What are the best strategies for farming metal on Valguero in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming metal on Valguero in ARK: Survival Evolved is a critical task for progression, as metal is essential for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and structures. Valguero is a map rich in metal nodes, but knowing where to find them and how to efficiently gather them is key. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you maximize your metal farming efforts.
First, understanding the mechanics of metal farming is important. Metal nodes are large, shiny rocks that are typically found in mountainous or rocky areas. When harvested with a pickaxe, they yield metal ore, which must then be smelted in a forge to create metal ingots. Certain dinosaurs, like the Ankylosaurus, are highly efficient at gathering metal, making them invaluable for this task. Additionally, using a metal pickaxe or a high-quality pickaxe will yield more metal per node compared to a stone pickaxe.
To begin farming metal on Valguero, you need to locate the best metal-rich areas. The most prominent locations include the White Cliffs, the Chalk Hills, and the Snow Biome. The White Cliffs, located in the northwest part of the map, are particularly rich in metal nodes and are relatively safe compared to other areas. The Chalk Hills, found in the central part of the map, also have a high concentration of metal nodes but are more dangerous due to the presence of predators like raptors and carnotaurus. The Snow Biome, located in the northeast, has abundant metal nodes but is extremely cold, requiring you to prepare with fur armor or other insulation.
Once youÔÇÖve identified your farming location, the next step is preparation. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, youÔÇÖll need a strong mount like an Ankylosaurus to carry and harvest metal efficiently. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, coordinating with teammates to use multiple Ankylosauruses or even a Quetzal with a platform saddle can significantly increase your metal yield. Before heading out, ensure you have enough food, water, and tools. Bring a few pickaxes in case one breaks, and consider bringing a bed or sleeping bag to set up a temporary respawn point in case of death.
When you arrive at the metal-rich area, start by clearing any nearby threats. Predators can interrupt your farming, so itÔÇÖs best to eliminate them first. Once the area is safe, begin harvesting the metal nodes with your Ankylosaurus. The Ankylosaurus has a weight reduction for metal, allowing it to carry more before becoming encumbered. If youÔÇÖre using a Quetzal, you can load the Ankylosaurus onto the platform saddle and fly it to different nodes, making the process faster and safer.
After gathering the metal, youÔÇÖll need to transport it back to your base for smelting. If youÔÇÖre solo, you may need to make multiple trips, especially if your Ankylosaurus becomes encumbered. In a tribe, you can use a Quetzal or Argentavis to carry the Ankylosaurus and the metal back to base in one trip. Once back at your base, smelt the metal ore in a forge to create metal ingots. Industrial forges are highly efficient and can smelt large quantities of metal quickly, so prioritize building one if you have the resources.
There are several tips and considerations to keep in mind while farming metal. First, always be aware of your surroundings. ValgueroÔÇÖs metal-rich areas are often populated by dangerous creatures, so staying alert is crucial. Second, consider building a small outpost near your farming location. This can serve as a safe spot to store metal and respawn if needed. Third, use a whip to quickly gather metal from the ground if your Ankylosaurus drops any while harvesting.
Common mistakes to avoid include over-encumbering your dinosaur, which can leave you vulnerable to attacks, and not bringing enough tools or supplies. Additionally, avoid farming in dangerous areas without proper preparation, as losing your mount or resources can set you back significantly.
Advanced techniques include using a Tek Stryder with a mining drill attachment, which can harvest metal nodes extremely efficiently. However, this requires access to Tek-tier technology. Another optimization is to use a chainsaw, which can yield more metal from nodes compared to a pickaxe, though it requires gasoline to operate.
In conclusion, farming metal on Valguero requires careful planning, the right tools, and a strong mount. By following these strategies and tips, you can efficiently gather the metal needed to progress in ARK: Survival Evolved. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, understanding the mapÔÇÖs resources and dangers will help you succeed in your metal farming endeavors.
First, understanding the mechanics of metal farming is important. Metal nodes are large, shiny rocks that are typically found in mountainous or rocky areas. When harvested with a pickaxe, they yield metal ore, which must then be smelted in a forge to create metal ingots. Certain dinosaurs, like the Ankylosaurus, are highly efficient at gathering metal, making them invaluable for this task. Additionally, using a metal pickaxe or a high-quality pickaxe will yield more metal per node compared to a stone pickaxe.
To begin farming metal on Valguero, you need to locate the best metal-rich areas. The most prominent locations include the White Cliffs, the Chalk Hills, and the Snow Biome. The White Cliffs, located in the northwest part of the map, are particularly rich in metal nodes and are relatively safe compared to other areas. The Chalk Hills, found in the central part of the map, also have a high concentration of metal nodes but are more dangerous due to the presence of predators like raptors and carnotaurus. The Snow Biome, located in the northeast, has abundant metal nodes but is extremely cold, requiring you to prepare with fur armor or other insulation.
Once youÔÇÖve identified your farming location, the next step is preparation. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, youÔÇÖll need a strong mount like an Ankylosaurus to carry and harvest metal efficiently. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, coordinating with teammates to use multiple Ankylosauruses or even a Quetzal with a platform saddle can significantly increase your metal yield. Before heading out, ensure you have enough food, water, and tools. Bring a few pickaxes in case one breaks, and consider bringing a bed or sleeping bag to set up a temporary respawn point in case of death.
When you arrive at the metal-rich area, start by clearing any nearby threats. Predators can interrupt your farming, so itÔÇÖs best to eliminate them first. Once the area is safe, begin harvesting the metal nodes with your Ankylosaurus. The Ankylosaurus has a weight reduction for metal, allowing it to carry more before becoming encumbered. If youÔÇÖre using a Quetzal, you can load the Ankylosaurus onto the platform saddle and fly it to different nodes, making the process faster and safer.
After gathering the metal, youÔÇÖll need to transport it back to your base for smelting. If youÔÇÖre solo, you may need to make multiple trips, especially if your Ankylosaurus becomes encumbered. In a tribe, you can use a Quetzal or Argentavis to carry the Ankylosaurus and the metal back to base in one trip. Once back at your base, smelt the metal ore in a forge to create metal ingots. Industrial forges are highly efficient and can smelt large quantities of metal quickly, so prioritize building one if you have the resources.
There are several tips and considerations to keep in mind while farming metal. First, always be aware of your surroundings. ValgueroÔÇÖs metal-rich areas are often populated by dangerous creatures, so staying alert is crucial. Second, consider building a small outpost near your farming location. This can serve as a safe spot to store metal and respawn if needed. Third, use a whip to quickly gather metal from the ground if your Ankylosaurus drops any while harvesting.
Common mistakes to avoid include over-encumbering your dinosaur, which can leave you vulnerable to attacks, and not bringing enough tools or supplies. Additionally, avoid farming in dangerous areas without proper preparation, as losing your mount or resources can set you back significantly.
Advanced techniques include using a Tek Stryder with a mining drill attachment, which can harvest metal nodes extremely efficiently. However, this requires access to Tek-tier technology. Another optimization is to use a chainsaw, which can yield more metal from nodes compared to a pickaxe, though it requires gasoline to operate.
In conclusion, farming metal on Valguero requires careful planning, the right tools, and a strong mount. By following these strategies and tips, you can efficiently gather the metal needed to progress in ARK: Survival Evolved. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, understanding the mapÔÇÖs resources and dangers will help you succeed in your metal farming endeavors.