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 for crafting advanced items like gasoline, polymer, and various industrial structures. The methods for farming oil vary depending on the map, your progression level, and whether you are playing solo or in a tribe. Below is a detailed guide on the best ways to farm oil, covering mechanics, strategies, and considerations.
Oil can be found in several forms across the maps. On most maps, it appears as black nodes on the ground, often near water or in snowy biomes. It can also be harvested from certain creatures like Trilobites, Basilosaurus, and Tusoteuthis. Additionally, oil pumps can be placed on oil nodes in specific locations, providing a steady supply of oil over time. Each method has its own advantages and challenges, so choosing the right approach depends on your resources and goals.
For early to mid-game players, the simplest way to gather oil is by harvesting it from nodes. On The Island, oil nodes are commonly found in the snowy biome around the northwest part of the map and underwater in the ocean. To farm these nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. A pickaxe yields more oil per node, but a hatchet is faster. If you are in a cold biome, make sure to wear fur armor or use a torch to avoid freezing. For underwater nodes, a strong water mount like an Ichthyosaurus or a Megalodon is recommended to avoid predators like Plesiosaurs or Mosasaurs.
For more efficient oil farming, taming creatures like the Ankylosaurus or the Dunkleosteus is highly beneficial. The Ankylosaurus is excellent for land-based oil nodes, as it can gather large amounts of oil quickly. The Dunkleosteus, on the other hand, is specifically designed for underwater oil farming. It has a high weight capacity and can harvest oil nodes in the ocean with ease. If you are playing on a map like Scorched Earth or Aberration, oil nodes are less common, so taming these creatures becomes even more important.
In the late game, oil pumps are the most efficient way to farm oil. These can be placed on oil nodes in specific locations, such as the snowy biome on The Island or the oil fields in the desert on Scorched Earth. Oil pumps require a significant amount of resources to craft, including metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics, so they are best used by tribes or advanced solo players. Once placed, an oil pump will continuously generate oil, but it must be powered by a generator or connected to an electrical grid. Make sure to protect your oil pump with turrets or walls, as they are often targeted by other players in PvP.
Another advanced method for farming oil is by taming and breeding Basilosaurus or Tusoteuthis. Basilosaurus, found in the ocean, naturally produce oil over time, which can be harvested from their inventory. Tusoteuthis, a deep-sea creature, also provides oil when harvested after being killed. These methods are more resource-intensive but can yield large amounts of oil if managed properly.
When farming oil, there are several common mistakes to avoid. One is venturing into dangerous areas without proper preparation. For example, the snowy biome is home to predators like Direwolves and Yetis, so bringing a strong mount or tribe members for protection is essential. Another mistake is neglecting to protect your oil pumps or tamed creatures. In PvP, oil is a highly contested resource, so failing to defend your assets can result in significant losses. Additionally, overloading your inventory or mount with oil can slow you down, making you an easy target for predators or other players. Always plan your trips carefully and consider using a weight-reducing mount like a Argentavis or a Quetzal.
For solo players, farming oil can be more challenging due to the lack of support from tribe members. Focus on taming creatures that can help you gather oil efficiently, such as the Ankylosaurus or Dunkleosteus. Use stealth and caution when venturing into dangerous areas, and consider building small outposts near oil-rich locations to store your resources. For tribes, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as gathering, defending, or transporting oil, to maximize efficiency.
In conclusion, farming oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you are gathering from nodes, using oil pumps, or harvesting from creatures, understanding the mechanics and strategies involved will help you secure this valuable resource. Always consider your environment, protect your assets, and adapt your methods based on your progression level and playstyle. With the right approach, you can ensure a steady supply of oil to fuel your survival and advancement in the game.
Oil can be found in several forms across the maps. On most maps, it appears as black nodes on the ground, often near water or in snowy biomes. It can also be harvested from certain creatures like Trilobites, Basilosaurus, and Tusoteuthis. Additionally, oil pumps can be placed on oil nodes in specific locations, providing a steady supply of oil over time. Each method has its own advantages and challenges, so choosing the right approach depends on your resources and goals.
For early to mid-game players, the simplest way to gather oil is by harvesting it from nodes. On The Island, oil nodes are commonly found in the snowy biome around the northwest part of the map and underwater in the ocean. To farm these nodes, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. A pickaxe yields more oil per node, but a hatchet is faster. If you are in a cold biome, make sure to wear fur armor or use a torch to avoid freezing. For underwater nodes, a strong water mount like an Ichthyosaurus or a Megalodon is recommended to avoid predators like Plesiosaurs or Mosasaurs.
For more efficient oil farming, taming creatures like the Ankylosaurus or the Dunkleosteus is highly beneficial. The Ankylosaurus is excellent for land-based oil nodes, as it can gather large amounts of oil quickly. The Dunkleosteus, on the other hand, is specifically designed for underwater oil farming. It has a high weight capacity and can harvest oil nodes in the ocean with ease. If you are playing on a map like Scorched Earth or Aberration, oil nodes are less common, so taming these creatures becomes even more important.
In the late game, oil pumps are the most efficient way to farm oil. These can be placed on oil nodes in specific locations, such as the snowy biome on The Island or the oil fields in the desert on Scorched Earth. Oil pumps require a significant amount of resources to craft, including metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics, so they are best used by tribes or advanced solo players. Once placed, an oil pump will continuously generate oil, but it must be powered by a generator or connected to an electrical grid. Make sure to protect your oil pump with turrets or walls, as they are often targeted by other players in PvP.
Another advanced method for farming oil is by taming and breeding Basilosaurus or Tusoteuthis. Basilosaurus, found in the ocean, naturally produce oil over time, which can be harvested from their inventory. Tusoteuthis, a deep-sea creature, also provides oil when harvested after being killed. These methods are more resource-intensive but can yield large amounts of oil if managed properly.
When farming oil, there are several common mistakes to avoid. One is venturing into dangerous areas without proper preparation. For example, the snowy biome is home to predators like Direwolves and Yetis, so bringing a strong mount or tribe members for protection is essential. Another mistake is neglecting to protect your oil pumps or tamed creatures. In PvP, oil is a highly contested resource, so failing to defend your assets can result in significant losses. Additionally, overloading your inventory or mount with oil can slow you down, making you an easy target for predators or other players. Always plan your trips carefully and consider using a weight-reducing mount like a Argentavis or a Quetzal.
For solo players, farming oil can be more challenging due to the lack of support from tribe members. Focus on taming creatures that can help you gather oil efficiently, such as the Ankylosaurus or Dunkleosteus. Use stealth and caution when venturing into dangerous areas, and consider building small outposts near oil-rich locations to store your resources. For tribes, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as gathering, defending, or transporting oil, to maximize efficiency.
In conclusion, farming oil in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you are gathering from nodes, using oil pumps, or harvesting from creatures, understanding the mechanics and strategies involved will help you secure this valuable resource. Always consider your environment, protect your assets, and adapt your methods based on your progression level and playstyle. With the right approach, you can ensure a steady supply of oil to fuel your survival and advancement in the game.