Can You Take Gigas Into Boss Fights in Ark: Survival Evolved? The Definitive Guide

The burning question that plagues many an Ark survivor: Can you bring your mighty Giganotosaurus into a boss fight? The short answer is generally, no. While the sheer power of a Giga is tempting, the game mechanics often prevent their deployment in most boss arenas. But as with anything in Ark, the devil’s in the details. Let’s dive deep into the whys and hows, and explore the alternatives for conquering those challenging bosses.

Why No Gigas in Boss Fights? The Weighty Issue

The primary reason Gigas are barred from boss fights comes down to their drag weight. Each creature in Ark has a drag weight stat, which is essentially a measure of its size and impact on the game’s physics. Boss arenas have a maximum drag weight limit to prevent performance issues and exploits. Gigas, being among the largest creatures in the game, far exceed this limit. Attempting to bring a Giga into a boss fight will usually result in one of two scenarios:

• Automatic Rejection: The Giga simply won’t teleport into the arena with you and your other tames.
• Cryopod Restriction: Even if you try to sneak them in via cryopod, most arenas disable cryopod deployment. You can’t unleash your frozen behemoth.

Exceptions and Workarounds (The Ark Way!)

While direct entry is often impossible, crafty survivors have discovered a few limited workarounds:

• Extinction’s Open Arena: The Extinction map features an open arena where cryopods can be used. This allows you to unleash Gigas against certain Titans, offering a unique, albeit challenging, strategy.
• Cave Clearing (Overseer): On some servers, particularly PvE, players have been known to use Gigas to clear the Tek Cave leading to the Overseer fight. The Giga can be deployed just inside the entrance, then cryopodded before the final bend leading to the arena, allowing other tames to enter. This is highly server-dependent and may be against the rules.
• Unofficial Servers: The rules can be bent. Many unofficial servers have mods or configurations that allow Gigas in boss fights. Always check server rules before assuming anything.

Important Note: These workarounds are not officially supported and can be patched out in future updates. Always exercise caution and be prepared for potential failure.

The Giga’s Inherent Limitations

Even if you could bring a Giga into a boss fight easily, there are other reasons why it might not be the best choice:

• Stat Nerf: Tamed Gigas receive a significant stat reduction compared to their wild counterparts. They lose a substantial portion of their health and melee damage.
• Rage Mechanic: Gigas are prone to raging when taking damage. A raging Giga will attack anything, including its owner, turning your trump card into a liability. This is a particularly significant problem in confined boss arenas.
• Cryosickness: Cryosickness can severely limit the Giga’s immediate effectiveness. Even if you manage to deploy one in a permitted area, it will be temporarily weakened.

Best Dinos For Boss Fights?

So, if Gigas are generally off the table, what should you bring to a boss fight? Here are some top contenders:

• Rex: The reliable and enduring Rex remains the #1 choice for most boss encounters. Their high base health and damage, combined with good saddles and breeding, make them formidable opponents. Tek Rexes are also acceptable due to the dino’s weight limit, but they are still Rexes.
• Therizinosaur: Theri’s offer a good balance of damage and versatility. Their “Gather” attack is particularly effective, and they are less prone to being knocked back than Rexes.
• Megatherium: For the Broodmother Lysrix, Megatherium are king. Their insect-killing buff provides a substantial damage boost against this particular boss.
• Shadowmane: Shadowmanes are a strong contender, especially in groups due to their mate-boost roar that buffs allies. They are smaller and agile enough to fit on more platforms and deal incredible damage.

The Importance of Breeding and Saddles

No matter what dino you choose, breeding for optimal stats and equipping them with high-quality saddles are crucial. A well-bred Rex with a 124+ armor saddle can withstand significantly more punishment than a wild-tamed one with a basic saddle. Invest time in breeding and crafting to give yourself the best possible chance of success.

The Giantkiller Weapon

The Giantkiller is a melee weapon which always deals critical hits to Elites and Bosses. But it cannot be stored in your backpack!

Learning Through Games

Understanding the nuances of Ark’s game mechanics, from drag weight to dino stats, isn’t just about conquering bosses. It’s also about learning to strategize, problem-solve, and adapt to complex systems. These are skills that translate far beyond the digital realm. Organizations like the Games Learning Society work to explore the educational potential of games like Ark: Survival Evolved. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about how games can foster learning and development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Gigas and Boss Fights

Here are some of the most common questions survivors have about bringing Gigas into boss fights:

1. Can you cryo a Giga into a boss fight?

Generally, no. Most boss arenas disable cryopod deployment to prevent players from circumventing the drag weight restrictions. Extinction is the major exception.

2. Why don’t people use Gigas in boss fights?

Their high drag weight prevents them from entering most arenas. Even if they could, their tamed stat nerf and propensity to rage make them unreliable.

3. Can you take a Giga into the Overseer fight?

Not directly into the arena. However, some players have used them to clear the Tek Cave leading up to the Overseer, cryopodding them before the final section. This is server-dependent.

4. Can you bring a Giga to the Broodmother?

No. The Broodmother arena, like most, prohibits Gigas. Furthermore, their stat nerf and rage potential would make them a risky choice even if allowed.

5. How many Dinos can you bring to a Overseer boss fight?

Exceeding 20 total dinos will send extras randomly to a kill zone when porting to overseer.

6. Does Giantkiller work on bosses?

Yes, the Giantkiller melee weapon always deals critical hits to Elites and Bosses.

7. Do tamed Gigas rage?

Yes, tamed Gigas still rage when they take enough damage. A raging Giga will attack anything, including its owner and their other tames.

8. Do corrupted Gigas give Giga hearts?

If you kill a corrupted Giga, there’s a chance you can get a Giga heart AND a corrupted heart.

9. Can Noglin control a Giga?

Noglins can control creatures up to their own level. Thus, they can control Gigas, but only for a limited time (around 2 minutes).

10. Can you use Wyverns in boss fights?

Yes, Wyverns can be used in some boss fights as an alternative to Rexes. They’re generally less effective in terms of raw damage and HP but can be useful for their mobility and ability to avoid ground-based attacks.

11. Are wild Gigas stronger than tamed Gigas?

Yes. Wild Gigas are significantly stronger than tamed Gigas, with vastly higher health and damage output. Never fight a wild Giga with a tamed one.

12. How much HP does a tamed Giga have?

A tamed Giga typically has around 25,000 health, while a wild Giga has 80,000 health.

13. Can you tame a Giga?

Yes, you can tame a Giga, but it’s one of the most challenging tames in the game. Requires specific strategies, high-level gear, and plenty of patience.

14. Can Tek Rex fight bosses?

Yes, Tek Rexes can fight bosses. Entry into boss fights is determined by the dino’s weight, and Tek Rexes fall within the acceptable limits.

15. Can you throw cryopods in Tek Cave?

Not at the end before the Overseer. But you can put dinos in Cryopods.