What are the best methods for farming stone in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming stone in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial activity for players, as stone is one of the most commonly used resources in the game. It is required for crafting a wide range of items, including structures, tools, and ammunition. To efficiently farm stone, players need to understand the mechanics, tools, and strategies involved. Here is a detailed guide to help you maximize your stone-gathering efforts.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of stone farming. Stone is primarily gathered by hitting rocks with tools or dinosaurs. The most basic tool for gathering stone is the pickaxe, which yields a higher amount of stone compared to other tools like the hatchet. However, using dinosaurs with high melee damage and weight capacity is far more efficient than using tools. Dinosaurs like the Doedicurus, Ankylosaurus, and Magmasaur are excellent for stone farming due to their specialized abilities. The Doedicurus, in particular, is the best choice for stone gathering because it has a passive ability that increases stone yield and reduces the weight of stone in its inventory.
To begin farming stone, you will need to prepare the necessary tools or tame the appropriate dinosaurs. If you are early in the game and do not have access to tamed dinosaurs, craft a metal pickaxe, as it provides the best stone yield among tools. For taming a Doedicurus, you will need tranquilizer arrows or darts, a crossbow or longneck rifle, and narcotics or narcoberries to keep it unconscious during the taming process. Once tamed, equip the Doedicurus with a saddle to ride it and start gathering stone.
The next step is to locate areas rich in stone nodes. Stone nodes are large, gray rocks that are commonly found in mountainous regions, riverbeds, and certain caves. Some of the best locations for stone farming include the mountains in the northern part of The Island map, the rocky areas in the Redwood Forest, and the volcanic region on Scorched Earth. On other maps like Ragnarok, the highlands and desert areas are excellent for stone farming. Always scout the area for potential threats, such as predators, before starting to farm.
When using a Doedicurus, simply approach a stone node and attack it with the dinosaurÔÇÖs primary attack. The Doedicurus will automatically gather stone and store it in its inventory. Keep an eye on its weight capacity, as stone is heavy and can quickly fill up the dinosaurÔÇÖs inventory. To optimize your farming, bring a high-weight dinosaur like a Argentavis or a Quetzal to carry the stone back to your base. Alternatively, you can use a platform saddle on a Quetzal to transport the Doedicurus and stone simultaneously.
For solo players, managing weight and inventory space is critical. If you are farming stone without a tribe, consider building a small outpost near the stone-rich area to store resources temporarily. This will allow you to make multiple trips without overburdening your dinosaur. For tribes, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering stone with a Doedicurus while another transports it with a Quetzal or Argentavis. This division of labor will significantly increase efficiency.
One common mistake to avoid is overloading your dinosaur with stone, which can make it slow and vulnerable to predators. Always monitor the weight of your dinosaur and unload stone into a storage container or another dinosaur before continuing to farm. Another mistake is farming in dangerous areas without proper preparation. Always bring weapons, armor, and healing items to defend yourself and your dinosaurs from threats.
Advanced techniques for stone farming include using a Magmasaur, which can gather stone and other resources at an even faster rate than a Doedicurus. However, taming a Magmasaur is more challenging and requires specific conditions, such as being in the volcanic biome on the Genesis Part 1 map. Additionally, using a Tek Stryder with a mining drill attachment can automate stone farming, but this requires access to advanced Tek-tier technology.
In conclusion, farming stone in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, the right tools or dinosaurs, and knowledge of resource-rich locations. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, optimizing your farming strategy will save time and effort. Always prioritize safety, manage weight efficiently, and consider advanced techniques as you progress in the game. With these tips, you will be able to gather stone effectively and support your survival and building needs.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of stone farming. Stone is primarily gathered by hitting rocks with tools or dinosaurs. The most basic tool for gathering stone is the pickaxe, which yields a higher amount of stone compared to other tools like the hatchet. However, using dinosaurs with high melee damage and weight capacity is far more efficient than using tools. Dinosaurs like the Doedicurus, Ankylosaurus, and Magmasaur are excellent for stone farming due to their specialized abilities. The Doedicurus, in particular, is the best choice for stone gathering because it has a passive ability that increases stone yield and reduces the weight of stone in its inventory.
To begin farming stone, you will need to prepare the necessary tools or tame the appropriate dinosaurs. If you are early in the game and do not have access to tamed dinosaurs, craft a metal pickaxe, as it provides the best stone yield among tools. For taming a Doedicurus, you will need tranquilizer arrows or darts, a crossbow or longneck rifle, and narcotics or narcoberries to keep it unconscious during the taming process. Once tamed, equip the Doedicurus with a saddle to ride it and start gathering stone.
The next step is to locate areas rich in stone nodes. Stone nodes are large, gray rocks that are commonly found in mountainous regions, riverbeds, and certain caves. Some of the best locations for stone farming include the mountains in the northern part of The Island map, the rocky areas in the Redwood Forest, and the volcanic region on Scorched Earth. On other maps like Ragnarok, the highlands and desert areas are excellent for stone farming. Always scout the area for potential threats, such as predators, before starting to farm.
When using a Doedicurus, simply approach a stone node and attack it with the dinosaurÔÇÖs primary attack. The Doedicurus will automatically gather stone and store it in its inventory. Keep an eye on its weight capacity, as stone is heavy and can quickly fill up the dinosaurÔÇÖs inventory. To optimize your farming, bring a high-weight dinosaur like a Argentavis or a Quetzal to carry the stone back to your base. Alternatively, you can use a platform saddle on a Quetzal to transport the Doedicurus and stone simultaneously.
For solo players, managing weight and inventory space is critical. If you are farming stone without a tribe, consider building a small outpost near the stone-rich area to store resources temporarily. This will allow you to make multiple trips without overburdening your dinosaur. For tribes, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering stone with a Doedicurus while another transports it with a Quetzal or Argentavis. This division of labor will significantly increase efficiency.
One common mistake to avoid is overloading your dinosaur with stone, which can make it slow and vulnerable to predators. Always monitor the weight of your dinosaur and unload stone into a storage container or another dinosaur before continuing to farm. Another mistake is farming in dangerous areas without proper preparation. Always bring weapons, armor, and healing items to defend yourself and your dinosaurs from threats.
Advanced techniques for stone farming include using a Magmasaur, which can gather stone and other resources at an even faster rate than a Doedicurus. However, taming a Magmasaur is more challenging and requires specific conditions, such as being in the volcanic biome on the Genesis Part 1 map. Additionally, using a Tek Stryder with a mining drill attachment can automate stone farming, but this requires access to advanced Tek-tier technology.
In conclusion, farming stone in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, the right tools or dinosaurs, and knowledge of resource-rich locations. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, optimizing your farming strategy will save time and effort. Always prioritize safety, manage weight efficiently, and consider advanced techniques as you progress in the game. With these tips, you will be able to gather stone effectively and support your survival and building needs.