Ark Survival Ascended Metal Nodes Locations and Farming Guide

Surviving the harsh environments of Ark Survival Ascended requires survivors to constantly upgrade their gear to withstand dangerous predators. One of the absolute milestones in your progression is transitioning from primitive stone tools to durable metal equipment. Locating the rich mineral veins scattered across the map ensures you can build advanced structures and fabricate high-tier ammunition efficiently.
Top High Yield Metal Node Locations
Finding the distinct, shiny rocks that yield raw ore requires exploring the more treacherous areas of the landscape. The most abundant deposits are typically situated around the peaks of major mountains, such as the volcano and the frozen northern summits. Survivors can also discover smaller clusters along steep river canyons and deep within subterranean cave systems.
For players establishing bases in safer territory, the southern islets offer scattered rocks that contain low amounts of the resource. Venturing toward the mountain known as Far's Peak provides a massive abundance of rich veins that drastically increase your harvesting speed. Navigating these rocky high-altitude territories demands careful preparation due to the extreme weather conditions and aggressive native wildlife.
Essential Tames for Efficient Extraction
Attempting to harvest vast mineral fields by hand with a metal pick takes an immense amount of time and effort. Fusing the strengths of specific creatures creates a highly optimized resource gathering team that transforms the entire grinding process. Taming an Ankylosaurus is considered the absolute strategy for fracturing these boulders because their heavy tails yield far more ore per strike.
While the Ankylosaurus handles the physical extraction, its slow movement speed makes traveling across rugged terrain difficult. Pairing this creature with an Argentavis solves your logistical hurdles by allowing the large bird to carry the harvester between different peaks. This classic combination enables players to clear out entire fields and transport thousands of pounds of heavy cargo back home smoothly.
Optimizing Your Farming Routes and Weight Management
Planning a specific flight path allows you to maximize your daily yield while avoiding the most hazardous monster territories. Establishing small outpost stations near major deposits provides a safe space to store heavy materials before moving them to your main settlement. Clearing out entire mountain slopes systematically ensures that the veins reset evenly for future gathering runs.
Managing the inventory limits of your flyers is crucial for preventing dangerous situations where your mounts become grounded from carrying too much. Utilizing the natural weight reduction capabilities of your specialized tames helps you squeeze the maximum value out of every single excursion. Keeping a close watch on nearby predator spawns guarantees that your farming operations will not be caught off guard by aggressive threats.