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Can You Delete a Survivor in Ark? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you can delete a survivor in Ark: Survival Evolved, but the process and its implications vary significantly depending on whether you’re playing in single-player mode or on a multiplayer server. The mechanics of survivor deletion are tied to how the game manages player data and server integrity. Understanding these differences is crucial to avoid losing progress and valuable assets unintentionally. Essentially, deletion means losing your character, their inventory, any ownership of structures and tames, and associated tribe membership, but the method and impact vary by mode.

Deleting a Survivor in Single-Player Mode

In single-player mode, you have more control over your game files. Deleting a survivor is relatively straightforward, but carries significant consequences.

Method 1: The “Respawn” Option

The simplest way to delete a survivor in single-player is by using the in-game respawn option. This is done by:

Dying: You can achieve this by purposely putting your character in a dangerous situation.
Choosing “Create New Survivor”: When you respawn, the game will present you with the option to create a new character.

Selecting this option will effectively delete your previous survivor. However, be very aware that doing so will also remove you from your previous tribe, and any buildings and tamed creatures you owned will no longer belong to your new character.

Method 2: File Deletion

For a more permanent deletion and a complete reset, you can also delete your survivor’s profile file directly. To do this, you must:

*   **Locate the game files:** Navigate to your Ark folder, often found in your Steam library.
*   **Find the "SavedArks" folder:** Inside this folder you will see your save game files.
*   **Delete your player profile:** Identify the file ending in **".arkprofile"**, which will be labeled with your unique Steam64 ID. Deleting this file removes your character profile completely, requiring you to create a brand-new survivor upon your next play.

This method is especially useful for troubleshooting and starting fresh. However, make absolutely certain you are deleting the correct file to avoid any accidental loss of game progress.

Deleting a Survivor on Multiplayer Servers

Deleting a survivor on a multiplayer server is less direct and depends on the server’s specific settings.

The Reincarnation Method

The most common and practically only way to “delete” a survivor on a multiplayer server is to effectively abandon it and start fresh by creating a new character. This is done as follows:

Dying and Respawning: As with single-player, you must first die.
Choosing “Create New Survivor”: Upon respawn, you’ll be given the opportunity to make a new character.

This effectively abandons your old character and its assets. Any structures, tames, and inventory that belonged to the previous survivor are lost, unless another tribe member takes ownership.

Limitations on Deletion in Multiplayer

No Direct File Access: On multiplayer servers, you typically do not have direct access to the server’s files, limiting your ability to use file deletion methods.
Server Rules: Server administrators might implement rules affecting character deletions. It’s always wise to check the server rules or consult with the admin before making any major changes to your survivor.

Important Considerations

Loss of Ownership: Deleting a survivor, regardless of mode, will result in the loss of ownership of structures and tamed creatures. If you’re part of a tribe, they will likely still own the structures/tames but your personal items and character will be gone.
Engram Points: All your learned engrams are tied to your survivor profile. Deleting the profile means starting from scratch with your engrams.
Tribe Implications: If you are in a tribe, deleting your character will remove you from the tribe. Your assets will remain, but you will need to be re-invited to rejoin.

Server Transfers and Deletion

When transferring between servers, you must be mindful of character upload mechanics. Uploading a character to an Ark cloud for transfer is not permanent. Ensure you download the character onto a new server within the 24-hour limit to avoid loss. Creating a new character on the transfer server can overwrite your old one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I delete a survivor’s specific files on a multiplayer server like I can in single-player?

No, you cannot directly access and delete individual player profile files on a multiplayer server without admin privileges.

2. What happens to my tames and structures if I delete my survivor?

Any structures or tamed creatures you personally owned will become unclaimed. If you’re in a tribe, your tribe mates will still have access.

3. Will I lose my engram points if I delete my character?

Yes, all engram points and learned blueprints are tied to your survivor profile. Starting a new character means starting with no engrams.

4. Can I recover my deleted survivor’s profile?

In most cases, no. Once a survivor profile is deleted, it is generally not recoverable, unless you have a recent backup. This is especially true on multiplayer servers without admin assistance.

5. Can I have multiple characters in single-player Ark?

Yes, you can create multiple survivors in one single-player Ark, allowing you to specialize them for different roles. But remember only one survivor can be “active” at any given time.

6. Is there a way to change my character’s appearance after creating them?

Yes, you can change your character’s appearance at any time by accessing your inventory and clicking the “Change Appearance” button.

7. What is the maximum level a survivor can reach?

The maximum player level is currently 190, achieved through a combination of leveling, defeating bosses, collecting explorer notes, and leveling a Chibi pet.

8. Can I transfer my survivor between servers?

Yes, you can upload your character at an obelisk or supply drop and transfer them to another server, provided the server allows it. However, you have a limited time to download them.

9. What happens to uploaded characters if I don’t download them in time?

Uploaded characters have a 24-hour time limit. If you don’t download them before the timer expires, your character and inventory will be lost.

10. Can I change my character’s name after creating them?

No, there is no in-game method to change your survivor’s name after it is created.

11. What if I delete a survivor and want to rejoin my old tribe?

You will need to be re-invited to your old tribe after creating a new character.

12. Can two players mate and have an AI offspring in Ark?

Yes, two players can mate and have an AI offspring, but this mechanic is not commonly used, is rather buggy and often not the main goal of ARK’s gameplay.

13. How can I back up my survivor profile?

You can create a backup of your entire save file by copying the “SavedArks” folder on a regular basis. For servers, this can only be done by a server administrator.

14. What is the point of playing Ark in single player?

Single-player mode is excellent for learning the game at your own pace, without competition from other players, or to experiment and fine tune your playing style.

15. Can I merge tribes in Ark?

Yes, tribes can be merged, but it is a delicate process requiring the original tribe owner to invite the other tribe owner.

Conclusion

Deleting a survivor in Ark: Survival Evolved is possible, but it’s important to understand the specific mechanics and ramifications of doing so in single-player and multiplayer modes. Always consider the loss of progress, assets, and tribe affiliation before committing to a character deletion. Being mindful of these details will help you maintain your hard-earned progress and enjoy your Ark experience to the fullest.

Can you delete a survivor ark?