What is the Best Dino for Collecting Obsidian in Ark?

The quest for obsidian in Ark: Survival Evolved is a crucial one, as this resource is a cornerstone for crafting advanced technology. While several creatures and tools can harvest obsidian, one clearly stands out as the most efficient choice: the Ankylosaurus.

The Reigning Obsidian Harvester: The Ankylosaurus

The Ankylosaurus, affectionately known as the “Anky” by many Ark players, reigns supreme when it comes to obsidian gathering. Its unique ability to efficiently harvest resources, coupled with its relative ease of taming and access, makes it the go-to choice for most survivors seeking obsidian. Here’s why the Ankylosaurus is the best obsidian collector:

• High Obsidian Yield: While a player using a metal pick can collect a decent amount of obsidian from individual nodes, the Ankylosaurus’s harvesting rate and yield significantly surpass that of any player. It gathers more obsidian per rock compared to most other dinos and often gathers multiple pieces of obsidian from a single swing. A player will harvest approximately 18 obsidian from 3 obsidian rocks while a Ankylosaurus will harvest approximately 16 obsidian per single obsidian rock. This efficiency means less time spent gathering and more time crafting.
• Efficient Harvesting Method: The Ankylosaurus’s tail-swing attack is specifically designed for resource gathering, allowing it to quickly extract obsidian from nodes. This is far more efficient and less time-consuming than having to use a pickaxe manually.
• Availability and Ease of Taming: Ankylosauruses are relatively common on many Ark maps. They are not the easiest tame, but not exceptionally challenging either. Once tamed, they are sturdy and reliable companions. This makes them much more readily available to the average survivor.
• Good Weight Capacity: The Ankylosaurus has a respectable weight capacity, enabling it to carry a significant amount of obsidian. This reduces the need for frequent trips back to base, streamlining the harvesting process.

While other creatures can gather obsidian, none combine all these factors as effectively as the Ankylosaurus. For serious obsidian farming, the Anky is the top choice.

Honorable Mentions: Other Obsidian Harvesting Options

While the Ankylosaurus is king, there are a few other options for obsidian harvesting worth mentioning:

• Magmasaur: The Magmasaur is often touted for its metal-gathering prowess. While it is also ranked highly on Dododex for obsidian gathering, it is still ranked lower than the Anklyosaurus. Its powerful bite can extract obsidian effectively and is often praised for efficiency at metal harvesting. However, the Magmasaur is not as easily obtained as an Ankylosaurus, and its location near lava also poses a safety risk.
• Mantis with Metal Pick: A Mantis equipped with a high-quality metal pick can be a decent alternative, especially in the early to mid-game. The Mantis has good mobility and can harvest various resources, but it does not harvest obsidian as efficiently as the Anky.
• Metal Pickaxe: A metal pickaxe is a viable option, especially if you do not have a tamed Ankylosaurus. It is a slow method of harvesting, but it will get the job done.
• Diamond Pickaxe: In contrast to the base game’s functionality of obsidian, there is a mechanic that requires a diamond pickaxe to harvest man-made obsidian. This particular type of obsidian is formed by pouring water onto lava.

Ultimately, these are secondary choices. The Ankylosaurus’s efficiency and availability make it the primary choice for most players.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Obsidian Harvesting in Ark

Here are some common questions about obsidian gathering, designed to provide you with a more detailed understanding of this valuable resource:

1. What exactly is obsidian in Ark?

Obsidian is a vital resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, primarily used for crafting advanced technology and tools. It appears as smooth, black rocks found in caves and mountainous regions. It is an essential component for high-level crafting.

2. Where is the best place to find obsidian in Ark?

Caves and mountainous areas are generally the best places to find obsidian deposits. Maps with volcanic regions like the Fjordur map have obsidian nodes scattered around lava flows. The Arctic biome is another location that is known for containing large amounts of obsidian.

3. How do you identify obsidian nodes?

Obsidian nodes are distinctive, appearing as smooth, black rocks and usually found in clusters. They often appear along lava flows, in caves, and on mountain peaks.

4. Can the Doedicurus gather obsidian?

The Doedicurus is better suited to gathering stone. While it might collect a minimal amount of obsidian if it hits a node, it is not an effective method for farming obsidian. Doedicurus’ main use is gathering massive amounts of stone.

5. Is there a specific level I should get an Ankylosaurus for obsidian harvesting?

There isn’t a specific level requirement. However, the higher the melee damage stat of your Ankylosaurus, the more obsidian it will harvest. Aim for a high-level tame to maximize efficiency.

6. Can you increase the obsidian yield from an Ankylosaurus?

Yes, by increasing the Ankylosaurus’s melee damage stat through leveling up, you will significantly boost the amount of obsidian it collects.

7. How do I tame an Ankylosaurus?

Ankylosaurus can be tamed via knock-out taming. Use tranquilizer arrows or darts to render them unconscious, then feed them their preferred food (Kibble) or berries.

8. Does the Tek Anky have an advantage in obsidian gathering?

The Tek Anky does not have an obsidian gathering advantage. It has a slight stat increase, but there is no unique bonus to obsidian harvesting.

9. Can I break obsidian nodes with my fists?

No, you cannot break obsidian nodes with your fists. You must use a pickaxe or a dino capable of resource gathering, most effectively an Ankylosaurus.

10. Can you create obsidian?

Yes, but only via using a diamond pickaxe. This can be done by pouring water on a source lava block to create a man-made block of obsidian.

11. Is Obsidian found on every map?

Yes, Obsidian can be found on most of the maps, but it’s availability and abundance may vary. Volcanic regions and caves are a reliable resource on most maps.

12. What is the fastest way to get obsidian early in the game?

In the early game, use a metal pickaxe to harvest obsidian if you do not have an Ankylosaurus. Look for areas where the resource is plentiful. Taming an Ankylosaurus will drastically increase your harvesting output.

13. Is there a difference in the quality of obsidian?

There is no difference in the quality of obsidian. You only have to worry about quantity.

14. What should you do with your obsidian?

Obsidian is a component in many high-level items, including electronics, the fabricator, and Tek Tier items. It’s a vital component for end-game content.

15. What is the best way to store obsidian?

It is best to store obsidian in a dedicated storage container, like a vault or a dedicated storage box, which can hold a lot of obsidian and reduce clutter in your base.

By understanding these nuances and leveraging the Ankylosaurus for obsidian collection, you can efficiently harvest the necessary resources to thrive in Ark: Survival Evolved.