Element Vein in Ark: Survival Evolved was one of the first instances where players could obtain Element outside of a boss battle. Introduced with the release of the Extinction map, players were able to complete Element Veins as a way to farm relatively quickly. Element Vein is not for the faint of heart however and will require a lot of coordination and planning. In this guide we will explain how to complete and Element Vein in Ark: Survival Evolved.
What is an elemental vein in Ark: Survival Evolved?
Compared to orbital supply drops, the configuration of item nodes is similar in that the difficulty levels vary depending on the size of the particular item node. Naturally, rewards and threats increase with item node size. The second similarity is that it matters how well the survivor defends both the major item node and the minor item nodes. The size of the item harvest will depend on the number of item nodes kept alive at the end of the defense. It is crucial to harvest the smaller edge item nodes before the main item node after a successful defense; failure to do so will result in the loss of an additional valuable item.
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It is also crucial to remember that only metallic tools, such as the pickaxe or the axe, can be used to collect the items; otherwise, item nodes would be destroyed without any items being collected. The Mantis can be used with a metal pickaxe or a metal ax to harvest large amounts.
Compared to nearby smaller nodes, the master item node offers more items and shards.
Where to find elemental veins and what types you can find in Extinction in Ark: Survival Evolved
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There are three types of element nodes, and the larger their size, the more HP and element they contain. They’re pretty easy to spot, they’re large purple spikes sticking out of the ground, found only in the Wasteland. The three types are:
- Easy: 10,000 knots HP
- Medium: 25,000 knots HP
- Hard: 50,000 node HP
A third Corrupted Vein exists, but it’s only part of the fight against King Titan and doesn’t produce any items once fully.
Related: How to complete an OSD in Ark Survival Evolved
How to Complete an Elemental Vein in Ark Survival Evolved and What You’ll Need to Do It
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There are several methods to do this, but working with a tribe is the easiest.
Along with the number of corrupted creatures that will attack, the absolute number will help you find any creatures that have been lost or stuck somewhere. The best tactic is to place a group of hostile Velonosaurs in turret mode outside the smaller nodes to shoot all the flying creatures. Corrupted Wyverns and Pteranadons are often their biggest problem.
In order to deal most of your damage to enemies on the ground, you should also have a Giga with respectable stats. Try to cut off hordes of corrupted creatures before they get too close because if you’re not careful they can and will destroy nodes. Turrets with wildlife generators can also be installed if desired.
If your tame isn’t available, you can and should have a personal weapon like a shotgun or crafted sniper rifle with plenty of ammo. Bring plenty of water, extra armor and food as this is the Wasteland area; if you don’t, the environmental component will become a challenge.
Keep in mind that your item defense can and will be attacked at any time if you are playing on a PvP server. Keep an eye out for potential threats and prepare an escape route when you’ve collected your item. Always have a few turrets on survivors and high setups to keep people from rushing your elemental vein.
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