What is the best way to gather sap in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering sap in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential task for crafting various items, including tree platforms, greenhouse structures, and certain consumables. Sap is primarily obtained from specific trees called Redwood Trees or by using a Tree Sap Tap. Understanding the mechanics and strategies for efficient sap collection is crucial for both solo players and tribes.
To gather sap, you need to locate Redwood Trees, which are found in the Redwood Forest biome on most maps. These trees are tall and distinct, making them easy to identify. Once you find a Redwood Tree, you can place a Tree Sap Tap on it. The Tree Sap Tap is a structure that can be crafted using engrams unlocked at level 20. The crafting recipe requires 15 wood, 25 thatch, and 10 cementing paste. Cementing paste can be obtained by combining chitin or keratin with stone in a mortar and pestle or by harvesting it from certain creatures like Beavers or Achatina.
To place a Tree Sap Tap, approach a Redwood Tree and look for a flat section of the trunk. The tap must be placed at a specific height, usually around the middle of the tree. Once placed, the tap will slowly collect sap over time. Each tap can hold up to 100 sap, and it takes approximately 30 minutes to fill completely. You can place multiple taps on different trees to increase your sap yield.
One important tip is to place your taps in a secure area. The Redwood Forest is home to dangerous creatures like Thylacoleos and Microraptors, which can pose a threat while you are setting up or collecting sap. Bringing a tamed dinosaur for protection, such as a Carnotaurus or a pack of Raptors, can help you stay safe. Additionally, building a small outpost nearby with storage boxes and a bed can make the process more efficient, allowing you to store sap and respawn if needed.
A common mistake is placing taps too close to the ground or in areas where they can be easily destroyed by wild creatures or other players in PvP servers. Ensure your taps are placed high enough to avoid ground-based threats. Another mistake is not checking the taps regularly. Sap collection is passive, but if you leave the taps unattended for too long, they will stop producing once they reach their maximum capacity.
For advanced techniques, consider using a flying mount like an Argentavis or a Quetzal to place taps higher up on the trees, reducing the risk of them being destroyed. You can also use a platform saddle on a Quetzal to create a mobile base for sap collection, allowing you to transport multiple taps and storage containers. This method is particularly useful for tribes looking to maximize efficiency.
Resource management is key when setting up sap collection. Ensure you have enough materials to craft multiple taps and consider bringing extra cementing paste and thatch for repairs. If you are playing solo, prioritize placing taps in a safe area and check them frequently. For tribes, coordinating with members to cover larger areas of the Redwood Forest can significantly increase sap production.
In specific scenarios, such as on PvP servers, it is crucial to defend your sap collection area. Building a small fortified base around your taps can deter raiders. Using turrets or tamed dinosaurs for defense can also help protect your resources. On PvE servers, focus on optimizing the placement of taps and ensuring you have enough storage to handle the sap yield.
In conclusion, gathering sap in ARK: Survival Evolved involves locating Redwood Trees, crafting and placing Tree Sap Taps, and managing the collection process efficiently. By following these strategies, avoiding common mistakes, and utilizing advanced techniques, you can ensure a steady supply of sap for your crafting needs. Whether playing solo or as part of a tribe, careful planning and resource management will help you thrive in the game.
To gather sap, you need to locate Redwood Trees, which are found in the Redwood Forest biome on most maps. These trees are tall and distinct, making them easy to identify. Once you find a Redwood Tree, you can place a Tree Sap Tap on it. The Tree Sap Tap is a structure that can be crafted using engrams unlocked at level 20. The crafting recipe requires 15 wood, 25 thatch, and 10 cementing paste. Cementing paste can be obtained by combining chitin or keratin with stone in a mortar and pestle or by harvesting it from certain creatures like Beavers or Achatina.
To place a Tree Sap Tap, approach a Redwood Tree and look for a flat section of the trunk. The tap must be placed at a specific height, usually around the middle of the tree. Once placed, the tap will slowly collect sap over time. Each tap can hold up to 100 sap, and it takes approximately 30 minutes to fill completely. You can place multiple taps on different trees to increase your sap yield.
One important tip is to place your taps in a secure area. The Redwood Forest is home to dangerous creatures like Thylacoleos and Microraptors, which can pose a threat while you are setting up or collecting sap. Bringing a tamed dinosaur for protection, such as a Carnotaurus or a pack of Raptors, can help you stay safe. Additionally, building a small outpost nearby with storage boxes and a bed can make the process more efficient, allowing you to store sap and respawn if needed.
A common mistake is placing taps too close to the ground or in areas where they can be easily destroyed by wild creatures or other players in PvP servers. Ensure your taps are placed high enough to avoid ground-based threats. Another mistake is not checking the taps regularly. Sap collection is passive, but if you leave the taps unattended for too long, they will stop producing once they reach their maximum capacity.
For advanced techniques, consider using a flying mount like an Argentavis or a Quetzal to place taps higher up on the trees, reducing the risk of them being destroyed. You can also use a platform saddle on a Quetzal to create a mobile base for sap collection, allowing you to transport multiple taps and storage containers. This method is particularly useful for tribes looking to maximize efficiency.
Resource management is key when setting up sap collection. Ensure you have enough materials to craft multiple taps and consider bringing extra cementing paste and thatch for repairs. If you are playing solo, prioritize placing taps in a safe area and check them frequently. For tribes, coordinating with members to cover larger areas of the Redwood Forest can significantly increase sap production.
In specific scenarios, such as on PvP servers, it is crucial to defend your sap collection area. Building a small fortified base around your taps can deter raiders. Using turrets or tamed dinosaurs for defense can also help protect your resources. On PvE servers, focus on optimizing the placement of taps and ensuring you have enough storage to handle the sap yield.
In conclusion, gathering sap in ARK: Survival Evolved involves locating Redwood Trees, crafting and placing Tree Sap Taps, and managing the collection process efficiently. By following these strategies, avoiding common mistakes, and utilizing advanced techniques, you can ensure a steady supply of sap for your crafting needs. Whether playing solo or as part of a tribe, careful planning and resource management will help you thrive in the game.