What are the best strategies for farming keratin on the Valguero map in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming keratin on the Valguero map in ARK: Survival Evolved is a task that requires careful planning and execution. Keratin is a valuable resource used for crafting items like saddles, armor, and other advanced equipment. It is primarily obtained from harvesting the horns, shells, or claws of certain creatures, such as Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, Carbonemys, and Sabertooths. Valguero, with its diverse biomes and abundant wildlife, offers several efficient ways to gather keratin, whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe.
To begin, you need to understand the mechanics of harvesting keratin. Keratin is obtained by killing specific creatures and using tools like a hatchet or a tamed creature with high melee damage to harvest their bodies. The amount of keratin you get depends on the creature type and the tool or dinosaur you use. For example, using a metal hatchet or a Therizinosaurus with points invested in power harvesting will yield more keratin than using a stone hatchet or a low-level dinosaur.
One of the best strategies for farming keratin on Valguero is to target areas with high concentrations of creatures that drop keratin. The White Cliffs and the Redwood Forest are two excellent locations. The White Cliffs are home to many Triceratops and Ankylosaurus, while the Redwood Forest has Sabertooths and Carbonemys. Both areas are relatively safe compared to more dangerous regions like the Chalk Hills or the Abyss, making them ideal for solo players or small tribes.
To maximize efficiency, you should prepare before heading out. Bring a strong tamed creature like a Therizinosaurus, Sabertooth, or Direwolf, as these animals are excellent for harvesting keratin. Equip them with a saddle for protection and ensure they have high melee damage. Additionally, carry a metal hatchet as a backup tool. It is also wise to bring a flyer, such as an Argentavis or a Wyvern, to transport your harvested resources back to your base quickly.
When farming, focus on killing creatures that drop keratin in large quantities. Triceratops and Ankylosaurus are particularly good targets because they are common and drop a significant amount of keratin. Sabertooths and Carbonemys are also worth hunting, though they are smaller and may require more effort to gather the same amount of keratin. Use your tamed creature to kill and harvest these animals, as they are faster and more efficient than using tools.
One common mistake to avoid is overextending yourself. While Valguero is relatively safe in certain areas, it is still home to dangerous predators like Allosaurus and Carnotaurus. Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid engaging multiple enemies at once. If you are playing solo, consider bringing a pack of tamed creatures like Direwolves or Sabertooths for added protection. Tribes can coordinate by assigning roles, such as one player focusing on harvesting while others provide security.
Advanced techniques for keratin farming include using a chainsaw, which is highly effective but requires gasoline and advanced crafting. Another optimization is to set up a small outpost near your farming area to store resources and reduce travel time. This is especially useful for tribes that can assign members to guard the outpost while others gather keratin.
Resource management is crucial when farming keratin. Ensure you have enough food, water, and tools for your journey. If you are using a tamed creature, bring extra food to keep it healed and fed. Tribes should coordinate to share resources and ensure everyone is equipped for the task.
In summary, farming keratin on Valguero involves targeting specific creatures in safe areas, using efficient tools and tamed creatures, and being prepared for potential dangers. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, careful planning and execution will help you gather keratin quickly and safely. By following these strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of this valuable resource for your crafting needs.
To begin, you need to understand the mechanics of harvesting keratin. Keratin is obtained by killing specific creatures and using tools like a hatchet or a tamed creature with high melee damage to harvest their bodies. The amount of keratin you get depends on the creature type and the tool or dinosaur you use. For example, using a metal hatchet or a Therizinosaurus with points invested in power harvesting will yield more keratin than using a stone hatchet or a low-level dinosaur.
One of the best strategies for farming keratin on Valguero is to target areas with high concentrations of creatures that drop keratin. The White Cliffs and the Redwood Forest are two excellent locations. The White Cliffs are home to many Triceratops and Ankylosaurus, while the Redwood Forest has Sabertooths and Carbonemys. Both areas are relatively safe compared to more dangerous regions like the Chalk Hills or the Abyss, making them ideal for solo players or small tribes.
To maximize efficiency, you should prepare before heading out. Bring a strong tamed creature like a Therizinosaurus, Sabertooth, or Direwolf, as these animals are excellent for harvesting keratin. Equip them with a saddle for protection and ensure they have high melee damage. Additionally, carry a metal hatchet as a backup tool. It is also wise to bring a flyer, such as an Argentavis or a Wyvern, to transport your harvested resources back to your base quickly.
When farming, focus on killing creatures that drop keratin in large quantities. Triceratops and Ankylosaurus are particularly good targets because they are common and drop a significant amount of keratin. Sabertooths and Carbonemys are also worth hunting, though they are smaller and may require more effort to gather the same amount of keratin. Use your tamed creature to kill and harvest these animals, as they are faster and more efficient than using tools.
One common mistake to avoid is overextending yourself. While Valguero is relatively safe in certain areas, it is still home to dangerous predators like Allosaurus and Carnotaurus. Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid engaging multiple enemies at once. If you are playing solo, consider bringing a pack of tamed creatures like Direwolves or Sabertooths for added protection. Tribes can coordinate by assigning roles, such as one player focusing on harvesting while others provide security.
Advanced techniques for keratin farming include using a chainsaw, which is highly effective but requires gasoline and advanced crafting. Another optimization is to set up a small outpost near your farming area to store resources and reduce travel time. This is especially useful for tribes that can assign members to guard the outpost while others gather keratin.
Resource management is crucial when farming keratin. Ensure you have enough food, water, and tools for your journey. If you are using a tamed creature, bring extra food to keep it healed and fed. Tribes should coordinate to share resources and ensure everyone is equipped for the task.
In summary, farming keratin on Valguero involves targeting specific creatures in safe areas, using efficient tools and tamed creatures, and being prepared for potential dangers. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, careful planning and execution will help you gather keratin quickly and safely. By following these strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of this valuable resource for your crafting needs.