TL;DR
- Metal nodes concentrate in northern volcanic regions but southern areas offer safer early-game options
- Ankylosaurus mounts provide 300% efficiency boost and 75% weight reduction for metal gathering
- Upgrade from stone to metal pickaxes immediately when possible for significantly better yields
- Metal requires processing in forges to create ingots essential for advanced equipment and structures
- Resource respawn takes approximately 60 minutes on official servers, requiring strategic farming routes
Securing reliable metal sources in Ark Survival Ascended represents one of the most critical progression hurdles for advancing your technological capabilities. Without consistent metal access, you’ll find yourself unable to craft essential gear, fortify your base, or develop advanced weaponry needed for survival.
Mastering metal acquisition in Ark Survival Ascended becomes imperative within your first few hours of gameplay. While initial resource discoveries might seem plentiful, raw metal remains largely unusable until processed through specialized equipment. This comprehensive guide details optimal metal node locations, efficient harvesting methods, and advanced processing techniques to maximize your resource efficiency.
Authentic metal nodes consistently manifest as distinctive rock formations featuring prominent sparkling mineral deposits visible across their surfaces.
Although occasional metal fragments may drop from standard rock nodes, the quantities prove insufficient for sustained development. Limited amounts suffice for individual crafting projects, but comprehensive base construction and equipment manufacturing demand dedicated expeditions to concentrated metal-rich zones.
Primary metal deposits cluster heavily within the northern territories and volcanic mountain ranges, regions coincidentally inhabited by the island’s most dangerous predator populations. Equip high-grade armor and maintain agile mounts when exploring these hazardous northern expanses.
Southern region metal nodes offer accessibility advantages but provide substantially lower resource yields compared to northern deposits.
For beginners prioritizing safety over efficiency, the southern island sectors provide reduced-threat farming opportunities. Node density decreases significantly, but survival probability increases dramatically during initial resource gathering phases.
Southern metal node accessibility comes with considerable resource yield compromises, making them transitional rather than permanent solutions.
Effective metal extraction necessitates specialized tools, with basic stone picks serving as entry-level implements. These primitive tools function inadequately, making immediate transition to metal pickaxes crucial once initial metal stocks permit. The Ankylosaurus dinosaur represents the pinnacle of harvesting efficiency, automatically gathering metal when directed toward resource nodes.
Optimizing metal collection speed requires utilizing Ankylosaurus companions. Mirroring their functionality from Survival Evolved, these creatures harvest virtually all resources, including metal, with approximately 300% greater efficiency than manual methods. They additionally provide substantial weight reduction benefits, typically around 75% for metal, enabling extended farming sessions before requiring storage returns.
The distinctive glittery surface crust provides immediate visual identification between standard rocks and valuable metal-containing nodes.
Metal resource regeneration occurs over approximately one real-time hour on standard servers, though Ark Survival Ascended’s console commands offer alternative acquisition methods for specific scenarios.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid:
- Attempting northern expeditions without adequate weaponry or mount speed
- Persisting with stone tools after metal pickaxe crafting becomes available
- Overlooking Ankylosaurus taming for resource gathering optimization
- Neglecting weight management strategies during farming expeditions
- Failing to establish efficient transportation routes between mining areas and base
Developing systematic metal farming approaches separates successful survivors from those constantly struggling for resources. Your strategy should evolve through distinct phases matching your progression level and available equipment.
Early Game Strategy (Levels 1-30):
Focus on southern coastal metal nodes while building essential infrastructure. Prioritize crafting a metal pickaxe immediately upon gathering 20 metal fragments, then focus on taming your first Ankylosaurus. Establish small outposts near metal-rich areas with basic storage and sleeping bags for respawn points.
Mid Game Optimization (Levels 31-60):
Begin controlled northern expeditions with upgraded armor and weapons. Implement weight-trained dinosaurs for transportation and consider building forge stations at mining sites to reduce travel requirements.
Advanced Farming Systems (Levels 61+):
Establish permanent mining outposts in volcanic regions with full defensive structures. Develop dedicated resource transportation networks using high-capacity dinosaurs or aerial mounts.
Transportation Optimization:
Utilize dinosaurs with metal weight reduction like the Ankylosaurus for primary gathering, then transfer to high-weight capacity transporters such as Brontosaurus or Quetzalcoatlus for bulk transportation. Consider building multiple forges at mining locations to process metal on-site before transporting lighter ingots.
Server Management Considerations:
On private servers, adjust resource respawn rates to match your playstyle. Official servers maintain strict 60-minute respawn timers, requiring planned rotation between multiple mining locations.
Raw metal represents merely the initial stage in resource utilization, requiring transformation into usable metal ingots through specialized processing equipment. The refining process demands specific infrastructure and resource management to maximize output efficiency.
Forge Requirements and Setup:
Metal ingot production necessitates constructing and fueling a refining forge. This structure consumes various fuel sources while converting raw metal into the refined ingots essential for advanced crafting recipes.
Fuel Management Strategies:
Standard forges operate most efficiently using sparkpowder or gasoline, with gasoline providing significantly faster processing speeds. Maintain adequate fuel supplies to avoid production interruptions during critical crafting phases.
Advanced Processing Techniques:
Industrial forges, unlockable at higher levels, process metal significantly faster and can handle larger batches simultaneously. Consider building multiple standard forges during early-mid game transitions to increase processing capacity before industrial forge availability.
Production Ratios and Timing:
Standard forges typically process 2 metal into 1 ingot every 20 seconds, while industrial forges accomplish the same task in approximately 5 seconds. Plan your metal processing around these timings to maintain consistent material flow for crafting projects.
Common Processing Mistakes:
- Attempting to craft metal-dependent items with raw metal instead of processed ingots
- Insufficient fuel preparation leading to processing interruptions
- Poor forge placement causing logistical bottlenecks
- Neglecting to utilize multiple forges for parallel processing
- Failing to account for processing time in project planning
Action Checklist
- Identify and mark metal node locations in southern safe zones using map markers
- Craft metal pickaxe immediately upon gathering 20 metal fragments
- Tame an Ankylosaurus using narcotics and mejoberries for optimized gathering
- Establish northern expedition outpost with basic defenses and storage
- Build and fuel multiple forges near mining locations for on-site processing
- Develop resource transportation network using weight-optimized dinosaurs
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