What are the best ways to gather keratin for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Keratin is a crucial resource in ARK: Survival Evolved, especially for advanced base building. It is used to craft items like saddles, armor, and certain structures, making it a valuable material to gather efficiently. To collect keratin, you need to harvest it from specific creatures, as it cannot be obtained from rocks, trees, or plants like other resources. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to gather keratin effectively, including strategies, tips, and considerations.
First, you need to know which creatures drop keratin. The most common sources are creatures with horns, shells, or hard exteriors, such as Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, Carbonemys, Stegosaurus, and Sabertooths. Smaller creatures like Dodos and Dilophosaurs also drop keratin, but in smaller quantities. For larger amounts, focus on bigger creatures like Triceratops or Ankylosaurus, as they yield more keratin per kill. Additionally, creatures like the Mantis and Deathworm also drop keratin, but these are more challenging to defeat and are found in specific biomes or maps.
To gather keratin, you will need the right tools. A metal pick or hatchet is the most efficient tool for harvesting keratin, as they yield more resources compared to stone or primitive tools. If you are early in the game and do not have access to metal tools, a stone hatchet will still work, but it will take longer to gather the same amount. Always prioritize upgrading your tools to metal as soon as possible to maximize efficiency.
When hunting for keratin, itÔÇÖs important to have a tamed dinosaur that can help you kill and harvest creatures quickly. A strong carnivore like a Rex, Spino, or Sabertooth is ideal for taking down larger creatures like Triceratops or Stegosaurus. For smaller creatures, a Raptor or even a pack of Dilophosaurs can be effective. If you are playing solo, having a strong mount is essential for both combat and resource gathering. In a tribe, you can coordinate with others to hunt more efficiently, with one player focusing on killing and another on harvesting.
One effective strategy is to target areas where keratin-rich creatures spawn in large numbers. For example, the beaches and forests of The Island map are great places to find Triceratops and Carbonemys. On Scorched Earth, you can find Mantises in the desert, which drop keratin along with other valuable resources. On Aberration, you can hunt Karkinos or Roll Rats for keratin. Knowing the spawn locations of these creatures will save you time and effort.
A common mistake is not using the right tool for harvesting. Using a pick or hatchet on the wrong body part of a creature can result in less keratin. For example, using a pick on the shell of a Carbonemys will yield more keratin than using it on the body. Similarly, using a hatchet on the horns of a Triceratops will give you more keratin than using it on the legs. Always aim for the parts of the creature that are hardest or most armored, as these yield the most keratin.
Advanced players can optimize keratin gathering by using specific dinosaurs with harvesting bonuses. For example, a Therizinosaurus is excellent for gathering keratin, as it has a high harvesting efficiency and can gather large amounts from a single creature. Similarly, a Megatherium is great for killing insects and small creatures, which also drop keratin. Using these specialized dinosaurs can significantly increase your keratin yield.
Resource management is also important when gathering keratin. Make sure to bring enough food, water, and tools for your journey, especially if you are venturing far from your base. If you are playing in a tribe, consider setting up a small outpost near a keratin-rich area to store your resources and resupply. This will save you from having to travel back and forth to your main base.
In PvP scenarios, gathering keratin can be risky, as other players may attack you while you are hunting. Always be aware of your surroundings and have a plan for escaping if necessary. If you are in a tribe, consider having a guard or scout to watch for enemy players while you gather resources.
In summary, gathering keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved requires targeting the right creatures, using the correct tools, and optimizing your strategy with tamed dinosaurs. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, efficient resource gathering and management are key to building and maintaining an advanced base. By following these tips and strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of keratin for all your crafting needs.
First, you need to know which creatures drop keratin. The most common sources are creatures with horns, shells, or hard exteriors, such as Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, Carbonemys, Stegosaurus, and Sabertooths. Smaller creatures like Dodos and Dilophosaurs also drop keratin, but in smaller quantities. For larger amounts, focus on bigger creatures like Triceratops or Ankylosaurus, as they yield more keratin per kill. Additionally, creatures like the Mantis and Deathworm also drop keratin, but these are more challenging to defeat and are found in specific biomes or maps.
To gather keratin, you will need the right tools. A metal pick or hatchet is the most efficient tool for harvesting keratin, as they yield more resources compared to stone or primitive tools. If you are early in the game and do not have access to metal tools, a stone hatchet will still work, but it will take longer to gather the same amount. Always prioritize upgrading your tools to metal as soon as possible to maximize efficiency.
When hunting for keratin, itÔÇÖs important to have a tamed dinosaur that can help you kill and harvest creatures quickly. A strong carnivore like a Rex, Spino, or Sabertooth is ideal for taking down larger creatures like Triceratops or Stegosaurus. For smaller creatures, a Raptor or even a pack of Dilophosaurs can be effective. If you are playing solo, having a strong mount is essential for both combat and resource gathering. In a tribe, you can coordinate with others to hunt more efficiently, with one player focusing on killing and another on harvesting.
One effective strategy is to target areas where keratin-rich creatures spawn in large numbers. For example, the beaches and forests of The Island map are great places to find Triceratops and Carbonemys. On Scorched Earth, you can find Mantises in the desert, which drop keratin along with other valuable resources. On Aberration, you can hunt Karkinos or Roll Rats for keratin. Knowing the spawn locations of these creatures will save you time and effort.
A common mistake is not using the right tool for harvesting. Using a pick or hatchet on the wrong body part of a creature can result in less keratin. For example, using a pick on the shell of a Carbonemys will yield more keratin than using it on the body. Similarly, using a hatchet on the horns of a Triceratops will give you more keratin than using it on the legs. Always aim for the parts of the creature that are hardest or most armored, as these yield the most keratin.
Advanced players can optimize keratin gathering by using specific dinosaurs with harvesting bonuses. For example, a Therizinosaurus is excellent for gathering keratin, as it has a high harvesting efficiency and can gather large amounts from a single creature. Similarly, a Megatherium is great for killing insects and small creatures, which also drop keratin. Using these specialized dinosaurs can significantly increase your keratin yield.
Resource management is also important when gathering keratin. Make sure to bring enough food, water, and tools for your journey, especially if you are venturing far from your base. If you are playing in a tribe, consider setting up a small outpost near a keratin-rich area to store your resources and resupply. This will save you from having to travel back and forth to your main base.
In PvP scenarios, gathering keratin can be risky, as other players may attack you while you are hunting. Always be aware of your surroundings and have a plan for escaping if necessary. If you are in a tribe, consider having a guard or scout to watch for enemy players while you gather resources.
In summary, gathering keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved requires targeting the right creatures, using the correct tools, and optimizing your strategy with tamed dinosaurs. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, efficient resource gathering and management are key to building and maintaining an advanced base. By following these tips and strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of keratin for all your crafting needs.