What are the most efficient ways to gather chitin or keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering chitin and keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved is essential for crafting items like cementing paste, armor, and saddles. Both resources are primarily obtained from killing and harvesting certain creatures, but the methods and efficiency vary depending on the tools, tames, and strategies you use. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to gather these resources effectively.
Chitin and keratin are harvested from creatures like trilobites, scorpions, spiders, ants, and mantises. Keratin can also be obtained from creatures like turtles, rhinos, and certain dinosaurs with horns. The most efficient way to gather these resources is by using a tamed creature with high melee damage, such as a Sabertooth, Megatherium, or Direwolf. These creatures have a harvesting bonus for chitin and keratin, making them ideal for farming. For example, a Megatherium gains a massive boost to its damage and harvesting efficiency when it kills insects, making it the best choice for chitin farming in areas with high insect density, such as caves.
To start, youÔÇÖll need to prepare by taming one of these creatures. A Sabertooth is a good early-game option, as itÔÇÖs relatively easy to tame and has decent harvesting capabilities. For mid to late-game, a Megatherium or Direwolf is recommended due to their superior harvesting rates. Once you have your tame, equip it with a saddle for protection and mobility. Bring along a few backup weapons, such as a crossbow or pike, in case you encounter hostile creatures.
The best locations for chitin and keratin farming are caves and areas with high concentrations of the creatures mentioned earlier. On The Island map, the Swamp Cave and the Lower South Cave are excellent spots for chitin farming due to the abundance of insects. For keratin, areas with turtles and rhinos, such as beaches and grasslands, are ideal. On Scorched Earth, the desert areas are filled with scorpions and mantises, while Aberration has a high density of insects in the Bioluminescent Zone.
When farming, focus on killing creatures that drop the most chitin or keratin. For example, scorpions and spiders drop a significant amount of chitin, while turtles and rhinos are great for keratin. Use your tameÔÇÖs attack to harvest the bodies, as they will yield more resources than using tools like a pickaxe or hatchet. If youÔÇÖre using a Megatherium, its Insect Killer buff will significantly increase your chitin yield, making it the most efficient option for insect-heavy areas.
One common mistake is not bringing enough supplies or backup tames. Caves and insect-heavy areas are dangerous, and you may encounter hostile creatures or environmental hazards like poison or radiation. Always bring medical brews, antidotes, and a backup tame in case your primary one dies. Additionally, avoid overextending yourself by farming too far from your base or a safe area. ItÔÇÖs better to make multiple trips than to risk losing your tames and resources.
Advanced techniques include using a chainsaw or a Therizinosaurus for harvesting. A chainsaw can yield large amounts of chitin and keratin from corpses, but it requires gasoline and is less efficient than a high-level tame. A Therizinosaurus, on the other hand, is one of the best all-around harvesters in the game and can gather chitin and keratin efficiently while also being a strong combat mount. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to cover more ground and protect each other while farming. Solo players should focus on taming a strong, versatile creature like a Megatherium or Therizinosaurus to maximize efficiency and safety.
Resource requirements and preparation include having a strong tame, a saddle, and basic supplies like food, water, and medical items. If youÔÇÖre venturing into caves, bring grappling hooks, climbing picks, or a flying mount to navigate tricky terrain. For advanced players, consider using a Tek Suit or other high-tier equipment to increase mobility and survivability.
In summary, the most efficient way to gather chitin and keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved is by using a high-level tame with a harvesting bonus, such as a Megatherium or Direwolf, and targeting areas with high concentrations of insects or keratin-rich creatures. Prepare thoroughly, avoid common mistakes, and consider advanced techniques like using a Therizinosaurus or chainsaw for optimal results. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather the resources you need for crafting and progression.
Chitin and keratin are harvested from creatures like trilobites, scorpions, spiders, ants, and mantises. Keratin can also be obtained from creatures like turtles, rhinos, and certain dinosaurs with horns. The most efficient way to gather these resources is by using a tamed creature with high melee damage, such as a Sabertooth, Megatherium, or Direwolf. These creatures have a harvesting bonus for chitin and keratin, making them ideal for farming. For example, a Megatherium gains a massive boost to its damage and harvesting efficiency when it kills insects, making it the best choice for chitin farming in areas with high insect density, such as caves.
To start, youÔÇÖll need to prepare by taming one of these creatures. A Sabertooth is a good early-game option, as itÔÇÖs relatively easy to tame and has decent harvesting capabilities. For mid to late-game, a Megatherium or Direwolf is recommended due to their superior harvesting rates. Once you have your tame, equip it with a saddle for protection and mobility. Bring along a few backup weapons, such as a crossbow or pike, in case you encounter hostile creatures.
The best locations for chitin and keratin farming are caves and areas with high concentrations of the creatures mentioned earlier. On The Island map, the Swamp Cave and the Lower South Cave are excellent spots for chitin farming due to the abundance of insects. For keratin, areas with turtles and rhinos, such as beaches and grasslands, are ideal. On Scorched Earth, the desert areas are filled with scorpions and mantises, while Aberration has a high density of insects in the Bioluminescent Zone.
When farming, focus on killing creatures that drop the most chitin or keratin. For example, scorpions and spiders drop a significant amount of chitin, while turtles and rhinos are great for keratin. Use your tameÔÇÖs attack to harvest the bodies, as they will yield more resources than using tools like a pickaxe or hatchet. If youÔÇÖre using a Megatherium, its Insect Killer buff will significantly increase your chitin yield, making it the most efficient option for insect-heavy areas.
One common mistake is not bringing enough supplies or backup tames. Caves and insect-heavy areas are dangerous, and you may encounter hostile creatures or environmental hazards like poison or radiation. Always bring medical brews, antidotes, and a backup tame in case your primary one dies. Additionally, avoid overextending yourself by farming too far from your base or a safe area. ItÔÇÖs better to make multiple trips than to risk losing your tames and resources.
Advanced techniques include using a chainsaw or a Therizinosaurus for harvesting. A chainsaw can yield large amounts of chitin and keratin from corpses, but it requires gasoline and is less efficient than a high-level tame. A Therizinosaurus, on the other hand, is one of the best all-around harvesters in the game and can gather chitin and keratin efficiently while also being a strong combat mount. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to cover more ground and protect each other while farming. Solo players should focus on taming a strong, versatile creature like a Megatherium or Therizinosaurus to maximize efficiency and safety.
Resource requirements and preparation include having a strong tame, a saddle, and basic supplies like food, water, and medical items. If youÔÇÖre venturing into caves, bring grappling hooks, climbing picks, or a flying mount to navigate tricky terrain. For advanced players, consider using a Tek Suit or other high-tier equipment to increase mobility and survivability.
In summary, the most efficient way to gather chitin and keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved is by using a high-level tame with a harvesting bonus, such as a Megatherium or Direwolf, and targeting areas with high concentrations of insects or keratin-rich creatures. Prepare thoroughly, avoid common mistakes, and consider advanced techniques like using a Therizinosaurus or chainsaw for optimal results. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather the resources you need for crafting and progression.