What is the best way to gather element in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering Element in ARK: Survival Evolved is a late-game activity that requires preparation, strategy, and often teamwork. Element is a rare and powerful resource used to craft advanced items like Tek Tier equipment, structures, and consumables. It is primarily obtained through boss fights, defeating Titans, or harvesting Element Shards from specific sources. Below is a detailed guide on how to efficiently gather Element, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.
To start, Element is not found naturally in the world like other resources. Instead, it is obtained by defeating bosses or Titans, or by harvesting Element Shards and converting them into Element. The most common method is defeating bosses in the game's arenas, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, Dragon, or Overseer. Each boss drops a certain amount of Element upon defeat, with the harder bosses like the Dragon and Overseer providing more. For example, defeating the Gamma-level Overseer on The Island map yields 50 Element, while the Alpha-level Overseer drops 150 Element. These amounts can vary depending on the map and difficulty.
To prepare for boss fights, you will need strong tamed dinosaurs, high-quality weapons, and armor. Rexes, Therizinos, and Yutyrannus are popular choices for boss fights due to their high damage output and survivability. Breeding these creatures for mutations and imprinting them will significantly boost their stats. Additionally, crafting high-tier saddles for your dinosaurs is crucial, as it reduces the damage they take. For weapons, bring long-range options like assault rifles or shotguns, as well as plenty of ammunition and healing items like medical brews or cooked meat.
Once you defeat a boss, you will receive Element as part of the loot. However, Element has a decay timer, meaning it will eventually disappear from your inventory if not used or stored properly. To prevent this, you can craft Element into Element Shards, which do not decay. This is done using a Tek Replicator, which requires Element to craft. Alternatively, you can store Element in a Tek Dedicated Storage unit, which also prevents decay.
Another way to gather Element is by defeating Titans on the Extinction map. Titans are massive creatures that drop large amounts of Element when defeated. For example, the Forest Titan drops 500 Element, while the King Titan drops 1,000 Element. Defeating Titans requires a coordinated effort, as they have high health and powerful attacks. Using high-level tamed creatures like Gigas or Meks is recommended, along with a well-organized tribe to manage the fight.
For solo players or those looking for a less combat-intensive method, Element Shards can be harvested from specific sources. On the Extinction map, Element Shards can be found in the wasteland biome or obtained by harvesting corrupted nodes. These shards can then be converted into Element using a Tek Replicator. On the Genesis maps, Element Shards can be obtained by completing missions or harvesting from specific nodes in the lunar biome. This method is slower but safer for solo players or smaller tribes.
When gathering Element, it is important to manage your resources efficiently. Boss fights and Titan battles consume a lot of resources, including ammunition, healing items, and dinosaur saddles. Make sure to stockpile these items before attempting a fight. Additionally, consider the time investment required for breeding and imprinting high-level dinosaurs, as this can take several days or even weeks depending on your setup.
Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating boss difficulty, not preparing enough resources, and failing to manage Element decay. Always scout the boss arena beforehand and bring extra supplies in case the fight takes longer than expected. For Element decay, prioritize crafting it into shards or storing it in a Tek Dedicated Storage unit as soon as possible.
Advanced techniques include optimizing your dinosaur breeding lines for maximum stats, using Tek gear like Tek Rifles or Tek Saddles during boss fights, and coordinating with your tribe to maximize efficiency. For example, assigning specific roles like tanking, healing, or DPS can streamline boss fights and reduce resource waste.
In summary, gathering Element in ARK requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and resource management. Whether you are fighting bosses, Titans, or harvesting shards, the key is to plan ahead and use the right tools and creatures for the job. With the right approach, you can efficiently gather Element and unlock the powerful Tek Tier technology.
To start, Element is not found naturally in the world like other resources. Instead, it is obtained by defeating bosses or Titans, or by harvesting Element Shards and converting them into Element. The most common method is defeating bosses in the game's arenas, such as the Broodmother, Megapithecus, Dragon, or Overseer. Each boss drops a certain amount of Element upon defeat, with the harder bosses like the Dragon and Overseer providing more. For example, defeating the Gamma-level Overseer on The Island map yields 50 Element, while the Alpha-level Overseer drops 150 Element. These amounts can vary depending on the map and difficulty.
To prepare for boss fights, you will need strong tamed dinosaurs, high-quality weapons, and armor. Rexes, Therizinos, and Yutyrannus are popular choices for boss fights due to their high damage output and survivability. Breeding these creatures for mutations and imprinting them will significantly boost their stats. Additionally, crafting high-tier saddles for your dinosaurs is crucial, as it reduces the damage they take. For weapons, bring long-range options like assault rifles or shotguns, as well as plenty of ammunition and healing items like medical brews or cooked meat.
Once you defeat a boss, you will receive Element as part of the loot. However, Element has a decay timer, meaning it will eventually disappear from your inventory if not used or stored properly. To prevent this, you can craft Element into Element Shards, which do not decay. This is done using a Tek Replicator, which requires Element to craft. Alternatively, you can store Element in a Tek Dedicated Storage unit, which also prevents decay.
Another way to gather Element is by defeating Titans on the Extinction map. Titans are massive creatures that drop large amounts of Element when defeated. For example, the Forest Titan drops 500 Element, while the King Titan drops 1,000 Element. Defeating Titans requires a coordinated effort, as they have high health and powerful attacks. Using high-level tamed creatures like Gigas or Meks is recommended, along with a well-organized tribe to manage the fight.
For solo players or those looking for a less combat-intensive method, Element Shards can be harvested from specific sources. On the Extinction map, Element Shards can be found in the wasteland biome or obtained by harvesting corrupted nodes. These shards can then be converted into Element using a Tek Replicator. On the Genesis maps, Element Shards can be obtained by completing missions or harvesting from specific nodes in the lunar biome. This method is slower but safer for solo players or smaller tribes.
When gathering Element, it is important to manage your resources efficiently. Boss fights and Titan battles consume a lot of resources, including ammunition, healing items, and dinosaur saddles. Make sure to stockpile these items before attempting a fight. Additionally, consider the time investment required for breeding and imprinting high-level dinosaurs, as this can take several days or even weeks depending on your setup.
Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating boss difficulty, not preparing enough resources, and failing to manage Element decay. Always scout the boss arena beforehand and bring extra supplies in case the fight takes longer than expected. For Element decay, prioritize crafting it into shards or storing it in a Tek Dedicated Storage unit as soon as possible.
Advanced techniques include optimizing your dinosaur breeding lines for maximum stats, using Tek gear like Tek Rifles or Tek Saddles during boss fights, and coordinating with your tribe to maximize efficiency. For example, assigning specific roles like tanking, healing, or DPS can streamline boss fights and reduce resource waste.
In summary, gathering Element in ARK requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and resource management. Whether you are fighting bosses, Titans, or harvesting shards, the key is to plan ahead and use the right tools and creatures for the job. With the right approach, you can efficiently gather Element and unlock the powerful Tek Tier technology.