What is the best way to gather crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial task for mid-to-late game progression, as it is used to craft advanced items like electronics, scuba gear, and high-tier weapons. Crystal is a resource that can be found in specific locations across the map, often in mountainous or rocky areas. To gather crystal efficiently, you need to understand the mechanics, prepare properly, and use the right tools and dinosaurs.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of crystal gathering. Crystal nodes are large, shiny, and often blue or white in color. They are typically found in clusters on mountains, caves, or specific biomes like the Snow Biome or the Redwood Forest. To harvest crystal, you need tools like a pickaxe, an Ankylosaurus, or a Metal Pick. The Ankylosaurus is the most efficient way to gather crystal, as it has a high harvesting multiplier for this resource. Using a pickaxe or Metal Pick is less efficient but still viable if you donÔÇÖt have access to an Ankylosaurus.
To start gathering crystal, you need to prepare properly. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, youÔÇÖll need to ensure you have the right tools and a safe way to transport the crystal. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, you can coordinate with others to gather more efficiently. First, craft a Metal Pick if you donÔÇÖt have an Ankylosaurus. Metal Picks are more effective than stone or primitive picks for harvesting crystal. If you have an Ankylosaurus, tame one and level its melee damage, as this increases the amount of crystal it can gather per swing. YouÔÇÖll also want to bring a flying mount like an Argentavis or a Pteranodon to carry the Ankylosaurus to crystal-rich areas, as it is slow and cannot fly.
Next, identify the best locations for crystal. On The Island map, the most common spots are the mountains in the north and northwest, as well as the volcano. On other maps like Ragnarok or Valguero, crystal can be found in large quantities in specific caves or biomes. For example, the Desert Biome in Ragnarok has abundant crystal nodes. Always scout the area beforehand to ensure itÔÇÖs safe and free from predators like Rexes or Carnotaurus.
When you arrive at the crystal location, dismount your flying mount and use your Ankylosaurus or Metal Pick to start gathering. If youÔÇÖre using an Ankylosaurus, position it near the crystal node and use its tail attack to harvest. The Ankylosaurus can gather hundreds of crystal in just a few swings, making it the most efficient method. If youÔÇÖre using a Metal Pick, aim for the center of the crystal node to maximize yield. Be mindful of your weight limit, as crystal is heavy. If youÔÇÖre over-encumbered, youÔÇÖll need to drop some items or use a weight-reducing mount like an Argentavis to transport the crystal back to your base.
One common mistake is not bringing enough supplies or protection. Crystal-rich areas are often dangerous, with aggressive creatures and harsh weather conditions. Always bring food, water, and armor to protect yourself. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, consider bringing a guard dinosaur like a Rex or Spino to fend off predators. Another mistake is not using the right tools or dinosaurs. Using a primitive pickaxe or a low-level Ankylosaurus will result in poor yields, so always upgrade your tools and tame high-level dinosaurs for better efficiency.
For advanced players, there are optimizations you can make to gather crystal even faster. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, assign roles to each member. One player can focus on gathering while another guards the area or transports resources. You can also use a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry the Ankylosaurus, allowing you to gather crystal from hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near crystal-rich locations to store resources and reduce travel time.
In terms of resource requirements, youÔÇÖll need a Metal Pick, a flying mount, and optionally an Ankylosaurus. If youÔÇÖre taming an Ankylosaurus, youÔÇÖll need narcotics, berries, and a large bear trap or bola to immobilize it. For solo players, focus on taming a high-level Ankylosaurus and using a flying mount to transport it. For tribes, coordinate with your members to maximize efficiency and safety.
In conclusion, gathering crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved requires preparation, the right tools, and a good strategy. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, using an Ankylosaurus is the most efficient method, but a Metal Pick can also work in a pinch. Always scout the area for dangers, bring adequate supplies, and consider building an outpost for long-term farming. By following these steps, youÔÇÖll be able to gather crystal efficiently and progress through the gameÔÇÖs advanced crafting tiers.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of crystal gathering. Crystal nodes are large, shiny, and often blue or white in color. They are typically found in clusters on mountains, caves, or specific biomes like the Snow Biome or the Redwood Forest. To harvest crystal, you need tools like a pickaxe, an Ankylosaurus, or a Metal Pick. The Ankylosaurus is the most efficient way to gather crystal, as it has a high harvesting multiplier for this resource. Using a pickaxe or Metal Pick is less efficient but still viable if you donÔÇÖt have access to an Ankylosaurus.
To start gathering crystal, you need to prepare properly. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, youÔÇÖll need to ensure you have the right tools and a safe way to transport the crystal. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, you can coordinate with others to gather more efficiently. First, craft a Metal Pick if you donÔÇÖt have an Ankylosaurus. Metal Picks are more effective than stone or primitive picks for harvesting crystal. If you have an Ankylosaurus, tame one and level its melee damage, as this increases the amount of crystal it can gather per swing. YouÔÇÖll also want to bring a flying mount like an Argentavis or a Pteranodon to carry the Ankylosaurus to crystal-rich areas, as it is slow and cannot fly.
Next, identify the best locations for crystal. On The Island map, the most common spots are the mountains in the north and northwest, as well as the volcano. On other maps like Ragnarok or Valguero, crystal can be found in large quantities in specific caves or biomes. For example, the Desert Biome in Ragnarok has abundant crystal nodes. Always scout the area beforehand to ensure itÔÇÖs safe and free from predators like Rexes or Carnotaurus.
When you arrive at the crystal location, dismount your flying mount and use your Ankylosaurus or Metal Pick to start gathering. If youÔÇÖre using an Ankylosaurus, position it near the crystal node and use its tail attack to harvest. The Ankylosaurus can gather hundreds of crystal in just a few swings, making it the most efficient method. If youÔÇÖre using a Metal Pick, aim for the center of the crystal node to maximize yield. Be mindful of your weight limit, as crystal is heavy. If youÔÇÖre over-encumbered, youÔÇÖll need to drop some items or use a weight-reducing mount like an Argentavis to transport the crystal back to your base.
One common mistake is not bringing enough supplies or protection. Crystal-rich areas are often dangerous, with aggressive creatures and harsh weather conditions. Always bring food, water, and armor to protect yourself. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, consider bringing a guard dinosaur like a Rex or Spino to fend off predators. Another mistake is not using the right tools or dinosaurs. Using a primitive pickaxe or a low-level Ankylosaurus will result in poor yields, so always upgrade your tools and tame high-level dinosaurs for better efficiency.
For advanced players, there are optimizations you can make to gather crystal even faster. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, assign roles to each member. One player can focus on gathering while another guards the area or transports resources. You can also use a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry the Ankylosaurus, allowing you to gather crystal from hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, consider building a small outpost near crystal-rich locations to store resources and reduce travel time.
In terms of resource requirements, youÔÇÖll need a Metal Pick, a flying mount, and optionally an Ankylosaurus. If youÔÇÖre taming an Ankylosaurus, youÔÇÖll need narcotics, berries, and a large bear trap or bola to immobilize it. For solo players, focus on taming a high-level Ankylosaurus and using a flying mount to transport it. For tribes, coordinate with your members to maximize efficiency and safety.
In conclusion, gathering crystal in ARK: Survival Evolved requires preparation, the right tools, and a good strategy. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, using an Ankylosaurus is the most efficient method, but a Metal Pick can also work in a pinch. Always scout the area for dangers, bring adequate supplies, and consider building an outpost for long-term farming. By following these steps, youÔÇÖll be able to gather crystal efficiently and progress through the gameÔÇÖs advanced crafting tiers.