge. This division of labor makes the process faster and more efficient. Solo players will need to handle all tasks themselves, so planning and preparation are key. Focus on taming an Ankylosaurus and a weight-reducing mount early on to make the process manageable.
Specific examples include farming metal on The IslandÔÇÖs Volcano or RagnarokÔÇÖs Highlands. These areas are rich in metal nodes but are also dangerous, so bring strong tames and be prepared for combat. Another example is setting up a mining outpost in a cave system, which often contains large amounts of metal ore but requires careful navigation and defense.
In conclusion, farming metal ingots in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, the right tools and dinosaurs, and efficient resource management. By following these strategies and tips, you can ensure a steady supply of metal for your base-building needs.