Can You Mine Obsidian with a Stone Pickaxe in Ark?
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The short and definitive answer is: No, you cannot effectively mine obsidian with a stone pickaxe in Ark: Survival Evolved. While you might be able to chip away at an obsidian node using a stone pickaxe, you won’t actually gather any obsidian. Stone pickaxes are simply not strong enough to break the obsidian and extract its resources. You will only succeed in quickly destroying the stone pickaxe with no obsidian reward. This can be frustrating, particularly when starting out in Ark and you haven’t yet gathered the resources to craft more advanced tools. To successfully gather obsidian, you’ll need to upgrade your tools and, ideally, utilize specialized creatures.
Why Stone Pickaxes Fall Short
The game mechanics in Ark are designed so that different resources require tools of increasing strength and quality. A stone pickaxe is the most basic tool, intended for harvesting simple materials like flint, stone, and basic ores. Obsidian, on the other hand, is a much tougher material. Its dark, glassy appearance isn’t just aesthetic; it also reflects its durability. Therefore, while you might see your stone pickaxe hit an obsidian node, the game will register the tool as not powerful enough. The block may break after a long time, but it will not provide the item.
The ineffectiveness of a stone pickaxe for obsidian is a key aspect of Ark’s progression system. It forces players to explore, gather more advanced materials like metal, and craft better tools before they can access higher-tier resources like obsidian. This encourages player interaction and ensures a sense of accomplishment as you unlock more advanced capabilities.
The Right Tools for the Job
To mine obsidian effectively, you’ll need a metal pickaxe as a minimum. This will allow you to gather the resource, although it will be a slow process. But there are much faster and more efficient ways for harvesting obsidian in the game. The best options are certain tamed creatures like the Ankylosaurus, Magmasaur, and Phoenix. These creatures possess inherent harvesting abilities that make them far more efficient than a metal pickaxe for obsidian gathering.
The Ankylosaurus, for example, is renowned for its harvesting abilities and can gather large quantities of obsidian quickly, along with other minerals. The Magmasaur, found in the Genesis expansions, also boasts impressive gathering capabilities, along with the bonus of being able to mine obsidian in extreme temperature conditions. The Phoenix, a rare and powerful creature, is also a top-tier option for resource gathering, particularly obsidian. A Mantis, especially when equipped with a metal pickaxe in its tool slot, can also offer better obsidian gathering speed than a metal pick.
FAQs About Obsidian Mining in Ark
Here are some frequently asked questions about mining obsidian in Ark, aimed to give you a full understanding of the process:
1. Can I use explosives to mine obsidian in Ark?
No, explosives cannot mine obsidian in Ark. While explosives can break other types of resource nodes and rocks, they are ineffective against obsidian. You must use a pickaxe-type tool or the appropriate creatures to gather obsidian.
2. What is the best creature for gathering obsidian in Ark?
The Ankylosaurus is often considered the best creature for gathering obsidian due to its efficient harvesting ability and the sheer amount it can carry. However, the Magmasaur and Phoenix are also excellent options.
3. Where can I find obsidian in Ark?
Obsidian is commonly found in caves and on mountain peaks, especially in the Arctic biome, though the east Arctic has less. Search for smooth, black rocks with a glassy texture.
4. Can I make an obsidian pickaxe in Ark?
Yes, but it’s not commonly used. The Obsidian Pickaxe is a weapon in the Primitive+ DLC and is primarily used for gathering Claystone, Limestone, Coal, and Carbon, not obsidian itself. It’s made using 20 Obsidian, 5 Wood and 10 Hide.
5. How do I craft a metal pickaxe?
A metal pickaxe requires metal ingots, wood, and hide. You will need to smelt the metal ore in a forge to produce the metal ingots.
6. Can a Mantis with a metal pickaxe mine obsidian efficiently?
Yes, a Mantis equipped with a metal pickaxe in its tool slot can mine obsidian much more effectively than a player using a metal pickaxe alone. It is usually slightly slower than the Anklyosaurus but much easier to maneuver in certain caves.
7. Can I use a stone pickaxe to mine crystal in Ark?
You can attempt to mine crystal with a stone pickaxe, but the drop rate will be extremely low. It’s best to use a metal pickaxe or specialized creatures for crystal harvesting.
8. What other resources can a stone pickaxe gather in Ark?
A stone pickaxe can effectively mine basic resources like flint, stone, and very basic ores (e.g. iron ore). It is not suited for advanced resources like obsidian, crystal, or metal.
9. Is there a specific level requirement to mine obsidian?
There isn’t a level requirement for harvesting obsidian, but you need to have access to the necessary tools (at least a metal pickaxe) or tames, which may require higher levels to unlock the required engrams.
10. Can you harvest obsidian with a Doedicurus?
The Doedicurus is not very effective for harvesting obsidian. Its strength lies in gathering stone and other similar resources.
11. What are some single-player cheat codes for taming creatures for obsidian gathering?
Single-player cheat codes can be used to tame creatures like the Ankylosaurus, Magmasaur, and Phoenix instantly. These codes can make gathering obsidian more efficient when playing alone. (Note: These cheat codes vary based on the platform being played.)
12. Is it true obsidian requires a certain percentage of pickaxe power?
Yes, in some contexts (mainly in other games than Ark, like Terraria), obsidian requires a pickaxe with a specific power to mine. In Ark, it’s more about the type of tool than pickaxe percentage, with at least the strength of metal tools required.
13. Can you farm Obsidian?
No, you can not typically farm obsidian as it will not re-spawn once mined. However, there are certain exploits that involve using the resource spawn commands which can be found online.
14. What’s the difference between a Metal Pick and an Obsidian Pickaxe?
The Metal Pick is a common tool for harvesting resources, while the Obsidian Pickaxe is specific to the Primitive+ DLC, primarily used for collecting Claystone, Limestone, Coal, and Carbon, not obsidian.
15. How does the time to break obsidian relate to the tools I use?
Using a stone pickaxe on obsidian will result in no obsidian collection and will break your tool quickly. Using a metal pickaxe will gather obsidian, albeit slowly. Using creatures such as the Ankylosaurus, Magmasaur, or Phoenix will gather much more obsidian, much faster, and with reduced tool or stamina usage.
Conclusion
In summary, while a stone pickaxe might be your first tool in Ark, it’s utterly useless for mining obsidian. To effectively gather obsidian, you will require, at minimum, a metal pickaxe. However, for optimal harvesting, prioritize utilizing powerful creatures such as the Ankylosaurus, Magmasaur, or Phoenix that excel at resource gathering. This will enable you to efficiently acquire obsidian for your crafting and progression needs. Mastering resource gathering is essential for survival in Ark: Survival Evolved, and understanding the limitations of basic tools like the stone pickaxe is a crucial first step.