What is the most efficient way to gather stone for base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering stone efficiently in ARK: Survival Evolved is crucial for base building, as stone is one of the primary materials used for crafting structures, tools, and defenses. Stone is obtained by harvesting rocks, which are abundant throughout the game world. However, the efficiency of gathering stone depends on the tools, creatures, and strategies you use. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you maximize your stone-gathering efforts.
To start, youÔÇÖll need the right tools. Early in the game, a Stone Pick is your primary tool for harvesting stone. While it works, itÔÇÖs not the most efficient. As you progress, crafting a Metal Pick is a significant upgrade, as it yields more stone per rock and has higher durability. If youÔÇÖre playing on a map with access to Tek technology, a Tek Claw or Mining Drill can further increase your stone-gathering efficiency. Always prioritize upgrading your tools as soon as possible to save time and effort.
Using tamed creatures is one of the most effective ways to gather stone. Certain dinosaurs are specialized for harvesting resources, and using them can drastically increase your stone collection. The best creatures for gathering stone are the Doedicurus and the Ankylosaurus. The Doedicurus is particularly efficient because it has a special ability that allows it to roll into a ball and harvest large amounts of stone from rocks. When using a Doedicurus, aim for large boulders, as they yield the most stone. The Ankylosaurus is also a great option, as it can gather stone, metal, and flint simultaneously. While itÔÇÖs not as fast as the Doedicurus, itÔÇÖs still a reliable choice, especially if youÔÇÖre also gathering other resources.
When gathering stone, location matters. Some areas of the map have denser clusters of rocks, making them ideal for farming. For example, mountainous regions and riverbeds often have large boulders that yield more stone. If youÔÇÖre playing on The Island map, areas like the Volcano or the mountains near the Red Obelisk are excellent spots for stone gathering. On other maps, such as Ragnarok or Valguero, youÔÇÖll find similar rocky areas with abundant resources. Always scout your surroundings to identify the best farming spots.
Preparation is key to efficient stone gathering. Before heading out, ensure you have enough inventory space and weight capacity. Stone is heavy, so youÔÇÖll need to manage your weight carefully. If youÔÇÖre using a creature like the Doedicurus or Ankylosaurus, their weight capacity will determine how much stone you can carry. Consider bringing a pack animal, such as a Paraceratherium or a Mammoth, to act as a mobile storage unit. These creatures can carry large amounts of resources, allowing you to gather more stone in a single trip.
For solo players, managing weight and inventory space is especially important. YouÔÇÖll need to make multiple trips if youÔÇÖre gathering large amounts of stone, so plan your routes efficiently. If youÔÇÖre part of a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize efficiency. One player can focus on gathering stone while others transport it back to your base or guard against threats. Using a Quetzal or Argentavis to carry your harvesting creatures can also save time, as these flying mounts can transport heavy loads over long distances.
One common mistake is neglecting to level up your harvesting creatures. Increasing the Melee Damage stat on your Doedicurus or Ankylosaurus will significantly boost the amount of stone they gather per hit. Additionally, leveling up their Weight stat allows them to carry more resources before becoming encumbered. Always prioritize these stats when leveling up your resource-gathering dinos.
Advanced techniques include using a Whip to quickly transfer resources from your harvesting creature to a storage or transport creature. This can save time and reduce the risk of losing resources to predators or other players. Another optimization is setting up a small outpost near a resource-rich area. This allows you to store stone locally and transport it in bulk later, reducing the number of trips you need to make.
In summary, gathering stone efficiently in ARK: Survival Evolved requires the right tools, creatures, and strategies. Upgrade your tools, use specialized dinosaurs like the Doedicurus or Ankylosaurus, and scout resource-rich areas. Manage your weight and inventory carefully, and consider advanced techniques like using a Whip or setting up outposts. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or with a tribe, these tips will help you gather stone quickly and effectively, ensuring your base-building projects are well-supplied.
To start, youÔÇÖll need the right tools. Early in the game, a Stone Pick is your primary tool for harvesting stone. While it works, itÔÇÖs not the most efficient. As you progress, crafting a Metal Pick is a significant upgrade, as it yields more stone per rock and has higher durability. If youÔÇÖre playing on a map with access to Tek technology, a Tek Claw or Mining Drill can further increase your stone-gathering efficiency. Always prioritize upgrading your tools as soon as possible to save time and effort.
Using tamed creatures is one of the most effective ways to gather stone. Certain dinosaurs are specialized for harvesting resources, and using them can drastically increase your stone collection. The best creatures for gathering stone are the Doedicurus and the Ankylosaurus. The Doedicurus is particularly efficient because it has a special ability that allows it to roll into a ball and harvest large amounts of stone from rocks. When using a Doedicurus, aim for large boulders, as they yield the most stone. The Ankylosaurus is also a great option, as it can gather stone, metal, and flint simultaneously. While itÔÇÖs not as fast as the Doedicurus, itÔÇÖs still a reliable choice, especially if youÔÇÖre also gathering other resources.
When gathering stone, location matters. Some areas of the map have denser clusters of rocks, making them ideal for farming. For example, mountainous regions and riverbeds often have large boulders that yield more stone. If youÔÇÖre playing on The Island map, areas like the Volcano or the mountains near the Red Obelisk are excellent spots for stone gathering. On other maps, such as Ragnarok or Valguero, youÔÇÖll find similar rocky areas with abundant resources. Always scout your surroundings to identify the best farming spots.
Preparation is key to efficient stone gathering. Before heading out, ensure you have enough inventory space and weight capacity. Stone is heavy, so youÔÇÖll need to manage your weight carefully. If youÔÇÖre using a creature like the Doedicurus or Ankylosaurus, their weight capacity will determine how much stone you can carry. Consider bringing a pack animal, such as a Paraceratherium or a Mammoth, to act as a mobile storage unit. These creatures can carry large amounts of resources, allowing you to gather more stone in a single trip.
For solo players, managing weight and inventory space is especially important. YouÔÇÖll need to make multiple trips if youÔÇÖre gathering large amounts of stone, so plan your routes efficiently. If youÔÇÖre part of a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize efficiency. One player can focus on gathering stone while others transport it back to your base or guard against threats. Using a Quetzal or Argentavis to carry your harvesting creatures can also save time, as these flying mounts can transport heavy loads over long distances.
One common mistake is neglecting to level up your harvesting creatures. Increasing the Melee Damage stat on your Doedicurus or Ankylosaurus will significantly boost the amount of stone they gather per hit. Additionally, leveling up their Weight stat allows them to carry more resources before becoming encumbered. Always prioritize these stats when leveling up your resource-gathering dinos.
Advanced techniques include using a Whip to quickly transfer resources from your harvesting creature to a storage or transport creature. This can save time and reduce the risk of losing resources to predators or other players. Another optimization is setting up a small outpost near a resource-rich area. This allows you to store stone locally and transport it in bulk later, reducing the number of trips you need to make.
In summary, gathering stone efficiently in ARK: Survival Evolved requires the right tools, creatures, and strategies. Upgrade your tools, use specialized dinosaurs like the Doedicurus or Ankylosaurus, and scout resource-rich areas. Manage your weight and inventory carefully, and consider advanced techniques like using a Whip or setting up outposts. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or with a tribe, these tips will help you gather stone quickly and effectively, ensuring your base-building projects are well-supplied.