What is the best way to farm element in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming element in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial endgame activity, as element is required for crafting advanced Tek-tier items and structures. Element is primarily obtained by defeating bosses, completing missions in Genesis, or harvesting it from specific sources in certain maps. Below is a detailed guide on the best ways to farm element, covering mechanics, strategies, and considerations.
To start, the most reliable way to farm element is by defeating bosses. Each boss in ARK drops element upon defeat, with the amount varying depending on the difficulty level. The Island map features three main bosses: Broodmother Lysrix, Megapithecus, and Dragon. Each boss has Alpha, Beta, and Gamma difficulty levels, with Alpha providing the most element. For example, defeating the Alpha Dragon can yield up to 125 element. To prepare for boss fights, you will need a strong team of tamed dinosaurs, such as Rexes, Therizinos, or Yutyrannus, along with high-quality saddles and weapons. Breeding and imprinting your dinosaurs will significantly increase their effectiveness in combat. Additionally, crafting and equipping your character with high-tier armor and weapons, such as shotguns or assault rifles, is essential.
Another method to farm element is by completing missions in the Genesis maps. Genesis Part 1 and Part 2 offer missions that reward element shards, which can be converted into element at a Tek Replicator. These missions range from hunting tasks to races and require preparation, such as taming mission-specific creatures like Bloodstalkers or Shadowmanes. Completing missions on higher difficulty levels yields more element shards, so it is recommended to practice and optimize your strategies for each mission type. For example, the "Hunt missions" in Genesis Part 2 reward up to 15 element shards when completed on Alpha difficulty.
For solo players or smaller tribes, farming element can be more challenging but still achievable. Focus on taming and breeding a small but powerful team of dinosaurs, such as a pack of imprinted Rexes or a group of Therizinos with high melee damage. Use buffs like Yutyrannus courage roar and Daedon healing to increase your chances of success in boss fights. Solo players should also consider using Tek gear, such as Tek armor or Tek rifles, to enhance their combat capabilities. Additionally, farming element shards in Genesis missions can be more manageable for solo players, as some missions can be completed without a large team.
Resource management is critical when farming element. Ensure you have enough supplies, such as ammunition, medical brews, and food for your dinosaurs, before attempting boss fights or missions. Stockpile resources like metal, polymer, and electronics to craft and repair Tek gear. Building a well-equipped base near boss arenas or mission terminals can save time and resources during preparation.
Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating boss difficulty, neglecting dinosaur preparation, and failing to plan for resource consumption. Always test your team's strength in lower-difficulty fights before attempting Alpha-level bosses. Additionally, avoid overextending during missions, as losing your tames or character can set you back significantly.
Advanced techniques include optimizing your dinosaur stats through selective breeding and mutations. Focus on increasing health and melee damage for combat tames, and consider using Tek saddles for added protection. For Genesis missions, practice and memorize mission layouts to improve completion times and efficiency. Using a Tek Replicator to convert element shards into element is more cost-effective than using a regular fabricator, so prioritize unlocking and crafting a Tek Replicator.
In summary, farming element in ARK requires careful preparation, strong tames, and strategic planning. Whether you are tackling boss fights or completing Genesis missions, focus on optimizing your resources, tames, and gear to maximize your element yield. With persistence and practice, you can efficiently farm element and unlock the full potential of Tek-tier technology.
To start, the most reliable way to farm element is by defeating bosses. Each boss in ARK drops element upon defeat, with the amount varying depending on the difficulty level. The Island map features three main bosses: Broodmother Lysrix, Megapithecus, and Dragon. Each boss has Alpha, Beta, and Gamma difficulty levels, with Alpha providing the most element. For example, defeating the Alpha Dragon can yield up to 125 element. To prepare for boss fights, you will need a strong team of tamed dinosaurs, such as Rexes, Therizinos, or Yutyrannus, along with high-quality saddles and weapons. Breeding and imprinting your dinosaurs will significantly increase their effectiveness in combat. Additionally, crafting and equipping your character with high-tier armor and weapons, such as shotguns or assault rifles, is essential.
Another method to farm element is by completing missions in the Genesis maps. Genesis Part 1 and Part 2 offer missions that reward element shards, which can be converted into element at a Tek Replicator. These missions range from hunting tasks to races and require preparation, such as taming mission-specific creatures like Bloodstalkers or Shadowmanes. Completing missions on higher difficulty levels yields more element shards, so it is recommended to practice and optimize your strategies for each mission type. For example, the "Hunt missions" in Genesis Part 2 reward up to 15 element shards when completed on Alpha difficulty.
For solo players or smaller tribes, farming element can be more challenging but still achievable. Focus on taming and breeding a small but powerful team of dinosaurs, such as a pack of imprinted Rexes or a group of Therizinos with high melee damage. Use buffs like Yutyrannus courage roar and Daedon healing to increase your chances of success in boss fights. Solo players should also consider using Tek gear, such as Tek armor or Tek rifles, to enhance their combat capabilities. Additionally, farming element shards in Genesis missions can be more manageable for solo players, as some missions can be completed without a large team.
Resource management is critical when farming element. Ensure you have enough supplies, such as ammunition, medical brews, and food for your dinosaurs, before attempting boss fights or missions. Stockpile resources like metal, polymer, and electronics to craft and repair Tek gear. Building a well-equipped base near boss arenas or mission terminals can save time and resources during preparation.
Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating boss difficulty, neglecting dinosaur preparation, and failing to plan for resource consumption. Always test your team's strength in lower-difficulty fights before attempting Alpha-level bosses. Additionally, avoid overextending during missions, as losing your tames or character can set you back significantly.
Advanced techniques include optimizing your dinosaur stats through selective breeding and mutations. Focus on increasing health and melee damage for combat tames, and consider using Tek saddles for added protection. For Genesis missions, practice and memorize mission layouts to improve completion times and efficiency. Using a Tek Replicator to convert element shards into element is more cost-effective than using a regular fabricator, so prioritize unlocking and crafting a Tek Replicator.
In summary, farming element in ARK requires careful preparation, strong tames, and strategic planning. Whether you are tackling boss fights or completing Genesis missions, focus on optimizing your resources, tames, and gear to maximize your element yield. With persistence and practice, you can efficiently farm element and unlock the full potential of Tek-tier technology.