What is the best way to gather polymer in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Polymer is a crucial resource in ARK: Survival Evolved, used for crafting advanced items like weapons, armor, and structures. There are two main types of polymer: organic polymer and regular polymer. Organic polymer is a temporary resource that spoils over time, while regular polymer is crafted and does not spoil. Gathering polymer efficiently requires understanding the mechanics, preparation, and the right strategies.
To gather organic polymer, you need to hunt specific creatures. The most common sources are Kairuku (penguins), Mantis, and Hesperornis. Kairuku are found in cold regions like the snow biome on The Island or the icebergs on Ragnarok. They are passive creatures, so they are easy to kill. Each Kairuku yields a significant amount of organic polymer, making them one of the best sources. Mantis, found in the desert biomes on maps like Scorched Earth or Ragnarok, also drop organic polymer when killed. However, they are aggressive and can be dangerous, so come prepared with weapons or a strong tamed dinosaur. Hesperornis, found near water sources, drop organic polymer when killed, but they are less efficient than Kairuku.
For regular polymer, you need to craft it using obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions or near volcanic areas on most maps. Cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone, or it can be gathered from beaver dams or by taming a Beelzebufo (frog) to produce it passively. Once you have obsidian and cementing paste, you can craft polymer at a fabricator or chemistry bench.
Step-by-step, here is how to gather polymer efficiently. First, decide whether you need organic or regular polymer. If you need organic polymer, head to the snow biome or desert biome depending on your map. Bring a strong tamed dinosaur like a Rex or a pack of Raptors to protect yourself and kill the creatures quickly. For Kairuku, a simple spear or bow will suffice, but for Mantis, you will need better weapons or a strong mount. Once you kill the creatures, harvest their bodies using a metal hatchet or a chainsaw for maximum yield. Be aware that organic polymer spoils, so use it quickly or store it in a preserving bin with preserving salts to extend its lifespan.
If you need regular polymer, gather obsidian and cementing paste first. Use an Ankylosaurus to mine obsidian efficiently, as it has a weight reduction for metal and obsidian. For cementing paste, either farm chitin from insects like Trilobites or Araneo, or tame a Beelzebufo to produce it passively. Once you have the materials, craft the polymer at a fabricator or chemistry bench.
Important tips include always carrying preserving salts if you are gathering organic polymer, as it spoils quickly. For regular polymer, focus on taming an Ankylosaurus and a Beelzebufo to make the process more efficient. Avoid gathering organic polymer in large quantities unless you have a plan to use it immediately, as it will spoil and be wasted.
Common mistakes include not preparing properly for the dangers of the snow or desert biomes. Always bring warm clothing or desert gear, and have a strong mount to protect yourself. Another mistake is not using the right tools for harvesting. A metal hatchet or chainsaw will yield more polymer than a stone tool.
Advanced techniques include setting up a base near a polymer source to reduce travel time. For example, building near the snow biome on The Island or near the desert on Scorched Earth can save time. You can also use a Quetzal or Argentavis to transport large amounts of obsidian or organic polymer back to your base.
Resource requirements include warm or desert gear, weapons, and a strong mount. For regular polymer, you will need a fabricator or chemistry bench, obsidian, and cementing paste. For organic polymer, you need a metal hatchet or chainsaw and preserving salts.
Tribe considerations include assigning roles to tribe members. One person can focus on gathering obsidian, another on cementing paste, and another on hunting for organic polymer. Solo players should focus on taming an Ankylosaurus and Beelzebufo to make the process more manageable.
Specific examples include setting up a small outpost near the snow biome on The Island to farm Kairuku. Another example is taming a Beelzebufo and using it to gather cementing paste from insects in the swamp biome. These strategies will help you gather polymer efficiently and progress in the game.
To gather organic polymer, you need to hunt specific creatures. The most common sources are Kairuku (penguins), Mantis, and Hesperornis. Kairuku are found in cold regions like the snow biome on The Island or the icebergs on Ragnarok. They are passive creatures, so they are easy to kill. Each Kairuku yields a significant amount of organic polymer, making them one of the best sources. Mantis, found in the desert biomes on maps like Scorched Earth or Ragnarok, also drop organic polymer when killed. However, they are aggressive and can be dangerous, so come prepared with weapons or a strong tamed dinosaur. Hesperornis, found near water sources, drop organic polymer when killed, but they are less efficient than Kairuku.
For regular polymer, you need to craft it using obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions or near volcanic areas on most maps. Cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone, or it can be gathered from beaver dams or by taming a Beelzebufo (frog) to produce it passively. Once you have obsidian and cementing paste, you can craft polymer at a fabricator or chemistry bench.
Step-by-step, here is how to gather polymer efficiently. First, decide whether you need organic or regular polymer. If you need organic polymer, head to the snow biome or desert biome depending on your map. Bring a strong tamed dinosaur like a Rex or a pack of Raptors to protect yourself and kill the creatures quickly. For Kairuku, a simple spear or bow will suffice, but for Mantis, you will need better weapons or a strong mount. Once you kill the creatures, harvest their bodies using a metal hatchet or a chainsaw for maximum yield. Be aware that organic polymer spoils, so use it quickly or store it in a preserving bin with preserving salts to extend its lifespan.
If you need regular polymer, gather obsidian and cementing paste first. Use an Ankylosaurus to mine obsidian efficiently, as it has a weight reduction for metal and obsidian. For cementing paste, either farm chitin from insects like Trilobites or Araneo, or tame a Beelzebufo to produce it passively. Once you have the materials, craft the polymer at a fabricator or chemistry bench.
Important tips include always carrying preserving salts if you are gathering organic polymer, as it spoils quickly. For regular polymer, focus on taming an Ankylosaurus and a Beelzebufo to make the process more efficient. Avoid gathering organic polymer in large quantities unless you have a plan to use it immediately, as it will spoil and be wasted.
Common mistakes include not preparing properly for the dangers of the snow or desert biomes. Always bring warm clothing or desert gear, and have a strong mount to protect yourself. Another mistake is not using the right tools for harvesting. A metal hatchet or chainsaw will yield more polymer than a stone tool.
Advanced techniques include setting up a base near a polymer source to reduce travel time. For example, building near the snow biome on The Island or near the desert on Scorched Earth can save time. You can also use a Quetzal or Argentavis to transport large amounts of obsidian or organic polymer back to your base.
Resource requirements include warm or desert gear, weapons, and a strong mount. For regular polymer, you will need a fabricator or chemistry bench, obsidian, and cementing paste. For organic polymer, you need a metal hatchet or chainsaw and preserving salts.
Tribe considerations include assigning roles to tribe members. One person can focus on gathering obsidian, another on cementing paste, and another on hunting for organic polymer. Solo players should focus on taming an Ankylosaurus and Beelzebufo to make the process more manageable.
Specific examples include setting up a small outpost near the snow biome on The Island to farm Kairuku. Another example is taming a Beelzebufo and using it to gather cementing paste from insects in the swamp biome. These strategies will help you gather polymer efficiently and progress in the game.