Does Drill Location Matter in Slime Rancher? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: mostly, no. Placing a drill in Slime Rancher will yield resources regardless of its specific location within a given zone. However, the zone itself drastically impacts what resources you’ll unearth. To maximize efficiency and acquire specific resources, careful zone selection is crucial.
Understanding Extractors and Resource Acquisition
In Slime Rancher, extractors are essential gadgets for automatically gathering resources. These come in three main types: Drills, Pumps, and Apiaries, each designed for a particular environment and resource. While the precise spot within a zone generally doesn’t influence the output, choosing the correct zone is paramount.
Drills: Mining for Valuable Materials
Drills are used to extract mineral resources from the earth. While any drill placed within a zone will produce some resources, the Indigo Quarry stands out. It provides the highest yield of valuable minerals and a unique, common resource exclusive to that location. Placing a drill elsewhere, like the Dry Reef or Moss Blanket, will still work, but it won’t provide the optimal resources associated with the Quarry.
Pumps: Extracting Liquids from the Depths
Pumps are designed to extract liquids. For the best results, placing them within the Dry Reef is ideal. Here, you’ll reliably collect Deep Brine, a valuable resource used in crafting and upgrades. Attempting to use a pump in the Indigo Quarry or Moss Blanket would be a waste of its potential, as you won’t find the same desired resources.
Apiaries: Harvesting Sweet Rewards
Apiaries are used for collecting resources from the environment. The Moss Blanket is the premier location for apiaries, allowing you to gather Wild Honey. Setting up an apiary in the Dry Reef or Indigo Quarry would be ineffective, as these environments lack the specific conditions needed for honey production.
The Indigo Quarry Exception: A Unique Resource
While location within a zone is generally irrelevant, the Indigo Quarry presents a minor exception. Placing a drill there guarantees a new common item alongside the usual loot. This makes the Indigo Quarry particularly attractive for drill placement, as you’re not only maximizing the chance for valuable minerals but also gaining access to a resource unobtainable elsewhere.
Optimizing Extractor Placement for Maximum Profit
To optimize your resource gathering in Slime Rancher:
- Prioritize Zone Selection: Place your drills in the Indigo Quarry, pumps in the Dry Reef, and apiaries in the Moss Blanket.
- Upgrade Extractors: Invest in advanced versions like the Abyssal Pump to increase resource yields. Remember that the Abyssal Pump can be unlocked via the 7Zee Rewards Club.
- Manage Corral Population: Keep your Largos well-fed and in manageable numbers (6-8 per pen) to prevent plort overflow.
- Strategically Use Drones: Automate tasks like plort collection to improve ranch efficiency.
- Focus on High-Value Slimes: Ranch Mosaic Slimes and Tangle Slimes for their highly profitable plorts. Remember that Mosaic Slimes favor the Silver Parsnips.
- Regularly Collect Resources: Harvest your extractors frequently to maintain a steady flow of resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about extractors and resource management in Slime Rancher, designed to further expand your knowledge and optimize your gameplay:
1. What Resources Do Drills Produce?
Drills primarily yield mineral-based resources like Indigonium, Strange Diamond, and Buzz Wax. The specific resources and their frequency are determined by the zone, with the Indigo Quarry offering the most diverse and valuable loot.
2. What Resources Do Pumps Produce?
Pumps are designed to extract liquid resources, most notably Deep Brine in the Dry Reef. They can also occasionally yield other less common liquid resources depending on the specific pump type.
3. What Resources Do Apiaries Produce?
Apiaries are specifically for honey-based resources. The primary resource is Wild Honey, found exclusively in the Moss Blanket.
4. How Often Should I Check My Extractors?
Extractors cycle over a 12-hour period. After each cycle, they’ll perform a “dance animation” until you harvest the resources. It’s best to check them regularly to maintain a continuous flow of resources.
5. Are Advanced Extractors Worth the Investment?
Absolutely! Advanced extractors, like the Advanced Drill or Abyssal Pump, provide significantly more resources per cycle compared to their novice counterparts. This higher yield makes them a worthwhile investment in the long run.
6. What Do Largos Do, and How Do They Affect Resource Production?
Largos are slimes that have eaten the plort of another slime, combining the traits of both. They produce two types of plorts when fed, increasing potential profit, but also require more food.
7. What is the Most Profitable Slime to Ranch?
The Mosaic Slime, alongside the Tangle Slime, is among the most profitable due to the high value of their plorts.
8. Can I Move Extractors After Placing Them?
Yes, you can demolish and relocate extractors using Gadget Mode. This allows you to adjust your ranch layout as needed.
9. How Do I Unlock Advanced Extractors?
Advanced extractors are typically unlocked through progress in the game, either through completing milestones, discovering blueprints, or participating in the 7Zee Rewards Club.
10. What Should I Upgrade First on My Ranch?
Prioritize upgrades that enhance resource gathering and efficiency, such as the Resource Harvester, Jetpack, and additional Tank space.
11. How Many Slimes Should I Keep in a Corral?
Aim for 5-10 slimes per corral, or more if you invest in the High Walls upgrade. This balances slime happiness with plort production and avoids overcrowding.
12. What Happens If I Combine Too Many Slimes into a Largo?
Attempting to feed a largo a third type of plort will result in the creation of a Tarr, a dangerous, black slime that consumes other slimes and resources.
13. How Do I Prevent Tarr Slimes?
Avoid creating Tarrs by carefully managing your slimes’ diets and preventing them from eating plorts they shouldn’t. Keep a supply of water on hand to eliminate any Tarrs that do appear.
14. Can I Ranch Gold Slimes?
No, Gold Slimes cannot be ranched in the traditional sense. They cannot be contained and their plorts cannot be used to create Largos.
15. Where Can I Learn More About Game-Based Learning?
Explore the fascinating intersection of games and education by visiting the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Find valuable insights and resources at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion: Location Matters (But Not How You Think)
While the precise placement of a drill within a zone is largely irrelevant, understanding which zone is best suited for each extractor type is critical for maximizing resource acquisition in Slime Rancher. By focusing on efficient zone selection, strategic upgrades, and careful slime management, you can build a thriving ranch and amass a fortune in plorts. Remember the Indigo Quarry rule of thumb – it provides a new common item next to the other loot. Good luck, Rancher!