How to Get Black Pearls in Ark: The Island: A Survivor’s Guide

Black pearls, those enigmatic, shimmering orbs, are the lifeblood of advanced technology in Ark: Survival Evolved. Acquiring them on The Island map can be challenging, but mastering the techniques ensures access to powerful items like Tek gear and mind-wipes. The most reliable method involves venturing into the depths of the ocean, battling dangerous creatures, and harvesting black pearls from specific sources, primarily dead Eurypterids, Trilobites, and Deathworms, and less commonly, Tusoteuthis.

Unlocking the Secrets of Black Pearl Acquisition

Diving Deep: The Ocean’s Bounty

The most consistent and rewarding method for acquiring black pearls lies beneath the waves. The ocean surrounding The Island is teeming with life, both beautiful and deadly. You’ll need to gear up for a serious underwater expedition.

• Scout the Depths: Familiarize yourself with the ocean’s layout. Utilize a fast and maneuverable underwater mount like an Ichthyosaurus, Megalodon, or even a Basilosaurus (which is immune to the stun attacks of Cnidaria) to scout for potential hunting grounds. The deep ocean trenches and underwater caves are prime locations.

• Prepare for Battle: The ocean is a hostile environment. Pack adequate weaponry, preferably a Scuba Gear set for extended underwater breathing and protection. A strong melee weapon, like a Sword or Chainsaw, is crucial for dispatching smaller threats quickly. A Crossbow or Harpoon Launcher is effective for ranged combat, particularly against larger creatures.

• Target Your Prey: Focus on hunting Eurypterids and Trilobites. These creatures have a high chance of dropping black pearls when harvested. Deathworms, while rare in the ocean, are a very lucrative source if found in a submerged cave or area. Tusoteuthis are more challenging but can yield a good amount as well.

• Harvest Efficiently: Once you’ve defeated your target, use a Metal Pick or a tamed creature with high melee damage to efficiently harvest the corpse for black pearls. The higher the creature’s melee damage, the more you’ll get.

Exploring Alternative Avenues

While the ocean provides the most reliable source, there are alternative methods, though less consistent.

• Cave Exploration: Certain caves on The Island, particularly those with underwater sections, may contain Trilobites or even the occasional Deathworm. However, these caves are often heavily guarded by other dangerous creatures, so proceed with caution.

• Loot Crates: Occasionally, black pearls can be found in deep-sea loot crates. These crates are marked by a beam of light emanating from the ocean floor. However, relying on loot crates is not a reliable farming method.

• Tusoteuthis Farming: While dangerous, farming Tusoteuthis (giant squid) can be effective if you have a strong underwater tame and a strategy. Luring them into a pre-built trap or using a pack of Megalodons can make the process more manageable.

Advanced Tactics for Black Pearl Farming

• Breeding Underwater Mounts: Breeding a line of Megalodons or Basilosauruses with enhanced stats (health, melee damage, and speed) can significantly improve your efficiency in the ocean.

• Utilizing the Basilosaurus: The Basilosaurus is an excellent choice for underwater exploration and combat. Its immunity to Cnidaria stuns and its high health and damage make it a formidable opponent in the depths.

• Server Settings Adjustment (Single Player/Private Servers): If you play in single-player mode or on a private server, you can adjust the harvest amount multiplier to increase the amount of black pearls you receive from harvesting. This can significantly speed up the farming process.

Mastering the Ark: Black Pearl FAQs

1. What are Black Pearls used for in Ark: The Island?

Black pearls are essential for crafting high-end items, especially Tek Tier equipment like Tek armor, Tek weapons, and Tek structures. They’re also used in crafting mind-wipes, allowing you to respec your character’s stats and engrams.

2. Are there any safe ways to farm Black Pearls?

“Safe” is a relative term in Ark, but using a Basilosaurus for underwater exploration significantly reduces the risk of being stunned by Cnidaria. Clearing out the surrounding area before harvesting dead creatures can also minimize potential threats.

3. What is the best creature to use for Black Pearl farming?

While it depends on your playstyle, a high-level Basilosaurus is generally considered the best all-around creature. Its immunity to Cnidaria, high health, and decent damage output make it ideal for tackling most underwater threats.

4. Can I find Black Pearls on the surface of the water?

No, black pearls are exclusively found in the deep ocean or in underwater caves. You’ll need to be prepared for underwater exploration to obtain them.

5. Do Trilobites always drop Black Pearls?

No, Trilobites don’t always drop black pearls, but they have a relatively high chance of doing so. Killing multiple Trilobites is a good way to increase your chances of finding them.

6. Is it worth building a Black Pearl farm?

A traditional “farm” in the sense of agriculture isn’t really possible for black pearls. However, strategically clearing out an area with high Trilobite or Eurypterid spawns and regularly revisiting it can be considered a form of “farming.”

7. Can I transfer Black Pearls between servers?

Yes, you can transfer black pearls between servers using the Obelisk or Supply Crate transfer system, provided the server allows item transfers.

8. How rare are Black Pearls compared to other resources?

Black pearls are significantly rarer than common resources like wood, stone, or fiber. They are comparable in rarity to other endgame resources like element dust or crystal.

9. Does the difficulty setting affect the drop rate of Black Pearls?

Yes, higher difficulty settings generally increase the spawn rate of creatures that drop black pearls, indirectly increasing the overall availability. However, the challenge is also increased.

10. Are there any mods that make Black Pearl farming easier?

Yes, numerous mods on the Steam Workshop can affect black pearl acquisition. Some mods increase the drop rate, add new sources, or even automate the farming process. Be aware of the impact on game balance when using mods.

11. What is the best tool to harvest Black Pearls from dead creatures?

A Metal Pick is generally considered the best tool for manually harvesting black pearls. Tamed creatures with high melee damage, like a Megalodon or Basilosaurus, can also be very effective.

12. Can I find Black Pearls in the swamps on The Island?

No, black pearls are not found in the swamps. They are exclusively located in the deep ocean and underwater caves. You might find leeches or other nasty creatures in the swamp, but no black pearls!

Mastering the art of black pearl acquisition on The Island is crucial for advancing through the game and unlocking its full potential. By understanding the spawning locations, preparing for the dangers of the deep, and employing effective farming strategies, you’ll be well on your way to crafting the most powerful gear Ark: Survival Evolved has to offer. Now get out there, survivor, and claim your bounty from the ocean depths!