What’s the Best Dino to Farm Berries in Ark: Survival Evolved?
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So, you’re knee-deep in Ark: Survival Evolved, desperately trying to amass enough berries to survive, craft narcotics, or feed your burgeoning dinosaur army? You’re not alone! Berry gathering can be a tedious chore, but with the right dinosaur companion, it can become a much more efficient and enjoyable task. The absolute best dino for consistently and efficiently farming berries? That title belongs to the magnificent Brontosaurus. It consistently gets the job done, collecting the most berries when it is put to the test.
While the Bronto reigns supreme in terms of sheer volume, the “best” dino ultimately depends on your specific needs, resources, and stage in the game. Don’t have access to the Bronto yet? Other contenders, like the Therizinosaur, Stegosaurus, or even the humble Triceratops, can be excellent choices. Let’s delve deeper into the contenders and their strengths to help you pick the perfect berry-farming dino for your Ark adventure.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Berry Farmer
Before we jump into specific dinosaurs, let’s consider what makes a good berry gatherer:
- Gathering Rate: How quickly and efficiently the dino can harvest berries from bushes.
- Carry Weight: The amount of berries the dino can carry before becoming encumbered. This minimizes trips back to base.
- Area of Effect (AoE): The size of the area the dino can harvest with each attack. A larger AoE means more berries per swing.
- Movement Speed: How quickly the dino can move between berry patches.
- Availability: How easy the dino is to find and tame, especially in the early game.
- Defense: The dino’s ability to defend itself against predators while gathering.
The Top Berry-Farming Dinosaurs in Ark
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best berry-gathering dinos, along with their strengths and weaknesses:
- Brontosaurus: As mentioned, the king of berry gathering. Its massive size, huge AoE, and decent carry weight make it incredibly efficient. However, its slow speed and large turning radius can be frustrating. Taming one is also a significant undertaking. Rating: ★︎4.3
- Tek Stryder: A high-tech option, the Tek Stryder with the Excavation Rig attachment is a powerhouse for berry farming. Its efficiency is unparalleled, but obtaining one requires tackling advanced content. Rating: ★︎4.1
- Therizinosaurus: A versatile dino that excels at gathering wood, fiber, and berries. Its unique harvesting mechanics allow you to selectively gather specific resources. It’s also a capable fighter, providing good defense. Rating: ★︎4
- Megatherium: Known for its insect-killing buff, the Megatherium is also a surprisingly good berry gatherer. It has good carry weight and maneuverability, making it easier to navigate tight spaces. Rating: ★︎4
- Chalicotherium: This beer-loving ape is a decent berry gatherer, especially in the early to mid-game. It’s relatively easy to tame and provides good mobility. Rating: ★︎3.9
- Morellatops: A camel-like creature from Scorched Earth, the Morellatops boasts decent berry gathering capabilities and the ability to carry extra water. Rating: ★︎3.9
- Maewing: This nurturing marsupial is surprisingly versatile. It can gather berries and fiber, as well as nurse baby dinos. Its gliding ability provides excellent mobility. Rating: ★︎3.9
- Stegosaurus: A solid early-to-mid-game option. The Stego is tanky, making it resistant to damage, and its gathering rate is respectable. Rating: ★︎3.9
- Triceratops: The quintessential early-game berry gatherer. The Trike is relatively easy to tame and provides a decent gathering rate for its size. Its charge attack can also clear out smaller threats.
- Ankylosaurus: While primarily known for gathering metal, the Ankylo can also collect a decent amount of berries, especially with upgraded melee damage.
- Iguanodon: Though not a top-tier gatherer, the Iguanodon can convert berries into seeds, a useful ability for farming.
- Gigantopithecus (Bigfoot): A shoulder-mounted option, it can collect berries when prompted, and can defend you from small attacks.
- Direbear: A creature more known for honey gathering, this bear also can get a good amount of berries, and can run quickly.
Early Game Berry Gathering
In the initial stages of the game, taming a Triceratops should be your top priority for berry collection. They are relatively easy to knock out and tame, providing a significant upgrade over manual harvesting. Once you progress further, consider taming a Stegosaurus for a more efficient and durable option.
Mid-to-Late Game Berry Gathering
As you advance, the Therizinosaurus becomes an excellent choice due to its versatile harvesting abilities and combat prowess. However, if you need pure berry-gathering power, the Brontosaurus is still the undisputed champion. For those with access to advanced technology, the Tek Stryder with the Excavation Rig attachment offers unparalleled efficiency.
Maximizing Your Berry Harvest
Here are some tips to maximize your berry gathering efficiency:
- Upgrade Melee Damage: Increasing your dino’s melee damage directly impacts its gathering rate.
- Level Up Carry Weight: Increase your dino’s carry weight to minimize trips back to base.
- Strategic Placement of Storage: Place storage containers near your berry patches to quickly offload your harvest.
- Use a Dedicated Berry-Gathering Dino: Avoid using dinos for multiple tasks. A dedicated berry gatherer will be more efficient.
- Clear the Area: Remove any obstacles or predators from the area to ensure safe and uninterrupted harvesting.
- Consider a Pack Bonus: Some dinos, like the Stegosaurus, receive a pack bonus when in groups, further increasing their gathering efficiency.
- Use Berry Gather Buffs: Certain structures or items, like the Sweet Vegetable Cake, can temporarily boost berry gathering.
The Importance of Berries in Ark
Berries are an essential resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for:
- Taming: Many herbivores require berries for taming.
- Food: Berries provide sustenance for players.
- Crafting: Berries are used to craft various items, including dyes, narcotics, and stimulants.
- Dino Food: Herbivorous dinosaurs require berries to survive.
Mastering berry gathering is crucial for success in Ark. By choosing the right dinosaur and implementing efficient harvesting strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of this vital resource. Remember to always stay vigilant of your surroundings, as predators lurk in every corner of the Ark. And above all, have fun exploring and surviving!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the fastest way to gather berries in Ark?
The fastest way to gather berries is by using a Brontosaurus with upgraded melee damage. Its large AoE allows it to clear out berry bushes quickly. The Tek Stryder with the Excavation Rig attachment offers the highest possible gathering rate but requires more advanced setup.
2. Can you gather berries with a sickle?
Yes, you can gather berries with a sickle, especially early game. A sickle is crafted, and is more efficient than using your bare hands to pick berries.
3. What is the best early-game berry gatherer?
The Triceratops is the best early-game berry gatherer due to its relative ease of taming and decent gathering rate. The Stegosaurus is a close second if you can manage to tame one early on.
4. Can the Ankylosaurus gather berries efficiently?
While primarily known for gathering metal, the Ankylosaurus can gather a decent amount of berries, especially with upgraded melee damage. However, it’s not as efficient as dedicated berry gatherers like the Brontosaurus or Therizinosaurus.
5. Do Narcoberries and Stimberries count as preferred food for taming?
No, Narcoberries and Stimberries are excluded from being considered preferred food for taming due to their special characteristics. They are primarily used for crafting narcotics and stimulants, respectively.
6. Is the Therizinosaurus a good berry gatherer?
Yes, the Therizinosaurus is an excellent berry gatherer. Its unique harvesting mechanics allow you to selectively gather berries without collecting fiber, or vice versa. It’s also a versatile dino that excels at gathering wood and fiber.
7. Can the Megatherium gather berries?
Yes, the Megatherium can gather berries. It’s not the most efficient, but it has good carry weight and maneuverability, making it easier to navigate tight spaces. Plus, its insect-killing buff can be helpful in certain areas.
8. What is the best dino for gathering berries on Scorched Earth?
On Scorched Earth, the Morellatops is a good option for gathering berries, as it also provides the added benefit of carrying extra water.
9. Can the Maewing gather berries?
Yes, the Maewing can gather berries and fiber. Its unique gliding ability provides excellent mobility for traversing the map.
10. How do I maximize my berry gathering rate?
To maximize your berry gathering rate, upgrade your dino’s melee damage and carry weight. Also, clear the area around berry patches to ensure safe and uninterrupted harvesting.
11. Are there any structures that can help with berry gathering?
While there aren’t structures that directly increase berry gathering rates, placing storage containers near your berry patches allows you to quickly offload your harvest, minimizing travel time.
12. What are berries used for in Ark?
Berries are used for taming herbivores, providing sustenance for players, and crafting various items, including dyes, narcotics, and stimulants. They are also essential for feeding herbivorous dinosaurs.
13. Can I tame a dinosaur by only feeding it berries?
Yes, most herbivorous dinosaurs can be tamed by feeding them their preferred berries. Some dinos have specific berry preferences, so research the best berries for your target tame.
14. Is the Gallimimus a good berry gatherer?
No, the Gallimimus is not a good berry gatherer. Its primary strength is its speed, making it a valuable mount for exploration but not for resource gathering.
15. What should I do if my berry-gathering dino gets attacked by a predator?
Always be aware of your surroundings while gathering berries. Equip your dino with a saddle for added protection, and consider bringing along a bodyguard dino to defend against predators. If attacked, try to lure the predator away from your gathering area or, if necessary, engage in combat.