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 end-game items. Element is a rare and valuable resource, and obtaining it efficiently requires careful planning and execution. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to farm element effectively.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand the mechanics of element. Element is primarily obtained by defeating bosses, completing certain missions in Genesis maps, or by harvesting it from specific sources like the Extinction mapÔÇÖs Orbital Supply Drops or the Genesis missions. On Extinction, you can also find element nodes in the wasteland, but these are less efficient compared to boss fights or missions. For most players, boss fights are the most reliable way to farm element, as they provide a significant amount of element upon completion.

To farm element through boss fights, youÔÇÖll need to prepare a strong team of tamed dinosaurs and gather the necessary artifacts and tributes. Each boss requires specific artifacts and tributes, which are found in caves across the map. For example, the Broodmother boss on The Island requires the Artifact of the Hunter, the Artifact of the Clever, and the Artifact of the Massive, along with tributes like Sauropod Vertebra, Titanoboa Venom, and Argentavis Talons. YouÔÇÖll need to explore caves to collect these items, which can be dangerous, so bring a strong mount like a Baryonyx or Thylacoleo for cave exploration.

Once you have the required artifacts and tributes, youÔÇÖll need to assemble a team of powerful tamed dinosaurs for the boss fight. Rexes are a popular choice for most boss fights due to their high health and damage output. YouÔÇÖll want to breed and imprint your Rexes to maximize their stats, and equip them with high-quality saddles to reduce incoming damage. Other dinos like Therizinosaurus or Megatherium can also be effective, depending on the boss. For example, Megatherium are particularly strong against the Broodmother due to their insect-killing buff.

When fighting the boss, focus on dealing as much damage as possible while keeping your dinos alive. Use a Yutyrannus to provide a courage buff, which increases your dinosÔÇÖ damage and resistance, and a Daeodon for healing. After defeating the boss, youÔÇÖll receive element as a reward, along with other valuable items like Tekgrams and blueprints. The amount of element you receive depends on the difficulty of the boss fight, with Alpha bosses providing the most element.

For solo players, boss fights can be more challenging, but itÔÇÖs still possible with careful preparation. Focus on breeding and imprinting your dinos to maximize their stats, and consider using a mix of Rexes and other strong dinos to handle the bossÔÇÖs mechanics. Solo players may also want to consider using Tek equipment, such as Tek Saddles or Tek Rifles, to gain an edge in the fight.

On Extinction, you can farm element by defending Orbital Supply Drops. These drops come in different tiers, with the higher-tier drops requiring you to defend against waves of corrupted creatures. To successfully defend a drop, youÔÇÖll need a strong team of tamed dinos, such as Gigas or Velonasaurs, and a well-coordinated strategy. After defending the drop, youÔÇÖll receive element and other valuable resources. This method is more accessible for solo players, as you can choose lower-tier drops that are easier to defend.

Another method for farming element is by completing missions in the Genesis maps. These missions vary in difficulty and reward, with some providing element as a reward. Missions like the Hunt missions or the Gauntlet missions can be completed solo or with a tribe, and they offer a steady source of element if youÔÇÖre skilled enough to complete them consistently.

When farming element, itÔÇÖs important to manage your resources efficiently. Boss fights and Orbital Supply Drops require a significant investment of time and resources, so make sure youÔÇÖre prepared before attempting them. Stock up on healing items, ammunition, and food for your dinos, and consider bringing backup dinos in case your primary team falls in battle.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the difficulty of boss fights or Orbital Supply Drops, not preparing enough resources, and failing to coordinate with your tribe. Make sure to communicate with your tribe members and assign roles, such as who will handle healing or crowd control, to ensure a smooth fight.

Advanced techniques include using Tek equipment to gain an advantage in boss fights, such as Tek Saddles for your dinos or Tek Rifles for ranged damage. You can also optimize your dino breeding by focusing on mutations to create even stronger dinos for boss fights. Additionally, consider using a dedicated farming base near the boss arenas or Orbital Supply Drops to reduce travel time and streamline your farming process.

In summary, farming element in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful preparation, strong tamed dinos, and a solid strategy. Whether youÔÇÖre fighting bosses, defending Orbital Supply Drops, or completing missions, focus on maximizing your efficiency and minimizing risks. With the right approach, youÔÇÖll be able to gather enough element to power your advanced base and unlock the full potential of Tek technology.