What are the best ways to farm oil for base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming oil is a critical part of base building in ARK: Survival Evolved, as it is used to craft essential items like gasoline, polymer, and various advanced structures. Oil is a versatile resource, and there are several methods to gather it efficiently, depending on your location, progression level, and available tools or dinosaurs. Below is a detailed guide on the best ways to farm oil, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.
Oil can be found in several forms across the ARK maps. The most common sources are oil nodes, oil rocks, and underwater oil veins. Oil nodes are black, spiky rocks found in specific biomes, such as the snow biome or the desert. Oil rocks are smaller and often found near water or in caves. Underwater oil veins are large, black deposits found on the ocean floor, typically in deeper waters. Additionally, oil can be harvested from certain creatures, such as Trilobites, Basilosaurus, and Leech nodes in the Swamp biome.
For early-game players, the easiest way to gather oil is by harvesting oil nodes or rocks. These can be found in the snow biome on The Island map or the desert on Scorched Earth. To collect oil from these nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. A pickaxe yields more oil per node, but a hatchet is faster. If you are in a cold biome, make sure to wear fur armor or use a campfire to avoid freezing. Early-game players should also consider taming an Ankylosaurus, as it is highly efficient at gathering oil from rocks and nodes. Its weight reduction for metal and oil makes it an excellent choice for transporting large quantities.
For mid to late-game players, underwater oil veins are the most efficient source of oil. These veins are found in the ocean and require a diving suit or a water-breathing dinosaur like a Basilosaurus or a Megalodon. To harvest underwater oil, you will need a metal pick or a chainsaw. A chainsaw is faster and yields more oil, but it requires gasoline to operate. Once you have gathered the oil, you can store it in a preserving bin or refrigerator to prevent spoilage. If you are playing on a map with tek structures, you can also use a tek generator to power a tek replicator, which can craft oil directly from element shards.
Another advanced method is to tame a Basilosaurus, a passive tame found in the ocean. Basilosaurus naturally produce oil over time, making them a renewable source. They are also immune to the stun effects of jellyfish and electric eels, making them ideal for underwater exploration. Additionally, Basilosaurus can carry a lot of weight, making them perfect for transporting oil back to your base.
For players in the Swamp biome, Leech nodes are another source of oil. These nodes can be harvested with a pickaxe or hatchet, but they are less efficient than oil nodes or underwater veins. However, they are a good alternative if you are unable to access other sources. Trilobites, small aquatic creatures found along beaches, also drop oil when killed. While they do not provide large amounts, they are a good early-game option.
When farming oil, it is important to plan your trips carefully. Oil is heavy, so you will need a dinosaur with high weight capacity to transport it. Ankylosaurus, Argentavis, and Quetzalcoatlus are excellent choices for land and air transport. For underwater transport, Basilosaurus and Tusoteuthis are ideal. Always bring enough food, water, and tools for your journey, especially if you are venturing into dangerous areas like the ocean or snow biome.
Common mistakes to avoid include not bringing enough storage or transport capacity, which can lead to wasted trips. Another mistake is not protecting yourself from environmental hazards, such as cold or predators. Always bring appropriate armor, weapons, and tames to ensure your safety. Additionally, avoid overharvesting oil nodes in one area, as this can deplete the resource and force you to travel further for more oil.
For tribes, oil farming can be optimized by assigning roles. One player can focus on gathering oil, while another handles transportation and storage. Tribes can also set up outposts near oil-rich areas to reduce travel time. For solo players, it is important to prioritize efficiency and safety. Taming a strong dinosaur for transport and protection is crucial, as solo players cannot rely on others for backup.
In summary, farming oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and the right tools or dinosaurs. Early-game players should focus on oil nodes and rocks, while mid to late-game players can explore underwater oil veins or tame Basilosaurus for renewable oil. Always bring appropriate gear and tames to ensure your safety and efficiency. By following these strategies, you can gather enough oil to power your base and craft advanced items.
Oil can be found in several forms across the ARK maps. The most common sources are oil nodes, oil rocks, and underwater oil veins. Oil nodes are black, spiky rocks found in specific biomes, such as the snow biome or the desert. Oil rocks are smaller and often found near water or in caves. Underwater oil veins are large, black deposits found on the ocean floor, typically in deeper waters. Additionally, oil can be harvested from certain creatures, such as Trilobites, Basilosaurus, and Leech nodes in the Swamp biome.
For early-game players, the easiest way to gather oil is by harvesting oil nodes or rocks. These can be found in the snow biome on The Island map or the desert on Scorched Earth. To collect oil from these nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. A pickaxe yields more oil per node, but a hatchet is faster. If you are in a cold biome, make sure to wear fur armor or use a campfire to avoid freezing. Early-game players should also consider taming an Ankylosaurus, as it is highly efficient at gathering oil from rocks and nodes. Its weight reduction for metal and oil makes it an excellent choice for transporting large quantities.
For mid to late-game players, underwater oil veins are the most efficient source of oil. These veins are found in the ocean and require a diving suit or a water-breathing dinosaur like a Basilosaurus or a Megalodon. To harvest underwater oil, you will need a metal pick or a chainsaw. A chainsaw is faster and yields more oil, but it requires gasoline to operate. Once you have gathered the oil, you can store it in a preserving bin or refrigerator to prevent spoilage. If you are playing on a map with tek structures, you can also use a tek generator to power a tek replicator, which can craft oil directly from element shards.
Another advanced method is to tame a Basilosaurus, a passive tame found in the ocean. Basilosaurus naturally produce oil over time, making them a renewable source. They are also immune to the stun effects of jellyfish and electric eels, making them ideal for underwater exploration. Additionally, Basilosaurus can carry a lot of weight, making them perfect for transporting oil back to your base.
For players in the Swamp biome, Leech nodes are another source of oil. These nodes can be harvested with a pickaxe or hatchet, but they are less efficient than oil nodes or underwater veins. However, they are a good alternative if you are unable to access other sources. Trilobites, small aquatic creatures found along beaches, also drop oil when killed. While they do not provide large amounts, they are a good early-game option.
When farming oil, it is important to plan your trips carefully. Oil is heavy, so you will need a dinosaur with high weight capacity to transport it. Ankylosaurus, Argentavis, and Quetzalcoatlus are excellent choices for land and air transport. For underwater transport, Basilosaurus and Tusoteuthis are ideal. Always bring enough food, water, and tools for your journey, especially if you are venturing into dangerous areas like the ocean or snow biome.
Common mistakes to avoid include not bringing enough storage or transport capacity, which can lead to wasted trips. Another mistake is not protecting yourself from environmental hazards, such as cold or predators. Always bring appropriate armor, weapons, and tames to ensure your safety. Additionally, avoid overharvesting oil nodes in one area, as this can deplete the resource and force you to travel further for more oil.
For tribes, oil farming can be optimized by assigning roles. One player can focus on gathering oil, while another handles transportation and storage. Tribes can also set up outposts near oil-rich areas to reduce travel time. For solo players, it is important to prioritize efficiency and safety. Taming a strong dinosaur for transport and protection is crucial, as solo players cannot rely on others for backup.
In summary, farming oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and the right tools or dinosaurs. Early-game players should focus on oil nodes and rocks, while mid to late-game players can explore underwater oil veins or tame Basilosaurus for renewable oil. Always bring appropriate gear and tames to ensure your safety and efficiency. By following these strategies, you can gather enough oil to power your base and craft advanced items.