What is the best way to gather metal in the early game of ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering metal in the early game of ARK: Survival Evolved is a critical step for progressing toward mid and late-game content. Metal is used to craft advanced tools, weapons, and structures, making it one of the most important resources in the game. However, gathering metal efficiently requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you maximize your metal collection in the early game.
First, you need to understand where to find metal. Metal nodes are large, shiny rocks that are typically found in mountainous or hilly areas. These nodes are distinct from regular rocks and are often located in dangerous areas with aggressive creatures. On The Island map, for example, metal nodes are abundant in the mountains near the Volcano, FarÔÇÖs Peak, and the Western Plains. However, these areas are also home to predators like Raptors, Carnotaurus, and even the occasional Rex, so caution is essential.
To gather metal, youÔÇÖll need the right tools. A Metal Pick is the most efficient tool for harvesting metal, but in the early game, you may not have access to one. Instead, you can use a Stone Pick, though it yields less metal per node. Crafting a Metal Pick requires metal ingots, which are smelted from raw metal in a Refining Forge. This creates a bit of a catch-22 situation, as you need metal to make the tool that gathers metal more efficiently. To overcome this, focus on gathering small amounts of metal with a Stone Pick first, then use that metal to craft a Metal Pick for future runs.
Preparation is key before heading out to gather metal. Ensure you have enough food, water, and basic tools like a Pick, Hatchet, and Spear. Bring a few beds or sleeping bags to set up temporary respawn points in case you die. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, consider taming a pack animal like a Parasaur or Trike to carry additional resources. In a tribe, coordinate with teammates to gather more metal efficiently and defend against threats.
When you arrive at a metal-rich area, prioritize safety. Clear the area of predators before starting to mine. Use ranged weapons like a Bow or Slingshot to take out smaller threats from a distance. For larger predators, consider luring them away or avoiding them altogether. Once the area is safe, start mining the metal nodes. Each node will yield raw metal and sometimes flint or stone. Be sure to gather as much as you can, but keep an eye on your inventory weight and stamina.
After gathering raw metal, youÔÇÖll need to smelt it into metal ingots. This requires a Refining Forge, which can be crafted using stone, wood, and fiber. Place the Refining Forge near your base or a temporary camp and fuel it with wood or thatch. Add the raw metal to the forge, and it will slowly smelt into metal ingots. This process takes time, so plan accordingly.
One common mistake early-game players make is overextending themselves. Venturing too far into dangerous areas without proper preparation can lead to death and loss of resources. Always scout the area first and ensure you have an escape route. Another mistake is neglecting weight management. Metal is heavy, and carrying too much can slow you down or prevent you from moving altogether. Use tamed dinosaurs or storage containers to manage your inventory effectively.
Advanced techniques for metal gathering include using tamed dinosaurs to increase efficiency. Ankylosaurus is the best dinosaur for gathering metal, as it has a high metal yield and can carry large amounts of resources. Taming an Ankylosaurus early can significantly boost your metal production. Additionally, building a small outpost near metal-rich areas can save time and reduce the risk of losing resources during transit.
In a tribe, coordination is crucial. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering metal while another defends or transports resources. Use a Quetzal or Argentavis to carry heavy loads of metal back to your base. Solo players should focus on taming a reliable pack animal and setting up temporary storage near metal nodes to minimize trips.
In summary, gathering metal in the early game requires careful planning, the right tools, and a focus on safety. Prioritize crafting a Metal Pick, clear the area of threats, and use tamed dinosaurs to increase efficiency. Avoid overextending and manage your inventory weight to ensure a successful metal run. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be well on your way to crafting advanced tools and structures in ARK: Survival Evolved.
First, you need to understand where to find metal. Metal nodes are large, shiny rocks that are typically found in mountainous or hilly areas. These nodes are distinct from regular rocks and are often located in dangerous areas with aggressive creatures. On The Island map, for example, metal nodes are abundant in the mountains near the Volcano, FarÔÇÖs Peak, and the Western Plains. However, these areas are also home to predators like Raptors, Carnotaurus, and even the occasional Rex, so caution is essential.
To gather metal, youÔÇÖll need the right tools. A Metal Pick is the most efficient tool for harvesting metal, but in the early game, you may not have access to one. Instead, you can use a Stone Pick, though it yields less metal per node. Crafting a Metal Pick requires metal ingots, which are smelted from raw metal in a Refining Forge. This creates a bit of a catch-22 situation, as you need metal to make the tool that gathers metal more efficiently. To overcome this, focus on gathering small amounts of metal with a Stone Pick first, then use that metal to craft a Metal Pick for future runs.
Preparation is key before heading out to gather metal. Ensure you have enough food, water, and basic tools like a Pick, Hatchet, and Spear. Bring a few beds or sleeping bags to set up temporary respawn points in case you die. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, consider taming a pack animal like a Parasaur or Trike to carry additional resources. In a tribe, coordinate with teammates to gather more metal efficiently and defend against threats.
When you arrive at a metal-rich area, prioritize safety. Clear the area of predators before starting to mine. Use ranged weapons like a Bow or Slingshot to take out smaller threats from a distance. For larger predators, consider luring them away or avoiding them altogether. Once the area is safe, start mining the metal nodes. Each node will yield raw metal and sometimes flint or stone. Be sure to gather as much as you can, but keep an eye on your inventory weight and stamina.
After gathering raw metal, youÔÇÖll need to smelt it into metal ingots. This requires a Refining Forge, which can be crafted using stone, wood, and fiber. Place the Refining Forge near your base or a temporary camp and fuel it with wood or thatch. Add the raw metal to the forge, and it will slowly smelt into metal ingots. This process takes time, so plan accordingly.
One common mistake early-game players make is overextending themselves. Venturing too far into dangerous areas without proper preparation can lead to death and loss of resources. Always scout the area first and ensure you have an escape route. Another mistake is neglecting weight management. Metal is heavy, and carrying too much can slow you down or prevent you from moving altogether. Use tamed dinosaurs or storage containers to manage your inventory effectively.
Advanced techniques for metal gathering include using tamed dinosaurs to increase efficiency. Ankylosaurus is the best dinosaur for gathering metal, as it has a high metal yield and can carry large amounts of resources. Taming an Ankylosaurus early can significantly boost your metal production. Additionally, building a small outpost near metal-rich areas can save time and reduce the risk of losing resources during transit.
In a tribe, coordination is crucial. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering metal while another defends or transports resources. Use a Quetzal or Argentavis to carry heavy loads of metal back to your base. Solo players should focus on taming a reliable pack animal and setting up temporary storage near metal nodes to minimize trips.
In summary, gathering metal in the early game requires careful planning, the right tools, and a focus on safety. Prioritize crafting a Metal Pick, clear the area of threats, and use tamed dinosaurs to increase efficiency. Avoid overextending and manage your inventory weight to ensure a successful metal run. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be well on your way to crafting advanced tools and structures in ARK: Survival Evolved.