What Are Ankylos Good For? A Comprehensive Guide to the Armored Beast of Ark
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Ankylosaurs, often affectionately called Ankys, are incredibly versatile creatures in the world of Ark: Survival Evolved, making them invaluable to any survivor. Primarily, Ankylos are renowned for their unparalleled ability to harvest metal efficiently, boasting an 85% weight reduction for metal carried in their inventory. However, their usefulness extends far beyond just metal collection. These armored tanks are also capable of gathering other vital resources like obsidian and berries, and can even dispatch smaller threats, making them a crucial early-to-mid game tame. Their powerful tail and tough exterior make them formidable in combat, although they’re not designed for large-scale battles. In short, Ankylos are a workhorse that fills multiple vital roles in the Ark ecosystem, making them a cornerstone of any serious player’s stable of tames.
The Resource Gathering Powerhouse
Superior Metal Harvesting
The most compelling reason to tame an Ankylo is its unmatched ability to gather metal. Their robust tail swings can quickly shatter metal-rich rocks, yielding significantly more metal than most other methods. Coupled with the 85% weight reduction for metal while in their inventory, Ankylos enable survivors to transport vast quantities of this crucial resource without becoming encumbered, significantly streamlining base building, and advanced crafting.
Gathering Obsidian
Beyond metal, Ankylos are also highly effective at gathering obsidian, which is essential for crafting higher-tier items and technology. Their power to pulverize resource deposits extends to obsidian nodes, making them a go-to tame for collecting this important material. For survivors planning to create advanced weapons, tools, and structures, Ankylos are an absolute necessity.
Versatile Gatherers
Ankylos are not just limited to rocks and metal, they are also proficient at gathering berries. While perhaps not their primary function, this adds a touch of utility to their profile and can help with early-game resource gathering. Moreover, they can easily take out smaller creatures like raptors, acting as an early form of mobile defense during resource runs.
The Defensive Capabilities
Sturdy and Durable
Ankylosaurs, based on their real-world counterparts, are renowned for their armor. Their bodies are shielded with thick plates of bone and keratin, making them incredibly durable. This naturally-occurring armor allows them to withstand attacks from a variety of creatures, making them a solid choice for scouting out new areas or transporting important resources in more dangerous environments.
Effective Against Smaller Threats
While Ankylos are not typically used as front-line combat units, they can effectively fend off smaller threats. Their heavy tail swings can deal significant damage and knockback to raptors, dilos, and other smaller predators, giving them a defensive edge in situations where you might be caught off guard.
The Taming Process
A Relatively Easy Tame
Ankylos are not particularly difficult to tame, making them accessible to mid-level survivors. Their slow speed makes them easy to track, and they can usually be knocked out using tranquilizing darts, arrows, or other similar tranquilizing methods. Once unconscious, feeding them standard kibble, or berries in a pinch, will quickly bring them into your team.
Early Mid-Game Priority
Given their utility and relative ease of taming, taming an Ankylo as soon as you reach level 40 and can create the saddle is highly recommended. The benefits they bring to resource collection and overall gameplay progression are invaluable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ankylosaurs
1. Are Ankylos better than Doedicurus for resource gathering?
While Doedicurus excel at gathering stone, Ankylos are undeniably superior for metal and obsidian. Doeds can only harvest a specific type of obsidian found on some maps, whereas Ankylos can handle the vast majority. Additionally, Ankylos provide the significant 85% weight reduction for metal which Doeds do not.
2. Can an Argentavis carry an Ankylo?
Yes, an Argentavis can now pick up and carry an Ankylosaurus. This is an extremely useful strategy for quickly transporting an Ankylo to metal-rich resource locations.
3. What are the strengths of Ankylosaurus in a fight?
Ankylos are not meant for head-on large battles but are capable of dealing strong damage with their powerful tail club. They are incredibly durable and can withstand a lot of damage, particularly from smaller predators.
4. Is Ankylosaurus armor bulletproof?
According to some paleontologists, the armor of an Ankylosaurus would likely stop small gun fire. However, shots from a high-caliber rifle or larger weaponry would likely penetrate its bony plates.
5. What is the weakness of the Ankylosaurus?
The main weakness of an Ankylosaurus is its underbelly. To get to it, a predator would have to flip it over.
6. Can Ankylosaurus break bones?
Yes, Ankylo’s heavy tail club could certainly break the bones of its enemies and in some instances can cause critical damage to the point of fatality.
7. Do Ankylosaurus get obsidian?
Yes, Ankylosaurus are one of the best options for harvesting obsidian and will produce high amounts of obsidian compared to other methods.
8. Who would win in a fight: a Triceratops or an Ankylosaurus?
While both are strong, the Ankylosaurus has an edge due to its powerful tail club. A well-placed blow could cripple a Triceratops.
9. Can T-Rex defeat an Ankylosaurus?
While the T-Rex is a formidable predator, an Ankylosaurus could potentially kill a T-Rex with a well-placed swing of its clubbed tail. It isn’t a guaranteed win, but it makes the fight much closer than you would expect from a seemingly non-combat dinosaur.
10. How thick was Ankylosaurus armor?
Ankylosaurus armor plates were between 0.5 to 1.0 cm thick, but often had hollowed-out undersides, forming a dome shape that may have provided additional strength.
11. What makes Ankylosaurus unique?
Ankylosaurus is unique due to its heavy armor, wide body, and large, clubbed tail. This gives it a combination of durability and offensive power that is not common among other herbivores.
12. How smart is an Ankylosaurus?
Ankylosaurus is considered to have low intelligence compared to other dinosaurs, based on its relative brain-to-body weight ratio.
13. What are the main predators of the Ankylosaurus?
The main predators of the Ankylosaurus in the game include Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Giganotosaurus.
14. Is the metal pick just as good at harvesting metal as an Anky?
While a mastercraft or ascendant metal pick can harvest as much metal as an Ankylosaurus, it does not come with the same 85% weight reduction, making the Ankylo still far superior in practicality and time management.
15. Can Ankylos collect other resources other than metal and obsidian?
Yes, Ankylos are capable of collecting a variety of other resources such as berries, making them a multi-purpose harvesting option.
Conclusion
The Ankylosaurus is a truly indispensable creature in Ark: Survival Evolved. Its unmatched metal harvesting abilities, durability, and additional resource gathering skills make it a high-priority tame for any player looking to advance in the game. From resource gathering to basic defense, the Ankylo’s versatility will significantly enhance any survivor’s ability to thrive in the harsh world of Ark. So, if you haven’t yet tamed this armored beast, make it a priority – you won’t regret it.