What Happens When You Leave in Ark: Survival Evolved? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Leaving the world of ARK: Survival Evolved can feel like stepping away from a second life. Unlike many games, Ark doesn’t simply pause when you log off. The world, and everything within it, continues to exist and operate independently of your presence. So, what actually happens when you leave the game? The short answer is: your character remains in the world, vulnerable but relatively stable, and your tamed dinosaurs are still very much subject to the harsh realities of the ARK. Let’s delve into the specifics to understand this critical aspect of the game.
Understanding Your Character and The World
When you log out of an online Ark server, your character doesn’t vanish. Instead, it’s left behind in the exact spot you were when you disconnected. This means you remain in the game world as an unconscious and immobile body, vulnerable to the dangers of the Ark. Players can attack you, wild dinos can harm you, and environmental hazards can still pose a threat. However, your food and water consumption freeze. This is designed to prevent starvation and dehydration while you’re away.
Offline in Single-Player Mode
In stark contrast, if you are playing in offline single-player mode, the game does pause when you log out. This offers you complete safety and the ability to step away without any repercussions. You won’t be vulnerable, and no events will occur in your absence. The world and your progress will simply pick up again from where you left off. This makes offline mode the safest way to play Ark if you are concerned about losing progress while you are away from the game.
Tribe Dynamics and Your Belongings
The impact of logging out is significantly shaped by whether or not you belong to a tribe. If you’re part of a tribe, anything you’ve built remains the property of the tribe. If you leave a tribe, the structures and items you created as a member will still belong to that tribe, and not to you. This distinction is a core mechanic in Ark. If you place a structure outside of a tribe, it becomes your personal property, and when you leave the tribe, you retain ownership of all of your personally placed structures. This contrasts with the structures placed while you were in a tribe, which belong to the tribe.
Tamed Dinos and Their Needs
Unlike your character, tamed dinosaurs do not get their food and water needs paused when you log out. Your tamed creatures continue to consume food and water, which means they can starve while you’re offline. This is a critical point to remember. Always ensure that your dinosaurs have ample food before logging off. A full trough of food is often the best preventative measure. It’s recommended to have a reliable method to maintain your creatures while you are logged off, otherwise, they could be lost due to the effects of starvation.
Protecting Yourself While Offline
Given your vulnerability when logged out on an online server, there are some crucial steps to follow:
- Secure Your Body: The most common tactic is to log out inside a well-protected structure. Ideally, this will be a sturdy, enclosed building with no easy access for other players or hostile dinosaurs.
- Use Storage: Always store your valuable items in a locked container before logging out. This will prevent other players from stealing your gear if they find your body.
- Log Out in a Safe Location: Avoid logging out in exposed areas or areas where hostile creatures are likely to wander. Choosing a relatively remote location can be helpful.
- Always Log Out in Your Base: The safest place to log out is always in your base, as you will be well protected and out of sight from hostile creatures and players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 common questions about leaving in Ark, addressed in detail:
1. What happens to my character’s level and experience if I die while logged out?
If you die while logged out, you do not lose your character level or the experience you have gained. There is currently no way to lose levels in Ark by dying; you will simply respawn at your bed or a random location. The primary penalty for dying is the loss of items you were carrying at the time, so ensure to store all of your important belongings.
2. What happens to baby dinos if I log off?
Baby dinos still need care, including feeding and imprinting, even when you log off on a server. If you do not care for your babies or feed them, they will starve and die. In single player mode, the game will pause and the babies will not continue to grow until you return.
3. What are the penalties for not caring for baby dinosaurs?
There’s no direct penalty for not caring for babies aside from them losing imprinting bonuses or potentially dying of starvation. A neglected baby will simply become like a non-imprinted creature. If you fail to feed the baby, it will starve, so caring for the baby is very important in the early stages.
4. What is “Starve Taming”?
“Starve taming” is a technique where players allow a creature to become extremely hungry, then feed it all of its desired food at once to maximize taming efficiency. This can result in less food being wasted during the taming process. Be very careful when using this technique, if you fail to time it correctly you may lose the creature.
5. Is it safe to log out in the open on an online server?
No, it is not safe to log out in the open on an online server. Your body will remain vulnerable to attacks from wild creatures and other players. Always seek a secure location to log out.
6. Is Ark a permanent purchase if I get it for free?
Yes, if you acquire ARK: Survival Evolved when it’s offered for free, it is permanently yours to keep.
7. Can my character transfer between different servers?
Yes, you can transfer your character between servers, but your survivor can only exist on one server at a time. You have to use the server transfer mechanics in game in order to do this.
8. Can I get banned from playing Ark?
Yes, you can be banned for violating the game’s Code of Conduct. Penalties range from warnings to temporary or permanent bans. These violations can include griefing, cheating, hacking and much more.
9. Can I get sick in Ark?
Yes, there are contagious diseases like Mega Rabies and Swamp Fever in Ark. These can be spread between players and animals through touch or airborne particles.
10. If I leave a tribe, do I lose everything?
No, you do not lose everything if you leave a tribe. Structures and objects that you have placed yourself while not in a tribe remain yours. You will lose access to the structures of the tribe, and the items that are stored within them.
11. What happens when you merge tribes?
When you merge tribes, ideally, all buildings and dinos transfer over unless personal ownership is enabled. However, often only the merging tribe leader or owner will merge directly. You need to re-recruit the other members.
12. How do you merge two tribes?
To merge, the owner of the parent tribe sends an invite to the owner of the tribe wishing to merge. Once accepted, the tribes will be merged. All of the members must then be re-invited.
13. Is ARK 2 delayed?
Yes, Ark 2 has been delayed to 2024. In the meantime, a next-gen version of the original game, Ark: Survival Ascended, has been released.
14. Can dinos starve in Cryopods?
No, dinos cannot starve inside Cryopods, which is essential for keeping your creatures safe when you are away from the game. Be aware however that the cryopods have power requirements, and the lack of power will cause them to pop out.
15. What drains my food meter in Ark?
Your food meter is drained by a variety of actions, including the passage of time, stamina-consuming actions, and health regeneration. The more thermally insulated your character is, the less your food consumption will be.
Conclusion
Understanding what happens when you leave in Ark is crucial for your survival and progress. By being mindful of the game mechanics and taking necessary precautions, you can ensure that you and your tamed creatures are safe while you’re away. Whether you’re playing solo or with a tribe, always prioritize the safety of your belongings and dinos before logging off.