What Mines Crystal the Best in Ark? A Comprehensive Guide
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The quest for crystal is a crucial part of survival in Ark: Survival Evolved. Whether you’re crafting advanced tools, building structures, or taming powerful creatures, you’ll need a reliable source of this vital resource. While the humble pickaxe can get you started, it’s far from the most efficient method. So, what exactly mines crystal the best in Ark? The answer is multifaceted, depending on your stage in the game and the resources available to you. However, the most efficient methods generally involve specific creatures, namely the Tek Stryder, Mantis, and Ankylosaurus. Let’s delve into the specifics.
The Superior Crystal Harvesters
Tek Stryder: The Technological Powerhouse
The Tek Stryder stands out as one of the top choices for crystal harvesting, particularly at higher levels. This late-game, robotic creature boasts an impressive gathering efficiency and carry weight, allowing you to mine vast quantities of crystal in a single outing. Its advanced technology makes it incredibly adept at breaking down crystal nodes, yielding a significantly higher return compared to other methods. The Stryder’s ability to move quickly also allows you to cover vast distances quickly to harvest the crystals.
Mantis: The Versatile Option
The Mantis, especially when equipped with a high-quality metal pickaxe, offers an excellent balance of gathering power and accessibility. While not as efficient as the Stryder in sheer numbers, the Mantis’s versatility and ease of taming make it a more viable option for many players. The Mantis can be equipped with a pick, or a sword. Equipping it with a pick will increase the amount of crystals you obtain with every swing, making it a decent creature to farm crystals with. Its ability to be used both for combat and resource harvesting makes it a valuable asset for any Ark survivor.
Ankylosaurus: The Reliable Workhorse
The Ankylosaurus, often referred to as the Anky, is a tried-and-true option for crystal farming. While not as efficient as a Tek Stryder, it’s easily tamed and readily available on most maps. The Anky’s unique ability to efficiently extract resources from nodes, combined with its natural armor and defense, make it a reliable workhorse for crystal gathering. While it’s not the fastest, the Anky’s ability to carry a decent amount of weight while harvesting crystals is one of the main reasons it is a popular choice.
Honorable Mentions & Other Methods
Metal Pickaxe: The Early Game Essential
Before you obtain the specialized creatures for the job, a high-quality metal pickaxe is a vital tool. A metal pick will greatly increase the drop rates of the crystal when harvesting it. A metal pickaxe offers a significant step up from the basic stone pick, providing a noticeable increase in both the harvesting rate and the amount of crystal you collect. While still not optimal, it’s an indispensable early to mid-game option for efficient crystal mining.
Magmasaur: The Volcanic Option
The Magmasaur can also be used to mine crystals. They are more focused around metal and obsidian but still can yield a large amount of crystal from nodes. The Magmasaur is a little slower to tame than some of the other options but when tamed it provides a reliable way of gathering crystal while also gaining metal and obsidian in the process. The magmasaur is better suited in warmer biomes since it will freeze if exposed to cold for too long.
Gacha: The Random Provider
The Gacha is a unique creature that passively produces resources based on the items it consumes. While the Gacha isn’t a dedicated crystal harvester, it can provide crystals as part of its random loot table. While not a consistent method, it can provide a useful supplement to your crystal supply if you already have Gacha tamed. The Gacha’s ability to provide a multitude of resources at random makes it a valuable passive resource in your base.
Dunkleosteus: The Underwater Option
The Dunkleosteus, while primarily known for its ability to harvest metal and stone, can also harvest crystal nodes found underwater. While it may not be as efficient on land, it’s a useful option for players who find crystal deposits in the depths of the ocean.
Mining Drill: The Explosive Choice
The Mining Drill is a powerful tool that can quickly mine resources, including crystal, at a faster rate than a pickaxe. Its speed and efficiency, however, come at the cost of fuel and can be difficult to obtain early in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a Doedicurus gather crystals?
No, the Doedicurus is primarily designed for gathering stone. While it can harvest obsidian from some nodes, it only gains stones from crystal nodes. It will not give you the crystal resource you are looking for.
2. Where are the best places to find crystals in Ark?
Crystals are commonly found in caves, on mountain tops, and in snowy biomes. They have a distinctive shiny white appearance, making them relatively easy to spot from a distance.
3. Is the Stone Pickaxe useless for crystals?
A stone pickaxe can harvest crystals, but it has a very low drop rate. A metal pickaxe is essential to gain a steady and efficient amount of crystal.
4. Can the Rhyniognatha carry other creatures for crystal farming?
The Rhyniognatha can carry almost all creatures that a Quetzal can, provided they don’t have a platform saddle equipped. This can be useful for transporting your Anky or Mantis to different crystal locations.
5. Are there different types of crystal nodes?
Yes, white crystals are the primary source for mining. There are also stalactites within caves that can provide crystal resources. Some variants provide more crystal than others.
6. Is the Ankylosaurus better than the Doedicurus for resource gathering?
The Ankylosaurus is superior for crystal and obsidian gathering, while the Doedicurus excels at stone. They each have their specific resource niche.
7. Can an Argentavis carry an Ankylosaurus?
Yes, the Argentavis can now carry an Ankylosaurus, making it easier to transport them to ideal farming spots.
8. What about Crystal Wyverns for farming crystal?
Crystal Wyverns are not good for farming crystal resources. They are useful as a flying mount, but not effective for resource harvesting.
9. Can I use explosives to mine crystal?
Yes, while not efficient, explosives can break crystal nodes if you don’t have a pickaxe or specialized creatures available. However, using a creature or a tool is much more efficient.
10. Can you mine crystals underwater?
Yes, the Dunkleosteus is particularly useful for harvesting underwater crystal deposits. You will need scuba gear for this.
11. What is the best way to level up quickly in Ark while also gathering crystals?
Building structures is one of the fastest ways to level up while gathering resources. Explore caves, as they are not only great for crystals but also for experience gains.
12. Can I use a diamond pickaxe to mine obsidian in Ark?
Diamond pickaxes are part of Minecraft, not Ark, and are not used for mining obsidian. Obsidian is only harvested by specific creatures or tools such as a metal pick.
13. Do different maps have different crystal spawns?
Yes, the locations of crystal nodes can vary depending on the map. Some maps like Crystal Isles have unique environmental features and abundant resources including crystals.
14. Are any dinos particularly good for transporting crystal?
Argys, Dunkleosteus, and Ravagers can all carry twice as much crystal as other dinos. This makes them useful for transporting large amounts of crystal.
15. Are there naturally forming crystals in real life?
Yes, crystals are found in areas with water bodies, hydrothermal springs, road cuts, cave systems, and volcanic activity. Many countries have databases of these locations for mineral enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In summary, while a metal pickaxe is a good starting point, the most efficient way to mine crystal in Ark: Survival Evolved involves utilizing the capabilities of specialized creatures. The Tek Stryder is arguably the best overall option for endgame players, while the Mantis and Ankylosaurus provide great options for all stages of the game. Each creature and method has its place, allowing you to tailor your crystal-gathering strategy to your specific needs and resources. By understanding these various options, you can ensure a reliable supply of crystal, fueling your progress through the game. Happy harvesting!