What are the best ways to gather obsidian in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering obsidian in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial task for mid-to-late game progression, as it is a key resource for crafting advanced items like polymer, electronics, and high-tier tools and weapons. Obsidian is a rare resource found in specific locations across the maps, and gathering it efficiently requires preparation, the right tools, and often the use of tamed dinosaurs. Below is a detailed guide on how to gather obsidian effectively.
Obsidian is primarily found in mountainous and volcanic regions. On The Island map, for example, it is abundant in the mountains near the Red Obelisk, the volcano, and other high-altitude areas. On other maps like Ragnarok or Extinction, obsidian can be found in similar rocky or volcanic biomes. It appears as shiny black rocks and is often mixed with metal nodes, so it can be easy to miss if you are not paying attention.
To gather obsidian, you will need the right tools. A metal pickaxe is the most efficient tool for harvesting obsidian, as it yields the highest amount per node. Using a stone pickaxe or a hatchet will result in significantly less obsidian, so upgrading to a metal pickaxe is essential. Additionally, using a tamed dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus or a Mantis equipped with a pickaxe can greatly increase your gathering efficiency. The Ankylosaurus has a natural bonus to harvesting obsidian, making it one of the best dinosaurs for this task.
Before heading out to gather obsidian, you should prepare adequately. Bring a strong mount like an Argentavis or a Quetzal to carry the heavy load of obsidian, as it is one of the heaviest resources in the game. An Argentavis is particularly useful because it can carry the Ankylosaurus, allowing you to transport both the dinosaur and the obsidian efficiently. Make sure to bring enough food, water, and medical supplies, as the areas where obsidian is found are often dangerous and populated by aggressive creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even Rexes.
When you arrive at an obsidian-rich area, dismount and use your Ankylosaurus or metal pickaxe to start harvesting. If you are using an Ankylosaurus, its tail attack will break the obsidian nodes quickly, and you can gather large amounts in a short time. Be mindful of your surroundings, as hostile creatures can attack while you are focused on gathering. It is a good idea to clear the area of threats before starting to harvest.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough weight-carrying capacity. Obsidian is extremely heavy, and even a single stack can weigh you down quickly. If you are playing solo, make sure your mount has high weight stats or use multiple trips to transport the obsidian back to your base. In a tribe, you can coordinate with other players to bring additional mounts or use a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry more obsidian at once.
Advanced techniques for gathering obsidian include using a Doedicurus to gather stone and metal while you focus on obsidian, as these resources often spawn together. This allows you to maximize your resource gathering in a single trip. Additionally, using a Tek Suit or a Tek Claw can make gathering obsidian faster and more efficient, but these are late-game items that require significant preparation to obtain.
Resource management is key when gathering obsidian. Since it is heavy, you may need to prioritize which resources to take back to your base. If you are low on inventory space, consider dropping less critical items like thatch or fiber to make room for obsidian. Always plan your route back to your base to avoid dangerous areas and minimize the risk of losing your gathered resources.
In summary, gathering obsidian in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful preparation, the right tools, and often the use of tamed dinosaurs. Focus on high-altitude or volcanic areas, use a metal pickaxe or an Ankylosaurus for efficient harvesting, and bring a strong mount to carry the heavy load. Avoid common mistakes like underestimating the weight of obsidian or neglecting to clear the area of threats. With these strategies, you can gather obsidian efficiently and use it to craft advanced items that will help you thrive in the game.
Obsidian is primarily found in mountainous and volcanic regions. On The Island map, for example, it is abundant in the mountains near the Red Obelisk, the volcano, and other high-altitude areas. On other maps like Ragnarok or Extinction, obsidian can be found in similar rocky or volcanic biomes. It appears as shiny black rocks and is often mixed with metal nodes, so it can be easy to miss if you are not paying attention.
To gather obsidian, you will need the right tools. A metal pickaxe is the most efficient tool for harvesting obsidian, as it yields the highest amount per node. Using a stone pickaxe or a hatchet will result in significantly less obsidian, so upgrading to a metal pickaxe is essential. Additionally, using a tamed dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus or a Mantis equipped with a pickaxe can greatly increase your gathering efficiency. The Ankylosaurus has a natural bonus to harvesting obsidian, making it one of the best dinosaurs for this task.
Before heading out to gather obsidian, you should prepare adequately. Bring a strong mount like an Argentavis or a Quetzal to carry the heavy load of obsidian, as it is one of the heaviest resources in the game. An Argentavis is particularly useful because it can carry the Ankylosaurus, allowing you to transport both the dinosaur and the obsidian efficiently. Make sure to bring enough food, water, and medical supplies, as the areas where obsidian is found are often dangerous and populated by aggressive creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even Rexes.
When you arrive at an obsidian-rich area, dismount and use your Ankylosaurus or metal pickaxe to start harvesting. If you are using an Ankylosaurus, its tail attack will break the obsidian nodes quickly, and you can gather large amounts in a short time. Be mindful of your surroundings, as hostile creatures can attack while you are focused on gathering. It is a good idea to clear the area of threats before starting to harvest.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough weight-carrying capacity. Obsidian is extremely heavy, and even a single stack can weigh you down quickly. If you are playing solo, make sure your mount has high weight stats or use multiple trips to transport the obsidian back to your base. In a tribe, you can coordinate with other players to bring additional mounts or use a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry more obsidian at once.
Advanced techniques for gathering obsidian include using a Doedicurus to gather stone and metal while you focus on obsidian, as these resources often spawn together. This allows you to maximize your resource gathering in a single trip. Additionally, using a Tek Suit or a Tek Claw can make gathering obsidian faster and more efficient, but these are late-game items that require significant preparation to obtain.
Resource management is key when gathering obsidian. Since it is heavy, you may need to prioritize which resources to take back to your base. If you are low on inventory space, consider dropping less critical items like thatch or fiber to make room for obsidian. Always plan your route back to your base to avoid dangerous areas and minimize the risk of losing your gathered resources.
In summary, gathering obsidian in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful preparation, the right tools, and often the use of tamed dinosaurs. Focus on high-altitude or volcanic areas, use a metal pickaxe or an Ankylosaurus for efficient harvesting, and bring a strong mount to carry the heavy load. Avoid common mistakes like underestimating the weight of obsidian or neglecting to clear the area of threats. With these strategies, you can gather obsidian efficiently and use it to craft advanced items that will help you thrive in the game.