What is the best way to set up a smelting area in my base in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Setting up a smelting area in your base in ARK: Survival Evolved is a critical step in progressing through the game, as it allows you to refine raw materials like metal ore into usable metal ingots. A well-designed smelting area ensures efficiency, safety, and scalability as your base grows. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you create an effective smelting setup.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. Smelting in ARK requires a refining forge or an industrial forge. The refining forge is the basic option, crafted using stone, wood, fiber, and hide. It can smelt metal ore into metal ingots, but it is relatively slow and has limited capacity. The industrial forge, on the other hand, is an advanced structure that smelts large quantities of metal ore quickly. It requires a significant amount of resources, including metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics, and must be powered by a generator or another electricity source. Both forges require fuel, such as wood or gasoline, to operate.
To set up a smelting area, start by choosing a location within your base that is secure and easily accessible. Ideally, this area should be close to your resource storage and crafting stations to minimize travel time. If youÔÇÖre playing on a PvP server, consider placing your smelting area in a protected part of your base, such as behind walls or in a separate room, to prevent it from being destroyed by raiders.
Next, gather the necessary resources. For a refining forge, youÔÇÖll need 125 stone, 20 wood, 65 thatch, and 15 hide. If youÔÇÖre aiming for an industrial forge, prepare 250 metal ingots, 100 cementing paste, 50 polymer, 50 electronics, and 100 crystal. YouÔÇÖll also need fuel, so stockpile wood or craft gasoline using oil and hide in a chemistry bench.
Once you have the resources, place your forge. For a refining forge, you can place it directly on the ground or on a foundation. For an industrial forge, ensure you have enough space, as it is a large structure. Connect it to a power source if necessary. Surround the forge with storage boxes or a large storage unit like a vault to hold metal ore and ingots. This setup will allow you to quickly transfer materials between the forge and storage.
To optimize your smelting area, consider using tamed dinosaurs to assist with resource gathering and transportation. An Ankylosaurus is excellent for mining metal ore, while a Argentavis or a Quetzal can carry large amounts of ore back to your base. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, these dinosaurs will save you significant time and effort. In a tribe, assign roles to members to streamline the process, such as one person gathering ore while another manages the smelting.
One common mistake to avoid is placing your smelting area too close to flammable structures or resources. Forges produce heat, which can ignite nearby thatch or wood structures. Always use stone or metal materials for the surrounding area to prevent accidental fires. Additionally, avoid overloading your forge with too much metal ore at once, as this can slow down the smelting process. Instead, smelt in smaller batches to maintain efficiency.
Advanced techniques include automating your smelting area using industrial forges and conveyor systems. Conveyor belts can transport metal ore directly from storage to the forge and then move ingots to another storage unit, reducing manual labor. This setup is particularly useful for large-scale operations or tribes with high resource demands.
Resource requirements and preparation are key to maintaining a functional smelting area. Always keep a steady supply of fuel, whether itÔÇÖs wood or gasoline, and regularly gather metal ore from nearby nodes. If youÔÇÖre on a map with limited metal resources, consider building an outpost near a rich metal deposit and transporting the ore back to your main base.
In summary, setting up a smelting area involves careful planning, resource management, and strategic placement. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, optimizing your smelting setup will significantly enhance your baseÔÇÖs productivity and progression. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, youÔÇÖll create a reliable and efficient smelting area that supports your survival and crafting needs in ARK: Survival Evolved.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. Smelting in ARK requires a refining forge or an industrial forge. The refining forge is the basic option, crafted using stone, wood, fiber, and hide. It can smelt metal ore into metal ingots, but it is relatively slow and has limited capacity. The industrial forge, on the other hand, is an advanced structure that smelts large quantities of metal ore quickly. It requires a significant amount of resources, including metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics, and must be powered by a generator or another electricity source. Both forges require fuel, such as wood or gasoline, to operate.
To set up a smelting area, start by choosing a location within your base that is secure and easily accessible. Ideally, this area should be close to your resource storage and crafting stations to minimize travel time. If youÔÇÖre playing on a PvP server, consider placing your smelting area in a protected part of your base, such as behind walls or in a separate room, to prevent it from being destroyed by raiders.
Next, gather the necessary resources. For a refining forge, youÔÇÖll need 125 stone, 20 wood, 65 thatch, and 15 hide. If youÔÇÖre aiming for an industrial forge, prepare 250 metal ingots, 100 cementing paste, 50 polymer, 50 electronics, and 100 crystal. YouÔÇÖll also need fuel, so stockpile wood or craft gasoline using oil and hide in a chemistry bench.
Once you have the resources, place your forge. For a refining forge, you can place it directly on the ground or on a foundation. For an industrial forge, ensure you have enough space, as it is a large structure. Connect it to a power source if necessary. Surround the forge with storage boxes or a large storage unit like a vault to hold metal ore and ingots. This setup will allow you to quickly transfer materials between the forge and storage.
To optimize your smelting area, consider using tamed dinosaurs to assist with resource gathering and transportation. An Ankylosaurus is excellent for mining metal ore, while a Argentavis or a Quetzal can carry large amounts of ore back to your base. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, these dinosaurs will save you significant time and effort. In a tribe, assign roles to members to streamline the process, such as one person gathering ore while another manages the smelting.
One common mistake to avoid is placing your smelting area too close to flammable structures or resources. Forges produce heat, which can ignite nearby thatch or wood structures. Always use stone or metal materials for the surrounding area to prevent accidental fires. Additionally, avoid overloading your forge with too much metal ore at once, as this can slow down the smelting process. Instead, smelt in smaller batches to maintain efficiency.
Advanced techniques include automating your smelting area using industrial forges and conveyor systems. Conveyor belts can transport metal ore directly from storage to the forge and then move ingots to another storage unit, reducing manual labor. This setup is particularly useful for large-scale operations or tribes with high resource demands.
Resource requirements and preparation are key to maintaining a functional smelting area. Always keep a steady supply of fuel, whether itÔÇÖs wood or gasoline, and regularly gather metal ore from nearby nodes. If youÔÇÖre on a map with limited metal resources, consider building an outpost near a rich metal deposit and transporting the ore back to your main base.
In summary, setting up a smelting area involves careful planning, resource management, and strategic placement. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, optimizing your smelting setup will significantly enhance your baseÔÇÖs productivity and progression. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, youÔÇÖll create a reliable and efficient smelting area that supports your survival and crafting needs in ARK: Survival Evolved.