What are the best ways to automate resource gathering for my base in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Automating resource gathering in ARK: Survival Evolved is a game-changer for maintaining a steady supply of materials for your base. This process involves using tamed creatures, advanced structures, and power systems to minimize manual labor and maximize efficiency. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.
To start, youÔÇÖll need to tame creatures that specialize in gathering specific resources. For example, a Doedicurus is excellent for collecting stone, a Therizinosaurus can gather wood, thatch, and fiber efficiently, and an Ankylosaurus is perfect for mining metal and flint. These creatures have high resource-gathering stats and can carry large amounts of materials, making them ideal for automation. Once tamed, you can set them to wander in a controlled area or use a whip to direct their gathering efforts. However, wandering can be risky, as creatures might wander off or attract predators, so itÔÇÖs better to use a combination of following and manual commands.
Next, youÔÇÖll need to set up a system to transport and store the gathered resources. For this, you can use a combination of conveyor belts, storage containers, and crafting stations. Conveyor belts are part of the Tek tier and require a significant amount of resources and engrams to unlock, but they are highly effective for moving items automatically. Place a conveyor belt near your gathering creatures and connect it to storage containers or crafting stations. This setup ensures that resources are immediately transferred and stored, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Power systems are essential for running advanced automation structures like industrial forges, fabricators, and Tek generators. YouÔÇÖll need to set up a reliable power source, such as electrical generators or renewable options like wind turbines and solar panels, depending on your map and available resources. Ensure your power grid is well-connected and has enough fuel or energy to run continuously. For example, an industrial forge requires gasoline to operate, so stockpile fuel in advance.
For wood and thatch, consider using a Mammoth or a Castoroides (beaver). These creatures can gather large amounts of wood quickly. Place them near dense forests and set them to follow a specific path or use a whip to direct their gathering. For fiber, a Therizinosaurus or a Megaloceros (deer) is highly effective. Set them to wander in areas with abundant plants, but ensure the area is safe from predators.
Metal and stone are critical for advanced base building. Use an Ankylosaurus for metal and a Doedicurus for stone. These creatures can gather large quantities of these resources, but youÔÇÖll need to transport them back to your base. To automate this, use a Quetzal or a platform saddle on a Brontosaurus to carry the Ankylosaurus or Doedicurus to resource-rich areas. Once gathered, use conveyor belts or a whip to transfer the resources to storage.
One common mistake is neglecting creature safety. Always ensure your gathering creatures are protected from hostile wildlife and other players. Build walls or use tamed creatures like Rexes or Spinos to guard them. Another mistake is overloading creatures with too many resources, which can slow them down or make them vulnerable. Regularly check their inventory and transfer resources to storage.
Advanced techniques include using Tek structures for full automation. For example, a Tek Dedicated Storage unit can store massive amounts of a single resource, and Tek Teleporters can instantly transport resources from one location to another. These require significant preparation, including defeating bosses to unlock engrams and gathering rare resources like Element.
For solo players, focus on taming a few key creatures and setting up a small, efficient automation system. Tribe players can divide tasks, with some members focusing on taming and others on building and maintaining the automation system. Coordination is key to maximizing efficiency.
In summary, automating resource gathering in ARK involves taming specialized creatures, setting up transportation and storage systems, and ensuring a reliable power supply. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a highly efficient resource-gathering system that supports your base-building and survival efforts.
To start, youÔÇÖll need to tame creatures that specialize in gathering specific resources. For example, a Doedicurus is excellent for collecting stone, a Therizinosaurus can gather wood, thatch, and fiber efficiently, and an Ankylosaurus is perfect for mining metal and flint. These creatures have high resource-gathering stats and can carry large amounts of materials, making them ideal for automation. Once tamed, you can set them to wander in a controlled area or use a whip to direct their gathering efforts. However, wandering can be risky, as creatures might wander off or attract predators, so itÔÇÖs better to use a combination of following and manual commands.
Next, youÔÇÖll need to set up a system to transport and store the gathered resources. For this, you can use a combination of conveyor belts, storage containers, and crafting stations. Conveyor belts are part of the Tek tier and require a significant amount of resources and engrams to unlock, but they are highly effective for moving items automatically. Place a conveyor belt near your gathering creatures and connect it to storage containers or crafting stations. This setup ensures that resources are immediately transferred and stored, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Power systems are essential for running advanced automation structures like industrial forges, fabricators, and Tek generators. YouÔÇÖll need to set up a reliable power source, such as electrical generators or renewable options like wind turbines and solar panels, depending on your map and available resources. Ensure your power grid is well-connected and has enough fuel or energy to run continuously. For example, an industrial forge requires gasoline to operate, so stockpile fuel in advance.
For wood and thatch, consider using a Mammoth or a Castoroides (beaver). These creatures can gather large amounts of wood quickly. Place them near dense forests and set them to follow a specific path or use a whip to direct their gathering. For fiber, a Therizinosaurus or a Megaloceros (deer) is highly effective. Set them to wander in areas with abundant plants, but ensure the area is safe from predators.
Metal and stone are critical for advanced base building. Use an Ankylosaurus for metal and a Doedicurus for stone. These creatures can gather large quantities of these resources, but youÔÇÖll need to transport them back to your base. To automate this, use a Quetzal or a platform saddle on a Brontosaurus to carry the Ankylosaurus or Doedicurus to resource-rich areas. Once gathered, use conveyor belts or a whip to transfer the resources to storage.
One common mistake is neglecting creature safety. Always ensure your gathering creatures are protected from hostile wildlife and other players. Build walls or use tamed creatures like Rexes or Spinos to guard them. Another mistake is overloading creatures with too many resources, which can slow them down or make them vulnerable. Regularly check their inventory and transfer resources to storage.
Advanced techniques include using Tek structures for full automation. For example, a Tek Dedicated Storage unit can store massive amounts of a single resource, and Tek Teleporters can instantly transport resources from one location to another. These require significant preparation, including defeating bosses to unlock engrams and gathering rare resources like Element.
For solo players, focus on taming a few key creatures and setting up a small, efficient automation system. Tribe players can divide tasks, with some members focusing on taming and others on building and maintaining the automation system. Coordination is key to maximizing efficiency.
In summary, automating resource gathering in ARK involves taming specialized creatures, setting up transportation and storage systems, and ensuring a reliable power supply. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a highly efficient resource-gathering system that supports your base-building and survival efforts.