What is the best way to farm metal in the early game of ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming metal in the early game of ARK: Survival Evolved is a critical step for progression, as metal is essential for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and structures. However, gathering metal efficiently requires careful planning and preparation. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you farm metal effectively in the early stages of the game.
First, understand the mechanics of metal gathering. Metal nodes are distinct rocks with a shiny, metallic appearance, often found in mountainous or rocky areas. These nodes yield metal when harvested with the right tools. Early on, you can use a Stone Pick to gather metal, but it is inefficient. Upgrading to a Metal Pick as soon as possible is crucial, as it significantly increases the amount of metal you can harvest per node. Additionally, using a tamed dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus can greatly enhance your metal farming efficiency, as it has a high metal yield and can carry a large amount of weight.
To start farming metal, you need to prepare adequately. Craft a Stone Pick and a Stone Hatchet, as these are your basic tools for gathering resources. YouÔÇÖll also need a Bed or Sleeping Bag to set a spawn point near your base, as metal nodes are often located in dangerous areas. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, consider building a small outpost near a metal-rich area to reduce travel time. For tribes, coordinating with teammates to gather and transport metal can save time and effort.
Next, locate metal nodes. On most maps, metal nodes are abundant in mountainous regions. For example, on The Island, the mountains in the northwest and northeast are excellent early-game metal farming spots. Be cautious, as these areas are often populated by aggressive creatures like Raptors, Carnotaurus, and even the occasional Rex. Bring weapons like a Bow and arrows or a Spear for defense, and consider taming a small pack of Dilophosaurs or Raptors to protect you while farming.
Once youÔÇÖve found a metal node, use your Stone Pick to harvest it. Early on, youÔÇÖll only get a small amount of metal per node, so focus on gathering as much as you can. After youÔÇÖve collected enough metal, smelt it in a Refining Forge to create Metal Ingots. To build a Refining Forge, youÔÇÖll need Stone, Wood, Flint, and Fiber. Place the Forge near your base and fuel it with Wood or Thatch to smelt the metal. Each metal ore yields one Metal Ingot, which is used for crafting advanced items.
A common mistake early-game players make is not prioritizing the creation of a Metal Pick. While it requires some initial metal investment, the increased efficiency is worth it. Another mistake is venturing into dangerous areas unprepared. Always bring adequate weapons, armor, and healing items like Stimberries or Medical Brews. Additionally, avoid overloading yourself with metal, as it is heavy and can slow you down, making you vulnerable to predators.
For advanced techniques, consider taming an Ankylosaurus as soon as possible. The Ankylo is one of the best dinosaurs for farming metal, as it can harvest large amounts of metal with its tail attack and has a high weight capacity. Pair it with a Argentavis or other flying mount to transport the metal back to your base efficiently. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, assign roles to members, such as one person gathering metal while another protects or transports it.
Resource management is key when farming metal. Prioritize building storage containers near your Refining Forge to store excess metal and ingots. This prevents clutter in your inventory and ensures you have a steady supply for crafting. Additionally, consider setting up a small base or outpost near metal-rich areas to reduce travel time and increase efficiency.
In summary, early-game metal farming in ARK requires preparation, caution, and efficiency. Start with basic tools, locate metal nodes in safe areas, and upgrade to a Metal Pick as soon as possible. Use tamed dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus to maximize your yield, and always be prepared for combat. Avoid common mistakes like overloading or venturing unprepared, and consider advanced techniques like using flying mounts for transport. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to gather metal efficiently and progress smoothly in the game.
First, understand the mechanics of metal gathering. Metal nodes are distinct rocks with a shiny, metallic appearance, often found in mountainous or rocky areas. These nodes yield metal when harvested with the right tools. Early on, you can use a Stone Pick to gather metal, but it is inefficient. Upgrading to a Metal Pick as soon as possible is crucial, as it significantly increases the amount of metal you can harvest per node. Additionally, using a tamed dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus can greatly enhance your metal farming efficiency, as it has a high metal yield and can carry a large amount of weight.
To start farming metal, you need to prepare adequately. Craft a Stone Pick and a Stone Hatchet, as these are your basic tools for gathering resources. YouÔÇÖll also need a Bed or Sleeping Bag to set a spawn point near your base, as metal nodes are often located in dangerous areas. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, consider building a small outpost near a metal-rich area to reduce travel time. For tribes, coordinating with teammates to gather and transport metal can save time and effort.
Next, locate metal nodes. On most maps, metal nodes are abundant in mountainous regions. For example, on The Island, the mountains in the northwest and northeast are excellent early-game metal farming spots. Be cautious, as these areas are often populated by aggressive creatures like Raptors, Carnotaurus, and even the occasional Rex. Bring weapons like a Bow and arrows or a Spear for defense, and consider taming a small pack of Dilophosaurs or Raptors to protect you while farming.
Once youÔÇÖve found a metal node, use your Stone Pick to harvest it. Early on, youÔÇÖll only get a small amount of metal per node, so focus on gathering as much as you can. After youÔÇÖve collected enough metal, smelt it in a Refining Forge to create Metal Ingots. To build a Refining Forge, youÔÇÖll need Stone, Wood, Flint, and Fiber. Place the Forge near your base and fuel it with Wood or Thatch to smelt the metal. Each metal ore yields one Metal Ingot, which is used for crafting advanced items.
A common mistake early-game players make is not prioritizing the creation of a Metal Pick. While it requires some initial metal investment, the increased efficiency is worth it. Another mistake is venturing into dangerous areas unprepared. Always bring adequate weapons, armor, and healing items like Stimberries or Medical Brews. Additionally, avoid overloading yourself with metal, as it is heavy and can slow you down, making you vulnerable to predators.
For advanced techniques, consider taming an Ankylosaurus as soon as possible. The Ankylo is one of the best dinosaurs for farming metal, as it can harvest large amounts of metal with its tail attack and has a high weight capacity. Pair it with a Argentavis or other flying mount to transport the metal back to your base efficiently. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, assign roles to members, such as one person gathering metal while another protects or transports it.
Resource management is key when farming metal. Prioritize building storage containers near your Refining Forge to store excess metal and ingots. This prevents clutter in your inventory and ensures you have a steady supply for crafting. Additionally, consider setting up a small base or outpost near metal-rich areas to reduce travel time and increase efficiency.
In summary, early-game metal farming in ARK requires preparation, caution, and efficiency. Start with basic tools, locate metal nodes in safe areas, and upgrade to a Metal Pick as soon as possible. Use tamed dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus to maximize your yield, and always be prepared for combat. Avoid common mistakes like overloading or venturing unprepared, and consider advanced techniques like using flying mounts for transport. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to gather metal efficiently and progress smoothly in the game.