Carrying More Weight in ARK: A Survivor’s Guide to Lifting the Load
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So, you’re trying to haul a mountain of resources back to base in ARK: Survival Evolved, and your character is wheezing like an asthmatic dodo? We’ve all been there. The short answer to how to carry more weight in ARK is to increase your character’s Weight stat, utilize pack animals, and employ strategic resource management techniques. Let’s delve into the specifics and turn you into a master of logistics in the prehistoric world.
Maximizing Your Carrying Capacity: The Basics
The core mechanic to understand is that each point you invest in your Weight stat grants you an additional 10 units of carry capacity. While it might seem tempting to pump everything into damage or health, neglecting Weight will severely hamper your progress. Early game, a decent Weight stat allows you to gather resources more efficiently, craft essential items without constant trips back to base, and move around with the necessary tools and weapons.
Character Stats and Leveling
As you level up, you’ll receive points to allocate to various stats. When deciding where to put these points, be sure to consider what your current needs are. For a solo player, weight is often a priority. Even if you’re part of a tribe, having a decent personal Weight stat is crucial for independent resource gathering and exploration. Aim for at least 300 Weight early on and gradually increase it as you progress. Some players even go as high as 500 or 600, especially if they frequently engage in large-scale construction or trading.
The Importance of Pack Animals
Don’t underestimate the power of dino companions. Several creatures are exceptionally skilled at carrying heavy loads. The Argentavis, for example, is a flying powerhouse that can transport significant amounts of resources across long distances. The Mammoth is a land-based option, perfect for hauling wood and other bulky materials. The Brontosaurus reigns supreme as a mobile base, capable of carrying an enormous amount of weight (and even housing structures on its back).
When choosing a pack animal, consider:
- Weight Capacity: This is the primary factor. Check the creature’s base weight and how much it gains per level.
- Movement Speed: A creature that can carry a lot but moves like a snail isn’t ideal.
- Resource Gathering Capabilities: Some dinos, like the Doedicurus for stone or the Castoroides for wood, gather resources more efficiently than humans.
- Defense: A strong, durable creature is less likely to be killed while transporting valuable cargo.
Resource Management Strategies
Even with a high Weight stat and a pack animal, you can still become encumbered. Efficient resource management is essential. Here are some tips:
- Crafting Smart: Craft items near the resources you need to avoid transporting them unnecessarily. For example, build a smithy near a metal node.
- Reducing Weight: Some items weigh less when crafted into their component parts. Store your raw materials and craft when needed to save weight.
- Dumping Unnecessary Items: Regularly clear out your inventory of items you don’t need. Excess stone, fiber, and berries can quickly add up.
- Utilizing Storage: Storage containers like vaults, refrigerators, and dedicated storage units allow you to offload resources at your base.
- Teamwork: If playing with a tribe, coordinate resource gathering and distribution. Assign roles and responsibilities to streamline the process.
Platform Saddles: Mobile Bases
Platform saddles allow you to build structures on the backs of certain dinos, turning them into mobile bases. This is especially useful for long expeditions or resource gathering trips. You can build crafting stations, beds, and storage containers on the platform, allowing you to process resources on the go and avoid carrying heavy loads back to base. Some popular choices for platform saddles include the Brontosaurus, Paraceratherium, and Titanosaur.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is drag weight in ARK?
Drag Weight determines if a player can drag a creature’s corpse or if a creature can be carried on a platform. It’s essentially the “base” weight used for these calculations, separate from the actual weight of the item or creature.
2. How much does fortitude help with weight management?
Fortitude doesn’t directly increase your carrying capacity. However, it does provide resistance to torpor and environmental effects like heat and cold. This indirectly helps with weight management by allowing you to work in more diverse conditions without needing to carry as much gear for protection.
3. What is the best dino for carrying large amounts of weight?
The Brontosaurus is generally considered the best dino for carrying massive amounts of weight due to its exceptionally high base weight and weight gain per level.
4. Can I increase item stack size in ARK?
Yes, you can increase item stack size in the game settings. If you are playing in single-player mode, you can go to steamapps/common/ARK/ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsNoEditor/GameUserSettings.ini and search for ItemStackSizeMultiplier and change that to whatever value you want. However, this will only work in single-player or on servers you control.
5. Does body size affect carrying capacity?
No, your character’s body size does not directly affect their carrying capacity. It can impact your hitbox, making you harder to hit, but it doesn’t influence how much weight you can carry.
6. What stats should I prioritize in ARK?
The best stat distribution depends on your playstyle. However, Health, Weight, Stamina, and Movement Speed are generally considered essential for survival and resource gathering.
7. How does leveling up my dino increase its weight capacity?
Each time you level up a dino, you can allocate points to its Weight stat, increasing its carrying capacity. The amount of weight gained per level varies depending on the creature.
8. Are there any items that reduce the weight of other items?
Yes, the Tek Storage structure reduces the weight of items stored inside by a significant amount. This is a late-game option but incredibly useful for managing resources.
9. What’s the difference between weight and drag weight?
Weight is the actual amount of items you are carrying, while drag weight is a calculation used to determine if you can drag a corpse or if a creature can be placed on a platform saddle. They are not the same thing.
10. How high should my weight stat be?
Aim for at least 300 Weight early on. You can gradually increase it as you progress.
11. Are there any commands to increase my weight?
Yes, if you are an administrator on a server or playing in single-player mode, you can use console commands to increase your character’s Weight stat.
12. Can I transfer items between dinos easily?
Yes, you can easily transfer items between dinos by accessing their inventories and dragging the items. You can also use the “Transfer All” or “Take All” buttons to quickly move items between inventories.
13. What are the best early-game dinos for carrying weight?
The Parasaur and Phiomia are decent early-game options for carrying weight, although they are not as effective as later-game creatures. The Trike can also carry a good amount and can defend itself.
14. How can I efficiently move large amounts of stone?
Tame a Doedicurus. These armadillo-like creatures are incredibly efficient at gathering stone and reduce the weight of stone carried in their inventory.
15. Does the type of saddle affect a dino’s carrying capacity?
No, the type of saddle does not affect a dino’s carrying capacity. It primarily provides armor and allows you to ride the creature.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Weight Management
Carrying more weight in ARK: Survival Evolved is a multifaceted challenge. By strategically investing in your character’s Weight stat, utilizing pack animals effectively, and employing smart resource management techniques, you can overcome the limitations and thrive in the prehistoric world. Remember to adapt your strategies to your playstyle and the specific challenges you face. Understanding game mechanics is essential. You can deepen this understanding by exploring resources from organizations such as the Games Learning Society found at GamesLearningSociety.org. Now, go forth and conquer those mountains of resources!