What are the best ways to farm chitin or keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming chitin and keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved is essential for crafting items like cementing paste, saddles, and armor. Both resources are primarily obtained from killing certain creatures, and the methods for farming them can vary depending on your progress in the game, the map you are on, and whether you are playing solo or in a tribe. Here is a detailed guide to help you efficiently gather these resources.
Chitin and keratin are dropped by creatures like trilobites, scorpions, spiders, mantises, and arthropluera. Keratin can also be obtained from creatures like turtles, rhinos, and certain dinosaurs with horns. The mechanics are straightforward: you kill these creatures, and they drop chitin or keratin when harvested. However, the amount you get depends on the tool or creature you use for harvesting. For example, using a metal hatchet or a tamed Sabertooth will yield more chitin or keratin compared to using a stone hatchet or your fists.
To start farming chitin or keratin, you need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have the right tools. A metal hatchet is the most efficient tool for harvesting these resources, but if you are early in the game, a stone hatchet will work. If you have tamed creatures, a Sabertooth, Megatherium, or Direwolf are excellent choices for harvesting chitin and keratin. These creatures have high damage and harvesting multipliers, making them ideal for this task. Additionally, bring a strong mount for protection, as many of the creatures that drop chitin and keratin are hostile.
One of the best early-game strategies is to hunt trilobites along beaches or shallow waters. Trilobites are passive creatures that drop both chitin and keratin when killed. They are easy to kill and pose no threat, making them ideal for beginners. However, they are not very common, so this method is more suited for small-scale farming.
For more efficient farming, head to caves. Caves are filled with creatures like scorpions, spiders, and arthropluera, which drop large amounts of chitin. The Swamp Cave on The Island is particularly famous for its high chitin yield. However, caves are dangerous, so you need to be well-prepared. Bring a strong mount like a Sabertooth or Megatherium, and equip yourself with armor, weapons, and medical supplies. The Megatherium is especially useful in caves because it gets a buff called "Insect Killer" after killing an insect, which increases its damage and harvesting efficiency.
If you are playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize efficiency. One player can focus on killing creatures while another uses a high-harvesting creature to gather resources. This division of labor can significantly speed up the process. Additionally, tribes can set up small outposts near caves or resource-rich areas to store tools and supplies, reducing downtime.
A common mistake is underestimating the dangers of caves. Many players enter caves without proper preparation and end up losing their gear or tames. Always scout the area first, and if possible, clear it of threats before bringing in your harvesting creatures. Another mistake is using low-tier tools or creatures for harvesting. While a stone hatchet or a low-level Sabertooth can get the job done, they are far less efficient than their higher-tier counterparts.
Advanced techniques include using a chainsaw for harvesting. The chainsaw is one of the most efficient tools for gathering chitin and keratin, but it requires gasoline and is expensive to craft. If you have access to a chainsaw, it can significantly increase your resource yield. Another advanced strategy is breeding Megatheriums specifically for cave runs. A high-level Megatherium with good stats can clear caves quickly and harvest massive amounts of chitin.
Resource requirements and preparation depend on your chosen method. For cave runs, you need strong armor, weapons, and medical supplies. If you are using tames, ensure they are well-fed and have high health and damage stats. For beach runs, minimal preparation is needed, but you should still bring a mount for protection and storage.
In conclusion, farming chitin and keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you are hunting trilobites on the beach or clearing caves filled with dangerous creatures, having the right tools and tames is crucial. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently gather the resources needed for crafting and progression.
Chitin and keratin are dropped by creatures like trilobites, scorpions, spiders, mantises, and arthropluera. Keratin can also be obtained from creatures like turtles, rhinos, and certain dinosaurs with horns. The mechanics are straightforward: you kill these creatures, and they drop chitin or keratin when harvested. However, the amount you get depends on the tool or creature you use for harvesting. For example, using a metal hatchet or a tamed Sabertooth will yield more chitin or keratin compared to using a stone hatchet or your fists.
To start farming chitin or keratin, you need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have the right tools. A metal hatchet is the most efficient tool for harvesting these resources, but if you are early in the game, a stone hatchet will work. If you have tamed creatures, a Sabertooth, Megatherium, or Direwolf are excellent choices for harvesting chitin and keratin. These creatures have high damage and harvesting multipliers, making them ideal for this task. Additionally, bring a strong mount for protection, as many of the creatures that drop chitin and keratin are hostile.
One of the best early-game strategies is to hunt trilobites along beaches or shallow waters. Trilobites are passive creatures that drop both chitin and keratin when killed. They are easy to kill and pose no threat, making them ideal for beginners. However, they are not very common, so this method is more suited for small-scale farming.
For more efficient farming, head to caves. Caves are filled with creatures like scorpions, spiders, and arthropluera, which drop large amounts of chitin. The Swamp Cave on The Island is particularly famous for its high chitin yield. However, caves are dangerous, so you need to be well-prepared. Bring a strong mount like a Sabertooth or Megatherium, and equip yourself with armor, weapons, and medical supplies. The Megatherium is especially useful in caves because it gets a buff called "Insect Killer" after killing an insect, which increases its damage and harvesting efficiency.
If you are playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize efficiency. One player can focus on killing creatures while another uses a high-harvesting creature to gather resources. This division of labor can significantly speed up the process. Additionally, tribes can set up small outposts near caves or resource-rich areas to store tools and supplies, reducing downtime.
A common mistake is underestimating the dangers of caves. Many players enter caves without proper preparation and end up losing their gear or tames. Always scout the area first, and if possible, clear it of threats before bringing in your harvesting creatures. Another mistake is using low-tier tools or creatures for harvesting. While a stone hatchet or a low-level Sabertooth can get the job done, they are far less efficient than their higher-tier counterparts.
Advanced techniques include using a chainsaw for harvesting. The chainsaw is one of the most efficient tools for gathering chitin and keratin, but it requires gasoline and is expensive to craft. If you have access to a chainsaw, it can significantly increase your resource yield. Another advanced strategy is breeding Megatheriums specifically for cave runs. A high-level Megatherium with good stats can clear caves quickly and harvest massive amounts of chitin.
Resource requirements and preparation depend on your chosen method. For cave runs, you need strong armor, weapons, and medical supplies. If you are using tames, ensure they are well-fed and have high health and damage stats. For beach runs, minimal preparation is needed, but you should still bring a mount for protection and storage.
In conclusion, farming chitin and keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you are hunting trilobites on the beach or clearing caves filled with dangerous creatures, having the right tools and tames is crucial. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently gather the resources needed for crafting and progression.