What is the best way to gather metal early in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering metal early in ARK: Survival Evolved is crucial for progressing in the game, as metal is required for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and structures. Metal nodes are the primary source of metal, and they are typically found in mountainous or rocky areas. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to efficiently gather metal early in the game, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.
To start gathering metal, you need to locate metal nodes. These nodes are large, shiny rocks with a metallic appearance and are often found in elevated areas like mountains or hills. Early in the game, you may not have access to powerful tools or tamed dinosaurs, so youÔÇÖll need to rely on basic tools like the stone pickaxe. However, the stone pickaxe is not very efficient for gathering metal, so upgrading to a metal pickaxe as soon as possible should be a priority. Metal pickaxes yield significantly more metal per node compared to stone pickaxes.
Before heading out to gather metal, prepare adequately. Craft a few stone pickaxes, as they break easily, and bring some food and water to sustain yourself. If you have access to a bed or sleeping bag, place one near your base to respawn in case of death. Additionally, consider crafting a storage box or a small base near the metal-rich area to store your gathered resources temporarily. This reduces the risk of losing everything if you die during the trip.
When you reach the metal nodes, start mining them with your pickaxe. Each hit will yield metal, flint, and stone. Early on, youÔÇÖll likely gather small amounts of metal, but this is enough to craft essential items like the metal pickaxe, hatchet, and eventually, a forge. The forge is necessary for smelting metal into metal ingots, which are used for crafting advanced items. To smelt metal, youÔÇÖll need to gather wood or thatch to fuel the forge and place the metal inside it.
One common mistake early players make is not prioritizing the metal pickaxe. Using a stone pickaxe for too long slows down your progress, as it yields less metal and breaks frequently. Another mistake is venturing into dangerous areas without proper preparation. Metal nodes are often located in areas with aggressive creatures like raptors or carnivores, so bring weapons like a spear or bow for defense. If possible, tame a small dinosaur like a Parasaur or Trike to help carry resources and provide some protection.
As you progress, consider taming dinosaurs that can help with metal gathering. Ankylosaurus is one of the best dinosaurs for this task, as it can gather large amounts of metal with its tail attack. Taming an Ankylosaurus early can significantly speed up your metal gathering process. Additionally, Argentavis or other flying dinosaurs can help transport heavy metal loads back to your base, saving time and effort.
For solo players, gathering metal can be more challenging due to the lack of support from tribe members. Focus on taming dinosaurs that can assist with gathering and transportation. Build small outposts near metal-rich areas to store resources and respawn if needed. For tribes, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering metal while another provides protection or transports resources. This division of labor makes the process more efficient.
Advanced techniques include using a mining drill or a Doedicurus for gathering stone, which can be used to craft cementing paste for advanced structures. Additionally, setting up a metal farming base near a mountain can streamline the process. Build a forge and storage boxes at the mining site to smelt metal on the spot, reducing the need for multiple trips.
In summary, gathering metal early in ARK requires preparation, efficient tools, and strategic planning. Prioritize crafting a metal pickaxe, tame helpful dinosaurs, and establish safe routes to metal-rich areas. Avoid common mistakes like using stone tools for too long or venturing unprepared into dangerous zones. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to gather metal efficiently and progress through the gameÔÇÖs early stages.
To start gathering metal, you need to locate metal nodes. These nodes are large, shiny rocks with a metallic appearance and are often found in elevated areas like mountains or hills. Early in the game, you may not have access to powerful tools or tamed dinosaurs, so youÔÇÖll need to rely on basic tools like the stone pickaxe. However, the stone pickaxe is not very efficient for gathering metal, so upgrading to a metal pickaxe as soon as possible should be a priority. Metal pickaxes yield significantly more metal per node compared to stone pickaxes.
Before heading out to gather metal, prepare adequately. Craft a few stone pickaxes, as they break easily, and bring some food and water to sustain yourself. If you have access to a bed or sleeping bag, place one near your base to respawn in case of death. Additionally, consider crafting a storage box or a small base near the metal-rich area to store your gathered resources temporarily. This reduces the risk of losing everything if you die during the trip.
When you reach the metal nodes, start mining them with your pickaxe. Each hit will yield metal, flint, and stone. Early on, youÔÇÖll likely gather small amounts of metal, but this is enough to craft essential items like the metal pickaxe, hatchet, and eventually, a forge. The forge is necessary for smelting metal into metal ingots, which are used for crafting advanced items. To smelt metal, youÔÇÖll need to gather wood or thatch to fuel the forge and place the metal inside it.
One common mistake early players make is not prioritizing the metal pickaxe. Using a stone pickaxe for too long slows down your progress, as it yields less metal and breaks frequently. Another mistake is venturing into dangerous areas without proper preparation. Metal nodes are often located in areas with aggressive creatures like raptors or carnivores, so bring weapons like a spear or bow for defense. If possible, tame a small dinosaur like a Parasaur or Trike to help carry resources and provide some protection.
As you progress, consider taming dinosaurs that can help with metal gathering. Ankylosaurus is one of the best dinosaurs for this task, as it can gather large amounts of metal with its tail attack. Taming an Ankylosaurus early can significantly speed up your metal gathering process. Additionally, Argentavis or other flying dinosaurs can help transport heavy metal loads back to your base, saving time and effort.
For solo players, gathering metal can be more challenging due to the lack of support from tribe members. Focus on taming dinosaurs that can assist with gathering and transportation. Build small outposts near metal-rich areas to store resources and respawn if needed. For tribes, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering metal while another provides protection or transports resources. This division of labor makes the process more efficient.
Advanced techniques include using a mining drill or a Doedicurus for gathering stone, which can be used to craft cementing paste for advanced structures. Additionally, setting up a metal farming base near a mountain can streamline the process. Build a forge and storage boxes at the mining site to smelt metal on the spot, reducing the need for multiple trips.
In summary, gathering metal early in ARK requires preparation, efficient tools, and strategic planning. Prioritize crafting a metal pickaxe, tame helpful dinosaurs, and establish safe routes to metal-rich areas. Avoid common mistakes like using stone tools for too long or venturing unprepared into dangerous zones. With these strategies, youÔÇÖll be able to gather metal efficiently and progress through the gameÔÇÖs early stages.