What is the best way to gather metal ingots in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering metal ingots in ARK: Survival Evolved is a critical part of progressing in the game, as metal is used to craft advanced tools, weapons, armor, and structures. To efficiently gather metal ingots, you need to understand the mechanics of metal nodes, refining metal into ingots, and optimizing your resource-gathering process. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you master this process.
First, you need to locate metal nodes. Metal nodes are large, shiny rocks that are typically found in mountainous or rocky areas. On The Island map, for example, the best locations for metal nodes are mountains like the Volcano, FarÔÇÖs Peak, and the mountain near the Red Obelisk. These nodes are often guarded by dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, or even Rexes, so be prepared for combat or bring a tamed dinosaur for protection.
Once youÔÇÖve located metal nodes, youÔÇÖll need the right tools to harvest them. A metal pickaxe is the most efficient tool for gathering metal, as it yields more metal ore compared to a stone pickaxe. If you donÔÇÖt have a metal pickaxe yet, a stone pickaxe will work, but it will take longer to gather the same amount of ore. Additionally, using a tamed dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus can significantly speed up the process. The Ankylosaurus has a special ability that allows it to gather metal ore more efficiently than any tool, and it can carry a large amount of weight, making it ideal for mining expeditions.
After gathering metal ore, youÔÇÖll need to refine it into metal ingots. This is done using a refining forge. To craft a refining forge, youÔÇÖll need stone, wood, fiber, and hide. Place the forge in a safe location, such as your base, and load it with metal ore and fuel, such as wood or thatch. The forge will slowly convert the metal ore into metal ingots over time. A more advanced option is the industrial forge, which processes metal ore much faster but requires a significant amount of resources to craft, including cementing paste, metal ingots, and electronics.
To optimize your metal-gathering process, consider building a base near a metal-rich area. This reduces the time spent traveling back and forth between your base and the metal nodes. However, be cautious when choosing a base location, as mountainous areas are often dangerous and may attract hostile players in PvP servers. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, consider building a small outpost with a bed and storage near the metal nodes to minimize travel time.
When gathering metal, always bring a tamed dinosaur for protection and transportation. A flying mount like an Argentavis is particularly useful, as it can carry both you and the Ankylosaurus to and from the metal nodes. The Argentavis also has a weight reduction bonus for metal, making it easier to transport large quantities of ore. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize efficiency. For example, one player can focus on mining while another handles transportation and defense.
One common mistake to avoid is overloading your inventory or your dinosaurÔÇÖs inventory with metal ore. Metal ore is extremely heavy, and carrying too much can slow you down or prevent you from moving altogether. To avoid this, use dinosaurs with high weight capacity, such as the Argentavis or a pack of Parasaurs, to transport the ore. Additionally, consider crafting a storage box or a vault near the mining site to temporarily store the ore before transporting it to your base.
Advanced players can optimize their metal-gathering process by using industrial equipment. The industrial grinder, for example, can break down unwanted items into raw materials, including metal. This is a great way to recycle old tools or structures and recover metal ingots. Additionally, using a Quetzal with a platform saddle and an Ankylosaurus allows you to mine metal nodes while airborne, reducing the risk of encountering ground-based threats.
In summary, gathering metal ingots in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Locate metal nodes in mountainous areas, use the right tools and dinosaurs for mining, and refine the ore into ingots using a forge. Optimize your process by building a base or outpost near metal-rich areas, and use flying mounts for transportation. Avoid overloading your inventory, and consider using industrial equipment for advanced optimization. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you efficiently gather metal ingots and progress in the game.
First, you need to locate metal nodes. Metal nodes are large, shiny rocks that are typically found in mountainous or rocky areas. On The Island map, for example, the best locations for metal nodes are mountains like the Volcano, FarÔÇÖs Peak, and the mountain near the Red Obelisk. These nodes are often guarded by dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus, Raptors, or even Rexes, so be prepared for combat or bring a tamed dinosaur for protection.
Once youÔÇÖve located metal nodes, youÔÇÖll need the right tools to harvest them. A metal pickaxe is the most efficient tool for gathering metal, as it yields more metal ore compared to a stone pickaxe. If you donÔÇÖt have a metal pickaxe yet, a stone pickaxe will work, but it will take longer to gather the same amount of ore. Additionally, using a tamed dinosaur like an Ankylosaurus can significantly speed up the process. The Ankylosaurus has a special ability that allows it to gather metal ore more efficiently than any tool, and it can carry a large amount of weight, making it ideal for mining expeditions.
After gathering metal ore, youÔÇÖll need to refine it into metal ingots. This is done using a refining forge. To craft a refining forge, youÔÇÖll need stone, wood, fiber, and hide. Place the forge in a safe location, such as your base, and load it with metal ore and fuel, such as wood or thatch. The forge will slowly convert the metal ore into metal ingots over time. A more advanced option is the industrial forge, which processes metal ore much faster but requires a significant amount of resources to craft, including cementing paste, metal ingots, and electronics.
To optimize your metal-gathering process, consider building a base near a metal-rich area. This reduces the time spent traveling back and forth between your base and the metal nodes. However, be cautious when choosing a base location, as mountainous areas are often dangerous and may attract hostile players in PvP servers. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, consider building a small outpost with a bed and storage near the metal nodes to minimize travel time.
When gathering metal, always bring a tamed dinosaur for protection and transportation. A flying mount like an Argentavis is particularly useful, as it can carry both you and the Ankylosaurus to and from the metal nodes. The Argentavis also has a weight reduction bonus for metal, making it easier to transport large quantities of ore. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize efficiency. For example, one player can focus on mining while another handles transportation and defense.
One common mistake to avoid is overloading your inventory or your dinosaurÔÇÖs inventory with metal ore. Metal ore is extremely heavy, and carrying too much can slow you down or prevent you from moving altogether. To avoid this, use dinosaurs with high weight capacity, such as the Argentavis or a pack of Parasaurs, to transport the ore. Additionally, consider crafting a storage box or a vault near the mining site to temporarily store the ore before transporting it to your base.
Advanced players can optimize their metal-gathering process by using industrial equipment. The industrial grinder, for example, can break down unwanted items into raw materials, including metal. This is a great way to recycle old tools or structures and recover metal ingots. Additionally, using a Quetzal with a platform saddle and an Ankylosaurus allows you to mine metal nodes while airborne, reducing the risk of encountering ground-based threats.
In summary, gathering metal ingots in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Locate metal nodes in mountainous areas, use the right tools and dinosaurs for mining, and refine the ore into ingots using a forge. Optimize your process by building a base or outpost near metal-rich areas, and use flying mounts for transportation. Avoid overloading your inventory, and consider using industrial equipment for advanced optimization. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you efficiently gather metal ingots and progress in the game.