The Ultimate Guide to Rock Farming in Ark: Which Dino Reigns Supreme?
The question of the best Dino for rock farming in Ark: Survival Evolved is a crucial one for any aspiring builder, crafter, or resource hoarder. The answer, while seemingly straightforward, is nuanced and depends on various factors. However, if you’re looking for a single, definitive answer, the Doedicurus stands head and shoulders above the rest as the premier rock-gathering beast in Ark.
The Reign of the Doedicurus
The Doedicurus is renowned for its unparalleled ability to efficiently gather stone. This shelled creature excels at breaking rocks and amassing significant quantities of stone. What truly sets it apart is its unique ability to reduce the weight of stone by 75% in its inventory. This allows players to carry significantly more stone before becoming encumbered, drastically reducing the number of trips needed to gather large amounts of the resource.
Beyond its remarkable carrying capacity and efficient gathering, the Doedicurus also has a naturally high health pool, making it relatively durable while venturing into the wilds. Its rolling ability also provides mobility, which can help evade potential threats. All of these factors combine to make it an indispensable tool for any serious Ark player looking to build and expand.
Beyond the Doedicurus: Other Viable Options
While the Doedicurus might be the best overall, other creatures excel in niche situations or can provide valuable alternatives.
Magmasaur
The Magmasaur, found in the volcanic regions of Ark, is an excellent option for harvesting stone and other resources, particularly when in those hotter zones. Its molten touch means it can gather resources more efficiently, particularly from volcanic rocks. It’s a bit more challenging to acquire and handle but is well worth considering as an alternative.
Tek Stryder
The Tek Stryder is a late-game, technologically advanced creature that is also highly effective at rock farming. It’s known for its versatility and ability to gather large quantities of various resources. The Tek Stryder’s advanced harvesting abilities make it a fast and efficient gatherer, though obtaining and powering it can be resource-intensive.
Rock Elemental
The Rock Elemental, naturally adept at manipulating stone, is another powerful option for farming rocks. It’s durable and can gather stone well, but its slow movement can sometimes be a drawback. However, its ability to absorb incoming projectile damage makes it an excellent choice for a tank during resource gathering.
Mantis
The Mantis, while not primarily known for rock farming, can be a surprisingly effective stone harvester, especially when equipped with a high-quality pickaxe. This creature is often more effective on servers where resource-gathering stats are boosted, as it can scale extremely well with melee damage.
Gacha
The Gacha is a unique creature that produces resources, including stone, through its Gacha crystals. Though not a direct harvester, it provides a passive method of acquiring stone and can be very beneficial for long-term stockpiling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Rock Farming in Ark
Here are some frequently asked questions that can help you optimize your stone-gathering efforts in Ark:
1. Is the Doedicurus the only Dino good for farming stone?
No, while the Doedicurus is the best overall, other Dinos like the Magmasaur, Tek Stryder, Rock Elemental, Mantis, and even the Gacha can efficiently gather stone depending on the context and resources available to the player.
2. Can the Doedicurus gather other resources besides stone?
Yes, while its specialty is stone, the Doedicurus can also gather sand and can harvest some resources from metal nodes. However, it is not as efficient as an Ankylosaurus for metal.
3. How does the weight reduction on the Doedicurus work?
The Doedicurus has a passive ability that reduces the weight of stone in its inventory by 75%. This allows it to carry a significantly larger amount of stone compared to other creatures before becoming encumbered.
4. What are the best early-game methods for farming rocks without a Doedicurus?
In the early game, using a stone pickaxe or a Metal pickaxe is the most effective way to harvest stone before you can acquire a Doedicurus. The Magmasaur is a viable alternative.
5. How does the Magmasaur compare to the Doedicurus for stone farming?
The Magmasaur is excellent at harvesting stone, but it often requires more risk to acquire, and its resource weight reduction is not as specific as the Doedicurus. It’s better for specific, heat-intensive environments and specialized rock types.
6. What is the best way to improve the efficiency of a stone-gathering Dino?
Leveling up the melee damage stat of your stone-gathering Dino will significantly improve the amount of stone it harvests per swing. Make sure to prioritize this stat when leveling up your Doedicurus or other farming dinos.
7. Are there any specific rock formations that yield more stone?
Generally, larger rock formations and boulders will yield more stone per swing than smaller rocks. This includes volcanic rock.
8. Is it better to use a pickaxe or a dino for rock farming?
While a high-quality metal pick can be quite efficient, a well-leveled Doedicurus will always outperform a player with a pickaxe in terms of efficiency and carrying capacity.
9. Do tamed Gigas harvest rock?
While a tamed Giganotosaurus is a powerful beast for combat, it is not an efficient rock harvester. Using this powerful tame for farming resources is not advised as there are far more appropriate tames.
10. Can the Ankylosaurus harvest stone?
While the Ankylosaurus is primarily a metal farmer, it can gather stone, but not as effectively as the Doedicurus. Its primary strength is gathering metal, flint, crystal, rare mushrooms, and rare flowers.
11. Are there any items that can help with stone farming?
While the tools themselves do not improve the resource gather quantity beyond their general quality, a tool with boosted gathering can increase resource yield.
12. Is the Rock Drake a viable option for stone gathering?
While the Rock Drake is a great creature, it’s not very effective for stone gathering. It’s best suited for traversal and combat.
13. Do higher quality picks yield more stone than lower quality ones?
Yes, metal picks gather more resources per swing than the primitive stone picks. Further, Mastercraft and Ascendant tiers of the metal pick will increase gather yield.
14. What is the fastest way to gather large quantities of stone?
The fastest way to gather a significant amount of stone is by utilizing a high-level Doedicurus with boosted melee damage, combined with its stone weight reduction. The Tek Stryder is also a viable alternative for end game players.
15. Can resource gather rate affect stone acquisition?
Yes, server settings that affect resource gather rates will directly impact how much stone you get from each rock hit. Boosting this rate can increase all resource collection including stone.
Conclusion
In the end, while several creatures can contribute to your rock-farming efforts in Ark: Survival Evolved, the Doedicurus remains the undisputed champion for players seeking to gather large quantities of stone quickly and efficiently. Its weight reduction, combined with its harvesting efficiency, makes it an invaluable addition to any serious player’s team. Understanding the various options and optimizing your harvesting methods will significantly improve your building, crafting, and overall survival experience in the Ark.