What are the best ways to gather crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential task for crafting advanced items like electronics, scuba gear, and certain weapons. Crystal is a valuable resource that can be found in specific locations across the map, often in mountainous or rocky areas. To efficiently gather crystal, you need to understand the mechanics, prepare properly, and use the right tools and dinosaurs.
Crystal nodes are large, shiny, and often found in clusters. They are most commonly located in high-altitude areas, such as mountains, caves, and certain biomes like the Snow Biome or the Redwood Forest. When you approach a crystal node, you can harvest it using tools like a pickaxe, a metal pickaxe, or a chainsaw. However, the most efficient way to gather crystal is by using tamed dinosaurs with high melee damage, such as the Ankylosaurus or the Magmasaur. These creatures have a natural affinity for harvesting crystal and can gather large amounts quickly.
To start gathering crystal, you need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have the necessary tools or a suitable dinosaur. If you are early in the game and do not have access to tamed dinosaurs, a metal pickaxe is your best option. Crafting a metal pickaxe requires metal ingots, wood, and hide, so make sure you have these resources ready. If you have access to an Ankylosaurus, tame one as soon as possible. The Ankylosaurus is one of the best dinosaurs for gathering crystal due to its high melee damage and weight reduction for crystal in its inventory.
Once you have your tools or dinosaur, head to a location where crystal nodes are abundant. Some of the best locations include the mountains in the center of The Island map, the Snow Biome, or the caves scattered across the map. Be cautious when traveling to these areas, as they are often populated by dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, or even Rexes. Bring weapons, armor, and healing items to defend yourself if necessary.
When you arrive at a crystal node, use your pickaxe or command your Ankylosaurus to attack the node. The Ankylosaurus will automatically gather crystal when it hits the node, and it will store the crystal in its inventory. Be mindful of the dinosaur's weight limit, as crystal is a heavy resource. If you are using a pickaxe, you will need to manually transfer the crystal to your inventory or a nearby storage container.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough storage or transportation for the crystal. Crystal is heavy, and if you gather too much, you may become over-encumbered. To avoid this, bring a pack animal like a Parasaur or a weight-reducing dinosaur like a Argentavis to carry the crystal back to your base. Another mistake is not scouting the area for threats before gathering. Always survey the surroundings for predators and clear them out if necessary.
Advanced techniques for gathering crystal include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport an Ankylosaurus to high-altitude crystal nodes. This allows you to gather crystal in hard-to-reach areas without risking your dinosaur or yourself. Additionally, using a chainsaw can yield more crystal per node compared to a pickaxe, but it requires gasoline, which can be resource-intensive to produce.
Resource requirements for gathering crystal include tools like pickaxes or chainsaws, weapons for defense, and transportation for carrying the crystal. If you are using dinosaurs, ensure they are properly leveled with points in melee damage and weight. For solo players, it is crucial to plan your trips carefully and avoid overextending. In a tribe, you can divide tasks, with one player gathering crystal while another provides protection or transportation.
Specific examples of crystal-rich locations include the volcano on The Island, where crystal nodes are plentiful but guarded by dangerous creatures. Another example is the Snow Biome, where crystal nodes are abundant but the cold environment requires proper insulation or gear to survive. In these scenarios, preparation is key. Bring warm clothing, food, and weapons to handle the challenges of the environment and the creatures.
In conclusion, gathering crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, the right tools or dinosaurs, and awareness of your surroundings. By using efficient methods like tamed Ankylosauruses or advanced tools like chainsaws, you can maximize your crystal yield. Always be prepared for threats and manage your resources wisely to ensure a successful gathering trip. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather crystal efficiently and safely.
Crystal nodes are large, shiny, and often found in clusters. They are most commonly located in high-altitude areas, such as mountains, caves, and certain biomes like the Snow Biome or the Redwood Forest. When you approach a crystal node, you can harvest it using tools like a pickaxe, a metal pickaxe, or a chainsaw. However, the most efficient way to gather crystal is by using tamed dinosaurs with high melee damage, such as the Ankylosaurus or the Magmasaur. These creatures have a natural affinity for harvesting crystal and can gather large amounts quickly.
To start gathering crystal, you need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have the necessary tools or a suitable dinosaur. If you are early in the game and do not have access to tamed dinosaurs, a metal pickaxe is your best option. Crafting a metal pickaxe requires metal ingots, wood, and hide, so make sure you have these resources ready. If you have access to an Ankylosaurus, tame one as soon as possible. The Ankylosaurus is one of the best dinosaurs for gathering crystal due to its high melee damage and weight reduction for crystal in its inventory.
Once you have your tools or dinosaur, head to a location where crystal nodes are abundant. Some of the best locations include the mountains in the center of The Island map, the Snow Biome, or the caves scattered across the map. Be cautious when traveling to these areas, as they are often populated by dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, or even Rexes. Bring weapons, armor, and healing items to defend yourself if necessary.
When you arrive at a crystal node, use your pickaxe or command your Ankylosaurus to attack the node. The Ankylosaurus will automatically gather crystal when it hits the node, and it will store the crystal in its inventory. Be mindful of the dinosaur's weight limit, as crystal is a heavy resource. If you are using a pickaxe, you will need to manually transfer the crystal to your inventory or a nearby storage container.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough storage or transportation for the crystal. Crystal is heavy, and if you gather too much, you may become over-encumbered. To avoid this, bring a pack animal like a Parasaur or a weight-reducing dinosaur like a Argentavis to carry the crystal back to your base. Another mistake is not scouting the area for threats before gathering. Always survey the surroundings for predators and clear them out if necessary.
Advanced techniques for gathering crystal include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport an Ankylosaurus to high-altitude crystal nodes. This allows you to gather crystal in hard-to-reach areas without risking your dinosaur or yourself. Additionally, using a chainsaw can yield more crystal per node compared to a pickaxe, but it requires gasoline, which can be resource-intensive to produce.
Resource requirements for gathering crystal include tools like pickaxes or chainsaws, weapons for defense, and transportation for carrying the crystal. If you are using dinosaurs, ensure they are properly leveled with points in melee damage and weight. For solo players, it is crucial to plan your trips carefully and avoid overextending. In a tribe, you can divide tasks, with one player gathering crystal while another provides protection or transportation.
Specific examples of crystal-rich locations include the volcano on The Island, where crystal nodes are plentiful but guarded by dangerous creatures. Another example is the Snow Biome, where crystal nodes are abundant but the cold environment requires proper insulation or gear to survive. In these scenarios, preparation is key. Bring warm clothing, food, and weapons to handle the challenges of the environment and the creatures.
In conclusion, gathering crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, the right tools or dinosaurs, and awareness of your surroundings. By using efficient methods like tamed Ankylosauruses or advanced tools like chainsaws, you can maximize your crystal yield. Always be prepared for threats and manage your resources wisely to ensure a successful gathering trip. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather crystal efficiently and safely.