Which Dino Collects the Most Obsidian in Ark: Survival Evolved?

The quest for obsidian in Ark: Survival Evolved is a crucial one, as this resource is essential for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and structures. While various methods and tools can yield obsidian, utilizing the right dinosaur can significantly increase your harvest efficiency. So, the big question remains: which dino reigns supreme in obsidian collection?

The answer is the Dunkleosteus. While other creatures excel in various resource gathering roles, the Dunkleosteus consistently outperforms others when it comes to raw obsidian accumulation. Its impressive 4.6-star rating as an obsidian gatherer solidifies its position as the top choice. While the Dunkleosteus is a sea creature, its ability to collect massive amounts of obsidian is unmatched once you bring it to a suitable location.

Obsidian Gathering: The Best Dinos Ranked

While the Dunkleosteus takes the crown, other dinosaurs and methods offer viable alternatives. Here’s a breakdown of the top obsidian gatherers in Ark: Survival Evolved, along with their respective ratings:

• Dunkleosteus: ★︎4.6 – The undisputed champion for obsidian harvesting. While it is a water-based creature, its massive harvesting power translates well to areas with reachable obsidian nodes.
• Magmasaur: ★︎4.4 – A powerful contender with good obsidian gathering abilities, but slightly less efficient than the Dunkleosteus. They are also capable of melting obsidian nodes, giving them a unique advantage.
• Ankylosaurus: ★︎4.1 – A widely accessible and excellent option for obsidian collection. While not the absolute best, its versatility makes it a go-to choice for many players.
• Mantis (with Metal Pick): ★︎4.1 – When equipped with a metal pick, the Mantis is a strong choice for obsidian gathering, offering more mobility than some larger dinos.
• Gacha: ★︎3.5 – Can produce obsidian as part of its crafting drops, but is unreliable for consistent farming.
• Phoenix: ★︎3.5 – Similar to the Gacha, the Phoenix is not a primary harvester but can yield obsidian through its attacks.
• Metal Pick: ★︎3.5 – A reliable starting point for obsidian gathering before taming more efficient creatures.
• Doedicurus: ★︎2.8 – While excellent at gathering stone, the Doedicurus is significantly less efficient at collecting obsidian.

Why the Dunkleosteus is King of Obsidian

Several factors contribute to the Dunkleosteus’s dominance in obsidian collection. Its powerful jaws are perfectly suited for breaking down obsidian nodes, resulting in a significant increase in yield compared to other methods. Even if you need to maneuver the Dunkleosteus to reach obsidian, its harvesting capabilities outweigh the difficulty of its movement in land-based environments. While it is an aquatic creature, if you can get the Dunkleosteus into position, it can out-collect any other resource harvester when it comes to obsidian.

Alternative Gathering Methods

While dinos offer the most efficient collection, players can also use manual methods, especially when starting out. A Metal Pick is crucial for harvesting obsidian before acquiring tames. Additionally, you can create artificial obsidian through the use of lava and water, though this method is not ideal for consistent large amounts of gathering.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Obsidian Gathering

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about obsidian gathering in Ark: Survival Evolved, to help you maximize your resource collection.

1. Does the Ankylosaurus collect obsidian?

Yes, the Ankylosaurus is a very effective obsidian gatherer. While not the absolute best, it is very good. The average player collects approximately 18 obsidian per three nodes, while the Ankylosaurus averages about 16 obsidian per node.

2. Can Magmasaurs collect obsidian?

Absolutely! Magmasaurs are very efficient obsidian gatherers, ranked #2 right behind the Dunkleosteus. They can even melt the obsidian, sometimes providing an advantage to collecting it.

3. What is the best tool for harvesting crystal in Ark?

While you can use dinos for gathering crystal, the most efficient tool for harvesting it by hand is a Metal Pick. This ensures minimal waste when compared to other tools.

4. Where can I find obsidian on Fjordur?

The volcanic island of Balheimr on the Fjordur map is the best location for obsidian. It’s scattered around the lava flows on this island.

5. How do I farm a lot of obsidian quickly?

While using the Dunkleosteus is the most efficient for large amounts of obsidian, you can also farm obsidian by pouring water onto lava pools and then mining the hardened material. However, the Dunkleosteus is the best method for speed and volume.

6. Is the Doedicurus better than the Ankylosaurus for resource gathering?

While the Doedicurus is fantastic for gathering stone, the Ankylosaurus is far superior when it comes to gathering metal, oil, and obsidian.

7. What can destroy wood structures in Ark?

Ravagers can and will damage wood structures, so keep this in mind when building in their territory.

8. What is the best dino for collecting stone in Ark?

The Doedicurus is considered the best dino for gathering stone, and is especially effective when harvesting metal nodes for stone.

9. What is the best dino for carrying lots of materials?

The Brontosaurus is excellent for carrying heavy loads, acting almost as a mobile base.

10. What is the best dino for collecting hide?

The Therizinosaurus is considered the best overall gatherer, and that includes hide. It’s an effective all-around resource gathering dino.

11. What is the egg collecting dino in Ark?

The Oviraptor will collect and steal eggs for you, without attracting too much attention.

12. What dinosaur has 500 teeth?

The Nigersaurus, a long-necked sauropod, has a skull with as many as 500 slender teeth.

13. What is the dinosaur that steals in Ark?

The Pegomastax is the creature known for stealing items from a player’s inventory.

14. What are the strongest dinos in Ark?

Excluding bosses, the toughest wild dinos include the Wild Giganotosaurus, the Wild Titanosaur, the Reaper Queen, and the Alpha Mosasaur, and the Alpha Tusoteuthis.

15. How can I use cheats in Ark?

You can open the console screen by pressing Tab (PC), LB+RB+X+Y (Xbox), or L1+R1+Square+Triangle (PlayStation). Then, enter cheat commands and press Enter to activate them.

Conclusion

While many dinosaurs can collect obsidian in Ark, the Dunkleosteus stands far above the rest. When you need maximum yield quickly, the Dunkleosteus is the best choice. While it may require some effort to get it into position, it remains the most effective obsidian harvester in the game. Understanding each dino’s strengths, their weaknesses, and location can significantly impact your gathering efficiency in Ark: Survival Evolved.