What is the best way to gather blood packs in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Gathering blood packs in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential task for crafting medical brews, which are used to heal yourself or your tamed creatures. Blood packs are obtained by harvesting blood from certain creatures, and the process involves specific mechanics and strategies to maximize efficiency. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to gather blood packs effectively.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of harvesting blood. Blood packs are obtained by using a tool or weapon to harvest corpses of certain creatures. The most common creatures for blood harvesting are humans, but you can also gather blood from creatures like the Leech or the Bloodstalker. When you kill a human or a creature that drops blood, you can use a tool like a pickaxe, hatchet, or even a chainsaw to harvest the corpse. The amount of blood you get depends on the tool you use and the creature you harvest. For example, a chainsaw yields more blood packs than a pickaxe, but it requires fuel and is harder to obtain early in the game.

To start gathering blood packs, you need to prepare the right tools. Early in the game, a pickaxe or hatchet will suffice, but as you progress, you can craft more advanced tools like the chainsaw. You also need to ensure you have enough inventory space to carry the blood packs, as they can take up a lot of weight. ItÔÇÖs a good idea to bring a tamed creature with high weight capacity, such as a Parasaur or a Mammoth, to help carry the blood packs back to your base.

Next, you need to find creatures that drop blood. Humans are the most common source, and you can find them in certain areas of the map, such as the beaches or near enemy bases. If youÔÇÖre playing on a PvE server, you can spawn human NPCs using mods or admin commands. Alternatively, you can hunt creatures like Leeches, which are found in swamps and drop blood when harvested. The Bloodstalker, a creature from the Genesis DLC, also drops blood when killed.

Once youÔÇÖve located your target, you need to kill it and harvest the corpse. If youÔÇÖre harvesting humans, be cautious of other players or hostile creatures in the area. Use ranged weapons like bows or firearms to take down your target from a safe distance. After the creature is dead, approach the corpse and use your tool to harvest it. If youÔÇÖre using a chainsaw, make sure it has enough fuel, as it consumes gasoline quickly. Harvesting with a chainsaw will yield more blood packs, but itÔÇÖs louder and may attract unwanted attention.

There are several tips and considerations to keep in mind when gathering blood packs. First, always be aware of your surroundings. Harvesting blood can be dangerous, especially in areas with aggressive creatures or hostile players. Bring a tamed creature for protection, such as a Raptor or a Carnotaurus, to fend off threats. Second, consider using a preserving bin or refrigerator to store your blood packs, as they spoil quickly. You can also craft medical brews on the spot to preserve the blood for longer.

Common mistakes to avoid include harvesting without the right tools, not having enough inventory space, and neglecting to protect yourself from threats. Using a low-tier tool like a stone pickaxe will yield fewer blood packs, so always aim to use the best tool available. Additionally, forgetting to bring a preserving bin or refrigerator can result in spoiled blood packs, wasting your efforts.

Advanced techniques for gathering blood packs include using tamed creatures with harvesting abilities. For example, a Therizinosaurus can harvest blood from corpses more efficiently than a pickaxe or hatchet. You can also use a Bloodstalker to passively gather blood from creatures it attacks. Another optimization is to set up a base near a swamp or an area with frequent human spawns to reduce travel time.

Resource requirements for gathering blood packs include the tools you use, such as a pickaxe, hatchet, or chainsaw, and the fuel for the chainsaw. You also need a preserving bin or refrigerator to store the blood packs and prevent spoilage. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, youÔÇÖll need to manage your inventory carefully and bring a tamed creature for protection. In a tribe, you can divide tasks, with one player harvesting and another protecting or transporting the blood packs.

In specific scenarios, such as PvP, gathering blood packs can be more challenging. You may need to raid enemy bases to harvest human corpses, which requires careful planning and coordination with your tribe. In PvE, you can focus on hunting creatures like Leeches or Bloodstalkers without the threat of other players.

In conclusion, gathering blood packs in ARK: Survival Evolved requires the right tools, preparation, and strategy. By understanding the mechanics, using the best tools available, and protecting yourself from threats, you can efficiently gather blood packs for crafting medical brews. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, careful planning and resource management are key to success.