Do You Start Off Bald in ARK? A Deep Dive into Hair Growth and Customization in ARK: Survival Evolved
Yes, you do start off bald in ARK: Survival Evolved. When you first spawn into the harsh and unforgiving world of ARK, your survivor will have 0% facial and head-hair growth. This means you begin with a completely clean slate, hair-wise. However, don’t despair, as hair isn’t a static element in the game; it’s a dynamic and customizable feature that evolves as you play.
The Journey of Hair Growth in ARK
Dynamic Hair Growth System
ARK features a unique system where your survivor’s hair, both on their head and face, slowly grows over time. This means that the longer you survive, the more hair you’ll have. This growth is a continuous process, although it does have stages and defined lengths, which you can control later on. This dynamic system adds another layer of realism to the game, reflecting the passage of time and the survivor’s journey.
How Long Does It Take for Hair to Grow?
While hair growth is continuous, it’s not instantaneous. According to game mechanics, it takes at least 3 days for your hair to grow to the next stage of length. This means patience is key if you are aiming for a magnificent beard or a luscious mane. The hair growth rate is consistent, so if you’re planning on getting a specific look you might need to leave your character running for a few days.
Hair Growth Reset?
Importantly, when a survivor dies and respawns, their hair length is not reset to 0%. Your hair length progress is persistent, so you don’t have to start over every time you die. This is a nice touch that keeps you feeling as if your survivor is truly progressing, even through numerous deaths.
Obtaining Human Hair and Its Uses
How to Get Human Hair
You might be wondering, if hair grows on your character, how can you get human hair as an in-game resource? The answer is simple: by cutting your hair or other players’ hair with Scissors. This adds an interesting social element, as you can become the go-to barber in your tribe.
Uses for Human Hair
Human hair is more than just a cosmetic feature. It can be used as a substitute for Pelt and Wool in crafting. This means that anything that you could craft with Pelt or Wool can also be crafted with Human Hair, which opens up a plethora of possibilities, especially early in the game when these resources might be scarce.
Exceptions in Crafting
However, there is an exception: the Lance. You cannot use human hair as a substitute for the Pelt required to craft the Lance, so keep that in mind when planning your crafting projects. Any amount of Human Hair may also be used in conjunction with both Pelt and Wool for crafting an item, allowing for more flexibility.
Customizing Your Hair
The Role of Scissors
The key to customizing your hairstyle lies in crafting and using Scissors. You can unlock the Scissors engram at level 21 for 10 Engram Points. Once crafted in the smithy, you can equip them and use them to alter the length and style of your hair.
Hair Style Options
However, there is a catch. You can’t just pick any hairstyle you desire. Hairstyles have to be unlocked, so you might not have many options to begin with. This system gives players a reason to keep exploring and completing achievements, giving a reward for hard work and discovery.
Shaving and Styling
Using the Scissors, you can access a menu that shows ‘Facial Hair’ which will allow you to edit the bar and choose how much hair you want to cut off. This functionality allows you to completely shave your hair off, or cut it to a specific length.
Hair Dye
You can also dye your hair using colors found in your inventory, further expanding your customization options. This allows you to personalize your survivor fully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I get the Scissors?
You can unlock the Scissors engram at level 21 for 10 Engram Points. Once unlocked, you can craft them at the Smithy.
2. What do I use human hair for?
Human hair can be used as a substitute for Pelt and Wool in crafting most items, except the Lance.
3. Can I shave another player’s hair?
Yes, you can. If you equip the Scissors and target another player, you will be given an option to shear them.
4. Can women grow beards in ARK?
Yes, both men and women in ARK are veritable beard-growing machines.
5. Does hair grow when I’m offline?
Yes, your hair will continue to grow over time even when you are offline.
6. Is there a way to get dreadlocks?
Yes, you can unlock the Dreadlocks hairstyle by completing the Alpha Ascension Achievement, showcasing your ultimate triumph over the island.
7. Can I completely shave my head in ARK?
Yes, you can use the Scissors to shave your head completely by adjusting the hair length bar in the facial hair options.
8. How long do I need to grow my hair to the next stage?
It takes at least 3 days for your hair to grow to the next length stage.
9. Does my hair get reset when I die?
No, your hair length progress persists even after death.
10. Can I dye my beard?
Yes, you can dye both your hair and beard using coloring in your inventory.
11. What animals have hair that I can collect?
You can collect hair from creatures like the Castoroides, Direbear, Direwolf, Equus, Ice Titan, Maewing, Mammoth, and Megaloceros.
12. Is there a way to speed up hair growth?
Unfortunately, there isn’t currently a way to speed up hair growth in ARK. Time and consistency are the key elements.
13. Can I shear wild Ovis (sheep) in ARK?
Yes, you can shear wild Ovis to obtain wool.
14. Is there a resource that gives more Pelt?
Killing Mammoths using a tamed Direwolf is an effective way to collect a good amount of Pelt.
15. What resources are used to craft the Scissors?
You need Metal Ingots, Hide, and Flint to craft the Scissors at the Smithy.
In conclusion, while you do start off bald in ARK: Survival Evolved, the game offers a dynamic and engaging hair growth system coupled with extensive customization options, allowing you to express your survivor’s unique personality and achievements. From slow growth over time to crafting and customization, the way ARK handles hair adds yet another layer of realism and depth to an already complex game.