Ark: Survival Guide to Farming Locations and Ascended Polymer

Where to find polymer

Obtaining polymer in Ark Survival Ascended can be a complex process, especially if you require a large quantity of the material in a short amount of time. Organic polymer is only obtainable from a few specific locations, some of which are more challenging to access than others. However, it is possible to craft polymer using common resources, albeit at a high cost. This crafting method ultimately provides the most efficient way to acquire the material. This guide will detail the locations where polymer can be found in Ark Survival Ascended, as well as efficient farming methods.

Where to find polymer

In its organic form, polymer can be obtained from various sources, some of which may be less conventional. The easiest method is to harvest certain animals. For instance, the penguin, also known as Kairuku in Ark, is one of the more common sources of polymer. Additionally, polymer can also be obtained from the Hesperornis, a small duck-dinosaur that can be found swimming in the island’s rivers. Kairuku can be found waddling around the ice floes in the northwestern corners of the map. However, they are quite rare, so it may take some time before you come across them.

I haven’t encountered it in Ascended yet.

The mantis dropped polymer in Ark Survival Evolved. Maybe you'll find a penguin in the far north, or it could just be a dinosaur glitching through some ice. A popular way to gather polymer quickly involves taming a male and female penguin to start a small penguin farm with temperature-controlled rooms to support egg growth. They harvest polymer from the baby penguins and repeat the cycle. However, since harvesting involves harming the animal in question, that’s not a method I and others really want to practice.

Polymer from bees

Harvesting bee hives with a hatchet also yields organic polymer. By taming bees and providing an environment for them to build hives, you can set up a polymer farm without causing harm to other creatures. Although the process may damage the hive and provoke the bees, wearing a bug suit or using repellent can protect you and the bees. The polymer nodes on the hives will eventually respawn.

Bees and hives can be found in the Redwoods area, located on the large island south of the volcano. They are generally common, but may be less so in the region's swamp. Be sure to check the area after reloading or at the start of a new day cycle to increase your chances of finding them.

The Redwoods region is vast, teeming with trees perfect for bees to construct their hives on.

Polymer from Achatina

The easiest method involves harvesting polymer from the Achatina slug. These slippery creatures roam the Swamp and adjacent mangroves to the south of the Redwoods, yielding polymer without much effort on your part. Taming Achatina and providing them with a suitable environment allows you to collect a small amount of polymer every day. While it may not yield a large quantity, it is a simple and effective way to supplement your polymer supply.

The final method requires you to produce polymer yourself, and although it demands more resources, it ultimately pays off in the long run.

The Achatina is adept at self-preservation, but it's still wise to remain alert to potential threats.

Organic polymer or regular polymer

Once you acquire a mortar and pestle, you can combine obsidian and cement paste to obtain polymer. It requires two of each item to yield one stack of polymer, both of which are fairly abundant on the island. Should you grow weary of searching, you can utilize one of Ark Survival Ascended’s console commands to acquire more.

Crafted polymer has an indefinite shelf life, unlike organic polymer which spoils after a certain period. Additionally, you can carry a larger quantity of it compared to organic polymer, making it the more convenient choice for extensive crafting—which is highly recommended.

If you're after some additional crafting materials, check out our guide for finding metal in Ark Survival Ascended with minimal hassle.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I appreciate the detailed guide to farming locations and ascended polymer in Ark: Survival Evolved. The comprehensive explanations of various methods to obtain polymer, including harvesting from animals, taming creatures, and crafting, provide valuable insights for players seeking to acquire this essential material efficiently.

However, I have mixed feelings regarding the methods involving harming animals, such as penguins and mantis, for polymer. While these techniques may be effective in obtaining large quantities of polymer quickly, they go against my personal values of respecting and protecting wildlife.

Taming and breeding creatures for the purpose of harvesting resources can feel exploitative and diminish the immersive experience of the game for me. Instead, I prefer methods that involve less harm to animals, such as harvesting beehives or collecting polymer from Achatina slugs. These methods may require more patience and effort, but they align better with my ethical concerns and allow me to enjoy the game in a more sustainable and immersive manner.