Where are the best locations for farming 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 types: organic polymer and regular polymer. Organic polymer can be harvested from certain creatures, while regular polymer is crafted from obsidian and cementing paste. Below is a detailed guide on the best locations and strategies for farming polymer, along with tips and considerations.
Organic polymer is the easier of the two to farm, as it can be harvested directly from creatures like Kairuku, Mantis, and Hesperornis. Kairuku, found in the snowy regions of the Island map, are the most efficient source. They are passive creatures, making them easy to kill. Using a chainsaw or a high-damage weapon like a sword will yield the most organic polymer. Mantis, found in the desert regions of Scorched Earth, also drop organic polymer when killed, but they are more dangerous and require careful handling. Hesperornis, found near water sources, drop organic polymer when killed, but they are harder to find and less efficient than Kairuku.
For regular polymer, you need to craft it using obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions, particularly on the tops of volcanoes or in caves. Cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone, or it can be harvested from beaver dams. The best locations for obsidian on the Island map are the volcano in the center of the map and the mountains in the northwest. On Scorched Earth, obsidian is found in the mountains and canyons. On Aberration, obsidian is found in the blue zone and the surface. On Extinction, obsidian is found in the desert biome and the wasteland.
To farm obsidian efficiently, use a metal pick or an Ankylosaurus. Ankylosaurus is the best dinosaur for harvesting obsidian, as it has a high weight capacity and can gather large amounts quickly. Cementing paste can be obtained by farming beaver dams, which are found near rivers and lakes. Beavers are territorial, so approach carefully. Alternatively, you can craft cementing paste by combining chitin or keratin with stone in a mortar and pestle or chemistry bench. Chitin and keratin can be harvested from creatures like Trilobites, Araneo, and Scorpions.
When farming polymer, preparation is key. Bring a high-weight dinosaur like a Argentavis or Quetzal to carry the resources. If you are farming organic polymer, bring preserving bins or a refrigerator to store it, as organic polymer spoils quickly. For regular polymer, ensure you have enough cementing paste and obsidian before starting. A chemistry bench will speed up the crafting process.
Common mistakes include not bringing enough storage or forgetting to preserve organic polymer. Organic polymer spoils in about 30 minutes, so it is crucial to store it immediately. Another mistake is not bringing the right tools or dinosaurs for harvesting. Using a metal pick or Ankylosaurus for obsidian and a chainsaw for organic polymer will maximize efficiency.
Advanced techniques include using a Tek Dedicated Storage to store large amounts of polymer. This is especially useful for tribes with high resource demands. Additionally, using a whip can help gather resources faster from beaver dams or corpses. For tribes, coordinating resource gathering with multiple members can speed up the process. Assign roles, such as one person gathering obsidian while another farms cementing paste.
In solo play, focus on efficiency and preparation. Use tamed dinosaurs to carry resources and protect yourself from hostile creatures. Build a small outpost near resource-rich areas to store materials and craft polymer on the go.
Specific examples include farming Kairuku in the snowy biome of the Island map. Bring a chainsaw and a preserving bin to maximize organic polymer yield. For obsidian, head to the volcano on the Island map with an Ankylosaurus and Argentavis. Gather obsidian and transport it back to your base to craft polymer.
In conclusion, farming polymer in ARK requires careful planning and the right tools. Whether you are farming organic polymer from creatures or crafting regular polymer from obsidian and cementing paste, preparation and efficiency are key. Use the right dinosaurs, bring storage solutions, and coordinate with your tribe to maximize your polymer yield.
Organic polymer is the easier of the two to farm, as it can be harvested directly from creatures like Kairuku, Mantis, and Hesperornis. Kairuku, found in the snowy regions of the Island map, are the most efficient source. They are passive creatures, making them easy to kill. Using a chainsaw or a high-damage weapon like a sword will yield the most organic polymer. Mantis, found in the desert regions of Scorched Earth, also drop organic polymer when killed, but they are more dangerous and require careful handling. Hesperornis, found near water sources, drop organic polymer when killed, but they are harder to find and less efficient than Kairuku.
For regular polymer, you need to craft it using obsidian and cementing paste. Obsidian is found in mountainous regions, particularly on the tops of volcanoes or in caves. Cementing paste is crafted from chitin or keratin and stone, or it can be harvested from beaver dams. The best locations for obsidian on the Island map are the volcano in the center of the map and the mountains in the northwest. On Scorched Earth, obsidian is found in the mountains and canyons. On Aberration, obsidian is found in the blue zone and the surface. On Extinction, obsidian is found in the desert biome and the wasteland.
To farm obsidian efficiently, use a metal pick or an Ankylosaurus. Ankylosaurus is the best dinosaur for harvesting obsidian, as it has a high weight capacity and can gather large amounts quickly. Cementing paste can be obtained by farming beaver dams, which are found near rivers and lakes. Beavers are territorial, so approach carefully. Alternatively, you can craft cementing paste by combining chitin or keratin with stone in a mortar and pestle or chemistry bench. Chitin and keratin can be harvested from creatures like Trilobites, Araneo, and Scorpions.
When farming polymer, preparation is key. Bring a high-weight dinosaur like a Argentavis or Quetzal to carry the resources. If you are farming organic polymer, bring preserving bins or a refrigerator to store it, as organic polymer spoils quickly. For regular polymer, ensure you have enough cementing paste and obsidian before starting. A chemistry bench will speed up the crafting process.
Common mistakes include not bringing enough storage or forgetting to preserve organic polymer. Organic polymer spoils in about 30 minutes, so it is crucial to store it immediately. Another mistake is not bringing the right tools or dinosaurs for harvesting. Using a metal pick or Ankylosaurus for obsidian and a chainsaw for organic polymer will maximize efficiency.
Advanced techniques include using a Tek Dedicated Storage to store large amounts of polymer. This is especially useful for tribes with high resource demands. Additionally, using a whip can help gather resources faster from beaver dams or corpses. For tribes, coordinating resource gathering with multiple members can speed up the process. Assign roles, such as one person gathering obsidian while another farms cementing paste.
In solo play, focus on efficiency and preparation. Use tamed dinosaurs to carry resources and protect yourself from hostile creatures. Build a small outpost near resource-rich areas to store materials and craft polymer on the go.
Specific examples include farming Kairuku in the snowy biome of the Island map. Bring a chainsaw and a preserving bin to maximize organic polymer yield. For obsidian, head to the volcano on the Island map with an Ankylosaurus and Argentavis. Gather obsidian and transport it back to your base to craft polymer.
In conclusion, farming polymer in ARK requires careful planning and the right tools. Whether you are farming organic polymer from creatures or crafting regular polymer from obsidian and cementing paste, preparation and efficiency are key. Use the right dinosaurs, bring storage solutions, and coordinate with your tribe to maximize your polymer yield.