What is the best way to gather rare resources like hexagons in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Gathering rare resources like hexagons in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and understanding of the game mechanics. Hexagons are a unique currency used in the Genesis and Genesis Part 2 maps, and they are essential for purchasing high-tier items, tames, and resources from the HLN-A shop. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to efficiently gather hexagons.

Hexagons are primarily earned by completing missions in the Genesis maps. These missions vary in difficulty and type, ranging from hunting and racing to survival and puzzle challenges. Each mission rewards hexagons based on its difficulty level, with harder missions offering more hexagons. To maximize your hexagon income, you need to focus on completing missions efficiently and consistently.

First, you need to prepare your character and tames for the missions. Leveling up your character and allocating points into stats like health, stamina, and weight is crucial. Stamina is particularly important for missions that require running or swimming, while health can help you survive combat-heavy missions. Weight is essential for carrying mission items or loot. Additionally, unlocking engrams for better gear, such as weapons, armor, and tools, will make missions easier.

Tames play a significant role in mission success. For combat missions, strong tames like Rexes, Spinos, or Shadowmanes are ideal. For racing or mobility-focused missions, fast tames like Managarmrs or Rock Drakes are recommended. Ensure your tames are well-leveled and have good saddles to increase their effectiveness. Breeding and imprinting tames can also provide stat bonuses that make them more powerful.

Next, familiarize yourself with the mission types and their requirements. Missions are categorized into Alpha, Beta, and Gamma difficulties, with Alpha being the hardest and most rewarding. Start with Gamma missions to get a feel for the mechanics and gradually work your way up to Beta and Alpha missions as you improve your gear and tames. Some missions, like the Star Dolphin race or the Bog Beatdown, are easier to complete with practice and can be farmed for consistent hexagon income.

Resource management is key when preparing for missions. Stock up on healing items, ammunition, and food for both your character and tames. Crafting items like medical brews, stimulants, and cooked meat can help sustain you during longer missions. Additionally, having a base with storage and crafting stations near mission terminals can save time and resources.

When attempting missions, always scout the area and plan your approach. For example, in hunting missions, knowing the spawn locations of the target creatures can help you complete the mission faster. In racing missions, learning the track layout and shortcuts can give you an edge. For survival missions, positioning and crowd control are crucial to avoid being overwhelmed by enemies.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating mission difficulty and not preparing adequately. Jumping into an Alpha mission without proper gear or tames can result in failure and wasted time. Another mistake is neglecting to repair or replace gear between missions, which can leave you vulnerable in subsequent attempts. Always check your equipment and tames before starting a mission.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your mission runs for speed and efficiency. For example, using a high-speed tame like a Managarmr can help you complete racing missions quickly. In combat missions, using crowd control abilities or tames with AoE attacks can clear enemies faster. Additionally, coordinating with tribe members can make some missions easier, as you can divide tasks and cover more ground.

Resource requirements for missions include weapons, armor, ammunition, and healing items. Crafting these in bulk and storing them near mission terminals can save time. For tames, having a variety of saddles and equipment tailored to different mission types is beneficial. For example, a Rex with a high-damage saddle is ideal for combat missions, while a Rock Drake with a good saddle is better for mobility-focused missions.

Tribe considerations are important for maximizing hexagon income. In a tribe, you can assign roles based on each memberÔÇÖs strengths. For example, one member can focus on combat missions, while another handles racing or puzzle missions. Sharing resources and tames within the tribe can also make preparation easier. Solo players need to be more versatile and prepared for all mission types, as they wonÔÇÖt have the support of tribe members.

Specific examples of missions include the Star Dolphin race, which is a Gamma-level mission that rewards hexagons for completing the race within a time limit. Using a fast tame like a Managarmr and learning the track layout can help you complete this mission quickly. Another example is the Bog Beatdown, a combat mission where you must defeat waves of enemies. Using a strong Rex or Spino with a good saddle and healing items can make this mission manageable.

In conclusion, gathering hexagons in ARK: Survival Evolved requires preparation, strategy, and practice. By leveling up your character, taming and breeding strong dinosaurs, and mastering mission mechanics, you can efficiently farm hexagons. Avoiding common mistakes, optimizing your runs, and coordinating with tribe members can further enhance your hexagon income. With the right approach, you can accumulate hexagons to purchase valuable items and resources from the HLN-A shop.