Do Ankylosaurus Get More Metal in Ark: Survival Evolved? A Deep Dive
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Yes, Ankylosaurus absolutely get more metal than a player using a pickaxe in Ark: Survival Evolved, especially at lower to mid-tier scenarios. They are, in fact, the undisputed kings of metal harvesting in the game. This isn’t just a slight increase, it’s a significant boost that makes them invaluable for any serious survivor looking to progress. While a high-tier mastercraft or ascendant metal pick can compete with an anky in terms of the amount of metal gathered per node, the Ankylosaurus offers several advantages, including a massive 85% weight reduction on metal carried in its inventory. This unique ability allows for much longer, more efficient metal runs.
The Ankylosaurus Advantage: Why It’s the Go-To Metal Gatherer
The Ankylosaurus is specifically designed within Ark to excel at harvesting metal. Here’s why they consistently outperform other methods:
Harvesting Efficiency
- Melee Damage Scaling: The most crucial factor is how the Anky’s melee damage stat directly affects the amount of metal extracted per hit on a metal node. As you level up melee damage, each swing of the Anky’s tail yields substantially more metal compared to a pickaxe or other dinos. This is crucial for efficiency. A common approach is to level the Anky’s melee damage stat to at least 220%, as any further investment yields diminishing returns.
- Weight Reduction: The 85% weight reduction for metal when stored in an Ankylo’s inventory is a game-changer. This allows you to carry drastically more metal back to your base compared to a human player or other dinos.
- Targeted Harvesting: The Ankylosaurus can focus its attacks on metal-rich portions of nodes, making the harvesting process more refined and effective.
- Speed & Ease: While not the fastest creature in Ark, Ankylosaurus are still relatively quick to gather resources and require less downtime.
Comparing with Other Methods
- Pickaxes: While a high-tier pickaxe can match the per node metal yield of an Ankylosaurus, it lacks the weight reduction benefit, severely limiting how much metal you can carry at a time. Pickaxes also require more player effort and can be much slower.
- Other Dinos: While some other dinos can gather metal, none can match the combined efficiency of the Anky’s melee damage bonus and weight reduction. For example, the Magmasaur, while good at metal gathering, is slower and more difficult to tame.
- Metal Node Type: Remember that certain metal nodes are more productive than others. The best nodes are those which are grey with gold streaks or solid gold. When coupled with an Ankylosaurus, those gold nodes yield the most metal when harvested.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ankylosaurus and Metal Gathering
Here are some frequently asked questions to further help you understand the nuances of using an Ankylosaurus for metal gathering:
1. What stats should I prioritize on my Ankylosaurus for metal gathering?
The most crucial stat to level on an Ankylo for metal is melee damage. Increasing melee damage directly translates to more metal gathered per swing on metal nodes. Leveling weight can be useful, but many players prefer to use a separate dino for carrying the metal, such as an Argentavis.
2. How does an Ankylosaurus’s weight reduction for metal work?
When metal is placed in an Ankylosaurus’s inventory, its weight is automatically reduced by 85%. For example, if 100 metal weighs 100 in your inventory, it would weigh only 15 in the Ankylosaurus’s inventory.
3. Can an Ankylosaurus harvest obsidian efficiently?
While the Ankylosaurus is good at harvesting Obsidian, it does not benefit from the weight reduction that it has for metal. Harvest with care as carrying capacity will fill up much faster than when gathering metal.
4. Can the Ankylosaurus gather anything besides metal?
Yes, Ankylosaurus can also gather berries and some other resources like stone, but it is definitely not its main focus. It’s primarily used for metal gathering.
5. Is a Doedicurus better than an Ankylosaurus for gathering metal?
No, the Doedicurus is not better than the Ankylosaurus for gathering metal. The Doedicurus is much better at gathering stone and crystal.
6. What is the best way to transport the metal gathered by an Ankylosaurus?
Many players use an Argentavis to carry both the Ankylosaurus and the metal back to their base. The Argentavis has its own weight reduction for metal which increases the amount you can haul back.
7. Is it worth it to tame an Ankylosaurus early in the game?
Absolutely. Taming an Anky should be a priority after reaching level 40 and being able to craft the saddle. The Ankylosaurus is an incredibly valuable tame, significantly improving your metal gathering efficiency.
8. How much does metal weigh on an Ankylosaurus?
Metal weighs only 25% of its normal weight when carried by an Ankylosaurus, thanks to the 85% weight reduction.
9. Can a Wyvern pick up an Ankylosaurus?
No, Wyverns cannot pick up Ankylosaurus. However, Argentavis can pick up Ankys, which enables transport to different resource-rich locations on the map.
10. Are there any specific locations where metal is more abundant?
Yes, there are. Many regions of the map have metal-rich areas, particularly mountaintops and caves. Some metal nodes are more productive than others, with grey and gold-streaked rocks or solid gold rocks yielding the most metal.
11. How does melee damage on an Anky impact metal yield?
Each percentage point of melee damage bonus increases the amount of metal the Anky gets per hit on a metal node. This is why leveling melee damage is so important.
12. Can a high-level pickaxe outcompete an Ankylosaurus?
A very high-tier mastercraft or ascendant metal pickaxe can rival an Ankylosaurus in the amount of metal gathered per node, but it still can’t compete with the Anky’s weight reduction capability.
13. What if my Anky’s melee damage is higher than 220%?
While some people choose to level higher than 220%, the increase in metal gained is significantly reduced after 220%. Investing those points into another stat is likely a better use of points.
14. Can I use an Ankylosaurus to auto-harvest metal?
No, Ankylosaurus do not auto-harvest like the Doedicurus or Gigantopithecus. You need to actively control and use the Anky’s melee attack to gather metal.
15. Is the Ankylosaurus armor bulletproof?
While the armor of an Ankylosaurus is incredibly thick and strong, it is not bulletproof in the game. However, its high health and armor make it a robust creature.
Conclusion
The Ankylosaurus is undeniably the best dino for metal gathering in Ark: Survival Evolved. Its combination of a melee damage bonus and a massive weight reduction on metal makes it a crucial asset for any serious player looking to progress and develop their base. Investing the time to tame and level an Ankylosaurus is well worth the effort, as it will significantly streamline your metal farming efforts and take your survival to the next level.