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 creatures with exoskeletons or shells, such as trilobites, scorpions, mantises, and certain insects. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to efficiently gather these materials.

To start, chitin and keratin are dropped by specific creatures when killed. Chitin is more commonly found in creatures like trilobites, scorpions, spiders, and arthropluera, while keratin is typically dropped by creatures like turtles, carnos, and certain dinosaurs with horns or shells. The key to efficient farming is targeting the right creatures and using the right tools or dinosaurs to maximize your yield.

One of the most effective ways to gather chitin is by using a tamed Sabertooth or Megatherium. The Sabertooth has a high damage output and can quickly kill smaller creatures like scorpions and spiders, while the Megatherium gains a temporary buff called "Insect Killer" after killing insects, which significantly increases its damage and harvesting efficiency. For keratin, a tamed Direwolf or Therizinosaurus is highly effective, as they can quickly dispatch creatures like turtles and carnos.

When preparing for a chitin or keratin farming run, ensure you have the right tools and dinosaurs. A metal pick or hatchet can be used to harvest chitin and keratin manually, but using a tamed dinosaur is far more efficient. Additionally, bring a flyer like an Argentavis or Pteranodon to carry your tamed dinosaur to resource-rich areas, such as caves or insect-heavy regions. Caves are particularly good for chitin farming, as they are filled with scorpions, spiders, and arthropluera. However, caves are dangerous, so bring a strong mount and be prepared for combat.

For solo players, focus on taming a Sabertooth or Megatherium early on. These dinosaurs are relatively easy to tame and can significantly boost your chitin and keratin gathering. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to cover more ground and protect each other while farming. For example, one player can focus on killing creatures while another gathers the resources, or you can split up to cover multiple caves or regions.

A common mistake is underestimating the dangers of farming in caves or insect-heavy areas. Always bring a strong mount, healing items, and backup weapons. Another mistake is not using the right tools or dinosaurs, which can result in lower yields. For example, using a stone pick instead of a metal one or not using a Megatherium for insect farming will reduce your efficiency.

Advanced techniques include using a chainsaw, which can harvest large amounts of chitin and keratin from corpses, though it requires gasoline and is more resource-intensive. Another optimization is breeding and imprinting a Megatherium or Sabertooth to increase their damage and harvesting efficiency. Additionally, using a whip can help gather resources from corpses more quickly, though itÔÇÖs less effective than using a dinosaur.

Resource requirements for farming chitin and keratin include a strong mount, weapons, and tools. For example, taming a Sabertooth requires raw meat and narcotics, while taming a Megatherium requires vegetables or kibble. YouÔÇÖll also need a saddle for your mount, which requires hide, fiber, and chitin or keratin. Preparing these items in advance will make your farming runs smoother.

Specific examples of good farming locations include the Swamp Cave on The Island, which is filled with insects and provides a high yield of chitin. For keratin, the beaches and forests are good spots to find turtles and carnos. On Scorched Earth, the desert areas are filled with scorpions and mantises, making them ideal for chitin farming.

In summary, efficient chitin and keratin farming in ARK requires the right tools, dinosaurs, and preparation. Focus on taming a Sabertooth or Megatherium for chitin and a Direwolf or Therizinosaurus for keratin. Use caves and insect-heavy areas for high yields, but be prepared for combat. Avoid common mistakes like using inefficient tools or underestimating dangers, and consider advanced techniques like using a chainsaw or breeding stronger dinosaurs. With the right strategy, you can gather large amounts of chitin and keratin to support your crafting and progression in the game.