ARK: Survival Evolved’s Extinction DLC plunged players into a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a stark contrast to the lush jungles and serene beaches of previous maps. This ruined Earth, ravaged by element corruption and overrun by Tek creatures, demands a different survival strategy. Understanding the intricacies of Extinction’s resource map is paramount to not just surviving, but thriving in this challenging environment. Forget leisurely foraging; Extinction is a race against the clock, a fight for resources, and a desperate attempt to reclaim what was lost. This article will explore the diverse regions of Extinction and pinpoint the vital resources they offer, empowering you to conquer this desolate landscape.
The Divided Land: A Region-by-Region Breakdown
Extinction’s map is broadly divided into three distinct regions: the City, the Wasteland, and the Snow Dome. Each presents unique challenges and rewards, demanding adaptation and strategic resource gathering.
1. The City: A Concrete Jungle of Opportunity
The sprawling City, once a symbol of human ingenuity, now lies in ruins. Littered with crumbling skyscrapers and abandoned infrastructure, it offers a surprisingly rich array of resources, albeit often guarded by aggressive Tek creatures and corrupted spawns.
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Metal: The City is a veritable goldmine for metal. Scour the dilapidated buildings, particularly the higher levels accessible with flyers, for abundant metal nodes. Look for areas where buildings have collapsed, exposing their inner structures. These areas often feature concentrated metal deposits. Furthermore, the City Terminals, found at the center of each of the three sub-districts (North, Central, and South), are excellent sources of metal scrap when recycled using an Industrial Grinder.
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Electronics: The City’s derelict state makes it a prime location for scavenging electronics. Broken computers, circuit boards, and other technological debris are scattered throughout the ruins. Look inside buildings, particularly in offices and research facilities, for the best yields. Recycling Tek structures, if you can manage to acquire them, offers a substantial boost to electronics acquisition.
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Oil: While not as readily apparent as metal, oil can be found in limited quantities within the City. Search around industrial complexes and broken-down vehicles. Small pools of oil are often located near pipelines and storage tanks. However, be cautious, as these areas are often hotspots for dangerous creatures.
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Polymer: Organic Polymer, essential for crafting advanced technology, is readily available in the City. While the traditional method of harvesting penguins is unavailable on Extinction, you can obtain Organic Polymer by killing Kairuku that sometimes spawn near the City’s perimeter. Alternatively, Polymer can be crafted using resources from the City’s various vendors, making it a more sustainable option in the long run.
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Gacha Crystals: Gacha Crystals, dropped by Gacha creatures, are vital for obtaining a wide range of resources. While Gachas can be found throughout the map, the City offers a relatively safe environment to farm them, particularly near the edges. However, be prepared to deal with corrupted Gachas, which are far more aggressive and dangerous.
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Element Dust: This crucial resource is primarily obtained from Element Nodes, which spawn randomly throughout the City and the Wasteland. These nodes are guarded by powerful corrupted creatures, requiring a well-equipped team to harvest safely. Additionally, Element Dust can be obtained by killing corrupted creatures, though this method is less efficient.
2. The Wasteland: A Harsh Realm of Scarcity and Danger
The Wasteland, a desolate expanse surrounding the City, is a harsh and unforgiving environment. Ravaged by element corruption and populated by aggressive creatures, it demands careful planning and preparedness. While resources are scarcer than in the City, some key materials are primarily found in this region.
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Scrap Metal: The Wasteland is littered with scrap metal, a valuable early-game resource. Search around abandoned vehicles, ruined structures, and scattered debris. While the yield per source is lower than the metal nodes in the City, the sheer abundance of scrap metal makes it a viable option for establishing a foothold.
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Element Nodes: As mentioned earlier, Element Nodes are a critical resource found in both the City and the Wasteland. The Wasteland often sees higher concentrations of these nodes, but they are also guarded by significantly more powerful corrupted creatures. Coordinating a raid on an Element Node in the Wasteland requires a well-organized team and powerful tames.
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Mutagel: This unique resource is essential for crafting Mutagen, which can be used to alter the stats of your creatures. Mutagel is found in small, glowing pools scattered throughout the Wasteland. Be warned, these pools are often surrounded by dangerous creatures, and approaching them without caution is a recipe for disaster.
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Black Pearls: While not exclusive to the Wasteland, Black Pearls are more readily found here than in other regions. Search along the edges of the Wasteland, particularly near the transition zones with the City. Look for small, black clam-like creatures on the ground.
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Enforcer Data: These are required to craft Enforcers, useful for defending your base. They are found in the wild by defeating wild Enforcers, which are more commonly found in the Wasteland.
3. The Snow Dome: A Frozen Fortress of Resources
The Snow Dome, a self-contained ecosystem within a massive biodome, offers a stark contrast to the desolation of the City and the Wasteland. While challenging to access and navigate due to extreme cold and treacherous terrain, it holds a wealth of resources essential for advanced crafting and survival.
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Crystal: The Snow Dome is a rich source of crystal, essential for crafting various tools, weapons, and structures. Look for crystal formations along the walls of the dome, particularly in elevated areas.
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Obsidian: Obsidian, another critical resource for crafting advanced technology, is abundant in the Snow Dome. Search around volcanic vents and rocky outcrops. Be mindful of the extreme temperatures and dangerous creatures that inhabit these areas.
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Fiber: While fiber can be found throughout the map, the Snow Dome offers a particularly abundant source. Harvest the various plants that grow within the dome. This is especially useful for players establishing a base within the Snow Dome.
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Hide: Hunting the various creatures that inhabit the Snow Dome, such as Mammoths and Direwolves, provides a substantial supply of hide. Hide is essential for crafting armor and other protective gear, crucial for surviving the harsh conditions of Extinction.
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Rare Flowers and Mushrooms: The Snow Dome is a prime location for gathering rare flowers and mushrooms, used in crafting various potions and recipes. These resources are often found in hidden areas and require careful exploration to locate.
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Element Shards: These are needed for crafting Element and are obtained by killing Ice Titans, which spawn within the Snow Dome. Killing a Titan is no easy task, but the reward of Element Shards makes it a worthwhile endeavor.
Strategic Considerations for Resource Gathering on Extinction
Beyond simply knowing where to find resources, successful survival on Extinction requires strategic planning and execution. Consider the following:
- Taming: Taming powerful creatures is essential for navigating the dangerous landscape and efficiently harvesting resources. Argentavises are invaluable for transporting metal and other heavy materials, while Ankylosaurus excel at harvesting metal. Gachas can be bred to produce resources. Snow Owls are invaluable in the snow biome.
- Base Location: Choosing a strategic base location is crucial for accessing key resources and defending against threats. A location near the transition zone between the City and the Wasteland offers access to both metal and element nodes. A base within the Snow Dome provides easy access to crystal, obsidian, and fiber.
- Technology: Investing in advanced technology, such as the Industrial Grinder and the Tek Replicator, significantly increases resource gathering efficiency. The Industrial Grinder allows you to recycle unwanted items into valuable resources, while the Tek Replicator allows you to craft advanced items more efficiently.
- Teamwork: Extinction is a challenging map that often requires teamwork to overcome obstacles. Coordinating with other players to raid element nodes, tame powerful creatures, and defend against threats significantly increases your chances of survival.
Conclusion: Mastering Extinction’s Resource Map
Extinction’s resource map presents a unique challenge to ARK: Survival Evolved players. By understanding the distribution of resources across the City, the Wasteland, and the Snow Dome, and by implementing strategic resource gathering techniques, you can overcome the challenges of this post-apocalyptic world and thrive in the face of extinction. Mastering the resource map is not just about survival; it’s about reclaiming what was lost and building a future in the ruins of the old world. So, gear up, gather your tribe, and venture forth into the wasteland. The fate of humanity rests in your hands.
