How do I locate and harvest element dust in the Extinction map of ARK: Survival Evolved?
Locating and harvesting element dust in the Extinction map of ARK: Survival Evolved requires a good understanding of the map's unique mechanics and resources. Element dust is a crucial resource used for crafting advanced items, such as Tek gear, and is primarily obtained by breaking down element shards or harvesting specific objects in the Extinction map. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you efficiently gather element dust.
Element dust can be obtained in several ways on Extinction. The most common method is by harvesting element shards, which are found in the map's wasteland biome. Element shards are small, glowing crystals that can be mined using a pickaxe or a mining drill. Once you have element shards, you can place them in an industrial grinder to break them down into element dust. Each element shard yields 1 element dust when processed. Another method is to harvest corrupted nodes, which are large, glowing purple rocks found in the wasteland. These nodes can be broken using a pickaxe or a mining drill, and they yield both element shards and element dust directly. Additionally, element dust can sometimes be obtained by killing corrupted creatures, though this method is less reliable.
To begin harvesting element dust, youÔÇÖll need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have a strong mount, such as a high-level Rex or a Giga, to protect you from the dangerous corrupted creatures in the wasteland. A mining drill is highly recommended for efficient harvesting, as it can quickly break down element shards and corrupted nodes. If you donÔÇÖt have a mining drill, a high-quality metal pickaxe will suffice, though it will be slower. Bring plenty of food, water, and medical supplies, as the wasteland is a harsh environment with extreme temperatures and hostile creatures. ItÔÇÖs also a good idea to bring a flyer, such as an Argentavis or a Wyvern, to help you navigate the map quickly and escape dangerous situations.
When youÔÇÖre ready, head to the wasteland biome, which is located in the central part of the Extinction map. Look for the glowing purple corrupted nodes scattered across the landscape. These nodes are often guarded by corrupted creatures, so be prepared for a fight. Use your mount to clear out any threats, then dismount and start harvesting the nodes with your mining drill or pickaxe. YouÔÇÖll receive element shards and element dust directly from the nodes. If youÔÇÖre using a mining drill, be aware that it consumes gasoline, so bring extra fuel to avoid running out mid-harvest.
Once youÔÇÖve collected enough element shards, return to your base and place them in an industrial grinder. The grinder will break down the shards into element dust at a 1:1 ratio. If you donÔÇÖt have an industrial grinder, you can craft one using a fabricator. The grinder requires a significant amount of resources, including metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics, so make sure you have the necessary materials before attempting to build one.
There are a few common mistakes to avoid when harvesting element dust. First, donÔÇÖt venture into the wasteland without proper preparation. The corrupted creatures are extremely dangerous, and without a strong mount or adequate supplies, youÔÇÖre likely to die. Second, donÔÇÖt forget to bring extra fuel for your mining drill. Running out of gasoline in the middle of the wasteland can leave you stranded and vulnerable. Finally, donÔÇÖt overlook the importance of an industrial grinder. While itÔÇÖs possible to harvest element dust directly from corrupted nodes, using a grinder to process element shards is much more efficient and yields more dust in the long run.
For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can make to increase your element dust yield. First, consider using a high-level Ankylosaurus with a high melee damage stat to harvest corrupted nodes. Ankylos have a natural harvesting bonus for rocks and minerals, making them more efficient than a pickaxe or mining drill. Second, if youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to cover more ground and protect each other from corrupted creatures. A well-organized tribe can harvest element dust much faster than a solo player. Finally, consider setting up a small outpost near the wasteland with a bed, storage, and a grinder. This will allow you to quickly respawn and process your shards without having to travel back to your main base.
In summary, harvesting element dust in Extinction requires careful preparation, the right tools, and a good strategy. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently gather the element dust you need to craft advanced Tek gear and progress in the game. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or with a tribe, the wasteland biome offers plenty of opportunities to harvest this valuable resource, so get out there and start mining.
Element dust can be obtained in several ways on Extinction. The most common method is by harvesting element shards, which are found in the map's wasteland biome. Element shards are small, glowing crystals that can be mined using a pickaxe or a mining drill. Once you have element shards, you can place them in an industrial grinder to break them down into element dust. Each element shard yields 1 element dust when processed. Another method is to harvest corrupted nodes, which are large, glowing purple rocks found in the wasteland. These nodes can be broken using a pickaxe or a mining drill, and they yield both element shards and element dust directly. Additionally, element dust can sometimes be obtained by killing corrupted creatures, though this method is less reliable.
To begin harvesting element dust, youÔÇÖll need to prepare adequately. First, ensure you have a strong mount, such as a high-level Rex or a Giga, to protect you from the dangerous corrupted creatures in the wasteland. A mining drill is highly recommended for efficient harvesting, as it can quickly break down element shards and corrupted nodes. If you donÔÇÖt have a mining drill, a high-quality metal pickaxe will suffice, though it will be slower. Bring plenty of food, water, and medical supplies, as the wasteland is a harsh environment with extreme temperatures and hostile creatures. ItÔÇÖs also a good idea to bring a flyer, such as an Argentavis or a Wyvern, to help you navigate the map quickly and escape dangerous situations.
When youÔÇÖre ready, head to the wasteland biome, which is located in the central part of the Extinction map. Look for the glowing purple corrupted nodes scattered across the landscape. These nodes are often guarded by corrupted creatures, so be prepared for a fight. Use your mount to clear out any threats, then dismount and start harvesting the nodes with your mining drill or pickaxe. YouÔÇÖll receive element shards and element dust directly from the nodes. If youÔÇÖre using a mining drill, be aware that it consumes gasoline, so bring extra fuel to avoid running out mid-harvest.
Once youÔÇÖve collected enough element shards, return to your base and place them in an industrial grinder. The grinder will break down the shards into element dust at a 1:1 ratio. If you donÔÇÖt have an industrial grinder, you can craft one using a fabricator. The grinder requires a significant amount of resources, including metal ingots, cementing paste, and electronics, so make sure you have the necessary materials before attempting to build one.
There are a few common mistakes to avoid when harvesting element dust. First, donÔÇÖt venture into the wasteland without proper preparation. The corrupted creatures are extremely dangerous, and without a strong mount or adequate supplies, youÔÇÖre likely to die. Second, donÔÇÖt forget to bring extra fuel for your mining drill. Running out of gasoline in the middle of the wasteland can leave you stranded and vulnerable. Finally, donÔÇÖt overlook the importance of an industrial grinder. While itÔÇÖs possible to harvest element dust directly from corrupted nodes, using a grinder to process element shards is much more efficient and yields more dust in the long run.
For advanced players, there are a few optimizations you can make to increase your element dust yield. First, consider using a high-level Ankylosaurus with a high melee damage stat to harvest corrupted nodes. Ankylos have a natural harvesting bonus for rocks and minerals, making them more efficient than a pickaxe or mining drill. Second, if youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to cover more ground and protect each other from corrupted creatures. A well-organized tribe can harvest element dust much faster than a solo player. Finally, consider setting up a small outpost near the wasteland with a bed, storage, and a grinder. This will allow you to quickly respawn and process your shards without having to travel back to your main base.
In summary, harvesting element dust in Extinction requires careful preparation, the right tools, and a good strategy. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently gather the element dust you need to craft advanced Tek gear and progress in the game. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or with a tribe, the wasteland biome offers plenty of opportunities to harvest this valuable resource, so get out there and start mining.