If you've been wandering the wilderness of ARK: Survival Ascended, you’ve probably realized that a little bit of ark metal can go a long way. From crafting strong tools to building high-tech bases. The ark metal ingot is the game’s golden ticket to progress. But where do you find this shiny resource, and how do you get the most out of your metal runs? Let’s understand the details of metal ark gathering on The Island.
Why Metal is Essential
Ark metal is the backbone of crafting in ARK. Once refined into a metal ingot ark, this resource is a key ingredient in mid- and late-game recipes, including:
- Weapons: Guns, swords, and more.
- Structures: Stronger base parts like metal walls and ceilings.
- Gear: Durable saddles and armor.
- Tech Gadgets: Electrical machines and advanced tools.
You'll need two metal ore to create a single ingot, which can be smelted in a Refining Forge or, if you’re rolling in resources, an Industrial Forge (pro tip: the latter works 20 times faster).
Where to Find Metal on The Island
Sure, you could bash a regular rock and pray for a scrap of metal, but let’s be honest—that’s not going to cut it. You need to hunt down metal nodes, identifiable by their shiny, grayish veins. These nodes are primarily located in mountainous areas, which means two things: high rewards and high risks (looking at you, T-Rex).
Best Locations to Farm Metal
The Volcano (40, 37)The king of metal-rich spots, but also the king of danger. Expect carnivorous giants to be lurking around every corner. Bring your A-game (and some dinos to back you up).
Other MountainsNearly all mountains on The Island have metal nodes, though the density varies. You’ll find decent clusters on:
- Far’s Peak
- The Frozen Tooth
- The Red Obelisk area
CavesIf you’re feeling adventurous, explore cave systems. They often have metal nodes tucked away inside.
Mining Metal: Tools of the Trade
Not all tools are created equal when it comes to mining ark metal. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Basic Tools
- Stone Pick: Better than nothing, but don’t expect much.
- Metal Pick: Your go-to tool for hand mining. At higher tiers (Mastercraft or Ascendant), this pick can rival even dinos in efficiency.
Dinos for Mining
Taming the right dino can drastically boost your metal:
- Ankylosaurus
The MVP of metal mining. This slow herbivore has unmatched efficiency when it comes to harvesting metal nodes. It also reduces the weight of metal in its inventory by a whopping 85%! - Dunkleosteus
A metal-mining machine of the deep. Perfect for underwater metal and stone nodes. However, taming one requires preparation, as you’ll need SCUBA gear and a decent water mount e.g., Megalodon. - Argentavis
Not a miner itself, but this flying beast can carry an Ankylosaurus to hard-to-reach areas, making it a key player in efficient ark metal farming. It also offers a 50% weight reduction for metal. - Quetzal
A heavy-lift alternative to the Argentavis. It can carry more metal in a single trip, but taming one is a challenge.
Tips and Tricks for Efficient Metal Farming
If you are wondering how to get metal in ark? Here are some strategies to make your metal runs smoother and more rewarding:
1. Use Flyers for Transportation
- Picking up an Ankylosaurus with an Argentavis or Quetzal is a game-changer. This eliminates the need for your Ankylosaurus to slowly trudge up mountains or volcano slopes.
- Bonus: Your Ankylosaurus will start mining automatically when flown close to metal nodes.
2. Plan Around Weight Reduction
- The best way to get metal in ark is by using a specialized mount like the Ankylosaurus and Argentavis. Both significantly reduce the weight of metal they carry. Use this to your advantage to haul more metal per trip.
3. Go Mate-Boosted
- Tame a male and female Ankylosaurus to get the Mate-Boosted buff. This adds a 33% damage bonus, which translates to more metal per swing.
4. Scout Ahead
- Before heading into a dangerous area like the volcano, scout the terrain with a flyer. Knowing where predators are lurking can save you from a metal run gone horribly wrong.
5. Don’t Forget Respawn Times
- Metal nodes take about an hour to respawn after being mined. Rotate between multiple mining spots to keep the metal flowing.
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Wrapping Up
Metal is the lifeblood of your journey in ARK: Survival Ascended. Whether you’re crafting a new weapon to take on the wilds or building a fortress to withstand enemy attacks, mastering the art of metal farming will keep you ahead of the curve. So grab your pick, saddle up your Ankylosaurus, and conquer The Island one shiny node at a time!
Frequently Asked Questions
In ARK metal is mainly mined from rocks, especially metal nodes which are found in the mountainous regions. But obtaining the rock from these areas can be a challenge.
Metal ingots are used in the majority of mid- to late-game crafting recipes in the game, including base parts, electrical machines, saddles, and armor. As a result, streamlining your metal-collection procedure is critical to making it as efficient and secure as possible.
The most efficient way to mine metal is with a specialized mount like the Ankylosaurus. But, if you have not yet tamed one or are unable to bring yours to the nodes, you can mine metal by hand.