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Taming the Untamable? Alpha Carnos in Ark: Survival Evolved

No, you cannot directly tame an Alpha Carnotaurus (Alpha Carno) in Ark: Survival Evolved. Alpha creatures are fundamentally different from their regular counterparts. They are designed to be powerful, challenging encounters, serving more as mid-to-late game bosses than potential additions to your dino stable. Trying to knock one out using traditional taming methods will be a frustrating, and likely fatal, endeavor.

Why Alpha Carnos Are Untamable

Think of Alpha Carnos as the apex predators of their local ecosystems. They are bigger, stronger, faster, and possess a fearsome red aura that broadcasts their dominance. The reason they are untamable boils down to a few key factors:

Immunity to Taming: Alphas are inherently programmed to be immune to the effects of tranquilizers, narcotics, and other taming aids. No matter how many tranq arrows you fire, the torpor will never rise.
Statistically Superior: Their vastly inflated stats – health, damage, and speed – make them formidable opponents. Even attempting to survive a prolonged encounter is a challenge.
Alpha Buffs: Alphas possess buffs that enhance their combat prowess further, often including a damage resistance buff and the ability to damage structures more easily.

Essentially, the game mechanics are structured to prevent the direct taming of Alpha creatures. They exist as a test of skill and a source of valuable resources upon defeat, rather than as potential pets.

Dealing with an Alpha Carno

Since you can’t tame an Alpha Carno, your options are primarily limited to avoiding them or, if you’re brave (or foolish), engaging them in combat. Here’s what you need to know:

Preparation is Key

Fighting an Alpha Carno is no small feat. Before you even consider engaging, ensure you have the following:

Strong Mounts: High-level, well-bred dinos, preferably Carnivores like Rexes, Spinos, or Gigas, are crucial. Make sure they have decent saddles.
Powerful Weapons: High-quality ranged weapons, such as a fabricated sniper rifle with high-damage ammo, can help you chip away at their health from a distance.
Armor: Full sets of high-quality armor (Flak or better) are essential for surviving their powerful attacks.
Healing Items: Bring plenty of medical brews and healing food for both yourself and your dinos.
Tactical Awareness: Understand the terrain and plan your attack. Use choke points and elevated positions to your advantage.

Combat Strategies

Kite and Shoot: If you have the space, use a fast mount to kite the Alpha Carno while your heavier dinos deal damage.
Choke Points: Lure the Alpha Carno into narrow passages where it can only attack one dino at a time.
Hit-and-Run: Attack with your dinos, then retreat to heal and recover before re-engaging.
Teamwork: If playing with others, coordinate your attacks and support each other.

Loot and Rewards

Defeating an Alpha Carno is a challenging undertaking, but the rewards can be significant. Upon death, they drop:

Alpha Creature Trophy: Proof of your victory.
Large Amounts of Experience: A significant boost for both you and your dinos.
High-Quality Loot: Items, blueprints, and resources that are often far superior to those found elsewhere.

These rewards make hunting Alpha creatures a worthwhile, albeit dangerous, activity, especially for players looking to progress in the late game.

Common Misconceptions

Many new players fall into the trap of believing they can eventually tame an Alpha creature with enough patience or specific taming methods. This simply isn’t true. Don’t waste your time and resources on an impossible task. Focus on strengthening your base, breeding powerful dinos, and honing your combat skills.

Understanding the game mechanics and limitations is crucial for success in Ark: Survival Evolved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Alpha Carnos and taming in Ark: Survival Evolved:

Can I use a net projectile to trap an Alpha Carno for taming? No. Alpha creatures are immune to the effects of net projectiles.
What happens if I use an admin command to force-tame an Alpha Carno? While technically possible through admin commands, force-taming an Alpha often results in unpredictable behavior and potential game instability. It’s generally not recommended.
Are there any creatures in Ark that can tame Alpha creatures? No. No creature, regardless of its power or abilities, possesses the innate ability to tame Alpha creatures.
Can I breed Alpha creatures if I force-tame one? No. Even if you manage to force-tame an Alpha, they cannot be bred.
Do Alpha creatures drop different loot on different maps? The type of loot dropped by Alpha creatures is generally consistent across different maps, focusing on high-quality items, blueprints, and the Alpha trophy.
Are there any mods that allow me to tame Alpha creatures? Yes, some mods introduce the ability to tame Alpha creatures. However, these are not part of the base game and will alter the game’s balance.
How do Alpha Carnos differ from regular Carnos in terms of stats? Alpha Carnos possess significantly higher health, damage, and speed compared to their regular counterparts. They are also larger and have a distinctive red aura.
What’s the best strategy for killing an Alpha Carno solo? The best solo strategy often involves using a strong, ranged weapon and kiting the Alpha Carno with a fast mount, while carefully managing your stamina and healing. A well-bred Thylacoleo can also be very effective in certain terrain.
Can an Alpha Carno destroy my metal base? Yes. Alpha creatures, including Alpha Carnos, can damage metal structures, although it will take them longer than it would to destroy weaker materials.
What is the easiest Alpha creature to defeat? Opinions vary, but many players consider the Alpha Raptor to be the easiest Alpha creature to defeat, due to its lower health and damage compared to other Alphas.
Does the difficulty setting affect the stats of Alpha creatures? Yes. Higher difficulty settings generally increase the health and damage of all creatures, including Alpha creatures.
Can Alpha creatures be found in caves? While less common, Alpha creatures can occasionally spawn in caves, particularly those with more open areas.
What is the purpose of Alpha creatures in the game? Alpha creatures serve as challenging encounters that test players’ skills and reward them with valuable loot and experience. They contribute to the game’s overall difficulty and progression.
Are there any achievements or trophies related to defeating Alpha creatures? Yes, some achievements or trophies are specifically tied to defeating Alpha creatures.
Where can I learn more about game design and how it affects player experience? The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is a great resource for understanding the principles behind game design and their impact on player behavior. They offer insights into how game mechanics, like the untamability of Alpha creatures, are implemented to create specific challenges and rewards.

Final Thoughts

While the allure of taming a powerful Alpha Carno might be strong, remember that it’s simply not possible within the vanilla Ark: Survival Evolved experience. Focus your efforts on mastering the game’s existing taming mechanics, breeding powerful dinos, and developing strategies to overcome these formidable foes. The rewards for defeating them are well worth the effort, and the challenge itself is a testament to your skill as a survivor. Good luck, and happy hunting!

Can you tame a alpha carno in ark?