What are the most efficient ways to gather thatch in the early game in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Gathering thatch efficiently in the early game of ARK: Survival Evolved is crucial for building structures, crafting tools, and progressing through the game. Thatch is primarily obtained by harvesting trees, and while it may seem straightforward, there are several strategies and considerations to maximize your efficiency.
To start, the most basic way to gather thatch is by using your fists or a stone pickaxe. However, using your fists is highly inefficient and should only be done in emergencies. The stone pickaxe is a significant improvement, but it still yields a relatively low amount of thatch compared to other tools. Early on, you should prioritize crafting a stone pickaxe as soon as possible. This requires gathering stone and wood, which can be found on the ground or by hitting rocks and trees with your fists or a primitive tool.
Once you have a stone pickaxe, you can start gathering thatch more effectively. However, the real game-changer comes when you tame a dinosaur that specializes in harvesting resources. For thatch, the best early-game dinosaur is the Trike (Triceratops). Taming a Trike requires narcotics, which are made from spoiled meat and narcoberries, and mejoberries or other berries as the primary food source. Once tamed, the Trike can gather large amounts of thatch from trees with its primary attack. This is much faster and more efficient than using a pickaxe.
Another excellent dinosaur for gathering thatch is the Brontosaurus. While it is much larger and harder to tame than a Trike, it can gather massive amounts of thatch in a short amount of time. Taming a Bronto requires a significant amount of resources and preparation, including a large amount of narcotics and a safe area to perform the taming process. However, the payoff is substantial, as a Bronto can clear entire forests of thatch in minutes.
In addition to using dinosaurs, there are other tools and techniques to optimize thatch gathering. The metal hatchet, which becomes available later in the game, is more efficient than the stone pickaxe for gathering thatch. However, crafting a metal hatchet requires metal ingots, which are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge. This means you need to have progressed far enough to build a forge and gather the necessary resources.
When gathering thatch, it is important to consider your surroundings. Trees are abundant in most biomes, but some areas have denser forests, which can yield more thatch in a shorter amount of time. However, these areas may also be more dangerous, with predators and other threats. Always be aware of your surroundings and have a plan for escape if necessary.
One common mistake early players make is not managing their inventory efficiently. Thatch can quickly fill up your inventory, leaving little room for other essential items. To avoid this, consider building storage containers near your harvesting area or using a dinosaur with a high carry weight to transport the thatch back to your base.
For solo players, taming a Trike or Bronto can be a game-changer, but it requires careful planning and resource management. Make sure you have enough narcotics and food to complete the taming process, and be prepared to defend yourself and your dinosaur from predators. For tribes, coordinating efforts can make the process much easier. One player can focus on gathering resources for taming, while another can scout for a suitable dinosaur and protect the area during the taming process.
Advanced techniques include using a combination of dinosaurs and tools to maximize efficiency. For example, you can use a Trike to gather thatch while a pack animal like a Parasaur carries the resources back to your base. Additionally, setting up a base near a dense forest can reduce the time spent traveling between harvesting areas and your storage.
In summary, gathering thatch efficiently in the early game involves using the right tools and dinosaurs, managing your inventory, and being aware of your surroundings. Taming a Trike or Bronto can significantly increase your thatch yield, while advanced techniques and coordination with your tribe can further optimize the process. By following these strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of thatch for all your building and crafting needs.
To start, the most basic way to gather thatch is by using your fists or a stone pickaxe. However, using your fists is highly inefficient and should only be done in emergencies. The stone pickaxe is a significant improvement, but it still yields a relatively low amount of thatch compared to other tools. Early on, you should prioritize crafting a stone pickaxe as soon as possible. This requires gathering stone and wood, which can be found on the ground or by hitting rocks and trees with your fists or a primitive tool.
Once you have a stone pickaxe, you can start gathering thatch more effectively. However, the real game-changer comes when you tame a dinosaur that specializes in harvesting resources. For thatch, the best early-game dinosaur is the Trike (Triceratops). Taming a Trike requires narcotics, which are made from spoiled meat and narcoberries, and mejoberries or other berries as the primary food source. Once tamed, the Trike can gather large amounts of thatch from trees with its primary attack. This is much faster and more efficient than using a pickaxe.
Another excellent dinosaur for gathering thatch is the Brontosaurus. While it is much larger and harder to tame than a Trike, it can gather massive amounts of thatch in a short amount of time. Taming a Bronto requires a significant amount of resources and preparation, including a large amount of narcotics and a safe area to perform the taming process. However, the payoff is substantial, as a Bronto can clear entire forests of thatch in minutes.
In addition to using dinosaurs, there are other tools and techniques to optimize thatch gathering. The metal hatchet, which becomes available later in the game, is more efficient than the stone pickaxe for gathering thatch. However, crafting a metal hatchet requires metal ingots, which are obtained by smelting metal ore in a forge. This means you need to have progressed far enough to build a forge and gather the necessary resources.
When gathering thatch, it is important to consider your surroundings. Trees are abundant in most biomes, but some areas have denser forests, which can yield more thatch in a shorter amount of time. However, these areas may also be more dangerous, with predators and other threats. Always be aware of your surroundings and have a plan for escape if necessary.
One common mistake early players make is not managing their inventory efficiently. Thatch can quickly fill up your inventory, leaving little room for other essential items. To avoid this, consider building storage containers near your harvesting area or using a dinosaur with a high carry weight to transport the thatch back to your base.
For solo players, taming a Trike or Bronto can be a game-changer, but it requires careful planning and resource management. Make sure you have enough narcotics and food to complete the taming process, and be prepared to defend yourself and your dinosaur from predators. For tribes, coordinating efforts can make the process much easier. One player can focus on gathering resources for taming, while another can scout for a suitable dinosaur and protect the area during the taming process.
Advanced techniques include using a combination of dinosaurs and tools to maximize efficiency. For example, you can use a Trike to gather thatch while a pack animal like a Parasaur carries the resources back to your base. Additionally, setting up a base near a dense forest can reduce the time spent traveling between harvesting areas and your storage.
In summary, gathering thatch efficiently in the early game involves using the right tools and dinosaurs, managing your inventory, and being aware of your surroundings. Taming a Trike or Bronto can significantly increase your thatch yield, while advanced techniques and coordination with your tribe can further optimize the process. By following these strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of thatch for all your building and crafting needs.