Hey there, fellow Ark survivors! So, I’ve been playing Ark: Survival Evolved for quite some time now, and let me tell ya, I’ve learned a thing or two about gathering raw resources. You know how it is – you’re trying to build your base, tame some dinos, and just survive this crazy world, but you need the suitable materials to get it all done. Well, guess what? I’ve got your back, buddy!
In my latest blog post, I’ve put together a super helpful list of the best ways to get your hands on all those essential resources in Ark – you know, stuff like thatch, wood, stone, flint, sand, metal ore, obsidian, pelts, hides, silk, raw meat, raw salt, oil, chitin, fiber, cactus sap, keratin, sulfur, silica pearls, organic Polymer, leech blood, and crystal. Phew! That’s a lot, huh?
But don’t worry, I will guide you through each one, so you can start gathering like a pro in no time! Trust me, you’re gonna thank me later! So, grab a snack, put on your survivor hat, and dive into the world of Ark and all the raw resources you’ll ever need.
Looking to level up your Ark game? Our guide on the top ways to start in Ark will help you dominate the island!
Thatch
Thatch is one of the most essential resources you’ll need in Ark: Survival Evolved, especially when you’re just starting out. It’s a vital building material for constructing simple shelters and crafting early-game items. Luckily, gathering thatch is easy and can be done in nearly any island area.
To collect thatch, use your bare hands or any tool (such as a pickaxe or hatchet) to hit trees. Although you can use any tool, a pickaxe on trees yields the most thatch. Be cautious of the surrounding wildlife when gathering; you never know when a hungry carnivore might lurk nearby! As you progress in the game, you’ll unlock better tools and even creatures that can help you gather thatch more efficiently, like the Megaloceros or the Therizinosaurus.
Wood
Wood is another fundamental resource in Ark: Survival Evolved for crafting various items and structures. As you advance in the game, you’ll rely on wood to build more robust bases and create essential tools for survival. Wood can be found all over the island but is most abundant in forested areas.
To gather wood, use a hatchet on trees. While a pickaxe can also yield wood, the hatchet is more efficient. As you progress, you’ll unlock better tools, like the metal hatchet, which will help you gather wood more quickly. You can also tame creatures like the Castoroides, Mammoth, or Therizinosaurus, which excel at wood gathering and can carry large quantities.
Remember that chopping down trees will leave you exposed and might attract the attention of nearby predators. So always be aware of your surroundings and try not to venture too far from safety when collecting wood.
Stone
Stone is yet another essential resource in Ark: Survival Evolved. It’s used for crafting various items, tools, and structures and is crucial in building more robust bases and defenses. Stone is scattered throughout the island and can be found in multiple locations, including beaches, mountains, and riverbanks.
As you progress in the game, you can craft improved tools like the metal pick, which can more effectively gather stone. You can pick up small rocks scattered on the ground or use a pickaxe on larger rocks and boulders to gather stone. Using a hatchet on rocks will yield stones, but the pickaxe is more efficient.
Additionally, several creatures can help you collect stones more efficiently, such as the Doedicurus or Ankylosaurus. Taming one of these creatures will significantly boost your stone-gathering capabilities. Be cautious while gathering stones; you never know when a dangerous creature might lurk nearby.
Flint
Flint is an essential resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, as it’s necessary for crafting various items, such as spark powder, arrows, and tools. It’s also used as a primary ingredient for making gunpowder, essential for creating firearms and ammunition. Flint can be found throughout the island, typically wherever you see rocks and boulders.
To collect flint, use a pickaxe on rocks and boulders. While using a hatchet will also yield some flint, the pickaxe is the most efficient tool. As you progress in the game and craft better tools like the metal pick, you can gather flint more quickly and in larger quantities.
Some creatures can help you gather flint more efficiently, such as the Ankylosaurus. Taming one of these creatures will enable you to collect flint more effectively, allowing you to spend less time gathering and more time crafting and building. Remember to stay alert while containing flint, as the sound of breaking rocks may attract unwanted attention from nearby predators.
Sand
Sand is valuable in Ark: Survival Evolved, particularly in the Scorched Earth, Ragnarok, and Crystal Isles maps. It’s used for crafting various items, including clay, adobe structures, and glass. Sand can be found predominantly in desert and beach areas, making it relatively easy to locate.
To collect sand, use a shovel or any gathering tool like a hatchet or pickaxe on the ground in sandy areas. While a pickaxe or hatchet will yield some sand, a shovel is the most efficient method for gathering this resource. As you progress in the game, you may find better tools to help you pick sand more quickly.
In addition to tools, some creatures can help you collect more efficiently, such as the Morellatops or the Roll Rat. Taming one of these creatures will allow you to gather sand in more significant quantities faster. Just be cautious while collecting sand in desert regions, as you may encounter dangerous creatures or extreme weather conditions. Stay prepared and keep an eye on your surroundings to ensure your safety.
Metal Ore
Metal ore is a crucial resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, as it’s required for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and structures. Metal is essential for progressing and staying competitive against other players and powerful creatures. Metal ore can be found throughout the island. Still, it’s more commonly found in mountainous regions, caves, and around certain rock formations.
To collect metal ore, use a pickaxe on rocks with a slightly golden or metallic appearance. While a hatchet can also yield metal, the pickaxe is the most efficient tool for this task. As you progress in the game, you can craft metal picks, which gather metal ore more effectively.
Taming creatures like the Ankylosaurus or the Magmasaur can significantly improve your metal-gathering efficiency. These creatures can harvest metal ore in large quantities and carry it with reduced weight, making them ideal for mining operations.
Always be cautious when gathering metal ore, as the locations where it can be found often harbor dangerous creatures or environmental hazards. Stay vigilant and be prepared to defend yourself or make a quick escape if necessary.
Obsidian
Obsidian is a rare and valuable resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for crafting high-end items such as polymers, electronics, and certain powerful weapons. Obsidian can be found in specific locations throughout the island, typically in mountainous areas, volcanic regions, and some caves.
To collect obsidian, use a pickaxe on the shiny, black rocks distinct from other stones in the area. While a hatchet can also yield obsidian, the pickaxe is the most efficient tool for this task. As you progress in the game, you can craft metal picks, which will help you gather obsidian more quickly and in larger quantities.
Some creatures can help you gather obsidian more efficiently, such as the Ankylosaurus or the Magmasaur. Taming one of these creatures will enable you to collect obsidian more effectively and carry it with reduced weight, making transporting the valuable resource back to your base easier.
Gathering obsidian can be risky, as the locations where it’s found often harbor dangerous creatures or environmental hazards like lava. Always be prepared for potential threats and keep an eye on your surroundings to ensure your safety while collecting this precious resource.
Pelts
Pelts are an essential resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for crafting warm clothing, armor, and saddles, which are necessary for surviving in cold environments or taming specific creatures. Pelts can be obtained by hunting certain furry animals in various regions, including snowy biomes, forests, and mountains.
To collect pelts, you’ll need to hunt animals like the Megaloceros, Direwolf, Mammoth, or Rhinoceros, among others. Use ranged weapons, such as bows, crossbows, or firearms, to bring down these creatures safely from a distance. Once the animal is dead, harvest the pelt with a hatchet, sword, or chainsaw. While a pickaxe can also yield coats, the hatchet, and other sharp tools are more efficient.
Taming creatures like the Direwolf, Sabertooth, or Therizinosaurus can also help you collect pelts more efficiently, as they can quickly harvest pelts from slain animals. Be cautious while hunting for pelts, as you may encounter aggressive creatures or other threats. Always be prepared to defend yourself and make a strategic retreat if necessary.
Hides
Hides are a vital resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for crafting various items such as armor, saddles, and storage structures. Hides can be obtained from multiple animals found throughout the island, making them relatively easy to acquire during your adventures.
To collect hides, hunt animals like the Parasaurolophus, Dodo, Trike, or Stegosaurus, among many others. You can use weapons like the slingshot, bow, crossbow, or firearms to kill these creatures from a safe distance. Once the animal is dead, harvest the hide with a hatchet or other sharp tools like a sword or chainsaw. While a pickaxe can also yield hairs, the hatchet, and similar devices are more efficient for this purpose.
Taming creatures such as the Direwolf, Sabertooth, or Raptor can significantly improve your hide-gathering efficiency, as they can quickly harvest hides from dead animals. Always exercise caution when hunting for pelts, as you may inadvertently attract the attention of predators or other threats. Be prepared to defend yourself or flee if the situation becomes too dangerous.
Silk
Silk is useful in Ark: Survival Evolved, particularly on the Scorched Earth, Ragnarok, and Crystal Isles maps. It’s used for crafting items like desert cloth armor sets, whips, and tents, essential for surviving in harsh environments. Silk can be obtained from specific plants or harvested from certain insects.
To collect silk, look for purple and white flowers called Silkworm Ferns, found in desert and redwood biomes. Simply harvest these plants by hand or with a sickle to obtain silk. Using a sickle is more efficient and yields more silk than harvesting by hand. Alternatively, you can gather silk by killing and harvesting Lymantria moths or harvesting webs from Araneo spiders.
Taming creatures such as the Therizinosaurus, Megatherium, or Direbear can help you gather silk more efficiently, especially when plant harvesting. Be cautious when collecting silk; you may encounter aggressive creatures or face environmental hazards, such as extreme heat in desert regions. Stay aware of your surroundings to ensure your safety while gathering silk.
Raw Meat
Raw meat is an essential resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for feeding yourself and your tamed creatures and crafting items like narcotics. Uncooked meat can be obtained from hunting most animals found throughout the island, making it a readily available resource during your adventures.
To collect raw meat, hunt animals such as the Dodo, Parasaurolophus, Raptor, or Carnotaurus, among many others. You can use weapons like the bow, crossbow, or firearms to kill these creatures from a safe distance. Once the animal is dead, use a pickaxe or other tools like a hatchet, sword, or chainsaw to harvest the raw meat. While a hatchet can also yield raw meat, the pickaxe, and other similar tools are more efficient for this purpose.
Taming carnivorous creatures like the Raptor, Sabertooth, or Rex can greatly improve your raw meat gathering efficiency, as they can quickly harvest meat from dead animals. Remember that hunting for raw meat can be dangerous, as you may encounter aggressive predators or other threats during the process. Always be prepared to defend yourself or make a strategic retreat if necessary.
Raw Salt
The raw salt is a valuable resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, particularly on the Scorched Earth, Ragnarok, and Crystal Isles maps. It’s used for crafting and preserving salt, which helps to extend the spoiling time of perishable items, making it essential for preserving food and other resources. Raw salt can be found in specific locations, such as salt flats and rocky formations in desert biomes.
To collect raw salt, use a pickaxe on white crystalline rocks or salt formations found in desert areas. While a hatchet can also yield raw salt, the pickaxe is the most efficient tool for this task. As you progress in the game, you can craft metal picks, which will help you gather raw salt more quickly and in larger quantities.
Some creatures can help you gather raw salt more efficiently, such as the Ankylosaurus or Doedicurus. Taming one of these creatures will enable you to collect raw salt more effectively and carry it with reduced weight, making transporting the valuable resource back to your base easier.
Gathering raw salt can be risky, as the locations where it’s found often harbor dangerous creatures or environmental hazards like extreme heat. Always be prepared for potential threats and keep an eye on your surroundings to ensure your safety while collecting this useful resource.
Oil
Oil is a vital resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for crafting advanced items such as gasoline, electronics, and various types of ammunition. It’s essential for powering generators and fabricators, which are necessary for producing high-end equipment and structures. Oil can be found in specific locations, such as underwater nodes and oil veins, and harvested from certain creatures.
To collect oil from underwater nodes, dive into the ocean and look for black, shiny rocks on the ocean floor. Use a pickaxe to harvest oil from these nodes. While a hatchet can also yield oil, the pickaxe is the most efficient tool for this task. As you progress in the game, you’ll be able to craft metal picks and scuba gear, which will help you gather oil more effectively.
You can find oil veins on the surface on maps like Scorched Earth, Ragnarok, and Crystal Isles. Placing an oil pump on these veins will passively collect oil over time. Additionally, you can harvest oil from creatures like the Basilosaurus, Hesperornis, or Trilobite by killing them and using a pickaxe or hatchet to collect the oil.
Taming creatures like the Anglerfish or Dunkleosteus can help you gather oil more efficiently from underwater nodes. Be cautious while collecting oil; you may encounter aggressive creatures or face environmental hazards like drowning or extreme temperatures. Stay prepared and be aware of your surroundings to ensure your safety while gathering oil.
Chitin
Chitin is an important resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for crafting items such as cementing paste, chitin armor, and saddles. It’s an essential component for building more advanced structures and equipment. Chitin can be obtained by killing and harvesting certain insects and arthropods found throughout the island.
To collect chitin, hunt creatures like the Trilobite, Araneo, Pulmonoscorpius, or Titanomyrma, among others. You can use weapons like the bow, crossbow, or firearms to kill these creatures from a safe distance. Once the creature is dead, use a hatchet, sword, or chainsaw to harvest the chitin. While a pickaxe can also yield chitin, the hatchet, and other sharp tools are more efficient for this task.
Taming creatures such as the Sabertooth, Direwolf, or Megatherium can greatly improve your chitin-gathering efficiency, as they can quickly harvest chitin from slain insects and arthropods. Be cautious when hunting for chitin, as you may encounter aggressive creatures or other threats in the process. Always be prepared to defend yourself and make a strategic retreat if necessary.
Fiber
Fiber is a fundamental resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for crafting a wide variety of items, such as clothing, storage structures, and saddles. It’s one of the most basic resources you’ll need to gather early on in the game. Fiber can be obtained by harvesting specific plants found throughout the island.
Simply harvest plants like bushes, ferns, or grass by hand to collect the fiber. While you can gather fiber using your hands, using a sickle is a more efficient method that yields higher amounts of fiber. As you progress in the game, you’ll be able to craft metal sickles, which will help you gather fiber more quickly and in larger quantities.
Taming creatures like the Gigantopithecus or the Therizinosaurus can help you gather fiber more efficiently. These creatures can easily harvest fiber from plants, allowing you to collect large quantities quickly. Be cautious while collecting fiber, as you may encounter aggressive creatures or other threats in the process. Always be prepared to defend yourself or make a strategic retreat if necessary.
Cactus Sap
Cactus Sap is a valuable resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, particularly on the Scorched Earth, Ragnarok, and Crystal Isles maps. It’s used for crafting items like clay, propellant, and cactus broth, which are essential for surviving in desert environments and constructing adobe structures. Cactus Sap can be obtained by harvesting specific cacti found in desert biomes.
To collect cactus sap, use a pickaxe, hatchet, or chainsaw on the large cacti or small cactus plants found throughout desert areas. While a pickaxe and hatchet can yield cactus sap, the chainsaw is the most efficient tool for this task, but it requires gasoline. As you progress in the game, you can craft better tools and equipment to help you gather cactus sap more effectively.
Taming creatures like the Morellatops or the Therizinosaurus can help you gather cactus sap more efficiently. These creatures can easily harvest cactus sap from plants, allowing you to collect large quantities quickly. Be cautious while collecting cactus sap, as you may encounter aggressive creatures or face environmental hazards like extreme heat in desert regions. Be aware of your surroundings to ensure your safety while gathering cactus sap.
Keratin
Keratin is an essential resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for crafting items such as cementing paste, saddles, and some weapons. It’s an important component for constructing more advanced structures and equipment. Keratin can be obtained by killing and harvesting specific creatures found throughout the island.
To collect keratin, hunt creatures like the Carbonemys, Triceratops, Pachy, or Woolly Rhino, among others. You can use weapons like the bow, crossbow, or firearms to kill these creatures from a safe distance. Once the creature is dead, harvest the keratin with a hatchet, sword, or chainsaw. While a pickaxe can also yield keratin, the hatchet, and other sharp tools are more efficient for this task.
Taming creatures such as the Sabertooth, Direwolf, or Therizinosaurus can greatly improve your keratin-gathering efficiency, as they can quickly harvest keratin from slain animals. Be cautious when hunting for keratin, as you may encounter aggressive creatures or other threats. Always be prepared to defend yourself and make a strategic retreat if necessary.
Sulfur
Sulfur is a crucial resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, especially on maps like Scorched Earth, Ragnarok, and Crystal Isles. It’s used for crafting items like a propellant, preserving salt, and various types of ammunition, making it essential for advanced gameplay and survival in harsh environments. Sulfur can be found in specific locations, such as volcanic regions and caves.
To collect sulfur, use a pickaxe on yellow crystalline rocks or sulfur formations found in volcanic areas and caves. While a hatchet can also yield sulfur, the pickaxe is the most efficient tool for this task. As you progress in the game, you’ll be able to craft metal picks, which will help you gather sulfur more quickly and in larger quantities.
Some creatures can help you gather sulfur more efficiently, such as the Ankylosaurus or Magmasaur. Taming one of these creatures will enable you to collect sulfur more effectively and carry it with reduced weight, making transporting the valuable resource back to your base easier.
Gathering sulfur can be risky, as the locations where it’s found often harbor dangerous creatures or environmental hazards like extreme heat, lava, and toxic gas. Always be prepared for potential threats and monitor your surroundings to ensure your safety while collecting this useful resource.
Silica Pearls
Silica Pearls are an important resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for crafting advanced items like electronics, C4 explosives, and various types of ammunition. They’re essential for powering and maintaining high-end equipment and structures. Silica Pearls can be found in specific locations, such as underwater caves, shallow pools, and deep ocean areas.
To collect silica pearls, dive into the ocean or explore underwater caves and look for small, shiny, pearl-like orbs that are usually clustered together. Simply approach the pearls and press the interact button to harvest them. You can also find silica pearls in shallow pools, especially on the Scorched Earth, Ragnarok, and Crystal Isles maps.
Taming creatures like the Anglerfish, Otter, or Trilobite can help you gather silica pearls more efficiently. Anglerfish can harvest silica pearls directly, while otters can retrieve them for you, and trilobites can yield silica pearls when harvested after being killed. Be cautious while collecting silica pearls; you may encounter aggressive creatures or face environmental hazards like drowning or extreme temperatures. Be aware of your surroundings to ensure your safety while gathering silica pearls.
Organic Polymer
Organic Polymer is a valuable resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used as a substitute for regular Polymer in crafting advanced items like weapons, armor, and various types of ammunition. Organic Polymer can be obtained by killing and harvesting specific creatures found throughout the island and on maps like The Center and Ragnarok.
To collect organic Polymer, hunt creatures like the Kairuku, Hesperornis, or Mantis. You can use weapons like the bow, crossbow, or firearms to kill these creatures from a safe distance. Once the creature dies, use a club, sword, or chainsaw to harvest the organic Polymer. While other tools can also yield organic Polymer, the club, and sharp tools are more efficient for this task.
Taming creatures such as the Pelagornis or the Therizinosaurus can greatly improve your organic polymer-gathering efficiency, as they can quickly harvest organic Polymer from slain animals. Be cautious when hunting for organic Polymer, as you may encounter aggressive creatures or other threats. Always be prepared to defend yourself and make a strategic retreat if necessary.
Remember that organic Polymer spoils over time, so be sure to use it or store it in a preserving bin or refrigerator to extend its spoil timer.
Leech Blood
Leech Blood is a unique resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for crafting items like Lesser Antidote, Fishing Bait, and Blood Packs. It’s essential for surviving diseases and maximizing your chances of catching high-quality fish. Leech Blood can be obtained by killing and harvesting leeches found in swamp biomes on The Island, The Center, and Ragnarok maps.
To collect leech blood, head to swampy areas and hunt for leeches. These small, worm-like creatures can be challenging to spot, so be prepared to search thoroughly. Use weapons like the pike, sword, or firearms to kill leeches from a safe distance. Once the leech is dead, use a hatchet or a sword to harvest the leech’s blood. While other tools can also yield leech blood, sharp tools are more efficient for this task.
Be cautious when hunting for leech blood, as swamp biomes are home to many aggressive creatures like snakes, sarcos, and kaprosuchus, as well as the risk of contracting diseases like Swamp Fever. Always be prepared to defend yourself and make a strategic retreat if necessary. Wearing a full set of ghillie armor or using bug repellent can help you avoid attracting unwanted attention from dangerous creatures while collecting leech blood.
Crystal
Crystal is a vital resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, used for crafting items such as electronics, advanced weapons, spyglasses, and greenhouse structures. It’s essential for building more advanced structures and equipment, making your gameplay experience more efficient and enjoyable. Crystal can be found in specific locations, such as caves, mountains, and certain island areas.
To collect crystal, use a pickaxe on the shiny, transparent rock formations found in caves, on mountain peaks, or scattered throughout certain island areas. While a hatchet can also yield crystal, the pickaxe is the most efficient tool for this task. As you progress in the game, you’ll be able to craft metal picks, which will help you gather crystal more quickly and in larger quantities.
Taming creatures like the Ankylosaurus or the Doedicurus can help you gather crystals more efficiently. These creatures can harvest crystals from rock formations with ease, allowing you to collect large quantities in a short period. Be cautious while containing crystal; you may encounter aggressive creatures or face environmental hazards like extreme temperatures or cave dangers. Stay aware of your surroundings to ensure your safety while gathering crystal.
If you like this article, read my other articles:
Ark Survival 101: Top Tips To Conquer The Island And Outsmart The Dinos!