ARK: Survival Evolved – A Guide to Chitin and Where to Find It
Understanding Chitin’s Importance
In the sprawling, untamed world of ARK: Survival Evolved, survival isn’t just about dodging colossal dinosaurs and surviving brutal weather; it’s about mastering the art of resource gathering and crafting. From primitive beginnings to building formidable bases, every aspect of progress hinges on obtaining the necessary materials. And among the most essential, yet often overlooked, resources is chitin. This guide serves as a comprehensive resource for both novice and veteran survivors, illuminating the secrets of chitin in ARK and providing the knowledge needed to effectively gather, manage, and utilize this crucial material.
Decoding the Source
Understanding where to find chitin is crucial. This resource is directly linked to the unique fauna of the ARK. While many creatures roam the lands, only a select few yield this vital material upon their demise. This adds a level of strategic planning to the game, as players need to know which creatures to seek out and how to effectively hunt them. The game’s resource system ties directly to the creatures inhabiting the world, making the ecosystem dynamic and interconnected.
Creatures That Yield Chitin
The creatures that drop chitin are predominantly arthropods and, in some cases, other creatures with exoskeletons. These creatures typically have tough outer shells or carapaces, which are where chitin is derived from. Knowing which creatures to target is the first step to a successful chitin gathering expedition.
Meganeura
These giant dragonflies are among the earliest sources of chitin players will encounter. They are commonly found in swampy areas and near water bodies. Meganeura are relatively easy to kill, making them a suitable early game target for resource gathering. However, they don’t provide as much chitin per kill as some other creatures.
Araneo
The giant spiders of ARK are a significantly better source of chitin. Araneo are often found in caves or dark, enclosed areas, making them a riskier target than Meganeura. Players must be mindful of the spider’s web attack, which can immobilize and make them easy prey for other predators.
Pulmonoscorpius
Scorpians are also a rich source of chitin. Found in various environments, these creatures have a venomous sting that can inflict poison. The poison can be debilitating, so players need to exercise caution and employ tactics to avoid being hit. They are a good target for gaining chitin later in the game.
Dung Beetle
While their main purpose is fertilizer production, Dung Beetles also yield a small amount of chitin. They are typically found near dung, and players shouldn’t solely rely on them for their chitin needs, especially as they tend to be passive creatures.
Deathworm
The Deathworm is a formidable creature found in the Scorched Earth expansion. When you manage to take them down, you are greatly rewarded. They’re not on all maps, so finding them is already a challenge in itself.
Trilobite
These passive aquatic creatures also provide a small amount of chitin. They’re generally easy to kill, but their low yield makes them less efficient than hunting other creatures.
Dimorphodon
These flying creatures can be found near mountains or cliffs. The chitin they yield is minor and best left alone as you can find chitin from other creatures with ease.
Other Creatures
Depending on the map and settings, certain other creatures, like giant centipedes or other insects, might also be sources of chitin.
The Art of Harvesting
Knowing which creatures drop chitin is only the first step. The next step is to understand the most effective methods for extracting the resource. The tools and techniques employed significantly influence the amount of chitin gathered per kill.
Melee Weapons
The most basic method of gathering chitin is through the use of melee weapons like pickaxes or hatchets. The hatchet is generally the more efficient tool for resource gathering.
Tames
Taming creatures that can effectively harvest resources can drastically increase your chitin gathering efficiency. Dire Bears, for instance, gain a resource-gathering bonus. The Megatherium is exceptionally good for harvesting chitin, especially when boosted by its “Frenzy” buff which can be gained by killing insects, as they’re exceptionally good at harvesting corpses.
The Mantis
A skilled gatherer, the Mantis is a creature tamed in ARK. With their claw-like arms, they collect resources in the most efficient way.
Strategic Hunting and Tactics
The tactics employed during hunting play a critical role in maximizing chitin yields and minimizing risk. Each creature presents unique challenges, and adapting your approach is key to success.
Araneo Hunting
To hunt Araneo safely, players should consider using ranged weapons to avoid getting ensnared in their webs. Fighting them from a distance is crucial to avoiding getting webbed.
Pulmonoscorpius Hunting
When hunting Scorpions, players should have an antidote ready to counteract the venom. Otherwise, ranged weapons or creatures that can deal with the poison effects, are recommended.
Other Strategies
Other creatures require specific strategies to hunt efficiently. For example, larger creatures might need to be engaged with tames, while smaller creatures might be easily dispatched with a melee weapon.
Navigating Habitats
Understanding the habitats of chitin dropping creatures is crucial. Knowing the specific areas where these creatures spawn saves time and energy, allowing for more efficient gathering.
General Map Overviews
Each map in ARK has its specific biomes and environments. Knowing these environments will lead you closer to creatures that drop chitin.
The Island
The Island is the original ARK map. Players should focus on exploring caves and swamps to find Araneo and Pulmonoscorpius.
Scorched Earth
In this arid expansion, Deathworms are a prime source of chitin. Explore the desert to find them.
Aberration
This map is a complex underground world. Be on the lookout for Araneo and other unique cave-dwelling creatures that yield chitin.
Specific Locations
Some locations may be more abundant in specific creatures. Exploring these zones provides a more strategic approach.
Crafting and Chitin’s Role
The primary purpose of gathering chitin is to craft essential items. These items enhance survivability, combat effectiveness, and overall progress. The list below details how chitin is utilized in crafting.
Armor
The Chitin armor set is one of the earliest sets of armor players will craft. It offers decent protection, especially against melee attacks.
Saddles
Several saddles, particularly those for creatures that use chitin, require the resource. These saddles unlock the ability to ride and command powerful creatures.
Tools and Other Items
Chitin is a component in creating tools such as the Mortar and Pestle.
Managing the Harvest
Chitin, like any raw resource, requires effective storage and management to ensure its usefulness. The resource is relatively heavy, and storage considerations are essential.
Weight Considerations
Chitin has a significant weight-per-unit. Using containers to manage the resource is critical.
Best Storage
Using Preserving Bins or Vaults is generally the best way to store chitin. These containers provide the capacity and protection required for long-term storage.
Spoilage
Like other perishable resources, chitin can spoil. Use a Preserving Bin or preserving salt to prevent spoiling.
Conclusion
Chitin is a cornerstone of survival in ARK: Survival Evolved. Its importance for crafting armor, saddles, tools, and other crucial items makes it an indispensable resource. By understanding the creatures that yield chitin, implementing efficient harvesting strategies, exploring the right locations, and effectively managing your storage, you will significantly improve your chances of survival in the harsh world of ARK. Mastering chitin gathering is a key step towards becoming a top survivor in the game. Now, armed with this knowledge, venture forth and begin gathering to fuel your journey through the Ark.
