What are the best ways to farm metal ingots for base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming metal ingots is one of the most important tasks in ARK: Survival Evolved, as metal is essential for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and structures. Metal ingots are created by smelting metal ore in a forge, so the process involves gathering metal ore, transporting it to a forge, and then smelting it into ingots. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to efficiently farm metal ingots for base building.
First, you need to locate metal-rich areas. Metal nodes are found in specific locations across the map, often in mountainous or rocky regions. On The Island, for example, the mountains in the northwest, northeast, and central areas are excellent spots for metal farming. On other maps, such as Ragnarok or Valguero, metal nodes are abundant in high-altitude areas and caves. Use a map or explore to identify these locations. Metal nodes are distinguishable by their shiny, metallic appearance and are often found alongside stone nodes.
Once youÔÇÖve located a metal-rich area, youÔÇÖll need the right tools to gather metal ore efficiently. A metal pickaxe is the best tool for harvesting metal ore, as it yields more metal per node compared to a stone pickaxe. If youÔÇÖre early in the game and donÔÇÖt have access to metal tools, a stone pickaxe will still work, but it will be less efficient. As you progress, consider taming a dinosaur like the Ankylosaurus, which is specifically designed for harvesting metal. An Ankylosaurus can gather large amounts of metal ore quickly and has a weight reduction for metal, making it ideal for transporting ore back to your base.
Transporting metal ore can be challenging due to its weight. Metal ore is heavy, and carrying large amounts can quickly encumber you or your dinosaur. To mitigate this, use dinosaurs with high weight capacity, such as the Argentavis or the Quetzal. The Argentavis is particularly useful because it can carry an Ankylosaurus, allowing you to fly to metal-rich areas, harvest ore, and transport it back to your base efficiently. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, this strategy is highly effective. In a tribe, you can coordinate with teammates to have one person fly the Argentavis while another operates the Ankylosaurus.
Once youÔÇÖve gathered the metal ore, youÔÇÖll need to smelt it into ingots. This requires a forge, which can be crafted using stone, wood, and fiber. There are different types of forges, but the refining forge is the most efficient for smelting metal. Place the metal ore into the forge along with fuel, such as wood or sparkpowder, and wait for the smelting process to complete. Each piece of metal ore smelts into one metal ingot. To speed up the process, you can use multiple forges or upgrade to an industrial forge, which smelts metal ore much faster and can hold more resources.
A common mistake players make is not preparing adequately for metal farming trips. Always bring enough tools, food, and water, as well as a bed or sleeping bag in case you die. Additionally, ensure your dinosaurs are well-fed and have enough stamina for the journey. Another mistake is not protecting your base while youÔÇÖre away. Metal farming often requires traveling far from your base, leaving it vulnerable to attacks. Consider building defensive structures like walls, turrets, and traps to deter intruders.
Advanced techniques for metal farming include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry an Ankylosaurus and a forge. This allows you to smelt metal ingots on the go, reducing the need to transport heavy ore back to your base. Another optimization is to set up a secondary base or outpost near a metal-rich area. This reduces travel time and allows you to store resources closer to the source. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, assign roles to members, such as one person gathering metal while another smelts it, to maximize efficiency.
In summary, farming metal ingots involves locating metal nodes, gathering ore with the right tools or dinosaurs, transporting it efficiently, and smelting it in a forge. Preparation, resource management, and strategic planning are key to success. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, using dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus and Argentavis can significantly improve your metal farming efficiency. Avoid common mistakes like inadequate preparation and poor base defense, and consider advanced techniques like mobile forges or secondary outposts to optimize your metal farming process. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll have a steady supply of metal ingots for all your base-building needs.
First, you need to locate metal-rich areas. Metal nodes are found in specific locations across the map, often in mountainous or rocky regions. On The Island, for example, the mountains in the northwest, northeast, and central areas are excellent spots for metal farming. On other maps, such as Ragnarok or Valguero, metal nodes are abundant in high-altitude areas and caves. Use a map or explore to identify these locations. Metal nodes are distinguishable by their shiny, metallic appearance and are often found alongside stone nodes.
Once youÔÇÖve located a metal-rich area, youÔÇÖll need the right tools to gather metal ore efficiently. A metal pickaxe is the best tool for harvesting metal ore, as it yields more metal per node compared to a stone pickaxe. If youÔÇÖre early in the game and donÔÇÖt have access to metal tools, a stone pickaxe will still work, but it will be less efficient. As you progress, consider taming a dinosaur like the Ankylosaurus, which is specifically designed for harvesting metal. An Ankylosaurus can gather large amounts of metal ore quickly and has a weight reduction for metal, making it ideal for transporting ore back to your base.
Transporting metal ore can be challenging due to its weight. Metal ore is heavy, and carrying large amounts can quickly encumber you or your dinosaur. To mitigate this, use dinosaurs with high weight capacity, such as the Argentavis or the Quetzal. The Argentavis is particularly useful because it can carry an Ankylosaurus, allowing you to fly to metal-rich areas, harvest ore, and transport it back to your base efficiently. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, this strategy is highly effective. In a tribe, you can coordinate with teammates to have one person fly the Argentavis while another operates the Ankylosaurus.
Once youÔÇÖve gathered the metal ore, youÔÇÖll need to smelt it into ingots. This requires a forge, which can be crafted using stone, wood, and fiber. There are different types of forges, but the refining forge is the most efficient for smelting metal. Place the metal ore into the forge along with fuel, such as wood or sparkpowder, and wait for the smelting process to complete. Each piece of metal ore smelts into one metal ingot. To speed up the process, you can use multiple forges or upgrade to an industrial forge, which smelts metal ore much faster and can hold more resources.
A common mistake players make is not preparing adequately for metal farming trips. Always bring enough tools, food, and water, as well as a bed or sleeping bag in case you die. Additionally, ensure your dinosaurs are well-fed and have enough stamina for the journey. Another mistake is not protecting your base while youÔÇÖre away. Metal farming often requires traveling far from your base, leaving it vulnerable to attacks. Consider building defensive structures like walls, turrets, and traps to deter intruders.
Advanced techniques for metal farming include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry an Ankylosaurus and a forge. This allows you to smelt metal ingots on the go, reducing the need to transport heavy ore back to your base. Another optimization is to set up a secondary base or outpost near a metal-rich area. This reduces travel time and allows you to store resources closer to the source. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, assign roles to members, such as one person gathering metal while another smelts it, to maximize efficiency.
In summary, farming metal ingots involves locating metal nodes, gathering ore with the right tools or dinosaurs, transporting it efficiently, and smelting it in a forge. Preparation, resource management, and strategic planning are key to success. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, using dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus and Argentavis can significantly improve your metal farming efficiency. Avoid common mistakes like inadequate preparation and poor base defense, and consider advanced techniques like mobile forges or secondary outposts to optimize your metal farming process. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll have a steady supply of metal ingots for all your base-building needs.