What is the best way to gather charcoal in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering charcoal in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential task for crafting gunpowder, which is used in ammunition and explosives. Charcoal is obtained by burning wood in structures like campfires, standing torches, forges, or industrial forges. The process is straightforward, but there are strategies to maximize efficiency and minimize effort. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to gather charcoal effectively.
First, you need to understand the mechanics of charcoal production. When you place wood into a fire source, it burns over time, converting into charcoal at a 1:1 ratio. For example, burning 100 wood will produce 100 charcoal. The speed at which wood burns depends on the structure you use. Campfires and standing torches burn wood slowly, while forges and industrial forges burn it much faster. Industrial forges are the most efficient, as they can process large amounts of wood quickly, making them ideal for mass charcoal production.
To start gathering charcoal, youÔÇÖll need a fire source and a steady supply of wood. Early in the game, a campfire is your best option. Place the campfire in a safe location, preferably inside your base or a sheltered area to avoid interruptions from predators. Gather wood by punching trees or using tools like a stone hatchet or metal hatchet. The metal hatchet is more efficient and yields more wood per swing. Once you have a stack of wood, place it into the campfireÔÇÖs inventory and light the fire. Over time, the wood will burn, and charcoal will appear in the inventory.
As you progress, upgrading to a forge or industrial forge will significantly increase your charcoal production. Forges burn wood faster than campfires, and industrial forges are even quicker, capable of processing thousands of wood in minutes. To craft a forge, youÔÇÖll need stone, wood, flint, and fiber. Industrial forges require advanced materials like cementing paste, metal ingots, and electronics, so they are more suitable for mid-to-late game players. Once you have a forge or industrial forge, place it in your base and load it with wood. The forge will automatically burn the wood and produce charcoal, which you can collect from its inventory.
One important tip is to use tamed dinosaurs to gather wood efficiently. Creatures like the Beaver, Mammoth, or Therizinosaurus are excellent for harvesting large amounts of wood quickly. For example, a high-level Beaver can gather thousands of wood in a short time, making it an invaluable resource gatherer. Once you have a dinosaur capable of harvesting wood, take it to a forested area and gather as much wood as possible. Then, return to your base and transfer the wood into your forge or industrial forge for processing.
Another consideration is resource management. Charcoal is heavy, so youÔÇÖll need to manage your inventory or storage carefully. If youÔÇÖre producing large amounts of charcoal, consider using storage boxes or preserving bins to store it. Additionally, keep an eye on your fuel sources. Campfires and forges require thatch or sparkpowder to burn, so ensure you have enough fuel to keep the fire going. Industrial forges run on gasoline, which is crafted from oil and hide in a refinery. Always stockpile fuel to avoid interruptions in charcoal production.
A common mistake is neglecting to protect your fire sources. If you leave a campfire or forge unattended in an open area, it could be destroyed by hostile creatures or other players in PvP. Always place your fire sources inside a secure base with walls and doors to prevent damage. Additionally, avoid overloading your inventory with charcoal, as it can quickly fill up and leave you encumbered. Instead, transfer charcoal to storage containers as soon as possible.
For advanced players, consider automating charcoal production using industrial forges and a steady supply of wood. Pairing an industrial forge with a wood-gathering dinosaur like a Beaver or Mammoth can create a highly efficient system. You can also use conveyor belts and storage systems to streamline the process, though this requires advanced knowledge of the gameÔÇÖs mechanics and resources.
In a tribe setting, charcoal production can be a shared responsibility. Assign one or more tribe members to gather wood while others manage the forges and storage. This division of labor can significantly increase efficiency and allow the tribe to focus on other tasks like base building or taming. Solo players should focus on taming a wood-gathering dinosaur early to make the process less time-consuming.
In summary, gathering charcoal in ARK: Survival Evolved involves burning wood in fire sources like campfires, forges, or industrial forges. Early-game players should use campfires and basic tools, while mid-to-late game players can upgrade to forges and industrial forges for faster production. Tamed dinosaurs like Beavers and Mammoths are excellent for gathering wood efficiently. Protect your fire sources, manage your inventory, and stockpile fuel to ensure uninterrupted charcoal production. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather charcoal effectively and support your crafting needs.
First, you need to understand the mechanics of charcoal production. When you place wood into a fire source, it burns over time, converting into charcoal at a 1:1 ratio. For example, burning 100 wood will produce 100 charcoal. The speed at which wood burns depends on the structure you use. Campfires and standing torches burn wood slowly, while forges and industrial forges burn it much faster. Industrial forges are the most efficient, as they can process large amounts of wood quickly, making them ideal for mass charcoal production.
To start gathering charcoal, youÔÇÖll need a fire source and a steady supply of wood. Early in the game, a campfire is your best option. Place the campfire in a safe location, preferably inside your base or a sheltered area to avoid interruptions from predators. Gather wood by punching trees or using tools like a stone hatchet or metal hatchet. The metal hatchet is more efficient and yields more wood per swing. Once you have a stack of wood, place it into the campfireÔÇÖs inventory and light the fire. Over time, the wood will burn, and charcoal will appear in the inventory.
As you progress, upgrading to a forge or industrial forge will significantly increase your charcoal production. Forges burn wood faster than campfires, and industrial forges are even quicker, capable of processing thousands of wood in minutes. To craft a forge, youÔÇÖll need stone, wood, flint, and fiber. Industrial forges require advanced materials like cementing paste, metal ingots, and electronics, so they are more suitable for mid-to-late game players. Once you have a forge or industrial forge, place it in your base and load it with wood. The forge will automatically burn the wood and produce charcoal, which you can collect from its inventory.
One important tip is to use tamed dinosaurs to gather wood efficiently. Creatures like the Beaver, Mammoth, or Therizinosaurus are excellent for harvesting large amounts of wood quickly. For example, a high-level Beaver can gather thousands of wood in a short time, making it an invaluable resource gatherer. Once you have a dinosaur capable of harvesting wood, take it to a forested area and gather as much wood as possible. Then, return to your base and transfer the wood into your forge or industrial forge for processing.
Another consideration is resource management. Charcoal is heavy, so youÔÇÖll need to manage your inventory or storage carefully. If youÔÇÖre producing large amounts of charcoal, consider using storage boxes or preserving bins to store it. Additionally, keep an eye on your fuel sources. Campfires and forges require thatch or sparkpowder to burn, so ensure you have enough fuel to keep the fire going. Industrial forges run on gasoline, which is crafted from oil and hide in a refinery. Always stockpile fuel to avoid interruptions in charcoal production.
A common mistake is neglecting to protect your fire sources. If you leave a campfire or forge unattended in an open area, it could be destroyed by hostile creatures or other players in PvP. Always place your fire sources inside a secure base with walls and doors to prevent damage. Additionally, avoid overloading your inventory with charcoal, as it can quickly fill up and leave you encumbered. Instead, transfer charcoal to storage containers as soon as possible.
For advanced players, consider automating charcoal production using industrial forges and a steady supply of wood. Pairing an industrial forge with a wood-gathering dinosaur like a Beaver or Mammoth can create a highly efficient system. You can also use conveyor belts and storage systems to streamline the process, though this requires advanced knowledge of the gameÔÇÖs mechanics and resources.
In a tribe setting, charcoal production can be a shared responsibility. Assign one or more tribe members to gather wood while others manage the forges and storage. This division of labor can significantly increase efficiency and allow the tribe to focus on other tasks like base building or taming. Solo players should focus on taming a wood-gathering dinosaur early to make the process less time-consuming.
In summary, gathering charcoal in ARK: Survival Evolved involves burning wood in fire sources like campfires, forges, or industrial forges. Early-game players should use campfires and basic tools, while mid-to-late game players can upgrade to forges and industrial forges for faster production. Tamed dinosaurs like Beavers and Mammoths are excellent for gathering wood efficiently. Protect your fire sources, manage your inventory, and stockpile fuel to ensure uninterrupted charcoal production. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather charcoal effectively and support your crafting needs.