What is the best way to gather polymer in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Polymer is one of the most valuable resources in ARK: Survival Evolved, used for crafting advanced items like weapons, armor, and structures. Gathering polymer efficiently requires understanding the different sources and methods available, as well as preparing the right tools and tames to maximize your yield. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to gather polymer effectively.
Polymer can be obtained from two primary sources: organic polymer and obsidian-based polymer. Organic polymer is gathered from certain creatures, while obsidian-based polymer is crafted using obsidian and cementing paste. Organic polymer is more accessible early to mid-game, but it spoils over time, making it less ideal for long-term storage. Obsidian-based polymer, on the other hand, does not spoil and is more reliable for crafting advanced items.
To gather organic polymer, you need to hunt specific creatures. The best sources are Kairuku (penguins), Mantis, and Hesperornis. Kairuku are found in cold regions like the snowy biomes on The Island or Ragnarok. They are passive creatures, so you can easily kill them with a weapon or a tamed dinosaur. Each Kairuku yields a significant amount of organic polymer, making them one of the best early-game sources. Mantis, found in desert biomes like Scorched Earth or the dunes on Ragnarok, also drop organic polymer when killed. However, Mantis are aggressive and can be dangerous, so bring a strong mount or weapon to deal with them. Hesperornis, found near water sources, drop organic polymer when killed, but they are less efficient than Kairuku or Mantis.
For obsidian-based polymer, you need to gather obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions or near volcanic areas on most maps. Use a metal pick or a tamed Ankylosaurus to gather obsidian efficiently. Cementing paste can be crafted using chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle, or you can gather it directly by harvesting beaver dams or taming a Beelzebufo, which produces cementing paste when it eats insects. Once you have obsidian and cementing paste, you can craft polymer in a fabricator.
When gathering organic polymer, itÔÇÖs important to note that it spoils quickly, so only gather what you need or use preserving bins or fridges to extend its lifespan. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, focus on Kairuku for organic polymer, as they are easy to hunt and provide a good amount. In a tribe, you can assign roles, such as having one player gather obsidian while another collects cementing paste, to streamline the process.
A common mistake is not preparing adequately for gathering polymer. For example, hunting Mantis without a strong mount or weapon can lead to death, especially if you encounter multiple Mantis at once. Always bring a tamed dinosaur like a Rex or a high-level Carnotaurus for protection. Another mistake is not using preserving bins or fridges for organic polymer, leading to spoilage and wasted effort. Always store organic polymer in a preserving bin with sparkpowder or a fridge to keep it fresh.
Advanced techniques include using tames to optimize polymer gathering. For example, a tamed Pelagornis can harvest Kairuku more efficiently than a player with a weapon. Similarly, a tamed Ankylosaurus is the best choice for gathering obsidian, as it has a weight reduction for metal and obsidian. If youÔÇÖre playing on a map with a lot of water, taming a Beelzebufo can make cementing paste gathering much easier, as it produces cementing paste passively when it eats insects.
Resource requirements and preparation depend on your chosen method. For organic polymer, youÔÇÖll need weapons or a strong mount to hunt Kairuku, Mantis, or Hesperornis. For obsidian-based polymer, youÔÇÖll need a metal pick or an Ankylosaurus for obsidian, and a mortar and pestle or a Beelzebufo for cementing paste. Always bring preserving bins or fridges if youÔÇÖre gathering organic polymer to prevent spoilage.
In tribe settings, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members to maximize efficiency. For example, one player can focus on hunting Kairuku for organic polymer, while another gathers obsidian and cementing paste for obsidian-based polymer. This division of labor ensures a steady supply of polymer for the tribeÔÇÖs needs.
Specific examples include hunting Kairuku on the icebergs of The Island or Ragnarok. These areas are rich in Kairuku, making them ideal for organic polymer farming. For obsidian, head to the mountains on The Island or the volcano on Scorched Earth. These locations have large obsidian nodes that can be harvested with an Ankylosaurus for maximum efficiency.
In summary, gathering polymer in ARK requires understanding the different sources and methods, preparing the right tools and tames, and coordinating with your tribe if youÔÇÖre playing in a group. Whether you focus on organic polymer from creatures like Kairuku or obsidian-based polymer crafted from obsidian and cementing paste, efficient gathering and proper storage are key to success. Avoid common mistakes like inadequate preparation or neglecting spoilage, and use advanced techniques like taming specific dinosaurs to optimize your polymer gathering efforts. With the right strategy, youÔÇÖll have a steady supply of polymer for all your crafting needs.
Polymer can be obtained from two primary sources: organic polymer and obsidian-based polymer. Organic polymer is gathered from certain creatures, while obsidian-based polymer is crafted using obsidian and cementing paste. Organic polymer is more accessible early to mid-game, but it spoils over time, making it less ideal for long-term storage. Obsidian-based polymer, on the other hand, does not spoil and is more reliable for crafting advanced items.
To gather organic polymer, you need to hunt specific creatures. The best sources are Kairuku (penguins), Mantis, and Hesperornis. Kairuku are found in cold regions like the snowy biomes on The Island or Ragnarok. They are passive creatures, so you can easily kill them with a weapon or a tamed dinosaur. Each Kairuku yields a significant amount of organic polymer, making them one of the best early-game sources. Mantis, found in desert biomes like Scorched Earth or the dunes on Ragnarok, also drop organic polymer when killed. However, Mantis are aggressive and can be dangerous, so bring a strong mount or weapon to deal with them. Hesperornis, found near water sources, drop organic polymer when killed, but they are less efficient than Kairuku or Mantis.
For obsidian-based polymer, you need to gather obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions or near volcanic areas on most maps. Use a metal pick or a tamed Ankylosaurus to gather obsidian efficiently. Cementing paste can be crafted using chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle, or you can gather it directly by harvesting beaver dams or taming a Beelzebufo, which produces cementing paste when it eats insects. Once you have obsidian and cementing paste, you can craft polymer in a fabricator.
When gathering organic polymer, itÔÇÖs important to note that it spoils quickly, so only gather what you need or use preserving bins or fridges to extend its lifespan. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, focus on Kairuku for organic polymer, as they are easy to hunt and provide a good amount. In a tribe, you can assign roles, such as having one player gather obsidian while another collects cementing paste, to streamline the process.
A common mistake is not preparing adequately for gathering polymer. For example, hunting Mantis without a strong mount or weapon can lead to death, especially if you encounter multiple Mantis at once. Always bring a tamed dinosaur like a Rex or a high-level Carnotaurus for protection. Another mistake is not using preserving bins or fridges for organic polymer, leading to spoilage and wasted effort. Always store organic polymer in a preserving bin with sparkpowder or a fridge to keep it fresh.
Advanced techniques include using tames to optimize polymer gathering. For example, a tamed Pelagornis can harvest Kairuku more efficiently than a player with a weapon. Similarly, a tamed Ankylosaurus is the best choice for gathering obsidian, as it has a weight reduction for metal and obsidian. If youÔÇÖre playing on a map with a lot of water, taming a Beelzebufo can make cementing paste gathering much easier, as it produces cementing paste passively when it eats insects.
Resource requirements and preparation depend on your chosen method. For organic polymer, youÔÇÖll need weapons or a strong mount to hunt Kairuku, Mantis, or Hesperornis. For obsidian-based polymer, youÔÇÖll need a metal pick or an Ankylosaurus for obsidian, and a mortar and pestle or a Beelzebufo for cementing paste. Always bring preserving bins or fridges if youÔÇÖre gathering organic polymer to prevent spoilage.
In tribe settings, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members to maximize efficiency. For example, one player can focus on hunting Kairuku for organic polymer, while another gathers obsidian and cementing paste for obsidian-based polymer. This division of labor ensures a steady supply of polymer for the tribeÔÇÖs needs.
Specific examples include hunting Kairuku on the icebergs of The Island or Ragnarok. These areas are rich in Kairuku, making them ideal for organic polymer farming. For obsidian, head to the mountains on The Island or the volcano on Scorched Earth. These locations have large obsidian nodes that can be harvested with an Ankylosaurus for maximum efficiency.
In summary, gathering polymer in ARK requires understanding the different sources and methods, preparing the right tools and tames, and coordinating with your tribe if youÔÇÖre playing in a group. Whether you focus on organic polymer from creatures like Kairuku or obsidian-based polymer crafted from obsidian and cementing paste, efficient gathering and proper storage are key to success. Avoid common mistakes like inadequate preparation or neglecting spoilage, and use advanced techniques like taming specific dinosaurs to optimize your polymer gathering efforts. With the right strategy, youÔÇÖll have a steady supply of polymer for all your crafting needs.