Is Ankylosaurus Good for Obsidian? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: Ankylosaurus is not the best choice for harvesting obsidian in Ark: Survival Evolved, despite its reputation as a fantastic resource gatherer. While the Ankylosaurus excels at collecting metal, flint, and oil, its obsidian gathering prowess is surprisingly average. This article will dive deep into the capabilities of the Ankylosaurus when it comes to obsidian, compare it to other creatures, and provide a comprehensive guide to all things obsidian-related in the game.
Why Ankylosaurus Falls Short for Obsidian
Many players new to Ark might assume the Ankylosaurus, with its armored frame and powerful tail, would be the ideal obsidian harvester, but this isn’t the case. The Ankylo’s primary strength lies in metal gathering, offering an 85% weight reduction on metal in its inventory. This weight reduction perk does not extend to obsidian. As a result, while it can gather obsidian, it does so with no special weight reduction bonus and a lower yield per node compared to other, more specialized obsidian harvesters.
Dododex, a popular Ark resource, confirms this by stating that a person collects about 18 obsidian from 3 obsidian rocks, while an Ankylosaurus harvests roughly 16 obsidian per obsidian rock. This difference in yield, coupled with the lack of weight reduction, quickly makes other options more appealing.
Obsidian Harvesting Alternatives
So, if the Ankylosaurus isn’t the best for obsidian, which creatures and methods are? Here’s a look at the top contenders:
Top Obsidian Gatherers
- Dunkleosteus: Rated as the top obsidian gatherer by Dododex with a ★︎4.6 rating, the Dunkleosteus is a powerful underwater creature that can efficiently mine obsidian deposits found in underwater caves or along the coastline.
- Magmasaur: With a ★︎4.4 rating, the Magmasaur is another formidable gatherer, known for its ability to thrive in harsh volcanic environments, making it perfect for harvesting obsidian from lava-rich areas.
- Mantis: The Mantis, with a ★︎4.1 rating, can utilize tools to collect resources and excels in gathering obsidian with a pickaxe.
- Doedicurus: Although better known for stone gathering, the Doedicurus also gathers a respectable amount of obsidian and can be a decent early to mid-game option.
Manual Obsidian Harvesting
- Metal Pick: A high-tier metal pick, particularly Mastercraft or Ascendant quality, can be as effective as an Ankylosaurus at gathering metal and also serves as a viable alternative for obsidian harvesting.
- Diamond Pickaxe: In scenarios where you need to convert lava into obsidian, the Diamond Pickaxe is essential. Remember, you need a diamond pickaxe to mine the obsidian created when water flows over lava.
Utilizing the Environment
- Volcanic Regions: The best places to find obsidian are volcanic regions. Look for obsidian deposits around lava flows, especially on maps like Fjordur’s Balheimr, where obsidian is plentiful.
- Water and Lava: Another way to gather obsidian is to pour water on lava pools. The resulting obsidian can be mined, though this method often exposes lava underneath the top layer.
Ankylosaurus: The Metal King
While not ideal for obsidian, the Ankylosaurus’ value in Ark should not be underestimated. It is the undisputed king of metal gathering. The 85% weight reduction it provides for metal makes transporting large quantities of the essential resource much easier. The Ankylo is also useful for gathering flint and oil. Furthermore, the Ankylosaurus is a capable combatant against smaller creatures, useful for early-game taming and resource runs.
Conclusion
The Ankylosaurus is a vital creature in Ark, but for obsidian gathering, there are better options. The Dunkleosteus, Magmasaur, Mantis, and even a well-crafted metal pick offer superior yields and, in some cases, weight reduction on obsidian. Focusing on utilizing specialized creatures and methods for obsidian will significantly increase your efficiency in resource gathering. While the Anky is a crucial tame for metal and other resources, don’t rely on it for efficient obsidian farming.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best dinosaur for obsidian in Ark?
The Dunkleosteus is considered the best dinosaur for obsidian, closely followed by the Magmasaur. The Mantis can also be effective when equipped with the right tools.
2. Why isn’t Ankylosaurus the best for obsidian?
Although powerful, the Ankylosaurus does not have a weight reduction bonus for obsidian, and it also gathers a lower yield per node compared to other specialized obsidian harvesters.
3. What is Ankylosaurus best for in Ark?
The Ankylosaurus is the best creature for gathering metal, offering an 85% weight reduction for metal in its inventory, as well as collecting flint and oil.
4. Where can I find the most obsidian in Ark?
Volcanic regions are the best places to find obsidian. Maps like Fjordur’s Balheimr have abundant obsidian deposits around lava flows.
5. Can a stone pickaxe mine obsidian in Ark?
No, a stone pickaxe cannot mine obsidian. You need at least a metal pickaxe to harvest obsidian, and a diamond pickaxe is required to mine obsidian created by lava cooling.
6. How do you get obsidian from lava in Ark?
You can create obsidian by pouring water over lava pools. The resulting obsidian can then be mined using a diamond pickaxe.
7. Can you use the Ankylosaurus auto-harvest feature for obsidian?
Yes, you can use the Ankylo’s auto-harvest feature for obsidian, but its gathering rate and weight efficiency are not optimal.
8. Is Doedicurus good for obsidian gathering?
The Doedicurus is primarily known for stone gathering but can also gather a decent amount of obsidian. It’s considered a moderate option.
9. What are some other useful obsidian farming locations?
Look for obsidian in volcanic regions, particularly around the summits and areas with lava flows. The Arctic biome also has obsidian, though it’s less abundant in the East Arctic.
10. How hard is the Ankylosaurus tail swing?
The Ankylosaurus tail club could impact with an impulse of up to 4,800 Newtons per second, making it a very powerful weapon.
11. What are the weaknesses of the Ankylosaurus?
The primary weakness of the Ankylosaurus is its unarmored underbelly. Predators need to flip it over to do significant damage.
12. Is obsidian strong?
Obsidian has a hardness of 50. While it is often used for crafting, especially in survival games, other materials may provide better armor and weapons.
13. What’s the difference between obsidian and crying obsidian?
Both have a hardness of 50, but crying obsidian is often associated with broken nether portals in other games, making it more of a decorative item.
14. Does the Ankylosaurus weight reduction affect other resources?
The Ankylosaurus’s 85% weight reduction applies specifically to metal. It does not reduce the weight of obsidian, stone, or other resources.
15. Can an Ankylosaurus beat a T-Rex?
An Ankylosaurus could likely kill a T-Rex with a strong hit from its tail club, potentially shattering its bones.