Ever feel like you’re just dino-chow in ARK: Survival Evolved? Getting constantly stomped on and never making progress?
It doesn’t have to be that way! This guide is packed with ARK tips and tricks to tame and survive, turning you from a terrified beach bob into a formidable survivor.
Ready to dominate the island? Let’s dive in!
Mastering Early Game Survival in ARK
The first few levels are the toughest. You’re weak, vulnerable, and everything wants to eat you. But don’t worry, these tips will help you thrive.
Gather Resources Efficiently
Punching trees gets old fast. Craft a Stone Pick and Stone Hatchet ASAP.
These tools gather resources much faster and unlock new crafting recipes.
Focus on collecting Thatch, Wood, Stone, Fiber, and Berries. They’re essential for early crafting.
Build a Basic Shelter
Don’t sleep out in the open! Predators roam at night.
A simple thatch hut will keep you safe from most dangers.
Place a bed inside to create a respawn point – crucial for when (not if) you die.
Learn Engrams Strategically
Engrams are blueprints for crafting items. Don’t waste points on everything!
Prioritize essential tools, weapons, and armor.
The Bow, Stone Arrows, and Hide Armor are excellent early-game investments.
Tame a Dodo
Seriously, tame a Dodo. They’re easy to knock out and provide a steady supply of eggs.
Dodo eggs are great for making Simple Kibble, which is used to tame other creatures.
Plus, they’re just plain adorable.
Taming Dinosaurs: The Cornerstone of ARK Success
Taming dinos is key to progressing in ARK. They provide transportation, resource gathering, and protection.
Understanding Taming Mechanics
Each dinosaur has a different taming method. Some prefer specific foods, while others require a more strategic approach.
Use Dododex (a third-party app) to find the best food and strategy for each creature.
Torpor is key. Keep the dino unconscious by using tranq arrows, darts, or clubs.
Essential Taming Dinos
Some dinos are more useful than others, especially early on.
- Parasaur: Excellent early-game scout and alarm system.
- Raptor: Fast and aggressive, great for hunting and defense.
- Trike: Resource gathering powerhouse, especially for berries.
- Iguanodon: Unlimited stamina when ridden, making it a great early transport.
Kibble Taming: The Efficient Method
Kibble is a special food that significantly speeds up the taming process and increases the taming effectiveness.
Each dino has a preferred kibble. Crafting kibble can be complex, but it’s worth the effort.
Use Dododex to determine the exact kibble needed for your desired dino.
Passive Taming: The Gentle Approach
Some dinos, like the Ichthyosaurus (Ichthy), can be tamed passively.
Simply approach them with their preferred food in your hotbar and feed them.
Be patient and avoid getting too close, or they might run away.
Advanced Survival Techniques
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to level up your survival skills.
Optimizing Resource Gathering
Tamed dinos can gather resources much faster than you can by hand.
- Mammoth: Excellent for gathering wood.
- Doedicurus: Gathers stone with incredible efficiency.
- Castoroides (Beaver): Gathers wood and builds dams that contain valuable resources.
- Ankylo: Gathers metal, flint, and crystal.
Base Building Strategies
A well-defended base is essential for long-term survival.
- Location, Location, Location: Choose a location that’s defensible and has access to resources.
- Layered Defenses: Use walls, spikes, and turrets to protect your base.
- Consider Underwater Bases: They can be difficult to raid, but require advanced knowledge and resources.
- Preserve: Use a preserving bin to extend the shelf life of food.
Mastering Combat
ARK is full of dangerous creatures. Knowing how to fight is crucial.
- Know Your Enemy: Learn the attack patterns and weaknesses of different dinos.
- Use Terrain to Your Advantage: High ground provides a tactical advantage.
- Coordinate with Tribe Mates: Teamwork is essential for taking down larger creatures.
- Use Traps: Traps can immobilize dinos, making them easier to kill or tame.
Exploring Caves
Caves are dangerous, but they contain valuable resources and artifacts.
- Bring a Strong Dino: Caves are often guarded by powerful creatures.
- Use Torches or a Light Pet: Caves are dark and disorienting.
- Be Prepared for Hazards: Some caves contain poisonous gas or extreme temperatures.
- Mind Wipe Tonic: This tonic resets your engram points, allowing you to learn new skills.
Breeding Dinosaurs: Building Your Army
Breeding allows you to create dinos with superior stats and mutations.
Understanding Breeding Mechanics
Breeding requires two dinos of the same species to be in close proximity and set to “Enable Mating.”
They will eventually produce a fertilized egg (or live birth for mammals).
Incubate the egg at the correct temperature until it hatches.
Imprinting: Raising the Perfect Dino
Imprinting is a process that allows you to bond with a baby dino.
By completing tasks like cuddling, feeding, or going for a walk, you increase the dino’s stats.
Imprinting is crucial for creating powerful dinos.
Mutations: Creating Super Dinos
Mutations are random stat increases that can occur during breeding.
By selectively breeding dinos with desirable mutations, you can create incredibly powerful creatures.
Be prepared for a lot of breeding and culling!
Conclusion
ARK: Survival Evolved can be a challenging game, but with these ARK tips and tricks to tame and survive, you’ll be well on your way to dominating the island. Remember to start small, learn from your mistakes, and never stop exploring.
What are your favorite ARK tips and tricks? Share them in the comments below!
FAQ Section
Q: What’s the best way to get started in ARK?
A: Focus on gathering resources, building a basic shelter, and taming a few essential dinos like the Parasaur and Trike. Don’t be afraid to die – it’s part of the learning process!
Q: How do I tame a dinosaur?
A: Use Dododex to find the best food and strategy for each creature. Keep the dino unconscious by using tranq arrows, darts, or clubs. Keep the dino unconscious and keep it fed with it’s preferred food.
Q: What are the best dinos for resource gathering?
A: Mammoth for wood, Doedicurus for stone, Castoroides for wood and building dams, and Ankylo for metal, flint, and crystal.
