Can Ankylosaurus Harvest Crystal in Ark: Survival Evolved? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, Ankylosaurus can harvest crystal in Ark: Survival Evolved, but it’s not their primary strength. While they are renowned for their exceptional ability to gather metal, obsidian, and berries, the Anky’s crystal harvesting capabilities are not as efficient as some other creatures or methods. This article will dive into the specifics of Anky’s role in crystal gathering, compare it to other options, and address common questions about the Anky’s broader utility.
Anky’s Role in Crystal Harvesting
While not the most efficient method, the Ankylosaurus can indeed harvest crystals from crystal nodes found in caves, on mountaintops, or in snowy biomes. Using their powerful tail swipe, the Anky can break the crystal formations, yielding the resource for players. However, the yield per node compared to other options, like a metal pickaxe or a specialized crystal harvester, is often lower.
Efficiency vs. Utility
The main advantage of using an Anky for crystal gathering is the convenience of a mount. It’s not optimized for crystal harvesting in particular, but if you are already using an anky for gathering metal, the ability to gather crystals too, if they happen to be on the way to a metal location, can be very useful. The Anky’s high weight capacity and ability to defend itself against minor threats while harvesting makes it a versatile choice for resource gathering trips.
Alternatives for Crystal Harvesting
For players focused specifically on harvesting crystal, other methods are more effective. These include:
- Metal Pickaxe: Using a metal pickaxe directly on crystal nodes provides a higher yield per node than an Anky. This is considered the most efficient manual method.
- Magmasaur: These creatures are very efficient at harvesting crystal, especially in volcanic areas, but come with more constraints, such as environmental needs.
- Tek Stryder: The Tek Stryder provides both high gathering rates and great carrying capacity, making it an excellent endgame option for crystal farming.
- Dunkleosteus: While primarily used for underwater harvesting, the Dunkleosteus is also an excellent crystal harvester.
Anky’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Understanding the Anky’s overall strengths helps players determine its niche within their resource-gathering strategy:
Strengths
- Excellent Metal Harvester: The Anky is the best creature in Ark for harvesting metal. It also reduces the weight of metal carried.
- Good Obsidian Harvester: Similar to metal, it can efficiently harvest obsidian, although it doesn’t reduce obsidian weight.
- Decent Berry Gatherer: While not as efficient as dedicated berry gatherers, the Anky is very capable of gathering berries for players who need narcoberries.
- High Weight Capacity: The Anky can carry large amounts of harvested resources, making it ideal for longer trips.
- Tanky and Durable: The Anky’s robust defenses make it capable of surviving attacks from many creatures while harvesting.
- Easy Tame: Relatively easy to knock out and tame, it becomes a valuable asset fairly early in the game.
Weaknesses
- Not Optimized for Crystal: The Anky does not excel in harvesting crystal compared to other specific crystal harvesting dinos or tools.
- Slow Movement: The Anky is relatively slow, making travel across the map time-consuming.
- Limited Combat Abilities: While it can defend itself, it’s not ideal for aggressive combat situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the primary use of the Ankylosaurus?
The Ankylosaurus is primarily used for mining metal, but also excel in harvesting obsidian and is a decent berry gatherer. Its durability and carrying capacity make it an ideal resource-gathering mount.
2. How do I maximize metal harvesting with my Anky?
To get the most metal, focus on increasing the Anky’s melee damage. Some players level weight too, but it’s better to have a dedicated weight carrier to pair with the Anky and focus its stats on melee.
3. Can an Ankylosaurus reduce the weight of resources?
Yes, the Anky significantly reduces the weight of metal by 85% when it is in its inventory. However, it does not reduce the weight of obsidian.
4. Is an Anky good for early game?
Yes, the Anky is a valuable tame for mid to late-game players. It becomes most helpful as soon as players unlock the saddle at level 40, allowing for the transportation of large amounts of metal.
5. Can the Anky gather berries efficiently?
While not a dedicated berry gatherer, the Anky can gather berries and thatch. It is especially useful for gathering narcoberries in large amounts.
6. What is the best way to harvest crystals by hand?
The most efficient method for manual crystal harvesting is using a metal pickaxe. This yields more crystals per node than a stone pickaxe or most dinos.
7. Where are the best locations to find crystals?
Crystals are most commonly found in caves, on mountain tops, and in snowy biomes. They are easily identified by their shiny white appearance.
8. Are there any dinos that can auto harvest resources?
Yes, creatures like the Doedicurus, Moschops, and Gigantopithecus can gather resources autonomously. The Doedicurus is especially known for auto-gathering stone.
9. Which is better for gathering, the Ankylo or Doedicurus?
While both have their strengths, the Ankylosaurus is better for metal, obsidian, and general resource gathering due to its higher melee and resource harvesting rate. The Doedicurus is better for stone due to its weight reduction ability, and its ability to curl into a ball and resist attacks.
10. Can an Anky harvest obsidian?
Yes, the Anky is very good at harvesting obsidian, however, unlike metal, it does not reduce the weight of obsidian.
11. What is the fastest way to gather crystal?
For raw efficiency, a metal pickaxe, Magmasaur, or Tek Stryder will net you more crystals. The Dunkleosteus is also very effective, especially if the crystal is underwater.
12. Can you get primal crystals from tames?
Yes, you can harvest primal crystals from tamed female Crystal Wyverns every 2 hours.
13. What should I level on my Ankylosaurus?
The primary stat to level on an Anky is melee damage, as this significantly increases the amount of metal mined per node. Weight is the second most important stat.
14. What is the best dino for harvesting metal?
The Ankylosaurus is widely considered the best dino for harvesting metal due to its high yield per hit and metal weight reduction.
15. What are the best tools and dinos for general harvesting?
The Chainsaw, Metal Sword, and Wooden Club are all useful tools. The best dinos for general harvesting include the Pelagornis and Therizinosaurus.
Conclusion
While the Ankylosaurus is not the most efficient creature for harvesting crystal, it is a versatile and valuable asset for resource gathering in Ark: Survival Evolved. Its proficiency in metal and obsidian harvesting, combined with its good weight capacity and decent berry gathering makes it a mainstay for players progressing through the game. It is an exceptional resource gathering mount. To maximize crystal yields, players should consider using a metal pickaxe, Magmasaur, Tek Stryder, or Dunkleosteus, depending on the context and level of play.