What are the best locations to farm polymer in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming polymer in ARK: Survival Evolved is essential for crafting advanced items like weapons, armor, and structures. Polymer is a high-tier resource used in many late-game recipes, and there are two main ways to obtain it: organic polymer and regular polymer. Organic polymer is a natural resource that can be harvested from certain creatures or plants, while regular polymer is crafted using obsidian and cementing paste. Below, I will explain the best locations and methods for farming polymer, along with tips and strategies to maximize efficiency.
Organic polymer is the easiest to farm early on, as it does not require advanced tools or crafting. The best creatures to harvest for organic polymer are Kairuku (penguins) and Mantis. Kairuku are found in cold regions, such as the snowy biome on The Island or the western shores of Ragnarok. They are passive creatures, so they are easy to kill, and each Kairuku yields a significant amount of organic polymer. Mantis, on the other hand, are found in the desert biomes of Scorched Earth or Ragnarok. They are more dangerous but also drop a good amount of organic polymer. To farm organic polymer efficiently, bring a high-damage weapon or a tamed creature like a Sabertooth or Direwolf to quickly kill Kairuku or Mantis. Be cautious of the cold in snowy areas, as it can drain your health quickly without proper insulation.
For regular polymer, you will need to gather obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions on most maps, such as the volcano on The Island or the highlands on Ragnarok. Use a metal pickaxe or a tamed Ankylosaurus to harvest obsidian efficiently. Cementing paste can be crafted using chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or chemistry bench, or it can be obtained by harvesting beaver dams, which are found near rivers and lakes. Beavers are territorial, so approach their dams carefully to avoid aggroing them. Once you have obsidian and cementing paste, you can craft polymer in a fabricator.
One of the best locations to farm organic polymer is the snowy biome on The Island. This area is rich in Kairuku, and you can also find other resources like metal and crystal nearby. However, the cold weather can be a challenge, so make sure to wear fur armor or use a tamed otter to stay warm. Another great location is the desert biome on Scorched Earth or Ragnarok, where Mantis spawn in large numbers. These areas are hot, so bring water and wear desert clothing to avoid overheating.
When farming polymer, it is important to manage your inventory and weight. Organic polymer spoils over time, so only gather what you need or store it in a preserving bin with preserving salt to extend its lifespan. Regular polymer does not spoil, but obsidian and cementing paste are heavy, so bring a tamed creature with high weight capacity, such as a Argentavis or a Quetzal, to carry your resources. If you are playing solo, consider building a small outpost near your farming location to store resources and craft polymer on the spot.
A common mistake when farming polymer is not preparing for the environmental hazards of the farming locations. For example, the snowy biome is extremely cold, and the desert biome is extremely hot. Without proper gear, you can quickly lose health or stamina, making farming difficult. Another mistake is not bringing enough tools or tames to harvest resources efficiently. Always bring a metal pickaxe for obsidian and a high-damage weapon or tame for killing creatures that drop organic polymer.
Advanced players can optimize their polymer farming by using tames with specific abilities. For example, a Pelagornis can harvest organic polymer from Kairuku more efficiently than other creatures. Similarly, a Doedicurus can harvest stone for cementing paste, and a Megatherium can harvest chitin from insects, making it easier to craft cementing paste. Additionally, using a chemistry bench instead of a mortar and pestle will reduce the crafting time for polymer.
In conclusion, farming polymer in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you are farming organic polymer from creatures or crafting regular polymer from obsidian and cementing paste, the key is to choose the right location, bring the right tools and tames, and manage your resources effectively. By following these strategies, you can gather polymer efficiently and progress in the game.
Organic polymer is the easiest to farm early on, as it does not require advanced tools or crafting. The best creatures to harvest for organic polymer are Kairuku (penguins) and Mantis. Kairuku are found in cold regions, such as the snowy biome on The Island or the western shores of Ragnarok. They are passive creatures, so they are easy to kill, and each Kairuku yields a significant amount of organic polymer. Mantis, on the other hand, are found in the desert biomes of Scorched Earth or Ragnarok. They are more dangerous but also drop a good amount of organic polymer. To farm organic polymer efficiently, bring a high-damage weapon or a tamed creature like a Sabertooth or Direwolf to quickly kill Kairuku or Mantis. Be cautious of the cold in snowy areas, as it can drain your health quickly without proper insulation.
For regular polymer, you will need to gather obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions on most maps, such as the volcano on The Island or the highlands on Ragnarok. Use a metal pickaxe or a tamed Ankylosaurus to harvest obsidian efficiently. Cementing paste can be crafted using chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle or chemistry bench, or it can be obtained by harvesting beaver dams, which are found near rivers and lakes. Beavers are territorial, so approach their dams carefully to avoid aggroing them. Once you have obsidian and cementing paste, you can craft polymer in a fabricator.
One of the best locations to farm organic polymer is the snowy biome on The Island. This area is rich in Kairuku, and you can also find other resources like metal and crystal nearby. However, the cold weather can be a challenge, so make sure to wear fur armor or use a tamed otter to stay warm. Another great location is the desert biome on Scorched Earth or Ragnarok, where Mantis spawn in large numbers. These areas are hot, so bring water and wear desert clothing to avoid overheating.
When farming polymer, it is important to manage your inventory and weight. Organic polymer spoils over time, so only gather what you need or store it in a preserving bin with preserving salt to extend its lifespan. Regular polymer does not spoil, but obsidian and cementing paste are heavy, so bring a tamed creature with high weight capacity, such as a Argentavis or a Quetzal, to carry your resources. If you are playing solo, consider building a small outpost near your farming location to store resources and craft polymer on the spot.
A common mistake when farming polymer is not preparing for the environmental hazards of the farming locations. For example, the snowy biome is extremely cold, and the desert biome is extremely hot. Without proper gear, you can quickly lose health or stamina, making farming difficult. Another mistake is not bringing enough tools or tames to harvest resources efficiently. Always bring a metal pickaxe for obsidian and a high-damage weapon or tame for killing creatures that drop organic polymer.
Advanced players can optimize their polymer farming by using tames with specific abilities. For example, a Pelagornis can harvest organic polymer from Kairuku more efficiently than other creatures. Similarly, a Doedicurus can harvest stone for cementing paste, and a Megatherium can harvest chitin from insects, making it easier to craft cementing paste. Additionally, using a chemistry bench instead of a mortar and pestle will reduce the crafting time for polymer.
In conclusion, farming polymer in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. Whether you are farming organic polymer from creatures or crafting regular polymer from obsidian and cementing paste, the key is to choose the right location, bring the right tools and tames, and manage your resources effectively. By following these strategies, you can gather polymer efficiently and progress in the game.