What is the best way to gather crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential task for mid to late-game progression, as crystal is used in crafting advanced items like electronics, scuba gear, and certain structures. To efficiently gather crystal, you need to understand the mechanics, prepare properly, and use the right strategies. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you maximize your crystal collection.
Crystal is a resource that spawns in specific locations across the map, often in mountainous or rocky areas. It appears as large, shiny, blue-white formations that can be harvested using tools or dinosaurs. The most common tools for gathering crystal are the metal pickaxe and the Ankylosaurus, a dinosaur known for its excellent resource-gathering abilities. The Ankylosaurus is particularly effective because it can gather large amounts of crystal quickly and has a weight reduction bonus for carrying it.
To start gathering crystal, you need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have the necessary tools or tamed dinosaurs. If youÔÇÖre early in the game and donÔÇÖt have access to an Ankylosaurus, a metal pickaxe is your best option. Crafting a metal pickaxe requires metal ingots, which are smelted from metal ore in a forge, and wood or thatch for the handle. Once you have your pickaxe, head to areas where crystal spawns. On The Island map, for example, crystal is abundant in the mountains, such as the volcano, the snow biome, and the redwood forest. On other maps, crystal can be found in similar high-altitude or rocky regions.
When gathering crystal, itÔÇÖs important to be aware of the dangers in these areas. Mountainous regions are often home to aggressive creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even the occasional Rex. To avoid being caught off guard, bring weapons for self-defense, such as a crossbow or a firearm, and consider bringing a tamed dinosaur for protection. A high-level Carnotaurus or Rex can serve as both a bodyguard and a pack mule, helping you carry the crystal back to your base.
If youÔÇÖre using an Ankylosaurus, the process becomes much easier. Tame an Ankylosaurus by knocking it out with tranquilizer arrows or darts and feeding it vegetables or kibble. Once tamed, level up its melee damage and weight capacity to improve its efficiency. When you reach a crystal node, use the AnkylosaurusÔÇÖs tail attack to harvest the crystal. The Ankylosaurus not only gathers more crystal per hit than a pickaxe but also reduces the weight of the crystal in its inventory, allowing you to carry more before becoming encumbered.
One common mistake players make is venturing into crystal-rich areas without proper preparation. Always bring enough food, water, and medical supplies, as well as tools for repairing your equipment. Another mistake is overloading your inventory or your dinosaurÔÇÖs inventory, which can slow you down and make you vulnerable to attacks. To avoid this, plan your trips carefully and consider setting up a small outpost near the crystal nodes to store your loot temporarily.
For advanced players, optimizing crystal gathering involves using multiple Ankylosauruses or even a Quetzalcoatlus with a platform saddle. A Quetzalcoatlus can carry an Ankylosaurus to crystal nodes, allowing you to harvest crystal in hard-to-reach areas without risking your dinosaurÔÇÖs safety. Additionally, using a whip can help you gather crystal more efficiently by increasing the yield per hit.
Resource management is crucial when gathering crystal. Ensure you have enough storage space in your base to hold the crystal, as it can quickly fill up your inventory. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to gather crystal in large quantities. One player can focus on harvesting while others provide protection or transport the crystal back to base.
In solo play, the process is more challenging but still manageable. Focus on taming an Ankylosaurus as soon as possible, as it will significantly speed up your crystal gathering. Use a flying mount like an Argentavis to scout crystal locations and transport your Ankylosaurus to the nodes. Always be cautious of your surroundings and avoid overextending yourself, as dying in a remote area can result in losing your gear and resources.
In summary, gathering crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved requires preparation, the right tools or dinosaurs, and careful planning. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, using an Ankylosaurus is the most efficient method, but a metal pickaxe can suffice in the early game. Always be aware of the dangers in crystal-rich areas and manage your resources wisely to ensure a successful gathering trip. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to collect crystal efficiently and progress further in the game.
Crystal is a resource that spawns in specific locations across the map, often in mountainous or rocky areas. It appears as large, shiny, blue-white formations that can be harvested using tools or dinosaurs. The most common tools for gathering crystal are the metal pickaxe and the Ankylosaurus, a dinosaur known for its excellent resource-gathering abilities. The Ankylosaurus is particularly effective because it can gather large amounts of crystal quickly and has a weight reduction bonus for carrying it.
To start gathering crystal, you need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have the necessary tools or tamed dinosaurs. If youÔÇÖre early in the game and donÔÇÖt have access to an Ankylosaurus, a metal pickaxe is your best option. Crafting a metal pickaxe requires metal ingots, which are smelted from metal ore in a forge, and wood or thatch for the handle. Once you have your pickaxe, head to areas where crystal spawns. On The Island map, for example, crystal is abundant in the mountains, such as the volcano, the snow biome, and the redwood forest. On other maps, crystal can be found in similar high-altitude or rocky regions.
When gathering crystal, itÔÇÖs important to be aware of the dangers in these areas. Mountainous regions are often home to aggressive creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even the occasional Rex. To avoid being caught off guard, bring weapons for self-defense, such as a crossbow or a firearm, and consider bringing a tamed dinosaur for protection. A high-level Carnotaurus or Rex can serve as both a bodyguard and a pack mule, helping you carry the crystal back to your base.
If youÔÇÖre using an Ankylosaurus, the process becomes much easier. Tame an Ankylosaurus by knocking it out with tranquilizer arrows or darts and feeding it vegetables or kibble. Once tamed, level up its melee damage and weight capacity to improve its efficiency. When you reach a crystal node, use the AnkylosaurusÔÇÖs tail attack to harvest the crystal. The Ankylosaurus not only gathers more crystal per hit than a pickaxe but also reduces the weight of the crystal in its inventory, allowing you to carry more before becoming encumbered.
One common mistake players make is venturing into crystal-rich areas without proper preparation. Always bring enough food, water, and medical supplies, as well as tools for repairing your equipment. Another mistake is overloading your inventory or your dinosaurÔÇÖs inventory, which can slow you down and make you vulnerable to attacks. To avoid this, plan your trips carefully and consider setting up a small outpost near the crystal nodes to store your loot temporarily.
For advanced players, optimizing crystal gathering involves using multiple Ankylosauruses or even a Quetzalcoatlus with a platform saddle. A Quetzalcoatlus can carry an Ankylosaurus to crystal nodes, allowing you to harvest crystal in hard-to-reach areas without risking your dinosaurÔÇÖs safety. Additionally, using a whip can help you gather crystal more efficiently by increasing the yield per hit.
Resource management is crucial when gathering crystal. Ensure you have enough storage space in your base to hold the crystal, as it can quickly fill up your inventory. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to gather crystal in large quantities. One player can focus on harvesting while others provide protection or transport the crystal back to base.
In solo play, the process is more challenging but still manageable. Focus on taming an Ankylosaurus as soon as possible, as it will significantly speed up your crystal gathering. Use a flying mount like an Argentavis to scout crystal locations and transport your Ankylosaurus to the nodes. Always be cautious of your surroundings and avoid overextending yourself, as dying in a remote area can result in losing your gear and resources.
In summary, gathering crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved requires preparation, the right tools or dinosaurs, and careful planning. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, using an Ankylosaurus is the most efficient method, but a metal pickaxe can suffice in the early game. Always be aware of the dangers in crystal-rich areas and manage your resources wisely to ensure a successful gathering trip. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to collect crystal efficiently and progress further in the game.