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The easiest way to farm Obsidian in ARK is to harvest confirmed Obsidian nodes with an Ankylosaurus, Magmasaur, or Phoenix, then plan how you’ll carry the haul home. The ARK Official Community Wiki rates each of those four stars for Obsidian gathering; a Metal Pick is a practical hand-tool alternative, rated three stars. The best choice depends on your map, edition, access to a suitable creature, and the danger of the route.
Which harvester should you use?
The ARK Official Community Wiki’s ratings are relative gathering rankings, not controlled measurements of yield or farming speed. Use them to shortlist options, then choose based on what you can reach and survive with.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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ARK: Survival Evolved (PS4) | $18.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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ARK: Survival Evolved - Xbox One | $23.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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ARK: Survival Evolved (Nintendo Switch) | $35.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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ARK: Survival Evolved - Xbox One (Renewed) | $21.26 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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ARK Survival Evolved Definitive Complete Guide & Walkthrough (Latest Update 2025) All Strategies,... | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Option | Wiki Obsidian rating | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Ankylosaurus | Four stars | A top-rated creature option when you can bring one to the node. |
| Magmasaur | Four stars | A top-rated option if you have access to one and can safely use it on your route. |
| Phoenix | Four stars | A top-rated option if one is available to you. |
| Excavation Rig | Three stars | An alternative listed by the wiki. |
| Mantis | Three stars | An alternative listed by the wiki. |
| Metal Pick | Three stars | A practical hand-tool choice if you do not have a suitable tame. |
Ratings are from the ARK Official Community Wiki’s Obsidian page. They do not establish which option yields the most per minute across different maps, editions, or server settings.
How to make an Obsidian run
- Identify your map and edition. The wiki covers locations across The Island, The Center, and Scorched Earth; there is no single route that applies everywhere. Check a map-specific resource guide before setting out.
- Find confirmed Obsidian nodes. In ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA), nodes are described as darker, glossier, and more jagged than in ARK: Survival Evolved (ASE). Treat appearance as a clue, not proof that every dark rock is harvestable.
- Bring the best available harvester. Use an Ankylosaurus, Magmasaur, or Phoenix if you have one and can safely get it to the node. Otherwise, a Metal Pick is a listed option.
- Plan carrying capacity before you leave. Decide whether you can carry the Obsidian yourself or need a creature to transport it; the weight reductions below can help guide that choice.
- Check the return route. Access, travel time, and danger can make a theoretically strong gathering option impractical. Choose a route and load you can bring back safely.
Can a Doedicurus harvest Obsidian?
Not from every rock that looks black and glossy. The wiki identifies the Island volcano caldera as a location where a Doedicurus can harvest Obsidian, while noting exceptions on the way toward that caldera and at named locations on The Center. Confirm the specific node and map rather than assuming the creature can harvest it based on color alone. See the wiki’s Obsidian information for those location-specific caveats.
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#1 Best Overall
- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
How should you transport the Obsidian?
The wiki lists these Obsidian weight reductions for carriers. A reduction helps with carrying the resource; it does not by itself determine the safest or quickest route.
| Carrier | Obsidian weight reduction |
|---|---|
| Dunkleosteus | 75% |
| Argentavis | 50% |
| Helicoprion | 50% |
| Ravager | 50% |
These percentages are the values listed by the ARK Official Community Wiki’s weight page. Which carrier is easiest in practice depends on whether it can reach your chosen node and how safely you can travel with it.
Rank #2
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Where does Obsidian fit into crafting?
Obsidian is used to craft Polymer and many other items, including tools and equipment. If you are farming for a particular recipe, check its Obsidian requirement first so you can set a useful target instead of making an unnecessary trip. The wiki’s Obsidian page lists craftables that use the resource.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why map and edition matter
Obsidian locations vary by map, and the wiki describes volcanic areas, caves, and map-specific resource data. ASA nodes are described as darker, glossier, and more jagged than ASE nodes, but that visual difference does not make every dark rock an Obsidian node. Because no map or edition is specified here, a single set of coordinates would risk sending you to the wrong place. Use a map-specific resource guide and verify the node before building a run around it.
Rank #3
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game. Run too far and not only will you be exhausted, but you will also quickly get hungry and thirsty. Weather effects are based on real-world climates, and so you'll need to hide out from rain and snow, while making the most of sunny days
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Gather Resources, Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes and style of everything from the walls of your home, to your character's armor, weapons and more
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout. Make your way to the final boss and figure out why you've been dropped into this Jurassic-era experience
The ARK Official Community Wiki is community-maintained, and gathering details may change with game updates. Its ratings and reductions are useful comparisons, not a measured yield-per-minute test across maps, server settings, or editions.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
