What are the best ways to gather metal for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering metal efficiently in ARK: Survival Evolved is essential for advanced base building, as metal is a key resource for crafting durable structures, tools, and weapons. Metal nodes are the primary source of metal, and they are found in specific locations across the map, often in mountainous or rocky areas. To maximize your metal gathering, you need to understand the mechanics, prepare properly, and use the right tools and dinosaurs.
First, you need to locate metal-rich areas. On most maps, such as The Island, metal nodes are abundant in mountains, caves, and certain riverbeds. For example, the volcano on The Island is a prime location for metal farming. Once you identify a good spot, you need the right tools. A metal pickaxe is the most efficient tool for harvesting metal from nodes. However, using a high-level Ankylosaurus is even better, as it can gather large amounts of metal quickly and has a weight reduction bonus for metal, allowing it to carry more.
Before heading out to gather metal, prepare your inventory and your dinosaur. Bring a high-level Ankylosaurus with a good saddle for protection and weight capacity. If you are playing solo, you may need to make multiple trips, so consider setting up a temporary base or storage near the metal-rich area. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to bring multiple Ankylosauruses or a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport the metal more efficiently.
When you arrive at the metal nodes, start harvesting. Use the Ankylosaurus to hit the nodes, and you will notice that it gathers metal much faster than a pickaxe. Be mindful of your surroundings, as metal-rich areas are often populated by dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, or even Rexes. Keep your Ankylosaurus safe by clearing the area of threats before starting to farm. If you are in a tribe, one player can act as a guard while others focus on gathering.
After gathering the metal, you need to transport it back to your base. If you are using an Ankylosaurus, you may need to make multiple trips due to weight limits. Alternatively, you can use a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry the Ankylosaurus and the metal in one trip. This is an advanced technique that requires preparation but significantly speeds up the process. Another option is to use a Paraceratherium with a platform saddle and storage boxes to act as a mobile storage unit.
Once you have the metal back at your base, you need to smelt it into metal ingots. This requires a refining forge or an industrial forge. Place the metal in the forge along with fuel, such as wood or gasoline, to start the smelting process. An industrial forge is much faster and can handle larger quantities of metal, making it ideal for advanced base building. If you are in a tribe, consider building multiple forges to speed up production.
A common mistake is not planning your metal runs properly. Without the right tools or dinosaurs, you may waste time and resources. Another mistake is not securing the area before farming, which can lead to losing your dinosaur or your gathered metal to predators. Additionally, players often underestimate the weight of metal, so always check your inventory and your dinosaur's weight capacity before heading out.
Advanced techniques include using a Tek Transmitter to teleport metal directly to your base, but this requires access to Tek Tier and a significant amount of resources. Another optimization is to use a chainsaw on metal nodes, which can yield more metal than a pickaxe, though it is less efficient than an Ankylosaurus.
In summary, gathering metal for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved involves locating metal-rich areas, using the right tools and dinosaurs, and transporting the metal efficiently. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, proper preparation and coordination are key to maximizing your metal output. Avoid common mistakes like poor planning and inadequate protection, and consider advanced techniques like using a Quetzal or industrial forge to optimize your metal farming. With these strategies, you can gather the metal needed to build a strong and secure base.
First, you need to locate metal-rich areas. On most maps, such as The Island, metal nodes are abundant in mountains, caves, and certain riverbeds. For example, the volcano on The Island is a prime location for metal farming. Once you identify a good spot, you need the right tools. A metal pickaxe is the most efficient tool for harvesting metal from nodes. However, using a high-level Ankylosaurus is even better, as it can gather large amounts of metal quickly and has a weight reduction bonus for metal, allowing it to carry more.
Before heading out to gather metal, prepare your inventory and your dinosaur. Bring a high-level Ankylosaurus with a good saddle for protection and weight capacity. If you are playing solo, you may need to make multiple trips, so consider setting up a temporary base or storage near the metal-rich area. If you are in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to bring multiple Ankylosauruses or a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport the metal more efficiently.
When you arrive at the metal nodes, start harvesting. Use the Ankylosaurus to hit the nodes, and you will notice that it gathers metal much faster than a pickaxe. Be mindful of your surroundings, as metal-rich areas are often populated by dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, or even Rexes. Keep your Ankylosaurus safe by clearing the area of threats before starting to farm. If you are in a tribe, one player can act as a guard while others focus on gathering.
After gathering the metal, you need to transport it back to your base. If you are using an Ankylosaurus, you may need to make multiple trips due to weight limits. Alternatively, you can use a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry the Ankylosaurus and the metal in one trip. This is an advanced technique that requires preparation but significantly speeds up the process. Another option is to use a Paraceratherium with a platform saddle and storage boxes to act as a mobile storage unit.
Once you have the metal back at your base, you need to smelt it into metal ingots. This requires a refining forge or an industrial forge. Place the metal in the forge along with fuel, such as wood or gasoline, to start the smelting process. An industrial forge is much faster and can handle larger quantities of metal, making it ideal for advanced base building. If you are in a tribe, consider building multiple forges to speed up production.
A common mistake is not planning your metal runs properly. Without the right tools or dinosaurs, you may waste time and resources. Another mistake is not securing the area before farming, which can lead to losing your dinosaur or your gathered metal to predators. Additionally, players often underestimate the weight of metal, so always check your inventory and your dinosaur's weight capacity before heading out.
Advanced techniques include using a Tek Transmitter to teleport metal directly to your base, but this requires access to Tek Tier and a significant amount of resources. Another optimization is to use a chainsaw on metal nodes, which can yield more metal than a pickaxe, though it is less efficient than an Ankylosaurus.
In summary, gathering metal for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved involves locating metal-rich areas, using the right tools and dinosaurs, and transporting the metal efficiently. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, proper preparation and coordination are key to maximizing your metal output. Avoid common mistakes like poor planning and inadequate protection, and consider advanced techniques like using a Quetzal or industrial forge to optimize your metal farming. With these strategies, you can gather the metal needed to build a strong and secure base.