What is the best way to farm element for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Farming element in ARK: Survival Evolved is essential for advanced base building, as it is required to craft high-tier structures, Tek equipment, and other end-game items. Element is a rare and valuable resource, and obtaining it requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to efficiently farm element, covering mechanics, strategies, and considerations.

Element is primarily obtained by defeating bosses, completing the Tek Cave, or harvesting it from specific sources like the Genesis simulation or ExtinctionÔÇÖs Orbital Supply Drops. The most reliable method for farming element is by defeating bosses, as they drop element shards or element directly, depending on the difficulty of the boss fight. To prepare for boss fights, youÔÇÖll need a strong team of tamed dinosaurs, high-quality gear, and a well-coordinated strategy.

First, you must gather the required tribute items to summon the boss. Each boss requires specific artifacts and trophies, which are found in caves or obtained by defeating certain creatures. For example, the Broodmother Lysrix requires the Artifact of the Hunter, the Artifact of the Clever, and the Artifact of the Massive, along with trophies like Sauropod Vertebra and Titanoboa Venom. These items are found in caves, so youÔÇÖll need to explore and clear these dangerous areas. Bring a strong mount like a Rex or a Thylacoleo for cave exploration, and ensure you have plenty of weapons, armor, and healing items.

Once you have the tribute items, you can summon the boss at an Obelisk or a Supply Crate. Boss fights are challenging and require a well-prepared team of tamed dinosaurs. The most common strategy is to use a group of high-level Rexes or Therizinosaurs, as they have high health and damage output. Breed and imprint your dinosaurs to maximize their stats, and equip them with high-quality saddles to reduce incoming damage. Bring a Yutyrannus to provide courage buffs and a Daedon for healing during the fight.

During the boss fight, focus on dealing damage while avoiding the bossÔÇÖs attacks. For example, the Broodmother Lysrix summons Araneo minions, so prioritize clearing them to reduce incoming damage. The Megapithecus throws boulders and summons Gigantopithecus minions, so keep your dinosaurs spread out to avoid being overwhelmed. The Dragon boss deals fire damage, so bring herbivores like Therizinosaurs, as they take reduced fire damage. After defeating the boss, youÔÇÖll receive element shards or element, depending on the difficulty. Gamma bosses drop element shards, while Beta and Alpha bosses drop element directly.

Another method for farming element is by completing the Tek Cave on The Island map. This is an end-game challenge that requires defeating all three bosses and navigating a dangerous cave filled with high-level creatures. YouÔÇÖll need a large team of dinosaurs and players to succeed, as the cave is designed for tribes. The final boss, the Overseer, drops a significant amount of element upon defeat.

On Extinction, you can farm element by defending and completing Orbital Supply Drops. These events require you to protect a drop pod from waves of corrupted creatures. Higher-tier drops yield more element, but they are also more challenging. Bring a team of strong tamed dinosaurs like Gigas or Velonasaurs to defend the drop, and ensure you have plenty of ammunition and healing items.

For solo players, farming element can be more challenging, but itÔÇÖs still possible with careful preparation. Focus on breeding and imprinting a strong team of dinosaurs, and prioritize Gamma boss fights to start. As you progress, you can attempt Beta and Alpha bosses for more element. On Extinction, solo players can focus on lower-tier Orbital Supply Drops or use a Tek Stryder to harvest element from resource nodes in the wasteland.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating boss mechanics, bringing underprepared dinosaurs, or failing to coordinate with your tribe. Always scout the boss arena beforehand and plan your strategy accordingly. Ensure your dinosaurs have high health and damage stats, and avoid using low-level or poorly bred creatures. Additionally, donÔÇÖt forget to bring a backup plan, such as extra dinosaurs or escape routes, in case the fight goes poorly.

Advanced techniques include using Tek equipment like the Tek Rifle or Tek Armor to enhance your combat capabilities. You can also use a Tek Replicator to craft element shards into element, which is more efficient than using a Fabricator. On Extinction, consider using a Mek to defend Orbital Supply Drops, as its high damage output and durability make it ideal for these events.

In summary, farming element in ARK requires defeating bosses, completing the Tek Cave, or defending Orbital Supply Drops. Prepare by gathering tribute items, breeding strong dinosaurs, and coordinating with your tribe. Focus on Gamma bosses for solo players and progress to Beta and Alpha fights as you gain experience. Avoid common mistakes like underestimating boss mechanics or using underprepared dinosaurs, and consider using Tek equipment for advanced strategies. With careful planning and execution, you can efficiently farm element for advanced base building and end-game progression.