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 advanced items like gasoline, polymer, and various industrial 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.
One of the most common ways to gather oil is by harvesting oil nodes. These nodes are found in specific locations, such as underwater areas, snowy biomes, and certain caves. On maps like The Island, oil nodes are abundant in the ocean, particularly around the underwater trenches and near the edges of the map. On maps like Ragnarok or Valguero, oil nodes can also be found in the snow biome or in specific caves. To harvest oil nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal tool like a metal pick or an Ankylosaurus. Ankylosaurus is highly recommended for this task, as it can gather oil more efficiently than hand tools and can carry a large amount of weight. When using an Ankylosaurus, simply attack the oil node to collect the resource. Be cautious when farming in dangerous areas, as hostile creatures like sharks or predators in the snow biome can pose a threat.
Another method to gather oil is by killing and harvesting certain creatures. Trilobites, found along beaches and shallow waters, drop oil when harvested. While they do not provide a large amount of oil per kill, they are easy to farm early in the game. Additionally, creatures like Basilosaurus and Tusoteuthis, found in the ocean, drop oil when harvested. Basilosaurus is a passive creature that can be killed for oil, but it is recommended to tame one instead, as it provides a steady supply of oil passively over time. Tusoteuthis, on the other hand, is a dangerous deep-sea predator that drops a significant amount of oil when killed, but it requires advanced preparation and strong tames to defeat.
For players with access to advanced technology, oil pumps can be used to automate oil farming. Oil pumps are structures that can be placed on oil veins, which are specific locations on the map where oil naturally seeps to the surface. These veins are found in areas like the snow biome on The Island or the desert on Scorched Earth. To use an oil pump, you will need to craft it using metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics. Once placed on an oil vein, the pump will generate oil over time, which can be collected from its inventory. Oil pumps require gasoline to operate, so make sure to have a steady supply of gasoline or a nearby source of fuel.
When farming oil, preparation is key. If you are farming underwater, ensure you have a strong water mount like a Megalodon or a Basilosaurus to protect you from predators. Scuba gear or Lazarus Chowder can help you stay underwater longer, allowing for more efficient farming. In snowy biomes, wear fur armor to protect against the cold and bring a strong mount like a Sabertooth or a Direwolf to fend off predators. Always carry a backup weapon and healing items in case of emergencies.
A common mistake players make is not bringing enough storage or weight capacity when farming oil. Oil is a heavy resource, and you can quickly become over-encumbered if you are not prepared. Use dinosaurs with high weight capacity, such as a Diplodocus or a Paraceratherium, to carry large amounts of oil back to your base. Additionally, avoid farming oil in dangerous areas without proper protection or backup. Hostile creatures or other players can easily ambush you if you are not careful.
For advanced players, optimizing oil farming can involve using multiple methods simultaneously. For example, you can set up oil pumps in the snow biome while also farming oil nodes underwater with an Ankylosaurus. This ensures a steady supply of oil from different sources. Additionally, taming creatures like Basilosaurus or Dung Beetles can provide passive oil generation, reducing the need for constant farming. Basilosaurus naturally produces oil over time, while Dung Beetles can convert feces into oil and fertilizer.
Tribe considerations are also important when farming oil. In a tribe, you can assign specific roles to members, such as one person gathering oil while another protects them or transports resources. This division of labor can make oil farming more efficient and safer. Solo players, on the other hand, should focus on taming strong mounts and using tools like oil pumps to minimize risk and maximize efficiency.
In summary, farming oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you are harvesting oil nodes, killing creatures, or using oil pumps, each method has its own advantages and challenges. By using the right tools, dinosaurs, and strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of oil for your base building needs. Always prioritize safety, especially in dangerous areas, and consider using advanced techniques like passive oil generation to optimize your farming efforts.
One of the most common ways to gather oil is by harvesting oil nodes. These nodes are found in specific locations, such as underwater areas, snowy biomes, and certain caves. On maps like The Island, oil nodes are abundant in the ocean, particularly around the underwater trenches and near the edges of the map. On maps like Ragnarok or Valguero, oil nodes can also be found in the snow biome or in specific caves. To harvest oil nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal tool like a metal pick or an Ankylosaurus. Ankylosaurus is highly recommended for this task, as it can gather oil more efficiently than hand tools and can carry a large amount of weight. When using an Ankylosaurus, simply attack the oil node to collect the resource. Be cautious when farming in dangerous areas, as hostile creatures like sharks or predators in the snow biome can pose a threat.
Another method to gather oil is by killing and harvesting certain creatures. Trilobites, found along beaches and shallow waters, drop oil when harvested. While they do not provide a large amount of oil per kill, they are easy to farm early in the game. Additionally, creatures like Basilosaurus and Tusoteuthis, found in the ocean, drop oil when harvested. Basilosaurus is a passive creature that can be killed for oil, but it is recommended to tame one instead, as it provides a steady supply of oil passively over time. Tusoteuthis, on the other hand, is a dangerous deep-sea predator that drops a significant amount of oil when killed, but it requires advanced preparation and strong tames to defeat.
For players with access to advanced technology, oil pumps can be used to automate oil farming. Oil pumps are structures that can be placed on oil veins, which are specific locations on the map where oil naturally seeps to the surface. These veins are found in areas like the snow biome on The Island or the desert on Scorched Earth. To use an oil pump, you will need to craft it using metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics. Once placed on an oil vein, the pump will generate oil over time, which can be collected from its inventory. Oil pumps require gasoline to operate, so make sure to have a steady supply of gasoline or a nearby source of fuel.
When farming oil, preparation is key. If you are farming underwater, ensure you have a strong water mount like a Megalodon or a Basilosaurus to protect you from predators. Scuba gear or Lazarus Chowder can help you stay underwater longer, allowing for more efficient farming. In snowy biomes, wear fur armor to protect against the cold and bring a strong mount like a Sabertooth or a Direwolf to fend off predators. Always carry a backup weapon and healing items in case of emergencies.
A common mistake players make is not bringing enough storage or weight capacity when farming oil. Oil is a heavy resource, and you can quickly become over-encumbered if you are not prepared. Use dinosaurs with high weight capacity, such as a Diplodocus or a Paraceratherium, to carry large amounts of oil back to your base. Additionally, avoid farming oil in dangerous areas without proper protection or backup. Hostile creatures or other players can easily ambush you if you are not careful.
For advanced players, optimizing oil farming can involve using multiple methods simultaneously. For example, you can set up oil pumps in the snow biome while also farming oil nodes underwater with an Ankylosaurus. This ensures a steady supply of oil from different sources. Additionally, taming creatures like Basilosaurus or Dung Beetles can provide passive oil generation, reducing the need for constant farming. Basilosaurus naturally produces oil over time, while Dung Beetles can convert feces into oil and fertilizer.
Tribe considerations are also important when farming oil. In a tribe, you can assign specific roles to members, such as one person gathering oil while another protects them or transports resources. This division of labor can make oil farming more efficient and safer. Solo players, on the other hand, should focus on taming strong mounts and using tools like oil pumps to minimize risk and maximize efficiency.
In summary, farming oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you are harvesting oil nodes, killing creatures, or using oil pumps, each method has its own advantages and challenges. By using the right tools, dinosaurs, and strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of oil for your base building needs. Always prioritize safety, especially in dangerous areas, and consider using advanced techniques like passive oil generation to optimize your farming efforts.