Thumping

This page was last updated during patch v1.0.1797''. The current patch is .''

Description
Thumping is the act of using a Scan Hammer and Thumper to extract Resources from the ground. It is currently the main way to collect Metals in the game, as well as a popular method for farming Biomaterials due to the large number of enemies spawned while the Thumper is on the ground. Successfully completing a Thumper (reaching 100% capacity) awards experience.

Resource Extraction Process
Players use a Scan Hammer to find veins of Resources in the ground and place a Thumper at a desired location. Players must then defend the Thumper for 5 minutes while it extracts resources. Upon recalling the Thumper, the Thumper's contents are divided between any members of the squad, or kept entirely by the Thumper owner if there is no squad. More details regarding Thumper loads and divisions can be found on the Thumper page. Metals can be found as shown below. The color of the sonar generated by the Scan Hammer correlates to the type of Metal that can be found in that node.


 * Iron Ore
 * All zones.


 * Tungsten Ore
 * All zones from areas starting at level 20.


 * Titanium Ore
 * Areas of Sertao and Devils Tusk from areas starting at level 30.


 * Uranium Ore
 * Areas of Devils Tusk and Broken Peninsula from areas at level 40.

Thumping 101
Step 1: Acquire a Scan Hammer and a Thumper. The tutorial missions at the start of the game will award you with a Scan Hammer as well as a Stock Personal Thumper. Personal Thumpers are recommended for 1 - 2 players, whereas Squad Thumpers are recommended for 4 - 5 players. The Stock Personal Thumper will only allow you to collect Iron Ore.

Step 2: Use your Scan Hammer by selecting it in your calldown menu (hit C, then choose the hammer from the Resources group or place it in your skill bar via the inventory). Use your Scan Hammer. If you receive the message "Only Trace Quantities Detected" then you should move about the map until colors appear upon using the Scan Hammer. A map marker will appears notating the resource types and percentages upon uncovering a resource node. Different Metals are denoted by different colors as shown in the section above.

Step 3 (optional): If you like the type of resources you’ve found, you can follow the ripples from the Scan Hammer to find the highest concentration of that resource for that node. The best way to picture where the center (highest resource) point of the node is to picture the center as a rock thrown into a pond. The waves that you can see across the scan hammer area will point you to where the center is (Alternatively you can use trial and error and follow the marker resource percentages to locate it). Note: Certain resources can only be gathered with certain Thumpers.

Step 4: Change your selection in the calldown/skill bar menu from the Scan Hammer to the Thumper you wish to use. The Thumper placement visual will appear (a blue ghosted form of the Thumper), then left click when it’s located where you want the Thumper to land and extract. Step back and watch your Thumper fall from the sky. Getting too close to the point of impact is not recommended.

Step 5: Protect your Thumper for 5 minutes by killing the creatures that attack it while it gathers resources. You can return your Thumper prior to reaching 100% capacity by interfacing with it. This can be useful in situations where your Thumper risks being destroyed (reaching 0% Integrity), as when a Thumper is destroyed, it will not be returned to your inventory and you will have to either Manufacture a new one at a Molecular Printer or purchase one from the Market.

Step 6: When capacity reaches 100%, interact with your Thumper (press E while next to it) to send it back and cash in on the resources! Sending it back before it reaches 100% results in far less resources, but may be necessary if the Thumper is near destruction.

Step 7: Profit! Generally, a resource node can be Thumped several times before the resources dissipate.

Additional Notes
Stock Personal Thumper and Stock Squad Thumper are available for purchase from Supply Officer Hooker at the Thump Dump ARES Vendor, for 1000 Crystite and 2500 Crystite respectively.

Larger, stronger Thumpers are craftable in the Molecular Printer, and these hold more resources per load. All Thumpers take roughly the same amount of time to fill up, so using one with a larger storage space effectively means a faster extraction rate. However, bigger Thumpers also attract a larger number of more difficult creatures.

Assisting another player's Thumper while not in a group with said player will yield very limited Resource gain and will not award experience. Some players may use Thumpers primarily to collect Biomaterials so it is good etiquette to verify the other player does not mind your assistance!

Using A Personal Thumper
Upon deployment of a personal Thumper, a five minute timer will begin. Waves of enemies will spawn in increasing difficulty until the extraction is complete (100% capacity). Typically, around the 60-70% capacity mark, a couple of larger enemies will spawn, occasionally at the same time. Different zones will contain different monster types, and even different areas within the same zone will have variations on the monsters that will attack the Thumper.

Using A Squad Thumper
Upon deployment of a squad Thumper, a five minute timer will begin. Waves of enemies will spawn in increasing difficulty until the extraction is complete (100% capacity). Typically, around the 60-70% capacity mark, utter chaos will ensue with multiple Chosen Drop Pods entering the foray. Different zones will contain different monster types, and even different areas within the same zone will have variations on the monsters that will attack the Thumper, although the appearance of Chosen Drop Pods is to be expected.