What are the best ways to gather polymer for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Polymer is a crucial resource in ARK: Survival Evolved, especially for advanced base building and crafting high-tier items like weapons, armor, and structures. It is used in many late-game recipes, making it essential for players who want to progress. There are several ways to gather polymer, each with its own mechanics, strategies, and considerations. Below is a detailed guide on the best ways to gather polymer, including step-by-step instructions, tips, and advanced techniques.
One of the most common ways to gather polymer is by harvesting organic polymer from certain creatures. Organic polymer can be obtained by killing and harvesting Kairuku (penguins), Mantis, or Hesperornis. Kairuku are found in cold regions like the snowy biome on The Island or Ragnarok. They are passive creatures, so they are easy to kill, but they often travel in groups, so be prepared to deal with multiple at once. Using a high-damage weapon or a tamed carnivore like a Rex or Sabertooth can make this process faster. Mantis, found in desert biomes on maps like Scorched Earth or Ragnarok, also drop organic polymer when harvested. However, Mantis are aggressive and can deal significant damage, so itÔÇÖs best to bring a strong mount or ranged weapons. Hesperornis, found near water sources, can also be harvested for organic polymer, but they are less efficient than Kairuku or Mantis.
Another method is to craft polymer using obsidian and cementing paste. This is a more reliable way to obtain polymer, as organic polymer spoils over time and cannot be stored indefinitely. To craft polymer, you will need a fabricator, which requires electricity to operate. Obsidian can be gathered from rocks in mountainous or volcanic regions, and cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or by using a Beelzebufo (frog) to harvest it from insects. Once you have the materials, place the obsidian and cementing paste in the fabricator and craft the polymer. This method is ideal for players who have access to a reliable source of obsidian and cementing paste, as it allows for large-scale production.
For players on maps like Aberration or Extinction, there are unique ways to gather polymer. On Aberration, you can harvest corrupted nodules from corrupted creatures, which can be used as a substitute for polymer in many recipes. On Extinction, you can gather organic polymer from Gachas, which are tamable creatures that produce resources when fed specific items. Gachas can be fed stone or other resources to produce organic polymer, making them a sustainable source if managed properly.
When gathering polymer, itÔÇÖs important to consider your preparation and resource management. If youÔÇÖre harvesting organic polymer, bring a preserving bin or refrigerator to store it, as it spoils quickly. If youÔÇÖre crafting polymer, ensure you have a steady supply of obsidian and cementing paste. For solo players, focusing on Kairuku or crafting polymer is often the best approach, as it requires less combat and can be done efficiently with minimal risk. For tribes, coordinating resource gathering and assigning roles can optimize the process. For example, one player can focus on harvesting obsidian while another gathers cementing paste.
Common mistakes to avoid include not bringing enough storage for organic polymer, as it spoils quickly, and not protecting yourself when harvesting from aggressive creatures like Mantis. Additionally, relying solely on organic polymer can be risky due to its spoilage, so itÔÇÖs wise to balance it with crafted polymer. Advanced techniques include using a chainsaw to harvest more organic polymer from creatures or setting up a Gacha farm on Extinction for a sustainable source.
In summary, gathering polymer in ARK requires a combination of creature harvesting and resource crafting. Whether youÔÇÖre solo or in a tribe, planning and preparation are key to efficiently obtaining this valuable resource. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure a steady supply of polymer for your advanced base building and crafting needs.
One of the most common ways to gather polymer is by harvesting organic polymer from certain creatures. Organic polymer can be obtained by killing and harvesting Kairuku (penguins), Mantis, or Hesperornis. Kairuku are found in cold regions like the snowy biome on The Island or Ragnarok. They are passive creatures, so they are easy to kill, but they often travel in groups, so be prepared to deal with multiple at once. Using a high-damage weapon or a tamed carnivore like a Rex or Sabertooth can make this process faster. Mantis, found in desert biomes on maps like Scorched Earth or Ragnarok, also drop organic polymer when harvested. However, Mantis are aggressive and can deal significant damage, so itÔÇÖs best to bring a strong mount or ranged weapons. Hesperornis, found near water sources, can also be harvested for organic polymer, but they are less efficient than Kairuku or Mantis.
Another method is to craft polymer using obsidian and cementing paste. This is a more reliable way to obtain polymer, as organic polymer spoils over time and cannot be stored indefinitely. To craft polymer, you will need a fabricator, which requires electricity to operate. Obsidian can be gathered from rocks in mountainous or volcanic regions, and cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or by using a Beelzebufo (frog) to harvest it from insects. Once you have the materials, place the obsidian and cementing paste in the fabricator and craft the polymer. This method is ideal for players who have access to a reliable source of obsidian and cementing paste, as it allows for large-scale production.
For players on maps like Aberration or Extinction, there are unique ways to gather polymer. On Aberration, you can harvest corrupted nodules from corrupted creatures, which can be used as a substitute for polymer in many recipes. On Extinction, you can gather organic polymer from Gachas, which are tamable creatures that produce resources when fed specific items. Gachas can be fed stone or other resources to produce organic polymer, making them a sustainable source if managed properly.
When gathering polymer, itÔÇÖs important to consider your preparation and resource management. If youÔÇÖre harvesting organic polymer, bring a preserving bin or refrigerator to store it, as it spoils quickly. If youÔÇÖre crafting polymer, ensure you have a steady supply of obsidian and cementing paste. For solo players, focusing on Kairuku or crafting polymer is often the best approach, as it requires less combat and can be done efficiently with minimal risk. For tribes, coordinating resource gathering and assigning roles can optimize the process. For example, one player can focus on harvesting obsidian while another gathers cementing paste.
Common mistakes to avoid include not bringing enough storage for organic polymer, as it spoils quickly, and not protecting yourself when harvesting from aggressive creatures like Mantis. Additionally, relying solely on organic polymer can be risky due to its spoilage, so itÔÇÖs wise to balance it with crafted polymer. Advanced techniques include using a chainsaw to harvest more organic polymer from creatures or setting up a Gacha farm on Extinction for a sustainable source.
In summary, gathering polymer in ARK requires a combination of creature harvesting and resource crafting. Whether youÔÇÖre solo or in a tribe, planning and preparation are key to efficiently obtaining this valuable resource. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure a steady supply of polymer for your advanced base building and crafting needs.