What Creature Drops the Most Chitin? A Deep Dive into Ark’s Essential Resource
The question of which creature drops the most chitin in Ark: Survival Evolved is a common one among players, and for good reason. Chitin is a vital crafting resource, used in everything from basic tools to advanced armor. While many creatures yield chitin, the Trilobite stands out as the most efficient source. Despite a past nerf to the amount of oil and silica, Trilobites remain the champion when it comes to pure chitin farming. These slow-moving, docile creatures are found in shallow waters and on beaches, making them an accessible target for even low-level players. While not as dramatic as battling a Spinosaur, hunting Trilobites is a highly effective way to amass this essential material.
Harvesting Chitin: More Than Just Trilobites
While Trilobites are a great starting point, there are other options to consider as you progress in the game. Several creatures yield chitin, each with its own pros and cons.
Efficient Alternatives
- Therizinosaurus: While often considered a keratin harvesting beast, the Therizinosaurus is also a powerful chitin gatherer, particularly against smaller creatures.
- Direwolf and Sabertooth: These agile carnivores are excellent all-around gatherers, excelling at both chitin and keratin. Their high mobility makes them suitable for clearing caves and beaches quickly.
- Spinosaur: A formidable predator, the Spinosaur can amass considerable chitin when used to clear out areas teeming with insects and smaller creatures.
- Beelzebufo: The giant frog can harvest chitin effectively and can also use its sticky tongue to keep enemies at bay.
- Karkinos (Crab): This creature naturally drops chitin when killed, along with raw meat and organic polymer. It’s a useful target when found.
Tools and Techniques
The effectiveness of chitin harvesting also depends on the tools and techniques used:
- Metal Hatchet: While not a creature, the metal hatchet is an excellent tool for maximizing chitin yield when harvesting corpses.
- Melee Damage: Enhancing the melee damage of your harvesting creatures can significantly increase the amount of chitin they gather per kill.
The Central Cave: A Chitin Hotspot
The Central Cave, often referred to as the “Chitin Cave,” is an ideal location for chitin farming. With a multitude of smaller creatures, such as spiders and scorpions, this cave allows for rapid chitin gathering, particularly when using a powerful mount like a Sabertooth or Direwolf. The added benefit of finding rare dossiers and Rockwell Records makes this a lucrative cave to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is chitin?
Chitin is a sturdy, naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of arthropods (insects, crustaceans, spiders), cell walls of fungi, and some other organisms. In Ark, it’s a key crafting resource.
2. Why is chitin so important in Ark?
Chitin is a fundamental crafting material used in a variety of recipes, including tools, armor, saddles, and advanced technologies. Having a steady supply is essential for progression.
3. Where can I find trilobites?
Trilobites are commonly found in shallow water areas and on beaches. They move slowly and do not fight back, making them easy targets.
4. What is the best tool to harvest chitin?
The metal hatchet is generally considered the best tool for maximizing the amount of chitin harvested.
5. Can tamed creatures help with chitin harvesting?
Yes, several tamed creatures are excellent at harvesting chitin, including Therizinosaurus, Direwolf, Sabertooth, Spinosaur, and Beelzebufo.
6. Does melee damage affect chitin harvest?
Yes, increasing the melee damage stat of your harvesting creature will lead to larger amounts of chitin being obtained.
7. Are there any caves good for chitin farming?
Yes, the Central Cave is well-known for its abundant supply of smaller creatures that drop chitin, making it an efficient location for farming.
8. Besides creatures, are there other sources of chitin?
In Ark, chitin is primarily obtained from harvesting certain creatures. There aren’t alternative non-creature sources. However, the Achatina (snail) produces a substance that can substitute chitin when crafting.
9. Do some creatures drop both chitin and keratin?
Yes, creatures like Direwolves, Sabertooths, and Therizinosaurus can efficiently harvest both chitin and keratin.
10. What is the fastest way to get chitin and keratin?
Taming a Sabertooth is a highly effective way to quickly obtain both chitin and keratin due to its high movement speed and decent gathering abilities.
11. Does chitin have any uses besides crafting?
No, in Ark, chitin’s primary function is a crafting material. However, in real life, chitin can be used in many biomedical applications due to its fiber properties.
12. How do trilobites compare to other chitin sources?
Trilobites are incredibly easy to harvest and provide a consistent amount of chitin, especially in the early game, making them the primary target.
13. Can you eat foods containing chitin?
In the real world, foods like shrimp, lobster, mushrooms, and insects contain chitin, which can act as a dietary fiber. However, in Ark, chitin is strictly a resource for crafting and is not consumed by players.
14. Does harvesting location affect the amount of chitin?
While the location itself doesn’t directly affect the quantity of chitin a creature drops, areas with higher concentrations of chitin-dropping creatures (like the Central Cave) are more efficient for farming.
15. How do you maximize your chitin harvest?
The most effective approach is to use a metal hatchet or a creature with high melee damage (like a Sabertooth or Megatherium) to harvest Trilobites or other chitin-dropping creatures. Focusing on areas dense with these creatures (such as the Central Cave) will also yield faster results.