Can You Tame with Raw Meat in Ark: Survival Evolved? The Ultimate Guide

Yes, absolutely! You can tame creatures in Ark: Survival Evolved with raw meat. In fact, it’s often the most accessible and readily available option, especially early in the game. However, the effectiveness of raw meat varies depending on the creature you’re trying to tame. While it works, it’s generally less efficient than prime meat, kibble, or other specialized taming foods. Raw meat extends the taming process, requiring more time and potentially more narcotics to keep the creature unconscious. Knowing the nuances of taming with raw meat is crucial for survival and building your dino army in Ark.

Understanding Taming Mechanics in Ark

Before diving into the specifics of raw meat, let’s recap the fundamental taming process in Ark: Survival Evolved. Taming typically involves:

1. Knocking out the target creature: Use tranquilizer arrows, darts, or other knockout methods to render the creature unconscious.
2. Accessing the unconscious creature’s inventory: Approach the dino and press the interact key (usually ‘E’ on PC) to open its inventory.
3. Placing taming food into the inventory: Transfer the desired taming food (raw meat, prime meat, kibble, etc.) from your inventory into the creature’s inventory.
4. Keeping the creature unconscious: As the creature’s torpor (unconsciousness) decreases, administer narcotics or biotoxin to keep it asleep.
5. Waiting for the taming bar to fill: The taming process progresses as the creature consumes the taming food. The taming effectiveness directly impacts the bonus levels the creature gains post-taming.

The quality of the taming food significantly affects the taming speed and taming effectiveness. Raw meat, while viable, sits lower on the effectiveness scale compared to preferred foods.

Raw Meat vs. Other Taming Foods

Raw meat serves as a basic taming food, obtainable early by hunting smaller creatures. However, it comes with significant drawbacks when compared to superior options:

• Lower Taming Effectiveness: Raw meat generally provides less taming progress per unit compared to prime meat, kibble, or specialized foods like mutton. This results in a lower taming effectiveness, leading to fewer bonus levels for the tamed creature.
• Slower Taming Speed: Due to the lower effectiveness, taming with raw meat takes considerably longer. This prolonged process increases the risk of the creature waking up or being attacked by other predators.
• Higher Narcotic Consumption: Because taming takes longer with raw meat, you’ll need to use more narcotics or biotoxin to keep the creature unconscious throughout the entire process.

Here’s a brief comparison:

• Raw Meat: Easily accessible, but slow and less effective.
• Raw Prime Meat: More effective than raw meat but spoils quickly. Obtaining prime meat can be risky early game.
• Kibble: The most effective taming food, granting the highest taming effectiveness and fastest taming speed. Kibble recipes can be complex to make though, requiring specific eggs and ingredients.
• Raw Mutton: Excellent taming food, often better than raw prime meat, but requires hunting sheep which can be challenging.

Specific Creatures and Raw Meat Taming

Many common creatures can be tamed with raw meat. Here are a few examples:

• Raptor: Taming Raptors with raw meat is possible but can be time-consuming. Using raw prime meat or even better, kibble, will drastically reduce the taming time and increase effectiveness.
• Pteranodon: Raw meat is a common starting point for taming Pteranodons. They aren’t too picky, and you can often acquire enough meat to tame one fairly quickly.
• Carnotaurus (Carno): Taming a Carno with raw meat is feasible, but be prepared for a lengthy process. Raw prime meat or raw prime fish meat are much better choices.
• Sabertooth: Similar to Carnos, raw meat can tame Sabertooths, but it’s more efficient to use prime meat or other higher-quality taming foods.
• T-Rex: While technically possible to tame a Rex with raw meat, it is extremely inefficient and not recommended. Prime meat or high-quality kibble is the way to go. Rex taming with raw meat would require a huge amount of resources and time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Taming with Raw Meat

Here are some frequently asked questions to address common concerns about using raw meat for taming in Ark: Survival Evolved.

1. Is cooked meat better for taming than raw meat?

No, cooked meat is not better for taming. Raw meat is used for taming creatures. Cooked meat is for survivor consumption.

2. Why is my taming effectiveness so low when using raw meat?

Taming effectiveness is directly influenced by the quality of the food used. Raw meat has lower effectiveness compared to prime meat, kibble, or mutton, leading to a lower bonus level upon taming.

3. How much raw meat do I need to tame a creature?

The amount of raw meat required varies based on the creature’s level, species, and the server’s taming settings. Use a taming calculator like Dododex to estimate the required amount.

4. Can I use spoiled meat for taming?

No, spoiled meat cannot be used for taming. Only fresh, raw meat will work.

5. Does the type of raw meat matter (e.g., raw fish meat vs. raw meat)?

Yes, different types of raw meat have varying effectiveness. Raw prime fish meat is often more effective than regular raw meat, though raw prime meat is generally superior.

6. What is the best alternative to kibble for taming?

If kibble isn’t available, raw prime meat or raw mutton are excellent alternatives, providing significantly better taming effectiveness than raw meat.

7. How do I preserve raw meat for taming?

You can preserve raw meat by storing it in a preserving bin with oil and sparkpowder, or in a refrigerator. A tamed dilo can also preserve meat, but not for long.

8. Does the server’s taming speed affect raw meat taming?

Yes, the server’s taming speed multiplier affects all taming, including taming with raw meat. Higher taming speeds reduce the time required for the entire process.

9. Can I tame a Giganotosaurus with raw meat?

While technically possible, taming a Giganotosaurus with raw meat is incredibly inefficient. It would take an extreme amount of raw meat and narcotics, making kibble or raw mutton essential.

10. How does starve taming interact with raw meat?

Starve taming involves waiting for the creature’s food bar to deplete before feeding it. While it can work with raw meat, it doesn’t significantly improve the effectiveness and may increase the risk of the creature waking up. Other than reducing the risk of losing resources, starve taming has no other benefits.

11. What happens if I run out of narcotics while taming with raw meat?

If you run out of narcotics, the creature will wake up, and the taming progress will reset or decrease depending on the server settings. It’s crucial to have an ample supply of narcotics.

12. Is it better to tame a high-level or low-level dino with raw meat?

Taming a high-level dino with raw meat is more challenging due to the increased time and narcotics required. It’s generally better to use higher-quality taming foods for high-level creatures to maximize taming effectiveness.

13. Can I tame a Maewing with raw meat?

Yes, you can tame a Maewing with raw meat, though it is less effective than using kibble or berries. Maewings are omnivores.

14. What is the ideal taming effectiveness I should aim for?

Ideally, aim for the highest possible taming effectiveness, which typically requires using the creature’s preferred kibble. However, if kibble is unavailable, using raw prime meat or raw mutton can achieve respectable effectiveness.

15. Are there any creatures that cannot be tamed with raw meat?

While most creatures can technically be tamed with raw meat, some might require specialized taming methods or foods due to their unique diets or taming mechanics. Always consult a taming guide or Dododex for specific creature requirements.

Conclusion

Taming with raw meat in Ark: Survival Evolved is a fundamental skill, especially in the early game. While it’s not the most efficient method, it’s often the most accessible. Understanding the limitations and optimizing your approach can significantly improve your taming success. As you progress, prioritize acquiring prime meat, mutton, or kibble for more effective and efficient taming. Embrace the challenges and enjoy building your ultimate dinosaur army!

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