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 can be harvested from certain creatures, 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 optimize your efforts.
Organic polymer is the easier and more efficient option for early to mid-game players. It can be harvested from creatures like Kairuku, Mantis, Hesperornis, and Achatina. Kairuku, found in the snowy regions of the Island map, are the most common source. To farm organic polymer from Kairuku, you will need a strong carnivore like a Sabertooth, Direwolf, or Therizinosaurus. These creatures can quickly kill Kairuku and harvest large amounts of organic polymer. The snowy biome near the western coast of the Island is a prime location for Kairuku farming. Be prepared for cold weather by wearing fur armor or using a torch. Organic polymer spoils quickly, so bring a preserving bin or refrigerator to store it.
For regular polymer, you will need to craft it using obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions, particularly on the tops of volcanoes or in caves. The best locations for obsidian on the Island map are the volcano in the center of the map and the mountains in the northwest. Use a metal pickaxe or an Ankylosaurus to harvest obsidian efficiently. Cementing paste can be crafted using chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle, or it can be obtained by harvesting beaver dams. Beavers are found near rivers and lakes, and their dams contain large amounts of cementing paste. Be cautious when raiding beaver dams, as the beavers will become aggressive.
Once you have gathered obsidian and cementing paste, you can craft polymer at a fabricator. This method is more resource-intensive but provides a stable and renewable source of polymer. Organic polymer is easier to obtain but spoils quickly, so it is best used immediately for crafting.
When farming polymer, it is important to consider your tames and equipment. A high-level Ankylosaurus is ideal for harvesting obsidian, while a Therizinosaurus or Direwolf is excellent for harvesting organic polymer. Bring a flyer like an Argentavis or Pteranodon to transport resources quickly. If you are playing solo, focus on taming creatures that can handle both combat and resource gathering. In a tribe, assign roles to members to optimize efficiency, such as having one player gather obsidian while another collects cementing paste.
Common mistakes to avoid include not preparing for the environment, such as forgetting cold weather gear in snowy biomes or not bringing enough weapons to defend against predators. Another mistake is not using the right tools or tames for harvesting, which can significantly reduce efficiency. Always bring a preserving bin or refrigerator when farming organic polymer to prevent spoilage.
Advanced techniques include using a chainsaw to harvest organic polymer from creatures like Kairuku or Mantis, as it yields more resources than other tools. You can also use a Gacha, a creature from the Extinction map, to passively produce polymer and other resources. Gachas can be fed various items to produce crystals that contain resources like polymer.
In summary, the best locations for farming polymer depend on the type of polymer you need. For organic polymer, head to the snowy biome for Kairuku or the desert for Mantis. For regular polymer, gather obsidian from mountains and cementing paste from beaver dams. Use the right tames and tools, prepare for environmental challenges, and store resources properly to maximize efficiency. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather polymer effectively and progress in ARK: Survival Evolved.
Organic polymer is the easier and more efficient option for early to mid-game players. It can be harvested from creatures like Kairuku, Mantis, Hesperornis, and Achatina. Kairuku, found in the snowy regions of the Island map, are the most common source. To farm organic polymer from Kairuku, you will need a strong carnivore like a Sabertooth, Direwolf, or Therizinosaurus. These creatures can quickly kill Kairuku and harvest large amounts of organic polymer. The snowy biome near the western coast of the Island is a prime location for Kairuku farming. Be prepared for cold weather by wearing fur armor or using a torch. Organic polymer spoils quickly, so bring a preserving bin or refrigerator to store it.
For regular polymer, you will need to craft it using obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions, particularly on the tops of volcanoes or in caves. The best locations for obsidian on the Island map are the volcano in the center of the map and the mountains in the northwest. Use a metal pickaxe or an Ankylosaurus to harvest obsidian efficiently. Cementing paste can be crafted using chitin or keratin and stone in a mortar and pestle, or it can be obtained by harvesting beaver dams. Beavers are found near rivers and lakes, and their dams contain large amounts of cementing paste. Be cautious when raiding beaver dams, as the beavers will become aggressive.
Once you have gathered obsidian and cementing paste, you can craft polymer at a fabricator. This method is more resource-intensive but provides a stable and renewable source of polymer. Organic polymer is easier to obtain but spoils quickly, so it is best used immediately for crafting.
When farming polymer, it is important to consider your tames and equipment. A high-level Ankylosaurus is ideal for harvesting obsidian, while a Therizinosaurus or Direwolf is excellent for harvesting organic polymer. Bring a flyer like an Argentavis or Pteranodon to transport resources quickly. If you are playing solo, focus on taming creatures that can handle both combat and resource gathering. In a tribe, assign roles to members to optimize efficiency, such as having one player gather obsidian while another collects cementing paste.
Common mistakes to avoid include not preparing for the environment, such as forgetting cold weather gear in snowy biomes or not bringing enough weapons to defend against predators. Another mistake is not using the right tools or tames for harvesting, which can significantly reduce efficiency. Always bring a preserving bin or refrigerator when farming organic polymer to prevent spoilage.
Advanced techniques include using a chainsaw to harvest organic polymer from creatures like Kairuku or Mantis, as it yields more resources than other tools. You can also use a Gacha, a creature from the Extinction map, to passively produce polymer and other resources. Gachas can be fed various items to produce crystals that contain resources like polymer.
In summary, the best locations for farming polymer depend on the type of polymer you need. For organic polymer, head to the snowy biome for Kairuku or the desert for Mantis. For regular polymer, gather obsidian from mountains and cementing paste from beaver dams. Use the right tames and tools, prepare for environmental challenges, and store resources properly to maximize efficiency. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather polymer effectively and progress in ARK: Survival Evolved.