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 involves converting wood into charcoal over time, and the efficiency of this process depends on the method and tools you use. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to gather charcoal effectively.

To start, you need a source of wood. Wood is one of the most abundant resources in ARK and can be gathered by using tools like a stone hatchet, metal hatchet, or by taming creatures such as the Beaver, Mammoth, or Therizinosaurus. These creatures are highly efficient at gathering wood, making them ideal for large-scale charcoal production. Once you have a steady supply of wood, you can begin converting it into charcoal.

The simplest way to produce charcoal is by using a campfire. Place wood into the campfireÔÇÖs inventory and light it. Over time, the campfire will burn the wood and produce charcoal. However, this method is slow and inefficient for large-scale production. A better option is to use a refining forge or an industrial forge. Refining forges burn wood faster than campfires, and industrial forges are the most efficient, capable of producing large amounts of charcoal quickly. If you have access to an industrial forge, it is the best choice for charcoal production.

When using a refining forge or industrial forge, you can load them with wood and fuel (such as thatch, wood, or sparkpowder) to keep them running. The forge will continuously burn the wood and produce charcoal as long as it has fuel. Industrial forges are particularly effective because they have a large inventory capacity and burn wood at a much faster rate than other structures. If you are playing in a tribe, coordinating with your tribe members to gather wood and fuel the forge can significantly increase your charcoal output.

One important tip is to use tamed creatures to gather wood efficiently. For example, a high-level Therizinosaurus with points invested in power harvesting can gather thousands of wood in a short amount of time. Similarly, a Mammoth or Beaver can also gather large quantities of wood quickly. Using these creatures will save you time and effort compared to gathering wood manually with tools.

Another consideration is the location of your charcoal production setup. Placing your forges near a dense forest or a reliable source of wood will reduce the time spent transporting resources. If you are playing on a PvP server, it is also important to protect your forges and wood-gathering creatures from enemy players. Building a secure base with walls and turrets can help safeguard your resources.

A common mistake to avoid is overloading your forges with too much wood at once. While forges have large inventory capacities, filling them to the maximum can cause performance issues or make it difficult to manage the charcoal output. Instead, add wood in manageable batches and regularly collect the charcoal to keep the process running smoothly.

For advanced players, optimizing charcoal production can involve using multiple forges or industrial forges simultaneously. If you have the resources, setting up several forges in a dedicated area can significantly increase your charcoal output. Additionally, using a generator to power an industrial forge can further enhance its efficiency, as it will not require fuel like wood or thatch to operate.

In solo play, managing charcoal production can be more challenging due to the need to gather wood and fuel the forges yourself. However, taming a wood-gathering creature like a Beaver or Therizinosaurus can make the process much easier. Focus on creating a small, efficient setup with one or two forges to meet your needs without overextending your resources.

In tribe play, coordinating with your tribe members to gather wood and manage the forges can lead to massive charcoal production. Assign roles to tribe members, such as wood gatherers, forge operators, and defenders, to streamline the process. Sharing the workload ensures that everyone contributes and benefits from the tribeÔÇÖs resources.

A specific example of efficient charcoal production is setting up an industrial forge near a dense forest on The Island map. Tame a high-level Therizinosaurus and use it to gather wood quickly. Load the wood into the industrial forge and power it with a generator. Regularly collect the charcoal and store it in a secure vault or storage box. This setup allows for continuous charcoal production with minimal effort.

In conclusion, gathering charcoal in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a combination of resource gathering, efficient tools, and strategic planning. Using tamed creatures to gather wood, setting up industrial forges, and protecting your resources are key to maximizing charcoal production. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, following these strategies will ensure you have a steady supply of charcoal for crafting gunpowder and other essential items.