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, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of metal farming. 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 produce metal ingots. The amount of metal you gather depends on the tool you use. A metal pickaxe is the most efficient for harvesting metal, but an Ankylosaurus is even better due to its high metal yield and weight reduction for metal. Additionally, using a mining drill can be effective, though it requires gasoline and is more advanced.
To start farming metal, youÔÇÖll need to prepare. First, ensure you have a strong mount, such as an Ankylosaurus, Argentavis, or Quetzal. An Ankylosaurus is ideal for gathering metal, while an Argentavis or Quetzal is great for transporting large amounts of ore due to their weight reduction for metal and carrying capacity. YouÔÇÖll also need a forge to smelt the ore into ingots. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, a refining forge is sufficient, but for tribes, an industrial forge is highly recommended for faster smelting.
One of the best locations for metal farming on Valguero is the White Cliffs area, located in the northwest part of the map. This region is rich in metal nodes and is relatively safe compared to other areas. Another excellent spot is the Snow Biome, which has a high concentration of metal nodes but is more dangerous due to the cold and hostile creatures like wolves and yetis. The Aberration Trench, located in the southeast, is another great location, offering both metal and crystal nodes, though itÔÇÖs more challenging due to the presence of dangerous creatures like Rock Drakes and Nameless.
When farming metal, always bring a few key items. First, carry a few stacks of food and water to sustain yourself and your mount. If youÔÇÖre in a cold area like the Snow Biome, bring fur armor or other cold-resistant gear. Additionally, bring a few parachutes in case you need to escape quickly from high cliffs. If youÔÇÖre using an Ankylosaurus, consider bringing a platform saddle with storage boxes to maximize your haul. For transportation, an Argentavis or Quetzal with a platform saddle can carry both you and your Ankylosaurus, allowing you to farm and transport metal efficiently.
A common mistake is overloading your mount or yourself with too much metal, which can slow you down and make you vulnerable to attacks. Always monitor your weight and make multiple trips if necessary. Another mistake is not scouting the area for threats before starting to farm. Always clear the area of hostile creatures or have a plan to escape if needed.
For advanced players, consider setting up a small outpost near your farming location. This can include a bed for respawning, a few storage boxes, and a refining forge. This allows you to smelt metal on-site and reduce the number of trips back to your main base. Additionally, using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry an Ankylosaurus can significantly increase your farming efficiency, as you can fly directly to metal nodes and harvest them without dismounting.
In terms of tribe considerations, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering metal while another transports it. Using an industrial forge at your base can speed up the smelting process, and having multiple forges can further increase efficiency. For solo players, focus on optimizing your farming route and using weight-reducing mounts to maximize your haul.
In summary, farming metal on Valguero requires preparation, the right tools, and knowledge of the best locations. Use an Ankylosaurus for gathering, an Argentavis or Quetzal for transportation, and always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid common mistakes like overloading and not scouting for threats. Advanced techniques like setting up outposts and using platform saddles can further optimize your farming. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather metal efficiently and progress in the game.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of metal farming. 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 produce metal ingots. The amount of metal you gather depends on the tool you use. A metal pickaxe is the most efficient for harvesting metal, but an Ankylosaurus is even better due to its high metal yield and weight reduction for metal. Additionally, using a mining drill can be effective, though it requires gasoline and is more advanced.
To start farming metal, youÔÇÖll need to prepare. First, ensure you have a strong mount, such as an Ankylosaurus, Argentavis, or Quetzal. An Ankylosaurus is ideal for gathering metal, while an Argentavis or Quetzal is great for transporting large amounts of ore due to their weight reduction for metal and carrying capacity. YouÔÇÖll also need a forge to smelt the ore into ingots. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, a refining forge is sufficient, but for tribes, an industrial forge is highly recommended for faster smelting.
One of the best locations for metal farming on Valguero is the White Cliffs area, located in the northwest part of the map. This region is rich in metal nodes and is relatively safe compared to other areas. Another excellent spot is the Snow Biome, which has a high concentration of metal nodes but is more dangerous due to the cold and hostile creatures like wolves and yetis. The Aberration Trench, located in the southeast, is another great location, offering both metal and crystal nodes, though itÔÇÖs more challenging due to the presence of dangerous creatures like Rock Drakes and Nameless.
When farming metal, always bring a few key items. First, carry a few stacks of food and water to sustain yourself and your mount. If youÔÇÖre in a cold area like the Snow Biome, bring fur armor or other cold-resistant gear. Additionally, bring a few parachutes in case you need to escape quickly from high cliffs. If youÔÇÖre using an Ankylosaurus, consider bringing a platform saddle with storage boxes to maximize your haul. For transportation, an Argentavis or Quetzal with a platform saddle can carry both you and your Ankylosaurus, allowing you to farm and transport metal efficiently.
A common mistake is overloading your mount or yourself with too much metal, which can slow you down and make you vulnerable to attacks. Always monitor your weight and make multiple trips if necessary. Another mistake is not scouting the area for threats before starting to farm. Always clear the area of hostile creatures or have a plan to escape if needed.
For advanced players, consider setting up a small outpost near your farming location. This can include a bed for respawning, a few storage boxes, and a refining forge. This allows you to smelt metal on-site and reduce the number of trips back to your main base. Additionally, using a Quetzal with a platform saddle to carry an Ankylosaurus can significantly increase your farming efficiency, as you can fly directly to metal nodes and harvest them without dismounting.
In terms of tribe considerations, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering metal while another transports it. Using an industrial forge at your base can speed up the smelting process, and having multiple forges can further increase efficiency. For solo players, focus on optimizing your farming route and using weight-reducing mounts to maximize your haul.
In summary, farming metal on Valguero requires preparation, the right tools, and knowledge of the best locations. Use an Ankylosaurus for gathering, an Argentavis or Quetzal for transportation, and always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid common mistakes like overloading and not scouting for threats. Advanced techniques like setting up outposts and using platform saddles can further optimize your farming. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you gather metal efficiently and progress in the game.