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Ark Survival Evolved: How to Get Chitin – A Comprehensive Guide

Chitin is a vital resource in Ark: Survival Evolved, essential for crafting armor, tools, and various other items that will significantly aid your survival. Whether you’re a seasoned survivor or just starting your adventure on the island, knowing how to efficiently acquire chitin is crucial. This comprehensive guide will detail everything you need to know about obtaining chitin, from the creatures that drop it to the best methods for farming it.

What is Chitin and Why Do You Need It?

Chitin is an organic resource obtained by harvesting the corpses of specific creatures in Ark: Survival Evolved. It’s a primary component in crafting many early to mid-game items, including armor sets like chitin armor, weapons, and even saddles. Without a steady supply of chitin, progressing through the game can be significantly more challenging. Think of chitin as an early game staple that evolves with you, eventually leading to keratin and other more specialized resources.

The uses of chitin are diverse:

Armor: Crafting chitin armor provides essential protection against environmental hazards and enemy attacks.
Tools: Several tools and weapons require chitin in their construction, improving your ability to gather resources and defend yourself.
Saddles: Some early-game saddles, allowing you to ride tamed creatures, require chitin.
Structures: Certain structures and building components also utilize chitin.

Creatures That Drop Chitin

Several creatures in Ark: Survival Evolved yield chitin when harvested. Knowing which creatures to target is the first step in efficiently farming this resource. Here’s a list of the most common and reliable sources of chitin:

Arthropluera: Found in caves, these large centipede-like creatures provide a significant amount of chitin. However, they are highly aggressive and can inflict a potent venom.
Pulmonoscorpius (Scorpions): Another cave dweller, scorpions are easier to manage than Arthropluera and offer a decent amount of chitin. They also have a chance to drop other useful resources.
Trilobites: These small, shelled creatures are found along beaches and in shallow water. While they provide a relatively small amount of chitin, they are easy to kill and can be a good starting point.
Cnidaria (Jellyfish): These creatures found in the ocean provide chitin, but they can also stun you, making them dangerous to harvest.
Spiders (Araneomorphus): Spiders are found in caves and forests. They can be very dangerous early game but provide a good amount of chitin.
Titanomyrma (Ants): Found in caves and forests, ants can be overwhelming in large numbers but are a reliable source of chitin.
Dragonflies (Meganeura): While not as abundant as some other creatures, Dragonflies can be found near swamps and rivers and offer a moderate amount of chitin.
Dung Beetles: These beetles, found in caves, primarily produce fertilizer but also yield a small amount of chitin.

Best Methods for Farming Chitin

Now that you know which creatures to target, let’s explore the most effective methods for farming chitin.

Early Game Farming

For survivors just starting out, the best options are:

Trilobites: Simply walk along the beaches and shallow waters, killing any Trilobites you find. Use a stone pick or hatchet to harvest their corpses.
Dragonflies: Look for Dragonflies near rivers and swamps. A spear or bow and arrow should suffice for taking them down.

Mid-Game Farming

As you progress and gain access to better tools and tames, you can tackle more challenging creatures:

Scorpions: Venture into caves with a decent weapon and some basic armor. Clear out the scorpions and harvest their bodies with a metal pick or hatchet. A tamed wolf or saber-tooth can be very helpful for clearing caves.
Spiders: Similar to scorpions, spiders in caves provide a good source of chitin. Use caution, as they can inflict venom.
Ants: Ants are often found in groups, so be prepared for a swarm. A decent weapon and armor are recommended.

Late-Game Farming

For experienced players with powerful tames, the most efficient method is:

Arthropluera in Caves: While dangerous, Arthropluera provide the largest amount of chitin. A strong tame, such as a Megatherium (which gets a damage bonus against insects), is highly recommended. Clear the cave of other threats before focusing on the Arthropluera.

Tools and Tames for Efficient Harvesting

The tools and tames you use can significantly impact the amount of chitin you harvest. Here are some recommendations:

Tools

Metal Pick: The metal pick generally yields more chitin than other tools when harvesting corpses.
Chainsaw: While not always practical, the chainsaw can be very effective for harvesting large quantities of chitin from certain creatures.

Tames

Megatherium: As mentioned earlier, the Megatherium receives a damage buff against insects, making it an excellent choice for clearing caves and harvesting chitin from Arthropluera, spiders, and ants.
Direwolf/Saber-tooth: These canines are great for clearing caves quickly and efficiently, allowing you to harvest chitin from scorpions and spiders.
Beelzebufo (Frog): While primarily used for cementing paste, the frog can also harvest chitin effectively from insects. Its ability to jump makes it useful for navigating caves.
Therizinosaurus: The Therizinosaurus, with its adjustable harvesting settings, can be configured to efficiently gather chitin.

Tips and Tricks for Chitin Farming

Here are some additional tips to maximize your chitin farming efforts:

Location, Location, Location: Some caves are richer in chitin-bearing creatures than others. Experiment to find the most productive locations.
Clear the Area: Before focusing on harvesting, clear the area of any threats to avoid interruptions or death.
Bring Backup: Especially when venturing into caves, bring backup weapons, armor, and healing items.
Use a Tribe Mate: Having a tribe mate to help clear and harvest can significantly increase your efficiency.
Consider Server Settings: If you’re playing on a private server, you can adjust the resource harvesting multiplier to increase the amount of chitin you receive.

Converting Chitin to Keratin

As you progress further into Ark: Survival Evolved, you’ll eventually need keratin, an upgraded version of chitin. Luckily, you can convert chitin into keratin using a Chemistry Bench or Mortar and Pestle. This allows you to continue using your chitin farming efforts even when you need more advanced resources.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of chitin farming is essential for success in Ark: Survival Evolved. By understanding which creatures drop chitin, utilizing the right tools and tames, and employing efficient farming methods, you can ensure a steady supply of this valuable resource. Whether you’re crafting armor, tools, or saddles, chitin will play a crucial role in your journey to survival. So, gear up, head out, and start collecting that chitin!

[See also: Ark Survival Evolved Taming Guide]

[See also: Best Base Locations in Ark]

[See also: Ark Survival Evolved Resource Map]