Is Starve Taming Faster in Ark: Survival Evolved? A Deep Dive into Taming Mechanics
No, starve taming is not faster in Ark: Survival Evolved. While it might seem counterintuitive, the time it takes for a creature to tame is primarily determined by its torpor, the taming speed multiplier on your server, and the quality of food you’re offering. Starving a creature simply means waiting for its food meter to deplete to a point where it can consume all (or most) of the necessary food at once. It does not accelerate the overall taming process. The main advantage of starve taming lies in the resource efficiency, reducing the risk of wasted food due to interruptions or other unforeseen circumstances. Let’s explore this in more detail.
The Mechanics of Taming in Ark
To truly understand why starve taming isn’t about speed, we need to look at how taming works in Ark.
- Torpor: This is the “unconsciousness” bar of the creature. While torpor is high enough, the dino will stay unconscious and can be tamed. As a general rule, the faster torpor depletes, the faster you have to use a stimulant to keep the creature unconscious.
- Food Depletion: As a creature’s food stat depletes, it will eventually become hungry enough to eat.
- Taming Effectiveness: This percentage represents the potential bonus levels the creature will gain upon successful taming. Higher-quality food, such as kibble, minimizes taming effectiveness loss, leading to a creature with more levels. Interruption during the taming process, such as taking damage, usually reduce this effectiveness.
- Taming Speed Multiplier: Server settings often adjust the taming speed, significantly impacting the overall taming duration.
The Myth of Speed: Why Starving Doesn’t Work
The common misconception is that by starving a creature, you’re somehow “skipping” part of the taming process. In reality, you’re simply delaying the consumption of food. The total time required to tame a creature is still dictated by how quickly its torpor drops and how efficiently you feed it.
The advantage of starve taming comes when taming dinos that have a low food stat and can easily eat through their food. This helps you tame them without being completely at the mercy of the dino’s consumption intervals.
The Real Benefits of Starve Taming
While not faster, starve taming offers several strategic advantages:
- Resource Conservation: By feeding the creature only when it can consume a large quantity of food, you reduce the chance of spoilage. You will have the creature’s food meter very low, and then, depending on the dino, you will give the dino a lot of food at once.
- Reduced Risk: Minimizing the number of feeding events lowers the chances of accidental interruption, such as other players or predators attacking the creature during the taming process.
- Convenience: Starve taming can be more convenient, especially for long tames. You can prepare the necessary food, then check back later when the creature is ready to eat a substantial portion.
- Taming a high-food consumption dino: When taming dinos with a high food consumption, it can be difficult to make sure that it will get the highest level from the tame. Starving ensures that they can be fed more at once.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taming in Ark
1. What is the fastest way to tame a creature in Ark?
Using the creature’s preferred kibble is the fastest method for most creatures. Kibble offers the highest taming effectiveness and minimizes taming time. Raw prime meat and mutton can also be very effective for carnivores, though they result in slightly lower taming effectiveness.
2. Does the level of the creature affect taming time?
Yes, higher-level creatures generally take longer to tame than lower-level creatures. This is because higher-level creatures usually require more food and have more torpor to deplete.
3. What factors affect taming effectiveness?
Taming effectiveness is affected by the quality of the food used, interruptions during the taming process, and the amount of time it takes to fully tame the creature. Using the correct kibble and preventing any damage to the creature during taming are key to maximizing effectiveness.
4. Can you speed up taming by changing server settings?
Yes, server administrators can adjust the taming speed multiplier in the server settings. Increasing this multiplier will significantly reduce the time required to tame creatures.
5. Is it better to tame a high-level or low-level creature?
Generally, it’s better to tame higher-level creatures. While they take longer to tame, they have significantly higher base stats, making them stronger and more valuable in the long run. However, keep in mind that a perfect tame of a low level is better than a failed tame on a high level dino!
6. Does cooked meat tame faster than raw meat?
No, raw meat is more effective for taming carnivorous dinosaurs than cooked meat. Cooked meat is better for player consumption, as it restores more health and stamina.
7. What are the easiest creatures to tame early in the game?
Some of the easiest creatures to tame early in the game include the Parasaur, Phiomia, Dodo, and Lystrosaurus. These creatures are relatively passive and require minimal resources to tame.
8. Can Alpha creatures be tamed in Ark?
No, Alpha creatures cannot be tamed through normal means. They can only be tamed by using admin commands or mods that specifically allow for it.
9. How does temperature affect taming?
Extreme temperatures can negatively affect taming by depleting your resources (and possibly your life). Take note of this when taming!
10. What happens if a creature’s torpor reaches zero during taming?
If a creature’s torpor reaches zero during taming, it will wake up and the taming process will be interrupted. You will need to knock it out again to resume taming, which will significantly reduce taming effectiveness.
11. Can you tame a Maewing with meat?
Yes, you can tame a Maewing with meat, as they are omnivores. However, kibble or berries are more effective and will result in a faster and more efficient tame.
12. What is the best food for taming a Giganotosaurus?
The best food for taming a Giganotosaurus is exceptional kibble. Raw prime meat or mutton can also be used, but they will result in lower taming effectiveness.
13. How does taming effectiveness impact the final level of the tamed creature?
Taming effectiveness directly determines the number of bonus levels a creature will gain upon successful taming. A higher taming effectiveness results in more bonus levels, making the tamed creature stronger and more valuable.
14. What is the purpose of the Games Learning Society?
The Games Learning Society is a community and resource hub dedicated to exploring the intersection of games and learning. They promote research, innovation, and best practices in using games for educational purposes. This academic area can be explored further at GamesLearningSociety.org.
15. What is the best dino for boss fights in Ark?
The Rex is often considered the best dino for boss fights in Ark due to its high health and melee damage. Therizinosaurs and Megalosaurs are also viable options, especially with good saddles and breeding stats.
Conclusion: Taming Smart, Not Just Fast
While starve taming is not a shortcut to faster tames, it is a valuable strategy for resource management and minimizing risk. Understanding the mechanics of taming, choosing the right food, and managing your resources effectively are key to successfully taming the creatures of Ark: Survival Evolved. Happy taming, survivor!