How to Destroy Wild Wyverns in Ark: A Comprehensive Guide

The question is simple: How do you destroy wild wyverns in Ark: Survival Evolved? The answer, however, is multifaceted and depends heavily on your level, resources, and the specific type of wyvern you’re facing. Generally, the most effective strategies involve utilizing ranged attacks from a safe distance, exploiting their weaknesses to certain damage types, and employing powerful tames specifically designed for wyvern combat. Understanding wyvern attack patterns and planning your approach is crucial for success.

Understanding Wyvern Threats

Wyverns are formidable aerial predators in Ark, known for their high damage output and ability to inflict status effects. There are several variants, each with unique strengths and weaknesses:

• Fire Wyvern: Breathes fire that deals damage over time. Resistant to fire.
• Lightning Wyvern: Emits a lightning bolt that deals massive burst damage. Weak to lightning attacks from other Lightning Wyverns.
• Poison Wyvern: Spews poisonous gas that deals damage over time and reduces stats. Resistant to poison.
• Ice Wyvern: Fires ice shards that slow and eventually freeze targets. Weak to fire damage.
• Forest Wyvern: (Genesis: Part 2 Exclusive) Fires a barrage of thorns. Relatively weaker compared to other wyvern variants.

Pre-Battle Preparation

Before engaging a wyvern, careful preparation is essential. This includes:

• Choosing the right gear: High-quality armor (Flak or Riot) is a must. Consider bringing multiple sets as wyverns can quickly destroy armor.
• Stocking up on consumables: Healing potions, stimulants, and calming balms (if you plan to tame) are vital.
• Selecting the right mount: A strong, well-leveled mount is critical for both offense and defense.
• Planning your escape route: Identify safe areas to retreat if the battle turns sour.

Effective Strategies for Destroying Wyverns

There are several proven methods for taking down wild wyverns:

Ranged Combat

Ranged weapons are arguably the safest way to engage wyverns.

• High-quality Sniper Rifles: A well-crafted sniper rifle with advanced rifle bullets can deal significant damage. Aim for headshots to maximize damage.
• Tek Railgun: The Tek Railgun offers extreme range and damage, making it ideal for long-distance engagements.
• Rocket Launchers: Rocket Launchers are effective for dealing area-of-effect damage, especially against multiple wyverns. Be mindful of the reload time and rocket trajectory.

Advantages:

• Safety: Allows you to engage wyverns from a distance, minimizing risk of direct attacks.
• Control: Gives you greater control over the engagement, allowing you to dictate the pace and range of the fight.

Disadvantages:

• Ammo consumption: Ranged weapons can quickly deplete ammo reserves, so stock up accordingly.
• Requires skill: Effective use of ranged weapons requires aiming skill and an understanding of bullet drop and projectile trajectory.

Tame Combat

Using tames to fight wyverns can be very effective, particularly with the right creature and strategy.

• Rock Drakes: Rock Drakes are exceptionally agile and possess powerful attacks, making them excellent wyvern hunters. Their camouflage ability can also be used for ambushes.
• Giganotosaurus: The Giganotosaurus is a powerhouse capable of dealing immense damage. However, its rage mechanic and large size make it difficult to maneuver in certain environments.
• Rexes: Rexes are a solid all-around choice, offering a good balance of damage and health.
• Wyverns (Tamed): Using your own tamed Wyvern can be a great strategy to fight wild Wyverns. The weaknesses and resistances of different Wyvern types can be exploited to your advantage.

Advantages:

• Raw power: Tames can deal massive damage and absorb significant damage, allowing you to take down wyverns quickly.
• Distraction: Tames can draw the wyvern’s aggro, allowing you to attack from a safe distance.

Disadvantages:

• Risk of loss: Tames can be killed, resulting in significant resource and time loss.
• Requires training: Effective tame combat requires careful training and leveling of your tames.

Exploiting Environmental Hazards

Leveraging environmental features can give you an edge in wyvern battles.

• Turrets: Setting up automated turrets in a strategic location can provide additional firepower and defense.
• Traps: Constructing traps using stone structures can immobilize wyverns, making them vulnerable to attack.
• Natural Terrain: Utilizing cliffs, caves, and other terrain features can provide cover and create chokepoints.

Advantages:

• Cost-effective: Using environmental hazards can be a cheaper alternative to relying solely on ranged weapons or tames.
• Strategic advantage: Properly positioned traps and defenses can significantly weaken or even neutralize wyverns.

Disadvantages:

• Requires preparation: Setting up traps and defenses takes time and resources.
• Vulnerability: Structures can be destroyed by wyvern attacks, so build defensively.

Specific Tactics for Each Wyvern Type

• Fire Wyvern: Use creatures resistant to fire like the Rock Drake. Water-based attacks can also be effective.
• Lightning Wyvern: Use tames with high health and lightning resistance. Avoid flying directly at them, as their lightning attack is extremely accurate.
• Poison Wyvern: Use gas masks or SCUBA gear to negate the effects of their poison breath. Focus on dealing burst damage to quickly eliminate them.
• Ice Wyvern: Fire Wyverns are immune to Ice Wyvern attacks. Use fire weapons or creatures with high fire resistance.
• Forest Wyvern: Exploit their relative weakness with high-damage weapons or tames.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best level to start fighting wyverns?

While you can technically engage wyverns at lower levels, it is strongly recommended to be at least level 70+. This provides access to better gear, stronger tames, and more engram points for crafting essential items.

2. What is the best weapon for killing wyverns?

This depends on your resources and playstyle, but the Tek Railgun, high-quality sniper rifles, and rocket launchers are all excellent choices.

3. What is the best tame for fighting wyverns?

Rock Drakes are often considered the best due to their agility and damage. Giganotosaurus and well-leveled Rexes are also viable options.

4. Can I tame a wild wyvern?

No, you cannot directly tame a wild wyvern. You must steal a wyvern egg from a nest and raise the wyvern from infancy.

5. How do I find wyvern eggs?

Wyvern eggs are found in nests located in dangerous areas, typically within wyvern trench or cave systems. Be prepared for aggressive wyverns guarding the nests.

6. What should I bring when stealing a wyvern egg?

A fast flying mount (e.g., Argentavis, Pteranodon), a grappling hook, and plenty of health potions are essential. Cloaking abilities (e.g., Rock Drake) are also highly advantageous.

7. How do I hatch a wyvern egg?

Wyvern eggs require a very high incubation temperature. Place the egg near multiple standing torches or a dimetrodon with high melee damage to provide sufficient heat.

8. What do baby wyverns eat?

Baby wyverns only eat Wyvern Milk. You can obtain Wyvern Milk by knocking out (non-lethally) female Wyverns, or from killing Alpha Wyverns.

9. How can I prevent a wyvern from stealing my tames?

Build enclosed structures to house your tames. Turrets can also be used to deter wyverns from approaching your base.

10. What armor is best against wyvern attacks?

Flak armor provides good overall protection against physical damage. Riot armor offers better insulation against elemental attacks but is less durable.

11. Are wyverns immune to any damage types?

Fire Wyverns are resistant to fire damage, and Poison Wyverns are resistant to poison damage. Lightning Wyverns are weak to Lightning Wyvern attacks.

12. How do I heal my tame during a wyvern fight?

Use Vegetable Cakes for herbivores or force-feed meat to carnivores. A Daeodon can also be used for healing.

13. How do I deal with multiple wyverns at once?

Focus on area-of-effect attacks (e.g., rocket launchers) and prioritize eliminating the most dangerous wyvern first. Use tames to distract the others.

14. What stats should I focus on when leveling a wyvern-fighting tame?

Prioritize health and melee damage. Stamina is also important for maintaining mobility.

15. Is it possible to kite a wyvern?

Yes, kiting is possible, but it requires skill and a fast mount. Use the terrain to your advantage and maintain a safe distance while firing ranged weapons.