What is the best way to gather oil in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering oil in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial task for mid-to-late game progression, as oil is used in crafting advanced items like gasoline, polymer, and various industrial structures. There are several methods to gather oil, each with its own advantages and challenges. Below is a detailed guide on the best ways to collect oil, including mechanics, strategies, and tips to optimize your efforts.
One of the most common ways to gather oil is by harvesting oil nodes found in specific locations across the map. On The Island, for example, oil nodes are abundant in the snowy biome and underwater. To gather oil from these nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. Using a pickaxe yields more oil, while a metal hatchet provides more stone as a byproduct. If you are in the early game and lack access to these tools, you can still gather oil by hand, but the yield will be significantly lower. When harvesting oil nodes, be prepared for the harsh conditions of the snowy biome, such as freezing temperatures, which can quickly drain your health. Wearing fur armor or using a campfire is essential to survive in this environment.
Another effective method for gathering oil is by taming creatures that can harvest it. The best dinosaur for this task is the Ankylosaurus, which has a high gathering efficiency for oil nodes. Taming an Ankylosaurus requires narcotics, mejoberries, and a safe taming pen to protect it from predators. Once tamed, the Ankylosaurus can be ridden to oil nodes, allowing you to gather large amounts of oil quickly. Additionally, the Dunkleosteus is an excellent choice for underwater oil gathering. This creature can harvest oil nodes in the ocean with ease, making it ideal for players who have access to scuba gear or underwater bases.
For players who prefer a more passive approach, oil can also be obtained by placing oil pumps on oil veins. Oil veins are large, black deposits found in specific locations, such as the snowy biome or underwater. To use an oil pump, you will need to craft it using metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics. Once placed on an oil vein, the pump will automatically generate oil over time. This method is highly efficient for tribes or solo players who want a steady supply of oil without constant manual labor. However, oil pumps require a significant amount of resources to build, so they are more suited for mid-to-late game players.
Underwater oil nodes are another excellent source of oil, but they come with their own set of challenges. To gather oil underwater, you will need scuba gear or a tamed aquatic creature like the Basilosaurus or Ichthyosaurus. Scuba gear allows you to breathe underwater and withstand the pressure, while aquatic creatures provide mobility and protection from predators. When harvesting underwater oil nodes, be cautious of hostile creatures like Megalodons or Electrophorus, which can pose a serious threat. Bringing a tamed Mosasaurus or Tusoteuthis for protection is highly recommended.
One common mistake players make when gathering oil is underestimating the dangers of the environment. The snowy biome, for example, is home to aggressive creatures like Direwolves and Yetis, which can easily overwhelm unprepared players. Always bring weapons, armor, and healing items when venturing into dangerous areas. Additionally, failing to protect your tamed creatures during oil gathering can result in their death, especially in underwater or hostile environments. Using a tamed creature with high health and damage, such as a Rex or Spino, as a bodyguard can help mitigate this risk.
Advanced players can optimize their oil gathering by using industrial forges and chemistry benches to process oil into gasoline more efficiently. Gasoline is essential for powering generators, fabricators, and other advanced machinery. By setting up a dedicated processing area near your oil source, you can streamline the production of gasoline and other oil-based resources. Additionally, using a Quetzal or Argentavis to transport large quantities of oil back to your base can save time and effort.
For tribes, coordinating oil gathering efforts can significantly increase efficiency. Assigning specific roles, such as one player gathering oil while another protects them, can make the process safer and faster. Tribes can also set up multiple oil pumps in different locations to maximize their oil production. Solo players, on the other hand, should focus on taming creatures that can gather oil efficiently and prioritize building oil pumps once they have the necessary resources.
In summary, gathering oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you choose to harvest oil nodes manually, use tamed creatures, or set up oil pumps, each method has its own advantages and challenges. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and optimizing your strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of oil for your crafting and building needs.
One of the most common ways to gather oil is by harvesting oil nodes found in specific locations across the map. On The Island, for example, oil nodes are abundant in the snowy biome and underwater. To gather oil from these nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. Using a pickaxe yields more oil, while a metal hatchet provides more stone as a byproduct. If you are in the early game and lack access to these tools, you can still gather oil by hand, but the yield will be significantly lower. When harvesting oil nodes, be prepared for the harsh conditions of the snowy biome, such as freezing temperatures, which can quickly drain your health. Wearing fur armor or using a campfire is essential to survive in this environment.
Another effective method for gathering oil is by taming creatures that can harvest it. The best dinosaur for this task is the Ankylosaurus, which has a high gathering efficiency for oil nodes. Taming an Ankylosaurus requires narcotics, mejoberries, and a safe taming pen to protect it from predators. Once tamed, the Ankylosaurus can be ridden to oil nodes, allowing you to gather large amounts of oil quickly. Additionally, the Dunkleosteus is an excellent choice for underwater oil gathering. This creature can harvest oil nodes in the ocean with ease, making it ideal for players who have access to scuba gear or underwater bases.
For players who prefer a more passive approach, oil can also be obtained by placing oil pumps on oil veins. Oil veins are large, black deposits found in specific locations, such as the snowy biome or underwater. To use an oil pump, you will need to craft it using metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics. Once placed on an oil vein, the pump will automatically generate oil over time. This method is highly efficient for tribes or solo players who want a steady supply of oil without constant manual labor. However, oil pumps require a significant amount of resources to build, so they are more suited for mid-to-late game players.
Underwater oil nodes are another excellent source of oil, but they come with their own set of challenges. To gather oil underwater, you will need scuba gear or a tamed aquatic creature like the Basilosaurus or Ichthyosaurus. Scuba gear allows you to breathe underwater and withstand the pressure, while aquatic creatures provide mobility and protection from predators. When harvesting underwater oil nodes, be cautious of hostile creatures like Megalodons or Electrophorus, which can pose a serious threat. Bringing a tamed Mosasaurus or Tusoteuthis for protection is highly recommended.
One common mistake players make when gathering oil is underestimating the dangers of the environment. The snowy biome, for example, is home to aggressive creatures like Direwolves and Yetis, which can easily overwhelm unprepared players. Always bring weapons, armor, and healing items when venturing into dangerous areas. Additionally, failing to protect your tamed creatures during oil gathering can result in their death, especially in underwater or hostile environments. Using a tamed creature with high health and damage, such as a Rex or Spino, as a bodyguard can help mitigate this risk.
Advanced players can optimize their oil gathering by using industrial forges and chemistry benches to process oil into gasoline more efficiently. Gasoline is essential for powering generators, fabricators, and other advanced machinery. By setting up a dedicated processing area near your oil source, you can streamline the production of gasoline and other oil-based resources. Additionally, using a Quetzal or Argentavis to transport large quantities of oil back to your base can save time and effort.
For tribes, coordinating oil gathering efforts can significantly increase efficiency. Assigning specific roles, such as one player gathering oil while another protects them, can make the process safer and faster. Tribes can also set up multiple oil pumps in different locations to maximize their oil production. Solo players, on the other hand, should focus on taming creatures that can gather oil efficiently and prioritize building oil pumps once they have the necessary resources.
In summary, gathering oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you choose to harvest oil nodes manually, use tamed creatures, or set up oil pumps, each method has its own advantages and challenges. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and optimizing your strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of oil for your crafting and building needs.