The Ultimate Guide to Stone Farming in ARK: Survival Evolved: Which Dino Reigns Supreme?
The question of the best stone farming dinosaur in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial one for any survivor looking to build, craft, and progress. The answer, unequivocally, is the Doedicurus. While other creatures offer utility in various resource gathering aspects, the Doedicurus stands out for its unmatched efficiency in collecting stones, making it the premier choice for players focused on this essential resource. Its unique abilities and high yield make it an indispensable asset in any ARK survivor’s arsenal.
Why the Doedicurus is King of Stone Gathering
The Doedicurus isn’t just good at gathering stone; it’s designed for it. Here’s a breakdown of why this spiky-backed creature is the best for the job:
Unmatched Stone Harvesting Efficiency
The Doedicurus’s primary attack is a powerful tail swing specifically designed to break apart rocks. This action gathers a substantial amount of stone very quickly. What sets it apart is its ability to autonomously gather stones. Unlike other dinos that require constant player input to harvest resources, the Doedicurus will efficiently break down rocks with minimal effort from the player. This allows players to focus on other tasks while their Doedicurus gathers stone in the background.
Exceptional Weight Reduction
One of the biggest challenges in stone farming is its weight. Stone is a bulky resource, quickly filling up inventories and slowing players down. The Doedicurus tackles this problem head-on with a 75% weight reduction for stones in its inventory. This is a game-changer, allowing you to carry significantly more stone than you could with almost any other creature. This means fewer trips back to base and more efficient overall stone harvesting.
Versatility Beyond Basic Stones
While renowned for its stone-gathering capabilities, the Doedicurus also proves useful in other unexpected ways. It can gather stones from a variety of sources, including the often-overlooked metal and crystal rocks, albeit with a lower yield compared to specialized creatures. This adaptability means you can still get some stone while mining other resources if needed, making the Doedicurus more versatile than often given credit for.
Beyond the Doedicurus: Other Stone Gathering Options
While the Doedicurus is the best, there are other creatures and tools that can gather stone, each with its own pros and cons.
Early Game Stone Collection: The Basic Tools
Before taming a Doedicurus, players rely on basic tools. The Stone Hatchet is an early-game tool that can harvest stone from rocks, providing a necessary start for any new player. While it may not be efficient, it’s a crucial early step. Similarly, the Stone Pickaxe, though primarily intended for flint, can also be used for stone collection. However, their manual operation makes them slower compared to a tame.
Other Dinosaurs: Honorable Mentions
While the Doedicurus dominates stone gathering, several other dinos can gather stone, but often with less efficiency or added benefits:
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Ankylosaurus: The Anky is famed for its metal gathering, but can also collect a small amount of stone. It has a different focus and is better for other resources.
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Mammoth: While more known for wood, the mammoth can gather stone, but lacks the weight reduction and efficiency of the Doedicurus.
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Trike: The Trike can break rocks to collect stone, but is not as efficient as the Doedicurus, nor does it have the stone weight reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Stone Farming
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive understanding of stone farming in ARK:
1. What is the best early-game method for getting stone before taming?
In the early game, using a Stone Hatchet is the best method for gathering stone from rocks. It is more efficient than using your fists but requires the use of Engram Points.
2. Can I use a Pickaxe to gather stone?
Yes, a Stone Pickaxe can gather stone, but it is more efficient at gathering flint. A Stone Hatchet is preferred for stone collection.
3. Does the Doedicurus only collect stone?
The Doedicurus primarily gathers stone, but it can also gather smaller amounts of sand, and stone from Crystal and Metal rocks.
4. How does the Doedicurus’s weight reduction work?
The Doedicurus has a 75% weight reduction specifically for stones in its inventory. This means it can carry much more stone before becoming overburdened.
5. Can other dinos gather stone?
Yes, several other dinos like the Ankylosaurus and Mammoth can gather stone, but they are less efficient and don’t have the same weight reduction.
6. Is it better to use tools or a dino for gathering stone?
For mid to late-game, a Doedicurus is far superior to tools for gathering stone due to its efficiency, autonomous gathering and weight reduction.
7. Do rocks respawn in ARK?
Yes, rocks do respawn in ARK after a certain period, providing no structures or tames are near. The time may vary.
8. Where is the best place to find rocks for gathering stone?
Rocks are abundant throughout the map, making them easy to find. Areas around mountains and forests generally have more available.
9. How do I know when a Doedicurus is finished harvesting stone?
A Doedicurus will stop harvesting when its inventory is full or there are no more harvestable rocks nearby. Pay attention to when it ceases its actions.
10. Can the Doedicurus gather stone underwater?
The Doedicurus primarily gathers stone from rocks on land. While it can swim, it is not effective for underwater stone gathering.
11. Is the Doedicurus good for anything else besides stone?
While primarily used for stone, the Doedicurus can act as a mobile tank and does have a small damage output.
12. What is the best method for gathering large quantities of stone?
Using a tamed Doedicurus with a high weight stat is the best method to gather large quantities of stone efficiently.
13. Does the quality of the hatchet affect stone gathering?
Yes, a higher-quality hatchet harvests more resources per hit, leading to faster stone collection compared to a low-quality one.
14. Can I use a Chainsaw for stone gathering?
No, the Chainsaw is not intended for stone gathering and is better used on organic materials like wood and hide.
15. How does the Doedicurus compare to other stone-gathering dinos?
The Doedicurus is the best for stone gathering due to its autonomous gathering, weight reduction, and efficiency compared to other dinos.
Conclusion
The Doedicurus stands as the undisputed champion of stone gathering in ARK: Survival Evolved. Its combination of efficient harvesting, autonomous operation, and significant weight reduction makes it an invaluable asset for any player, regardless of their experience level. While other options exist for obtaining stone, none can match the overall efficiency and ease that the Doedicurus offers. By understanding the value of this creature and employing it wisely, players can ensure a constant and plentiful supply of stone, facilitating their progression and expansion in the world of ARK.