Where are the best spots for farming metal on the Extinction map in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Farming metal on the Extinction map in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial activity for progression, as metal is essential for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and structures. Extinction offers several high-yield metal farming locations, but understanding the mechanics and strategies for efficient farming is key to maximizing your efforts.

The primary source of metal on Extinction is metal nodes, which are large, shiny rocks often found in mountainous or rocky areas. These nodes yield significantly more metal than regular rocks. Additionally, metal can be obtained from certain creatures, such as the Gacha, which can produce metal crystals when fed the right resources. However, the most efficient method is to farm metal nodes directly.

One of the best spots for farming metal on Extinction is the Sunken Forest biome. This area is rich in metal nodes, particularly around the edges of the biome where the terrain becomes more rocky and elevated. Another excellent location is the Desert Dome, which contains numerous metal nodes scattered across its rocky outcrops. The Snow Dome also has a good concentration of metal nodes, though the cold environment and hostile creatures make it a more challenging area to farm.

To farm metal efficiently, you will need the right tools and dinosaurs. A high-quality metal pickaxe is essential for maximizing the amount of metal you gather from each node. Additionally, using a dinosaur with high weight capacity and the ability to carry metal efficiently is crucial. Ankylosaurus is the best dinosaur for this task, as it has a weight reduction for metal and can gather large amounts of metal with its tail attack. If you do not have an Ankylosaurus, a Mantis equipped with a metal pickaxe can also be effective, though it requires more preparation.

Before heading out to farm metal, ensure you are well-prepared. Bring a high-quality pickaxe, a strong dinosaur for carrying resources, and a flyer for transportation. If you are farming in dangerous areas like the Snow Dome, consider bringing weapons and armor for protection. It is also a good idea to set up a small base or storage area nearby to store your metal before transporting it back to your main base.

When farming metal, focus on gathering as much as possible in one trip to minimize the number of trips you need to make. Use your dinosaur to carry the metal, and if its weight capacity is exceeded, transfer the metal to your flyer or another dinosaur. Be mindful of your surroundings, as hostile creatures can pose a threat while you are farming. Always keep an eye out for predators and be ready to defend yourself or retreat if necessary.

One common mistake to avoid is overloading your dinosaur or flyer with too much metal, which can slow you down or make you an easy target for predators. Always monitor your weight and plan your route back to your base carefully. Another mistake is not bringing enough tools or backup equipment. If your pickaxe breaks while farming, you will need a replacement to continue gathering metal.

Advanced techniques for metal farming include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to transport an Ankylosaurus. This allows you to fly the Ankylosaurus to metal nodes, gather the metal, and then fly back to your base without needing to make multiple trips. Another advanced strategy is to use a Tek Stryder, which can gather metal efficiently and has a high weight capacity. However, this requires access to Tek Tier technology.

For solo players, farming metal can be more challenging due to the lack of support from tribe members. It is important to plan your trips carefully and ensure you have the necessary tools and dinosaurs to handle the task. For tribes, coordinating metal farming efforts can be highly efficient. Assigning specific roles, such as one player gathering metal while another transports it, can streamline the process and increase overall productivity.

In summary, farming metal on the Extinction map requires careful planning, the right tools and dinosaurs, and an understanding of the best locations. By focusing on high-yield areas like the Sunken Forest, Desert Dome, and Snow Dome, and using efficient farming techniques, you can gather large amounts of metal to support your progression in ARK: Survival Evolved. Always be prepared for potential dangers and avoid common mistakes to ensure a successful farming trip.