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 advanced technologies. Element is a rare and valuable resource, and obtaining it requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on the best ways to farm element, covering mechanics, strategies, and considerations.

Element is primarily obtained by defeating bosses, completing certain missions in Genesis maps, or harvesting it from specific sources like the Extinction map. The most reliable method for farming large amounts of element is by defeating bosses, as they drop element directly or provide element shards that can be crafted into element. To start, youÔÇÖll need to prepare for boss fights, which require strong tamed creatures, high-quality gear, and a well-coordinated tribe if playing in a group.

First, focus on taming and breeding powerful creatures for boss fights. Rexes, Therizinos, and Megatheriums are popular choices due to their high damage output and survivability. Breeding these creatures for mutations to increase their stats is crucial. Aim for high health and melee damage stats, and consider imprinting the offspring for additional bonuses. Equip your creatures with high-quality saddles to reduce incoming damage during fights. Additionally, bring a Yutyrannus for its courage roar buff, which increases your creaturesÔÇÖ damage and resistance.

Next, gather the required tributes to summon bosses. Each boss requires specific artifacts and trophies, which are found in caves or obtained by defeating certain creatures. For example, the Broodmother boss requires the Artifact of the Hunter, Artifact of the Clever, and Artifact of the Massive, along with trophies like Sauropod Vertebra and Titanoboa Venom. Explore caves to collect artifacts, and hunt creatures like Alpha Raptors or Carnotaurus for trophies. Be prepared for tough cave environments, as they are often filled with hostile creatures and traps.

Once youÔÇÖve gathered the tributes, summon the boss at the appropriate obelisk or terminal. Start with the easiest bosses, like the Broodmother or Megapithecus, to gain experience and element shards. As you progress, tackle harder bosses like the Dragon or Overseer for larger element rewards. Coordinate with your tribe to ensure everyone is equipped and ready for the fight. Assign roles, such as tanking with high-health creatures or providing support with a Yutyrannus or Daeodon for healing.

After defeating the boss, collect the element or element shards. On Extinction, you can also farm element by harvesting corrupted nodes or defending the city terminals during element veins. These methods require a strong defense setup, including turrets and tamed creatures to fend off waves of corrupted creatures. Use high-damage creatures like Gigas or Velonasaurs to quickly eliminate threats.

For solo players, focus on breeding a strong army of creatures and preparing thoroughly for boss fights. Solo boss fights are challenging, so prioritize survivability and damage output. Use Tek gear, such as Tek rifles or Tek saddles, to gain an edge in combat. On Genesis maps, consider completing missions to earn hexagons, which can be exchanged for element at the HLNA shop. Missions like the Bulbdog Fetch or Star Dolphin are relatively easy and provide a steady source of hexagons.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating boss difficulty, neglecting creature preparation, and failing to coordinate with your tribe. Always bring extra supplies, such as medical brews and ammo, and ensure your creatures are properly leveled and equipped. Avoid rushing into boss fights without a plan, as this can lead to costly losses.

Advanced techniques include using Tek creatures like the Tek Rex or Tek Stegosaurus for their unique abilities and high stats. Optimize your baseÔÇÖs power system to support Tek structures, such as Tek generators or force fields, which require element to operate. On Extinction, use orbital supply drops to farm element shards and other valuable resources.

In summary, farming element in ARK requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and execution. Focus on taming and breeding strong creatures, gathering tributes, and coordinating with your tribe for boss fights. Explore alternative methods like missions or ExtinctionÔÇÖs element veins for additional sources. With careful planning and practice, youÔÇÖll be able to farm element efficiently and unlock the full potential of advanced base building and Tek technology.