What are the best strategies for farming obsidian on the Crystal Isles map in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming obsidian on the Crystal Isles map in ARK: Survival Evolved requires a good understanding of the map's layout, resource distribution, and the tools or creatures needed to efficiently gather this valuable resource. Obsidian is a critical material used in crafting advanced items like polymer, electronics, and various high-tier structures. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you farm obsidian effectively on Crystal Isles.
First, you need to know where obsidian spawns on Crystal Isles. Obsidian is primarily found in mountainous regions and volcanic areas. On Crystal Isles, the best locations for obsidian are the floating islands in the central part of the map, particularly around the volcanic biome. The volcanic region is rich in obsidian nodes, which are large, black, shiny rocks that stand out from the surrounding terrain. Additionally, obsidian can be found in smaller quantities in other high-altitude areas, such as the snowy mountains in the northwest and the redwood biome.
To farm obsidian efficiently, you will need the right tools and creatures. The most effective tool for harvesting obsidian is a metal pickaxe. However, using a creature like an Ankylosaurus or a Magmasaur is far more efficient. An Ankylosaurus has a high harvesting multiplier for obsidian, making it the best choice for solo players or small tribes. A Magmasaur, which is a creature from the Genesis DLC, is even better as it can harvest obsidian at an incredibly fast rate and has the added benefit of being immune to lava damage, which is useful in the volcanic biome.
Before heading out to farm obsidian, make sure you are well-prepared. Bring a strong creature for protection, as the volcanic biome and other high-altitude areas are home to dangerous predators like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even the occasional Giganotosaurus. A high-level Argentavis or a Wyvern can serve as both a mount and a pack mule, allowing you to carry more obsidian back to your base. Additionally, bring plenty of food, water, and medical supplies to sustain yourself during long farming sessions.
When farming obsidian, itÔÇÖs important to clear the area of threats before you start harvesting. Use your mount to kill or scare off any hostile creatures nearby. Once the area is safe, approach the obsidian nodes and use your Ankylosaurus or Magmasaur to harvest the resource. Be mindful of your weight limit, as obsidian is heavy and can quickly encumber your creature. If youÔÇÖre using an Argentavis, you can transfer the obsidian to its inventory to take advantage of its weight reduction for certain resources.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough storage or transportation capacity. Obsidian is heavy, and without a proper setup, you may find yourself making multiple trips, which is time-consuming and risky. To avoid this, consider building a small outpost near the farming area with storage boxes and a bed for respawning. This way, you can store your obsidian safely and reduce the number of trips needed.
For advanced players, optimizing your farming route can save a lot of time. Use a flying mount to scout the area and mark the locations of obsidian nodes on your map. Plan a route that allows you to hit multiple nodes in one trip, minimizing downtime. Additionally, consider using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry your Ankylosaurus or Magmasaur, allowing you to cover more ground without dismounting.
Tribe considerations are also important. If youÔÇÖre part of a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize efficiency. Assign roles such as scout, harvester, and defender to ensure a smooth farming operation. A tribe can also set up a network of outposts and teleporters to quickly move resources between locations.
In summary, farming obsidian on Crystal Isles requires careful planning, the right tools and creatures, and a good understanding of the mapÔÇÖs layout. By following these strategies, you can efficiently gather obsidian and use it to craft advanced items and structures, giving you a significant advantage in ARK: Survival Evolved.
First, you need to know where obsidian spawns on Crystal Isles. Obsidian is primarily found in mountainous regions and volcanic areas. On Crystal Isles, the best locations for obsidian are the floating islands in the central part of the map, particularly around the volcanic biome. The volcanic region is rich in obsidian nodes, which are large, black, shiny rocks that stand out from the surrounding terrain. Additionally, obsidian can be found in smaller quantities in other high-altitude areas, such as the snowy mountains in the northwest and the redwood biome.
To farm obsidian efficiently, you will need the right tools and creatures. The most effective tool for harvesting obsidian is a metal pickaxe. However, using a creature like an Ankylosaurus or a Magmasaur is far more efficient. An Ankylosaurus has a high harvesting multiplier for obsidian, making it the best choice for solo players or small tribes. A Magmasaur, which is a creature from the Genesis DLC, is even better as it can harvest obsidian at an incredibly fast rate and has the added benefit of being immune to lava damage, which is useful in the volcanic biome.
Before heading out to farm obsidian, make sure you are well-prepared. Bring a strong creature for protection, as the volcanic biome and other high-altitude areas are home to dangerous predators like Carnotaurus, Raptors, and even the occasional Giganotosaurus. A high-level Argentavis or a Wyvern can serve as both a mount and a pack mule, allowing you to carry more obsidian back to your base. Additionally, bring plenty of food, water, and medical supplies to sustain yourself during long farming sessions.
When farming obsidian, itÔÇÖs important to clear the area of threats before you start harvesting. Use your mount to kill or scare off any hostile creatures nearby. Once the area is safe, approach the obsidian nodes and use your Ankylosaurus or Magmasaur to harvest the resource. Be mindful of your weight limit, as obsidian is heavy and can quickly encumber your creature. If youÔÇÖre using an Argentavis, you can transfer the obsidian to its inventory to take advantage of its weight reduction for certain resources.
One common mistake players make is not bringing enough storage or transportation capacity. Obsidian is heavy, and without a proper setup, you may find yourself making multiple trips, which is time-consuming and risky. To avoid this, consider building a small outpost near the farming area with storage boxes and a bed for respawning. This way, you can store your obsidian safely and reduce the number of trips needed.
For advanced players, optimizing your farming route can save a lot of time. Use a flying mount to scout the area and mark the locations of obsidian nodes on your map. Plan a route that allows you to hit multiple nodes in one trip, minimizing downtime. Additionally, consider using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry your Ankylosaurus or Magmasaur, allowing you to cover more ground without dismounting.
Tribe considerations are also important. If youÔÇÖre part of a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize efficiency. Assign roles such as scout, harvester, and defender to ensure a smooth farming operation. A tribe can also set up a network of outposts and teleporters to quickly move resources between locations.
In summary, farming obsidian on Crystal Isles requires careful planning, the right tools and creatures, and a good understanding of the mapÔÇÖs layout. By following these strategies, you can efficiently gather obsidian and use it to craft advanced items and structures, giving you a significant advantage in ARK: Survival Evolved.