What are the best locations to farm metal on Extinction in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Farming metal on Extinction in ARK: Survival Evolved is a critical task for progression, as metal is essential for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and structures. Extinction offers several prime locations for metal farming, each with its own advantages and challenges. Understanding the mechanics, strategies, and preparation required will help you maximize your metal yield efficiently.
One of the best locations for metal farming on Extinction is the Sunken Forest biome. This area is rich in metal nodes, which are scattered throughout the forest and along the edges of the biome. The metal nodes here are often found on rocky outcrops and cliffs, making them easy to spot. To farm metal in this area, you will need a strong gathering dinosaur, such as an Ankylosaurus or a Magmasaur. These creatures have high damage output and weight capacity, making them ideal for breaking metal nodes and carrying the resources. When using an Ankylosaurus, its tail swipe attack can break metal nodes quickly, while a Magmasaur can use its fire breath to harvest metal efficiently. Always bring a weight-reducing dinosaur like an Argentavis or a Tek Parasaur to help transport the metal back to your base.
Another excellent location for metal farming is the Desert biome. This area has large metal-rich rocks that are easy to spot due to their distinct appearance. The Desert biome is more dangerous than the Sunken Forest, as it is home to hostile creatures like Rock Elementals and Carnotaurus. To farm metal here, you will need to be well-prepared with strong armor, weapons, and a tamed dinosaur capable of defending itself. A high-level Rex or Spino can help clear out threats while you focus on gathering metal. Additionally, the Desert biome has fewer trees and obstacles, making it easier to navigate with larger dinosaurs.
The Snow biome is another viable option for metal farming, though it is more challenging due to the cold weather and aggressive creatures like Yutyrannus and Direwolves. Metal nodes in the Snow biome are often found on mountain slopes and cliffs. To survive in this biome, you will need cold-weather gear or a strong dinosaur like a Yutyrannus to provide insulation. A high-level Ankylosaurus or Magmasaur is still the best choice for gathering metal here, but you must be cautious of the environmental hazards and predators.
When farming metal, it is important to bring the right tools and equipment. A metal pickaxe or a high-quality chainsaw will significantly increase your metal yield. Additionally, consider using a mining drill if you have access to Tek-tier technology, as it can harvest metal nodes very quickly. Always carry a few stacks of food, water, and medical supplies to sustain yourself during long farming sessions. If you are playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize efficiency. One player can focus on gathering metal while others defend against threats or transport resources back to the base.
A common mistake to avoid is overloading your dinosaur with metal, as this will slow it down and make it vulnerable to attacks. Always monitor your dinosaur's weight and unload metal into a nearby storage container or a weight-reducing dinosaur before continuing to farm. Another mistake is venturing into dangerous areas without proper preparation. Always scout the area first and clear out any threats before starting to farm metal.
Advanced techniques for metal farming include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry an Ankylosaurus or Magmasaur. This allows you to fly to metal-rich areas and harvest nodes without worrying about ground-based threats. Another optimization is to build a small outpost near metal-rich locations, complete with storage containers and a bed for respawning. This reduces the time spent traveling back and forth between your main base and the farming area.
In conclusion, farming metal on Extinction requires careful planning, the right dinosaurs, and proper equipment. The Sunken Forest, Desert, and Snow biomes are the best locations for metal farming, each with its own challenges and advantages. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently gather the metal needed for advanced crafting and base building. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, coordination and preparation are key to successful metal farming on Extinction.
One of the best locations for metal farming on Extinction is the Sunken Forest biome. This area is rich in metal nodes, which are scattered throughout the forest and along the edges of the biome. The metal nodes here are often found on rocky outcrops and cliffs, making them easy to spot. To farm metal in this area, you will need a strong gathering dinosaur, such as an Ankylosaurus or a Magmasaur. These creatures have high damage output and weight capacity, making them ideal for breaking metal nodes and carrying the resources. When using an Ankylosaurus, its tail swipe attack can break metal nodes quickly, while a Magmasaur can use its fire breath to harvest metal efficiently. Always bring a weight-reducing dinosaur like an Argentavis or a Tek Parasaur to help transport the metal back to your base.
Another excellent location for metal farming is the Desert biome. This area has large metal-rich rocks that are easy to spot due to their distinct appearance. The Desert biome is more dangerous than the Sunken Forest, as it is home to hostile creatures like Rock Elementals and Carnotaurus. To farm metal here, you will need to be well-prepared with strong armor, weapons, and a tamed dinosaur capable of defending itself. A high-level Rex or Spino can help clear out threats while you focus on gathering metal. Additionally, the Desert biome has fewer trees and obstacles, making it easier to navigate with larger dinosaurs.
The Snow biome is another viable option for metal farming, though it is more challenging due to the cold weather and aggressive creatures like Yutyrannus and Direwolves. Metal nodes in the Snow biome are often found on mountain slopes and cliffs. To survive in this biome, you will need cold-weather gear or a strong dinosaur like a Yutyrannus to provide insulation. A high-level Ankylosaurus or Magmasaur is still the best choice for gathering metal here, but you must be cautious of the environmental hazards and predators.
When farming metal, it is important to bring the right tools and equipment. A metal pickaxe or a high-quality chainsaw will significantly increase your metal yield. Additionally, consider using a mining drill if you have access to Tek-tier technology, as it can harvest metal nodes very quickly. Always carry a few stacks of food, water, and medical supplies to sustain yourself during long farming sessions. If you are playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to maximize efficiency. One player can focus on gathering metal while others defend against threats or transport resources back to the base.
A common mistake to avoid is overloading your dinosaur with metal, as this will slow it down and make it vulnerable to attacks. Always monitor your dinosaur's weight and unload metal into a nearby storage container or a weight-reducing dinosaur before continuing to farm. Another mistake is venturing into dangerous areas without proper preparation. Always scout the area first and clear out any threats before starting to farm metal.
Advanced techniques for metal farming include using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry an Ankylosaurus or Magmasaur. This allows you to fly to metal-rich areas and harvest nodes without worrying about ground-based threats. Another optimization is to build a small outpost near metal-rich locations, complete with storage containers and a bed for respawning. This reduces the time spent traveling back and forth between your main base and the farming area.
In conclusion, farming metal on Extinction requires careful planning, the right dinosaurs, and proper equipment. The Sunken Forest, Desert, and Snow biomes are the best locations for metal farming, each with its own challenges and advantages. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently gather the metal needed for advanced crafting and base building. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, coordination and preparation are key to successful metal farming on Extinction.