What is the best way to farm polymer for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming polymer for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved is a critical task, as polymer is a high-tier resource used in crafting advanced structures, weapons, and tools. Polymer is primarily obtained from two sources: organic polymer and obsidian-based crafted polymer. Organic polymer is gathered from certain creatures, while crafted polymer is made from obsidian and cementing paste in a fabricator or chemistry bench. Below is a detailed guide on how to efficiently farm polymer, covering mechanics, strategies, and considerations.
Organic polymer is the easiest to obtain early on and is dropped by creatures like Kairuku (penguins), Mantis, and Hesperornis. Kairuku are the most common source and can be found in cold regions like the snowy biome on The Island or the icebergs on Ragnarok. To farm organic polymer from Kairuku, you will need a strong melee weapon or a tamed carnivore like a Sabertooth or Direwolf. Killing Kairuku yields a decent amount of organic polymer, but it spoils quickly, so itÔÇÖs best to use it immediately or store it in a preserving bin with preserving salts. Mantis, found in desert biomes, also drop organic polymer when killed, but they are more dangerous and require careful handling. Hesperornis, found near water, drop organic polymer when harvested after being killed.
Crafted polymer is more durable and does not spoil, making it ideal for long-term storage and use. To craft polymer, you need obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions and can be harvested using a metal pick or an Ankylosaurus. Cementing paste is crafted from chitin/keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or obtained by harvesting beaver dams, which contain large amounts of cementing paste. Once you have the materials, use a fabricator or chemistry bench to craft polymer. A chemistry bench is more efficient, as it reduces the resource cost by 20%.
For efficient farming, consider taming creatures that can help gather resources. An Ankylosaurus is excellent for mining obsidian, while a Doedicurus is ideal for gathering stone. A Megatherium is highly effective for farming chitin from insects, which can be used to make cementing paste. If youÔÇÖre playing on a map with beaver dams, such as The Island or Ragnarok, tame a Baryonyx or other water-friendly creature to safely harvest cementing paste from dams. Be cautious when approaching beaver dams, as wild beavers may attack if you take their resources.
When farming organic polymer, avoid carrying large amounts at once, as it spoils quickly and can be lost if you die. Instead, use a tamed creature with high weight capacity to carry the polymer back to your base. For crafted polymer, focus on gathering obsidian and cementing paste in bulk to minimize trips. Use a Quetzal or Argentavis to transport heavy resources like obsidian, as they have high weight capacity and can carry Ankylosaurus or Doedicurus for on-the-spot harvesting.
In PvP scenarios, polymer farming can be risky, as other players may target your resource-gathering operations. To mitigate this, farm in less populated areas or during off-peak hours. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, coordinate with teammates to gather resources efficiently and defend each other during farming runs. Solo players should prioritize stealth and speed, using fast tames like a Thylacoleo or Raptor to quickly gather and escape.
Advanced techniques include setting up resource outposts near obsidian-rich areas or beaver dam locations. Build a small, fortified base with storage and crafting stations to process materials on-site. Use turrets or tamed creatures to defend your outpost from hostile players or creatures. Additionally, consider using a Tek Dedicated Storage unit to store large amounts of polymer, as it has a massive storage capacity and can be accessed remotely with a Tek Transmitter.
Common mistakes to avoid include overharvesting beaver dams, which can cause beavers to become aggressive, and neglecting to use preserving salts for organic polymer, leading to spoilage. Always carry a backup weapon or tame when farming in dangerous areas, as hostile creatures or players can ambush you. Finally, avoid farming during events or server wipes, as these can disrupt your progress.
In summary, farming polymer in ARK requires careful planning and resource management. Whether youÔÇÖre gathering organic polymer from creatures or crafting polymer from obsidian and cementing paste, using the right tames and strategies will make the process more efficient. Always prioritize safety and efficiency, especially in PvP environments, and consider setting up resource outposts to streamline your farming operations. With these tips, youÔÇÖll be able to gather enough polymer to build and maintain an advanced base in no time.
Organic polymer is the easiest to obtain early on and is dropped by creatures like Kairuku (penguins), Mantis, and Hesperornis. Kairuku are the most common source and can be found in cold regions like the snowy biome on The Island or the icebergs on Ragnarok. To farm organic polymer from Kairuku, you will need a strong melee weapon or a tamed carnivore like a Sabertooth or Direwolf. Killing Kairuku yields a decent amount of organic polymer, but it spoils quickly, so itÔÇÖs best to use it immediately or store it in a preserving bin with preserving salts. Mantis, found in desert biomes, also drop organic polymer when killed, but they are more dangerous and require careful handling. Hesperornis, found near water, drop organic polymer when harvested after being killed.
Crafted polymer is more durable and does not spoil, making it ideal for long-term storage and use. To craft polymer, you need obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions and can be harvested using a metal pick or an Ankylosaurus. Cementing paste is crafted from chitin/keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or obtained by harvesting beaver dams, which contain large amounts of cementing paste. Once you have the materials, use a fabricator or chemistry bench to craft polymer. A chemistry bench is more efficient, as it reduces the resource cost by 20%.
For efficient farming, consider taming creatures that can help gather resources. An Ankylosaurus is excellent for mining obsidian, while a Doedicurus is ideal for gathering stone. A Megatherium is highly effective for farming chitin from insects, which can be used to make cementing paste. If youÔÇÖre playing on a map with beaver dams, such as The Island or Ragnarok, tame a Baryonyx or other water-friendly creature to safely harvest cementing paste from dams. Be cautious when approaching beaver dams, as wild beavers may attack if you take their resources.
When farming organic polymer, avoid carrying large amounts at once, as it spoils quickly and can be lost if you die. Instead, use a tamed creature with high weight capacity to carry the polymer back to your base. For crafted polymer, focus on gathering obsidian and cementing paste in bulk to minimize trips. Use a Quetzal or Argentavis to transport heavy resources like obsidian, as they have high weight capacity and can carry Ankylosaurus or Doedicurus for on-the-spot harvesting.
In PvP scenarios, polymer farming can be risky, as other players may target your resource-gathering operations. To mitigate this, farm in less populated areas or during off-peak hours. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, coordinate with teammates to gather resources efficiently and defend each other during farming runs. Solo players should prioritize stealth and speed, using fast tames like a Thylacoleo or Raptor to quickly gather and escape.
Advanced techniques include setting up resource outposts near obsidian-rich areas or beaver dam locations. Build a small, fortified base with storage and crafting stations to process materials on-site. Use turrets or tamed creatures to defend your outpost from hostile players or creatures. Additionally, consider using a Tek Dedicated Storage unit to store large amounts of polymer, as it has a massive storage capacity and can be accessed remotely with a Tek Transmitter.
Common mistakes to avoid include overharvesting beaver dams, which can cause beavers to become aggressive, and neglecting to use preserving salts for organic polymer, leading to spoilage. Always carry a backup weapon or tame when farming in dangerous areas, as hostile creatures or players can ambush you. Finally, avoid farming during events or server wipes, as these can disrupt your progress.
In summary, farming polymer in ARK requires careful planning and resource management. Whether youÔÇÖre gathering organic polymer from creatures or crafting polymer from obsidian and cementing paste, using the right tames and strategies will make the process more efficient. Always prioritize safety and efficiency, especially in PvP environments, and consider setting up resource outposts to streamline your farming operations. With these tips, youÔÇÖll be able to gather enough polymer to build and maintain an advanced base in no time.