What are the best ways to farm oil in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming oil in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial task for mid to late-game progression, as oil is used to craft essential items like gasoline, polymer, and advanced tools. Oil can be found in various locations across the maps, and the methods for gathering it depend on the map you are playing on and your current progression level. Below is a detailed guide on how to efficiently farm oil, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.
Oil can be obtained in several ways: harvesting oil nodes, killing certain creatures, or using oil pumps. Oil nodes are the most common source and are found in specific biomes, such as underwater areas, snowy regions, or desert environments. On The Island, for example, oil nodes are abundant in the underwater caves and the snowy biome near the mountains. On Scorched Earth, oil nodes are found in the desert, while on Aberration, oil is primarily obtained from oil veins in the blue zone or by harvesting certain creatures like the Basilosaurus.
To farm oil from nodes, you will need a pickaxe, an Ankylosaurus, or a metal tool. Ankylosaurus is the most efficient dinosaur for harvesting oil nodes, as it provides a significant yield bonus. If you are in the early game and do not have access to an Ankylosaurus, a metal pickaxe will suffice, though it yields less oil. When harvesting oil nodes, be prepared for hostile creatures, especially in underwater areas or caves. Bring a strong mount like a Baryonyx or a Megalodon for underwater farming, or a Sabertooth or Wolf for snowy regions.
For underwater oil farming, you will need scuba gear or a strong aquatic mount to survive the depths. The Basilosaurus is an excellent choice for underwater oil farming, as it is immune to the stings of Cnidaria and can harvest oil nodes efficiently. Additionally, the Basilosaurus produces oil passively over time, making it a valuable asset for oil farming. If you are farming in the snowy biome, ensure you have fur armor or other cold-resistant gear to avoid freezing.
Another method for farming oil is using an oil pump, which is a structure that can be placed on oil veins. Oil pumps are available on certain maps like Scorched Earth and Ragnarok, and they passively generate oil over time. To use an oil pump, you will need to locate an oil vein, which appears as a black spot on the ground. Place the oil pump on the vein and connect it to a water source using pipes. The oil pump will then produce oil, which can be collected from its inventory. This method is highly efficient but requires advanced resources like cementing paste and metal to craft the pump and pipes.
Killing certain creatures can also yield oil. Trilobites, found along beaches and shallow waters, drop oil when harvested. However, the yield is low, making this method less efficient for large-scale oil farming. Basilosaurus, as mentioned earlier, can be harvested for oil, but they are passive creatures and should not be killed unless necessary. Instead, tame them for their passive oil production.
When farming oil, always consider the dangers of the environment. Underwater areas are filled with predators like Megalodons and Electrophorus, while snowy regions have direwolves and yetis. Bring a strong mount and weapons to defend yourself. Additionally, oil nodes are often located in remote areas, so plan your trips carefully. Bring enough food, water, and tools to avoid being stranded.
For tribes, oil farming can be optimized by assigning roles. One player can focus on gathering oil while others protect them or gather additional resources. In solo play, prioritize safety and efficiency by taming a strong mount and bringing backup supplies. Advanced players can use Tek structures like the Tek Generator, which requires oil to power advanced bases and equipment.
Common mistakes to avoid include venturing into dangerous areas unprepared, overloading your inventory, and neglecting to bring backup tools or mounts. Always scout the area beforehand and plan your route. Advanced techniques include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport an Ankylosaurus to oil-rich areas, or using a Cryopod to easily deploy and store your harvesting dinosaurs.
In summary, oil farming in ARK requires careful planning and preparation. Use the right tools and dinosaurs for the job, be aware of environmental dangers, and optimize your strategy based on your progression level and playstyle. Whether you are farming oil nodes, using oil pumps, or harvesting creatures, efficient oil gathering will significantly enhance your survival and progression in ARK: Survival Evolved.
Oil can be obtained in several ways: harvesting oil nodes, killing certain creatures, or using oil pumps. Oil nodes are the most common source and are found in specific biomes, such as underwater areas, snowy regions, or desert environments. On The Island, for example, oil nodes are abundant in the underwater caves and the snowy biome near the mountains. On Scorched Earth, oil nodes are found in the desert, while on Aberration, oil is primarily obtained from oil veins in the blue zone or by harvesting certain creatures like the Basilosaurus.
To farm oil from nodes, you will need a pickaxe, an Ankylosaurus, or a metal tool. Ankylosaurus is the most efficient dinosaur for harvesting oil nodes, as it provides a significant yield bonus. If you are in the early game and do not have access to an Ankylosaurus, a metal pickaxe will suffice, though it yields less oil. When harvesting oil nodes, be prepared for hostile creatures, especially in underwater areas or caves. Bring a strong mount like a Baryonyx or a Megalodon for underwater farming, or a Sabertooth or Wolf for snowy regions.
For underwater oil farming, you will need scuba gear or a strong aquatic mount to survive the depths. The Basilosaurus is an excellent choice for underwater oil farming, as it is immune to the stings of Cnidaria and can harvest oil nodes efficiently. Additionally, the Basilosaurus produces oil passively over time, making it a valuable asset for oil farming. If you are farming in the snowy biome, ensure you have fur armor or other cold-resistant gear to avoid freezing.
Another method for farming oil is using an oil pump, which is a structure that can be placed on oil veins. Oil pumps are available on certain maps like Scorched Earth and Ragnarok, and they passively generate oil over time. To use an oil pump, you will need to locate an oil vein, which appears as a black spot on the ground. Place the oil pump on the vein and connect it to a water source using pipes. The oil pump will then produce oil, which can be collected from its inventory. This method is highly efficient but requires advanced resources like cementing paste and metal to craft the pump and pipes.
Killing certain creatures can also yield oil. Trilobites, found along beaches and shallow waters, drop oil when harvested. However, the yield is low, making this method less efficient for large-scale oil farming. Basilosaurus, as mentioned earlier, can be harvested for oil, but they are passive creatures and should not be killed unless necessary. Instead, tame them for their passive oil production.
When farming oil, always consider the dangers of the environment. Underwater areas are filled with predators like Megalodons and Electrophorus, while snowy regions have direwolves and yetis. Bring a strong mount and weapons to defend yourself. Additionally, oil nodes are often located in remote areas, so plan your trips carefully. Bring enough food, water, and tools to avoid being stranded.
For tribes, oil farming can be optimized by assigning roles. One player can focus on gathering oil while others protect them or gather additional resources. In solo play, prioritize safety and efficiency by taming a strong mount and bringing backup supplies. Advanced players can use Tek structures like the Tek Generator, which requires oil to power advanced bases and equipment.
Common mistakes to avoid include venturing into dangerous areas unprepared, overloading your inventory, and neglecting to bring backup tools or mounts. Always scout the area beforehand and plan your route. Advanced techniques include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport an Ankylosaurus to oil-rich areas, or using a Cryopod to easily deploy and store your harvesting dinosaurs.
In summary, oil farming in ARK requires careful planning and preparation. Use the right tools and dinosaurs for the job, be aware of environmental dangers, and optimize your strategy based on your progression level and playstyle. Whether you are farming oil nodes, using oil pumps, or harvesting creatures, efficient oil gathering will significantly enhance your survival and progression in ARK: Survival Evolved.