How to Conquer ARK: Survival Evolved – A Comprehensive Guide to Victory
Beating ARK: Survival Evolved isn’t about reaching a definitive “end” but mastering the art of survival, ascension, and ultimately, conquering the challenges each map throws your way. It involves a multifaceted approach: understanding the core mechanics, building a thriving base, taming powerful creatures, defeating the challenging bosses of each ARK, and ultimately, ascending to the next stage of the game, either by transferring your character to a new map, or to a new ARK. Consider it less about a single finish line, and more about a journey of constant progression and self-improvement within a harsh, yet rewarding world.
Mastering the ARK: Core Strategies for Survival
Understand the Basics
ARK: Survival Evolved throws you into the deep end. First and foremost, get to grips with the user interface. Understand what each stat means (Health, Stamina, Oxygen, Food, Water, Weight, Melee Damage, Movement Speed, Fortitude, and Crafting Skill). Manage these stats effectively. Low on food? Find berries or hunt small creatures. Dehydrated? Locate a water source. Learning to manage these early on is crucial for survival.
Resource Gathering is Key
Early on, your priority is to amass resources. Stone, wood, thatch, and fiber are your initial needs. Use your fists to gather thatch and berries. Craft a stone pickaxe to harvest stone, flint, and wood more efficiently. Craft a stone hatchet for wood, thatch and meat. These tools will let you craft better tools, structures, weapons, and armour, which opens up a whole new level of gameplay. Knowing the most efficient ways to gather each resource will save you huge amounts of time.
Building and Base Design
A well-designed base is your sanctuary. Start small, focusing on a safe and defensible structure. As you progress, prioritize expanding your base. Consider the location carefully, look at key resource points, and areas of safety. Remember that your base is your lifeline, so build it strong.
Taming Dinosaurs
Taming is the heart and soul of ARK. Start with passive tames like the Lystrosaurus (which grants an experience buff) and the Moschops (which allows you to gather resources). Then, move on to the Triceratops for early-game harvesting and defense. Use Dododex, an external app, to calculate how much torpor and food each creature needs. Always bring more resources than you think you will need.
Leveling Up and Engrams
Each level grants you Engram Points. These points are used to unlock new crafting recipes. Prioritize unlocking the tools, weapons, and structures essential for survival and progression. Focus on what you will need, rather than unlocking everything available. A good starting list is stone tools, spears, basic armour, mortar and pestle, simple bed, and refining forge.
Exploring the ARK
While staying safe is paramount, don’t be afraid to explore. Discover resource-rich areas, scout potential base locations, and uncover hidden caves. Just be aware of your surroundings, as dangers lurk around every corner. Remember, knowledge is power. The more you explore, the better you understand the ARK, and the better equipped you are to survive.
Boss Battles and Ascension
The ultimate goal on each ARK map is to defeat the Bosses. These battles are challenging and require careful planning, powerful creatures, and strategic use of tactics. Each Boss defeated unlocks new Tek Tier technology, which is crucial for endgame progression. After defeating the Bosses, you can ascend to the next level of the game, either by transferring your character to a new map, or to a new ARK.
Learning from Mistakes
ARK is a game of trial and error. You will die, lose tames, and experience setbacks. The key is to learn from these mistakes and adapt your strategies. Don’t be discouraged by failure. Embrace it as a learning opportunity and keep pushing forward. The Games Learning Society is a great resource for understanding how games can teach us valuable skills and strategies. See GamesLearningSociety.org for more details.
ARK: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best starting map for a beginner in ARK: Survival Evolved?
The Island is generally recommended as the best starting map. It offers a balanced mix of resources, challenges, and a linear progression path, making it ideal for new players to learn the game’s mechanics.
2. How do I avoid getting killed early in the game?
Stay away from the water early on, as Piranhas and other aquatic predators can quickly overwhelm you. Stick to the beach, gather resources, and craft basic tools and weapons. Build a small shelter as soon as possible to protect yourself from the elements and predators. Avoid glowing dinos at all costs.
3. What is the best early-game dinosaur to tame?
The Triceratops is an excellent early-game tame. It provides good protection, can carry a decent amount of weight, and is effective at gathering berries and thatch. The Parasaur is also a great tame for beginners. They have a very low torpor, so can be knocked out easily, and when equipped with a saddle they can detect enemies in the surrounding area.
4. How do I get metal in ARK?
Metal can be found in rocky areas and mountains. You’ll need a pickaxe to harvest it from metal nodes. Early on, craft a stone pickaxe, but eventually upgrade to a metal pickaxe for more efficient harvesting. Be wary of predators in these areas.
5. How do I craft better weapons and armor?
To craft better weapons and armor, you’ll need to unlock the corresponding Engrams by leveling up. You’ll also need to gather the necessary resources, such as metal, hide, and fiber. Use a Smithy to craft more advanced items.
6. What is the best way to defend my base?
A strong base is your best defense. Build walls, fences, and gates to keep out predators. Tame strong dinosaurs like Triceratops, Stegosaurus, and Carnotaurus to patrol your base. Place turrets to automatically defend against intruders.
7. How do I cure diseases and status effects?
Certain diseases and status effects can be cured with specific items or foods. For example, Lesser Antidote cures swamp fever. Check the item descriptions for specific effects and cures. Stimberries also can be used to prevent torpor.
8. How do I breed dinosaurs in ARK?
To breed dinosaurs, you’ll need to enable mating on two compatible creatures of the opposite sex. They must be in close proximity and in a safe, enclosed area. Once they begin mating, a fertilized egg will be produced. Incubate the egg until it hatches.
9. What are the best strategies for boss battles?
Boss battles require careful preparation and a strong team of tames. Bring powerful dinosaurs like Rexes, Therizinosaurus, and Megatherium. Equip them with good saddles and weapons. Coordinate your attacks and utilize strategic positioning. Watch some videos online to learn the boss’ attacks and weaknesses.
10. How do I transfer my character to another map?
To transfer your character, you’ll need to use a Tek Transmitter, Obelisk, or Supply Crate. Upload your character and items, then select the destination map. Be aware that transferring can be risky, as you may lose your items or encounter unexpected challenges on the new map.
11. What is the endgame content in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Endgame content includes defeating all the Bosses on each map, completing Ascension, and exploring the Tek Tier technology. You can also engage in PvP combat, breed and train dinosaurs, and build elaborate bases.
12. How can I optimize my game settings for better performance?
Adjust your graphics settings to balance visual quality and performance. Lowering settings like shadows, textures, and draw distance can significantly improve your game’s framerate. Experiment with different settings to find the best balance for your system.
13. What are mutations, and how do they affect my dinosaurs?
Mutations are random stat changes that can occur when breeding dinosaurs. They can result in increased stats or different color patterns. Mutations can be beneficial or detrimental, so careful breeding and selection are essential.
14. Is ARK: Survival Evolved fun in single-player mode?
Yes, ARK can be a rewarding experience in single-player mode. You can progress at your own pace, experiment with different strategies, and explore the ARK without the pressure of PvP combat. You can also customize the game settings to suit your playstyle.
15. How do I join a tribe, and what are the benefits?
You can join a tribe by accepting an invitation from another player or creating your own tribe and inviting others to join. Being in a tribe offers several benefits, including shared resources, coordinated defense, and increased efficiency in resource gathering and taming.