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 essential for mid-to-late game progression. Gathering keratin efficiently requires understanding the mechanics of resource collection, the best creatures to use, and the most effective strategies for maximizing your yield.

Keratin is primarily obtained by harvesting the horns, shells, or claws of certain creatures. The most common sources of keratin include Triceratops, Carbonemys, Ankylosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Sabertooths. Additionally, creatures like Arthropluera and Kairuku also provide keratin when harvested. To gather keratin, you need to kill these creatures and then use a tool or a tamed dinosaur to harvest their bodies. Tools like a hatchet or pickaxe can be used, but tamed dinosaurs with high melee damage, such as a Sabertooth or Therizinosaurus, are far more efficient.

To begin gathering keratin, you should first prepare by taming a creature optimized for harvesting. A Sabertooth is an excellent choice for solo players or small tribes because it is relatively easy to tame and has a high melee damage output, which increases the amount of keratin harvested. For larger tribes or more advanced players, a Therizinosaurus is ideal due to its versatility and ability to gather a wide range of resources, including keratin. Once you have a suitable harvesting creature, you can start hunting the creatures mentioned earlier. Focus on areas where these creatures spawn in large numbers, such as the beaches for Carbonemys or the forests for Triceratops and Sabertooths.

When harvesting, it is important to prioritize efficiency. For example, if you are using a Sabertooth, make sure to level up its melee damage to maximize the amount of keratin you collect per kill. Additionally, consider using a harvesting boost, such as a Direwolf with the Pack Leader buff or a Therizinosaurus with the Power Harvesting ability enabled. These boosts can significantly increase your keratin yield. Another tip is to avoid overharvesting in one area, as this can deplete the local population of keratin-providing creatures. Instead, rotate between different regions to allow creatures to respawn.

One common mistake players make is using the wrong tool or creature for harvesting. For example, using a pickaxe on a Carbonemys will yield more chitin than keratin, while a hatchet or a Sabertooth will provide more keratin. Always ensure you are using the correct tool or creature for the resource you want. Another mistake is neglecting to prepare for combat. Many keratin-providing creatures, such as Sabertooths and Ankylosaurus, can be dangerous if you are not properly equipped. Make sure to bring weapons, armor, and healing items to protect yourself and your tamed creatures during the hunt.

Advanced techniques for gathering keratin include setting up a farming area near a high-density spawn point. For example, building a small outpost near a forest filled with Sabertooths or Triceratops can allow you to quickly and efficiently gather keratin without traveling long distances. Additionally, you can use traps to immobilize creatures, making them easier to kill and harvest. For example, a simple trap made of stone pillars and a large bear trap can be used to capture a Sabertooth, allowing you to safely harvest its keratin.

Resource requirements for keratin gathering are relatively low, but preparation is key. You will need a tamed creature with high melee damage, such as a Sabertooth or Therizinosaurus, as well as weapons and armor for protection. If you are playing solo, consider taming a pack of Direwolves, as their Pack Leader buff can increase your harvesting efficiency. For tribes, coordinating with other players to cover more ground and protect each other during hunts can greatly improve your keratin yield.

In summary, gathering keratin for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and efficient strategies. By taming the right creatures, using the correct tools, and hunting in high-density areas, you can maximize your keratin yield. Avoid common mistakes like using the wrong tool or neglecting combat preparation, and consider advanced techniques like setting up farming outposts or using traps. With these tips, you will be well-equipped to gather the keratin needed for your base-building projects.