What are the best ways to gather obsidian for advanced base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering obsidian in ARK: Survival Evolved is essential for advanced base building, as it is a key resource for crafting high-tier items like polymer, electronics, and advanced structures. Obsidian is primarily found in mountainous and volcanic regions, making it a challenging resource to collect due to its limited spawn locations and the dangerous environments where it is found. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to efficiently gather obsidian, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.
Obsidian is a rock-like resource that appears as black, shiny nodes on the map. It is most commonly found in high-altitude areas, such as mountains, or near volcanic regions like the lava biome on certain maps. To gather obsidian, you need tools like a metal pickaxe or an Ankylosaurus. The metal pickaxe is the most basic tool for harvesting obsidian, but using an Ankylosaurus is far more efficient, as it can gather large amounts of obsidian quickly and carry a significant amount due to its high weight capacity.
Before heading out to gather obsidian, you need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have the right tools or tamed creatures. If youÔÇÖre using a metal pickaxe, bring multiple picks, as obsidian is tough and will wear down your tools quickly. If youÔÇÖre using an Ankylosaurus, make sure it is leveled up in melee damage and weight to maximize efficiency. Additionally, bring a strong mount for protection, such as a Rex or a Spino, as the areas where obsidian is found are often populated by aggressive creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even larger predators like Allosaurus or Giganotosaurus.
When gathering obsidian, itÔÇÖs important to plan your route. On maps like The Island, obsidian is abundant in the volcano and the mountains near the red obelisk. On Scorched Earth, obsidian is found in the rocky desert areas. On Ragnarok, obsidian is plentiful in the highlands and the volcano. Knowing the best locations for obsidian on your specific map will save you time and reduce the risk of encountering dangerous creatures.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough storage or weight capacity. Obsidian is a heavy resource, and even with an Ankylosaurus, you can quickly become over-encumbered. To avoid this, consider bringing a weight-reducing mount like a Argentavis or a Quetzal to transport the obsidian back to your base. Argentavis, in particular, is an excellent choice because it has a weight reduction for obsidian, allowing you to carry more. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, you can use a combination of an Ankylosaurus and an Argentavis to maximize efficiency. Have the Ankylosaurus gather the obsidian, then transfer it to the Argentavis for transport.
For tribes, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering obsidian with an Ankylosaurus while another provides protection with a strong mount. A third tribe member can focus on transporting the obsidian using a Quetzal or Argentavis. This division of labor ensures that the process is smooth and minimizes downtime.
Advanced techniques for gathering obsidian include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry the Ankylosaurus directly to the obsidian nodes. This method allows you to gather obsidian in hard-to-reach areas without risking your Ankylosaurus to predators. Additionally, you can use a Tek Stryder with a mining drill attachment on maps like Genesis 2, as it can harvest obsidian efficiently and has a built-in storage system.
Resource management is crucial when gathering obsidian. Since it is a heavy resource, prioritize transporting it directly to your base or a nearby storage area. Use preserving bins or refrigerators to store obsidian if you plan to use it later, as it does not spoil. However, obsidian is best used immediately for crafting advanced items like polymer or electronics, so plan your crafting needs ahead of time.
In summary, gathering obsidian requires careful preparation, the right tools or tamed creatures, and a solid strategy. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, using an Ankylosaurus combined with a transport mount like an Argentavis or Quetzal is the most efficient method. Avoid common mistakes like over-encumbrance and lack of protection, and consider advanced techniques like using a Quetzal platform saddle or a Tek Stryder for optimal results. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to gather obsidian efficiently and use it to build and upgrade your base to its full potential.
Obsidian is a rock-like resource that appears as black, shiny nodes on the map. It is most commonly found in high-altitude areas, such as mountains, or near volcanic regions like the lava biome on certain maps. To gather obsidian, you need tools like a metal pickaxe or an Ankylosaurus. The metal pickaxe is the most basic tool for harvesting obsidian, but using an Ankylosaurus is far more efficient, as it can gather large amounts of obsidian quickly and carry a significant amount due to its high weight capacity.
Before heading out to gather obsidian, you need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have the right tools or tamed creatures. If youÔÇÖre using a metal pickaxe, bring multiple picks, as obsidian is tough and will wear down your tools quickly. If youÔÇÖre using an Ankylosaurus, make sure it is leveled up in melee damage and weight to maximize efficiency. Additionally, bring a strong mount for protection, such as a Rex or a Spino, as the areas where obsidian is found are often populated by aggressive creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even larger predators like Allosaurus or Giganotosaurus.
When gathering obsidian, itÔÇÖs important to plan your route. On maps like The Island, obsidian is abundant in the volcano and the mountains near the red obelisk. On Scorched Earth, obsidian is found in the rocky desert areas. On Ragnarok, obsidian is plentiful in the highlands and the volcano. Knowing the best locations for obsidian on your specific map will save you time and reduce the risk of encountering dangerous creatures.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough storage or weight capacity. Obsidian is a heavy resource, and even with an Ankylosaurus, you can quickly become over-encumbered. To avoid this, consider bringing a weight-reducing mount like a Argentavis or a Quetzal to transport the obsidian back to your base. Argentavis, in particular, is an excellent choice because it has a weight reduction for obsidian, allowing you to carry more. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, you can use a combination of an Ankylosaurus and an Argentavis to maximize efficiency. Have the Ankylosaurus gather the obsidian, then transfer it to the Argentavis for transport.
For tribes, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering obsidian with an Ankylosaurus while another provides protection with a strong mount. A third tribe member can focus on transporting the obsidian using a Quetzal or Argentavis. This division of labor ensures that the process is smooth and minimizes downtime.
Advanced techniques for gathering obsidian include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry the Ankylosaurus directly to the obsidian nodes. This method allows you to gather obsidian in hard-to-reach areas without risking your Ankylosaurus to predators. Additionally, you can use a Tek Stryder with a mining drill attachment on maps like Genesis 2, as it can harvest obsidian efficiently and has a built-in storage system.
Resource management is crucial when gathering obsidian. Since it is a heavy resource, prioritize transporting it directly to your base or a nearby storage area. Use preserving bins or refrigerators to store obsidian if you plan to use it later, as it does not spoil. However, obsidian is best used immediately for crafting advanced items like polymer or electronics, so plan your crafting needs ahead of time.
In summary, gathering obsidian requires careful preparation, the right tools or tamed creatures, and a solid strategy. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, using an Ankylosaurus combined with a transport mount like an Argentavis or Quetzal is the most efficient method. Avoid common mistakes like over-encumbrance and lack of protection, and consider advanced techniques like using a Quetzal platform saddle or a Tek Stryder for optimal results. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to gather obsidian efficiently and use it to build and upgrade your base to its full potential.