What are the most efficient ways to gather wood for base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering wood efficiently in ARK: Survival Evolved is essential for base building, as wood is one of the most commonly used resources for constructing early to mid-game structures. To maximize your wood-gathering efficiency, you need to understand the mechanics, use the right tools, and employ strategies that suit your playstyle, whether you are playing solo or in a tribe.
The primary way to gather wood is by chopping down trees. Trees are abundant in most biomes, but the type of tree and the tool you use will affect how much wood you collect. Early in the game, you will start with a Stone Pick and Stone Hatchet. While both tools can gather wood, the Stone Hatchet is more efficient for this task. As you progress, you can craft Metal Hatchets, which yield even more wood per swing. For advanced players, chainsaws are the most efficient tool for gathering wood, but they require gasoline and are unlocked later in the game.
To gather wood, approach a tree and use your hatchet or chainsaw to chop it down. Each swing will yield a certain amount of wood, and the tree will eventually fall, leaving behind a stump. You can also gather thatch while chopping wood, but using a pickaxe will yield more thatch and less wood. If you are focusing solely on wood, always use a hatchet or chainsaw. After the tree falls, you can continue hitting the stump to gather additional wood until it disappears.
One of the most effective ways to gather large amounts of wood quickly is by using tamed dinosaurs. Certain dinosaurs are specialized for gathering wood, and they can harvest significantly more wood than a player using a tool. The best dinosaurs for gathering wood are the Beaver (Castoroides), the Mammoth, and the Therizinosaurus. The Beaver is particularly efficient because it has a weight reduction for wood, allowing it to carry more without being overburdened. The Mammoth has a large AoE (area of effect) attack that can harvest wood from multiple trees at once, making it ideal for clearing forests. The Therizinosaurus is a versatile gatherer that can collect wood, thatch, and fiber efficiently, making it a great all-around choice.
When using dinosaurs to gather wood, it is important to manage their weight. Wood is a heavy resource, and even dinosaurs with weight reduction can become encumbered quickly. To avoid this, you can use a weight-reducing saddle for the Beaver or bring multiple dinosaurs to share the load. Additionally, you can use a platform saddle on a Brontosaurus or Paraceratherium to create a mobile storage solution, allowing you to gather wood for extended periods without needing to return to your base.
For solo players, gathering wood can be more time-consuming, but there are ways to optimize your efforts. Focus on crafting a Metal Hatchet as soon as possible, as it will significantly increase your wood-gathering efficiency. If you are playing on a map with dense forests, such as The Island or Ragnarok, you can gather large amounts of wood in a short time by chopping down clusters of trees. Be sure to bring a few storage containers or a tame with high weight capacity to carry the wood back to your base.
Tribes can benefit from coordinated wood-gathering efforts. Assigning roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering wood while another transports it, can streamline the process. Using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry a Mammoth or Beaver is an advanced strategy that allows for massive wood-gathering operations. This setup enables you to clear entire forests in a single trip, significantly reducing the time spent gathering resources.
A common mistake players make is not planning their wood-gathering trips. Without proper preparation, you may run out of inventory space or become overburdened, forcing you to make multiple trips. To avoid this, always bring a tame with high weight capacity or use storage containers to hold excess wood. Another mistake is neglecting to repair your tools. Hatchets and chainsaws degrade with use, so always carry repair materials like metal and wood to keep your tools in good condition.
Advanced techniques include using a chainsaw with a high melee damage stat to maximize wood yield. You can also use a Whip to quickly gather wood from fallen trees, as it has a wide AoE and can collect resources from multiple stumps at once. Additionally, setting up a wood-gathering outpost near a dense forest can save time by reducing the distance you need to travel to gather resources.
In summary, efficient wood gathering in ARK: Survival Evolved requires the right tools, tames, and strategies. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, using dinosaurs like the Beaver, Mammoth, or Therizinosaurus will significantly increase your wood yield. Always plan your trips, manage weight, and repair your tools to avoid common pitfalls. With these tips and techniques, you can gather wood efficiently and build a strong, secure base to survive the dangers of the ARK.
The primary way to gather wood is by chopping down trees. Trees are abundant in most biomes, but the type of tree and the tool you use will affect how much wood you collect. Early in the game, you will start with a Stone Pick and Stone Hatchet. While both tools can gather wood, the Stone Hatchet is more efficient for this task. As you progress, you can craft Metal Hatchets, which yield even more wood per swing. For advanced players, chainsaws are the most efficient tool for gathering wood, but they require gasoline and are unlocked later in the game.
To gather wood, approach a tree and use your hatchet or chainsaw to chop it down. Each swing will yield a certain amount of wood, and the tree will eventually fall, leaving behind a stump. You can also gather thatch while chopping wood, but using a pickaxe will yield more thatch and less wood. If you are focusing solely on wood, always use a hatchet or chainsaw. After the tree falls, you can continue hitting the stump to gather additional wood until it disappears.
One of the most effective ways to gather large amounts of wood quickly is by using tamed dinosaurs. Certain dinosaurs are specialized for gathering wood, and they can harvest significantly more wood than a player using a tool. The best dinosaurs for gathering wood are the Beaver (Castoroides), the Mammoth, and the Therizinosaurus. The Beaver is particularly efficient because it has a weight reduction for wood, allowing it to carry more without being overburdened. The Mammoth has a large AoE (area of effect) attack that can harvest wood from multiple trees at once, making it ideal for clearing forests. The Therizinosaurus is a versatile gatherer that can collect wood, thatch, and fiber efficiently, making it a great all-around choice.
When using dinosaurs to gather wood, it is important to manage their weight. Wood is a heavy resource, and even dinosaurs with weight reduction can become encumbered quickly. To avoid this, you can use a weight-reducing saddle for the Beaver or bring multiple dinosaurs to share the load. Additionally, you can use a platform saddle on a Brontosaurus or Paraceratherium to create a mobile storage solution, allowing you to gather wood for extended periods without needing to return to your base.
For solo players, gathering wood can be more time-consuming, but there are ways to optimize your efforts. Focus on crafting a Metal Hatchet as soon as possible, as it will significantly increase your wood-gathering efficiency. If you are playing on a map with dense forests, such as The Island or Ragnarok, you can gather large amounts of wood in a short time by chopping down clusters of trees. Be sure to bring a few storage containers or a tame with high weight capacity to carry the wood back to your base.
Tribes can benefit from coordinated wood-gathering efforts. Assigning roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering wood while another transports it, can streamline the process. Using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry a Mammoth or Beaver is an advanced strategy that allows for massive wood-gathering operations. This setup enables you to clear entire forests in a single trip, significantly reducing the time spent gathering resources.
A common mistake players make is not planning their wood-gathering trips. Without proper preparation, you may run out of inventory space or become overburdened, forcing you to make multiple trips. To avoid this, always bring a tame with high weight capacity or use storage containers to hold excess wood. Another mistake is neglecting to repair your tools. Hatchets and chainsaws degrade with use, so always carry repair materials like metal and wood to keep your tools in good condition.
Advanced techniques include using a chainsaw with a high melee damage stat to maximize wood yield. You can also use a Whip to quickly gather wood from fallen trees, as it has a wide AoE and can collect resources from multiple stumps at once. Additionally, setting up a wood-gathering outpost near a dense forest can save time by reducing the distance you need to travel to gather resources.
In summary, efficient wood gathering in ARK: Survival Evolved requires the right tools, tames, and strategies. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, using dinosaurs like the Beaver, Mammoth, or Therizinosaurus will significantly increase your wood yield. Always plan your trips, manage weight, and repair your tools to avoid common pitfalls. With these tips and techniques, you can gather wood efficiently and build a strong, secure base to survive the dangers of the ARK.