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 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 various forms across the maps. On land, it is often harvested from oil nodes, which are black, shiny rocks found in specific biomes like the snow and desert regions. Underwater, oil nodes are more abundant and appear as black, spiky rocks on the ocean floor. Additionally, oil can be obtained from certain creatures, such as Trilobites, Basilosaurus, and Leech Blood, which can be refined into oil. Each method has its own advantages and challenges, so choosing the right approach depends on your current resources and location.
For early-game players, the easiest way to gather oil is by hunting Trilobites. These small, crab-like creatures are found along beaches and shallow waters. They drop oil, chitin, and silica pearls when killed. While this method is low-risk, it yields small amounts of oil, making it inefficient for large-scale farming. However, it is a good starting point for players who lack the tools or dinosaurs to venture into more dangerous areas.
Once you have access to basic tools like a pickaxe or a metal hatchet, you can start harvesting oil nodes on land. These nodes are most commonly found in the snow biome and the desert. The snow biome is particularly rich in oil, but it is also home to dangerous predators like wolves and sabertooths. To safely farm oil in these areas, bring a tamed mount like a Carnotaurus or a Sabertooth for protection. Use your pickaxe to harvest the nodes, as it yields more oil than a hatchet. Be prepared for cold weather by crafting fur armor or carrying a torch.
For mid-to-late-game players, underwater oil farming is the most efficient method. Oil nodes are abundant in the ocean, especially around underwater caves and deep trenches. To farm underwater oil, you will need a strong water mount like a Basilosaurus, Ichthyosaurus, or Megalodon. The Basilosaurus is particularly useful because it is immune to the stun effects of jellyfish and electric eels, making it safer to navigate dangerous waters. Equip your mount with a platform saddle and place a storage box on it to carry more oil. Use a pickaxe to harvest the nodes, and be cautious of hostile creatures like Plesiosaurs and Mosasaurs.
Another advanced method is taming a Basilosaurus or an Ankylosaurus. Basilosaurus naturally produce oil over time, which can be harvested directly from their inventory. Ankylosaurus, while primarily used for metal farming, can also gather oil from nodes more efficiently than a pickaxe. These dinosaurs are excellent for long-term oil farming, especially if you have a base near oil-rich areas.
When farming oil, always consider your resource requirements and preparation. Bring enough food, water, and tools to sustain yourself during long farming trips. If you are farming in dangerous areas, bring weapons and armor for protection. For underwater farming, craft scuba gear or Lazarus Chowder to extend your oxygen supply. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near oil-rich areas to store your resources and reduce travel time.
Common mistakes to avoid include venturing into dangerous areas unprepared, overloading your inventory, and neglecting to bring a mount for protection. Always scout the area beforehand and plan your route to avoid unnecessary risks. If you are farming underwater, be mindful of your oxygen levels and avoid deep trenches until you have the proper gear.
For tribes, oil farming can be optimized by assigning roles to different members. For example, one player can focus on gathering oil while another provides protection or transports resources back to the base. Tribes can also build oil pumps in the ocean or on oil nodes, which automatically generate oil over time. These pumps require a significant investment of resources but provide a steady supply of oil without constant manual farming.
In conclusion, farming oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you are hunting Trilobites, harvesting land nodes, or diving into the ocean, each method has its own challenges and rewards. By using the right tools, dinosaurs, and strategies, you can efficiently gather oil to fuel your base-building projects and advance your survival in the game.
Oil can be found in various forms across the maps. On land, it is often harvested from oil nodes, which are black, shiny rocks found in specific biomes like the snow and desert regions. Underwater, oil nodes are more abundant and appear as black, spiky rocks on the ocean floor. Additionally, oil can be obtained from certain creatures, such as Trilobites, Basilosaurus, and Leech Blood, which can be refined into oil. Each method has its own advantages and challenges, so choosing the right approach depends on your current resources and location.
For early-game players, the easiest way to gather oil is by hunting Trilobites. These small, crab-like creatures are found along beaches and shallow waters. They drop oil, chitin, and silica pearls when killed. While this method is low-risk, it yields small amounts of oil, making it inefficient for large-scale farming. However, it is a good starting point for players who lack the tools or dinosaurs to venture into more dangerous areas.
Once you have access to basic tools like a pickaxe or a metal hatchet, you can start harvesting oil nodes on land. These nodes are most commonly found in the snow biome and the desert. The snow biome is particularly rich in oil, but it is also home to dangerous predators like wolves and sabertooths. To safely farm oil in these areas, bring a tamed mount like a Carnotaurus or a Sabertooth for protection. Use your pickaxe to harvest the nodes, as it yields more oil than a hatchet. Be prepared for cold weather by crafting fur armor or carrying a torch.
For mid-to-late-game players, underwater oil farming is the most efficient method. Oil nodes are abundant in the ocean, especially around underwater caves and deep trenches. To farm underwater oil, you will need a strong water mount like a Basilosaurus, Ichthyosaurus, or Megalodon. The Basilosaurus is particularly useful because it is immune to the stun effects of jellyfish and electric eels, making it safer to navigate dangerous waters. Equip your mount with a platform saddle and place a storage box on it to carry more oil. Use a pickaxe to harvest the nodes, and be cautious of hostile creatures like Plesiosaurs and Mosasaurs.
Another advanced method is taming a Basilosaurus or an Ankylosaurus. Basilosaurus naturally produce oil over time, which can be harvested directly from their inventory. Ankylosaurus, while primarily used for metal farming, can also gather oil from nodes more efficiently than a pickaxe. These dinosaurs are excellent for long-term oil farming, especially if you have a base near oil-rich areas.
When farming oil, always consider your resource requirements and preparation. Bring enough food, water, and tools to sustain yourself during long farming trips. If you are farming in dangerous areas, bring weapons and armor for protection. For underwater farming, craft scuba gear or Lazarus Chowder to extend your oxygen supply. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near oil-rich areas to store your resources and reduce travel time.
Common mistakes to avoid include venturing into dangerous areas unprepared, overloading your inventory, and neglecting to bring a mount for protection. Always scout the area beforehand and plan your route to avoid unnecessary risks. If you are farming underwater, be mindful of your oxygen levels and avoid deep trenches until you have the proper gear.
For tribes, oil farming can be optimized by assigning roles to different members. For example, one player can focus on gathering oil while another provides protection or transports resources back to the base. Tribes can also build oil pumps in the ocean or on oil nodes, which automatically generate oil over time. These pumps require a significant investment of resources but provide a steady supply of oil without constant manual farming.
In conclusion, farming oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you are hunting Trilobites, harvesting land nodes, or diving into the ocean, each method has its own challenges and rewards. By using the right tools, dinosaurs, and strategies, you can efficiently gather oil to fuel your base-building projects and advance your survival in the game.