Where is the best location to find metal nodes on The Island in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Finding metal nodes on The Island in ARK: Survival Evolved is crucial for progression, as metal is one of the most important resources in the game. It is used to craft advanced tools, weapons, armor, and structures, making it essential for both early and late-game survival. Metal nodes are primarily found in mountainous regions and certain caves, but knowing the best locations and strategies for farming them efficiently can save you a lot of time and effort.
The best locations for metal nodes on The Island are the mountains and hills scattered across the map. The most notable areas include the volcano in the center of the map, the mountain in the northwest (known as the Frozen Tooth), the mountain in the northeast (known as the Far's Peak), and the smaller hills near the Red Obelisk. These areas are rich in metal nodes, which appear as large, shiny rocks with a golden or silver tint. Additionally, metal nodes can be found in smaller quantities in riverbeds and certain caves, but these are less efficient for large-scale farming.
To farm metal nodes effectively, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. A pickaxe yields more metal per node, while a hatchet provides more stone. Early in the game, a stone pickaxe will suffice, but as you progress, upgrading to a metal pickaxe will significantly increase your metal yield. For maximum efficiency, consider taming a dinosaur that can harvest metal, such as an Ankylosaurus. The Ankylosaurus has a special ability that allows it to gather large amounts of metal from nodes with its tail attack, making it the best creature for metal farming. Other creatures like the Doedicurus (for stone) and the Argentavis (for transporting heavy loads) can also be useful in your metal-gathering expeditions.
When preparing for a metal farming trip, ensure you have enough inventory space and weight capacity. Metal is heavy, so you may need to make multiple trips or use a dinosaur with high weight capacity to carry the resources. An Argentavis is particularly useful for this purpose, as it can carry both you and the metal, and its weight reduction for metal makes it easier to transport large quantities. Additionally, bring food, water, and weapons to defend yourself against predators like Raptors, Carnotaurus, and even the occasional Rex that may roam the mountainous areas.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough tools or dinosaurs to maximize their metal yield. For example, using a pickaxe instead of an Ankylosaurus will result in significantly less metal per node. Another mistake is not scouting the area for threats before starting to farm. Predators can quickly overwhelm you if you are unprepared, so always be cautious and ready to defend yourself or retreat if necessary. Additionally, avoid farming metal at night unless you have a light source, as visibility is reduced, and the risk of encountering dangerous creatures increases.
Advanced techniques for metal farming include setting up a base or outpost near a metal-rich area. This allows you to store and process metal on-site, reducing the need for long trips back to your main base. You can also use a Quetzal or Argentavis to carry an Ankylosaurus to metal nodes, allowing you to farm metal in hard-to-reach areas. Another optimization is to use a mining drill in late-game, which can harvest metal nodes quickly and efficiently, though this requires advanced technology and resources.
Resource requirements for metal farming include tools like pickaxes or hatchets, a tamed Ankylosaurus or other harvesting dinosaur, and a transport dinosaur like an Argentavis. You may also need building materials to create a small outpost or storage area near the metal nodes. For solo players, taming an Ankylosaurus and Argentavis is highly recommended, as it allows you to farm and transport metal efficiently without relying on a tribe. For tribes, coordinating roles such as one player farming metal while another transports it can speed up the process significantly.
In specific scenarios, such as farming metal in the volcano, be aware of the extreme heat and the presence of dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus and Raptors. Bring appropriate gear like desert armor or cooling items to mitigate the heat, and always be prepared for combat. In the snowy mountains, cold weather is a concern, so bring fur armor or other insulation to stay warm. Additionally, always keep an eye on your surroundings, as metal nodes are often located in areas with steep cliffs or dangerous drops.
In conclusion, finding and farming metal nodes on The Island requires careful planning, the right tools and dinosaurs, and awareness of the dangers in metal-rich areas. By focusing on the best locations, using efficient harvesting methods, and preparing for potential threats, you can gather large amounts of metal to support your survival and progression in ARK: Survival Evolved. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, optimizing your metal farming strategy will give you a significant advantage in the game.
The best locations for metal nodes on The Island are the mountains and hills scattered across the map. The most notable areas include the volcano in the center of the map, the mountain in the northwest (known as the Frozen Tooth), the mountain in the northeast (known as the Far's Peak), and the smaller hills near the Red Obelisk. These areas are rich in metal nodes, which appear as large, shiny rocks with a golden or silver tint. Additionally, metal nodes can be found in smaller quantities in riverbeds and certain caves, but these are less efficient for large-scale farming.
To farm metal nodes effectively, you will need a pickaxe or a metal hatchet. A pickaxe yields more metal per node, while a hatchet provides more stone. Early in the game, a stone pickaxe will suffice, but as you progress, upgrading to a metal pickaxe will significantly increase your metal yield. For maximum efficiency, consider taming a dinosaur that can harvest metal, such as an Ankylosaurus. The Ankylosaurus has a special ability that allows it to gather large amounts of metal from nodes with its tail attack, making it the best creature for metal farming. Other creatures like the Doedicurus (for stone) and the Argentavis (for transporting heavy loads) can also be useful in your metal-gathering expeditions.
When preparing for a metal farming trip, ensure you have enough inventory space and weight capacity. Metal is heavy, so you may need to make multiple trips or use a dinosaur with high weight capacity to carry the resources. An Argentavis is particularly useful for this purpose, as it can carry both you and the metal, and its weight reduction for metal makes it easier to transport large quantities. Additionally, bring food, water, and weapons to defend yourself against predators like Raptors, Carnotaurus, and even the occasional Rex that may roam the mountainous areas.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough tools or dinosaurs to maximize their metal yield. For example, using a pickaxe instead of an Ankylosaurus will result in significantly less metal per node. Another mistake is not scouting the area for threats before starting to farm. Predators can quickly overwhelm you if you are unprepared, so always be cautious and ready to defend yourself or retreat if necessary. Additionally, avoid farming metal at night unless you have a light source, as visibility is reduced, and the risk of encountering dangerous creatures increases.
Advanced techniques for metal farming include setting up a base or outpost near a metal-rich area. This allows you to store and process metal on-site, reducing the need for long trips back to your main base. You can also use a Quetzal or Argentavis to carry an Ankylosaurus to metal nodes, allowing you to farm metal in hard-to-reach areas. Another optimization is to use a mining drill in late-game, which can harvest metal nodes quickly and efficiently, though this requires advanced technology and resources.
Resource requirements for metal farming include tools like pickaxes or hatchets, a tamed Ankylosaurus or other harvesting dinosaur, and a transport dinosaur like an Argentavis. You may also need building materials to create a small outpost or storage area near the metal nodes. For solo players, taming an Ankylosaurus and Argentavis is highly recommended, as it allows you to farm and transport metal efficiently without relying on a tribe. For tribes, coordinating roles such as one player farming metal while another transports it can speed up the process significantly.
In specific scenarios, such as farming metal in the volcano, be aware of the extreme heat and the presence of dangerous creatures like Carnotaurus and Raptors. Bring appropriate gear like desert armor or cooling items to mitigate the heat, and always be prepared for combat. In the snowy mountains, cold weather is a concern, so bring fur armor or other insulation to stay warm. Additionally, always keep an eye on your surroundings, as metal nodes are often located in areas with steep cliffs or dangerous drops.
In conclusion, finding and farming metal nodes on The Island requires careful planning, the right tools and dinosaurs, and awareness of the dangers in metal-rich areas. By focusing on the best locations, using efficient harvesting methods, and preparing for potential threats, you can gather large amounts of metal to support your survival and progression in ARK: Survival Evolved. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, optimizing your metal farming strategy will give you a significant advantage in the game.