What is the Best Flying Tame in Ark: Survival Evolved?
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The answer, as with many things in Ark, is… it depends. There isn’t a single, universally “best” flying tame for all situations. The ideal choice depends heavily on your specific needs, playstyle, and stage in the game. However, if we were forced to crown one king of the skies for overall utility, combat prowess, and accessibility, it would likely be the Argentavis. Its versatility makes it an invaluable asset to any survivor.
Why the Argentavis Reigns Supreme (Most of the Time)
The Argentavis shines because it balances several key attributes:
- Carrying Capacity: The Argentavis possesses a respectable carry weight, allowing you to transport significant amounts of resources, equipment, and even smaller dinos. This is crucial for base building, resource gathering, and relocating.
- Combat Capability: While not the absolute strongest in raw damage, the Argentavis can hold its own in combat. Its decent health and damage output, combined with its maneuverability, make it a formidable opponent against many creatures. They also inflict the bleed effect on enemies.
- Saddle Perks: The Argentavis saddle acts as a mobile smithy, enabling crafting on the go. This is incredibly useful for repairing equipment, crafting essential tools, and preparing for expeditions far from your base.
- Taming Difficulty: While not the easiest tame early game, Argentavis are relatively accessible to mid-level players. They can be found in various locations on most maps.
- Resource Gathering: The Argentavis is an excellent resource gatherer, particularly for meat, hide, and keratin. This makes it a valuable asset for survival.
- Versatility: More than anything, the Argentavis excels at a little bit of everything. Other flying tames might excel in niche areas, but none are as universally useful as the Argentavis.
Exploring Other Flying Tame Contenders
While the Argentavis is a strong contender, numerous other flyers excel in specific roles. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is crucial for building a well-rounded stable of airborne companions.
The Speed Demon: Pteranodon
The Pteranodon is renowned for its incredible speed and agility. This makes it the perfect choice for scouting, exploring vast distances quickly, and escaping dangerous situations. However, it lacks significant combat ability and has a low carry weight.
The Heavy Lifter: Quetzal
The Quetzal boasts the highest carry weight of any flying tame, making it ideal for transporting massive quantities of resources or even entire base structures. It can also be used as a mobile platform, allowing you to build structures on its back and create flying bases or even mobile artillery platforms. However, taming a Quetzal is challenging and resource-intensive.
The Combat Specialist: Wyvern
Wyverns are formidable combatants, possessing high damage output, potent special abilities (fire, lightning, poison, ice), and impressive health. They are capable of taking down even the most challenging creatures. However, they are difficult to obtain, requiring access to specific Wyvern nests and stealing eggs.
The Versatile Alternative: Griffin
The Griffin offers a blend of speed, agility, and combat prowess. Its dive attack is particularly devastating, and it can carry another player on its back. Griffins are often faster than Pteranodons and can be used in combat much more effectively, however, you must reach level 81 before being able to ride one.
The Stealth Scout: Tapejara
The Tapejara is known for its ability to cling to vertical surfaces, allowing it to perch in hidden locations and scout enemy bases or dangerous areas. It also possesses a unique saddle that allows multiple players to ride, making it a useful transport option for small groups.
FAQs About Flying Tames in Ark: Survival Evolved
1. What is the easiest flying tame to acquire early game?
The Pteranodon is generally considered the easiest flying tame to acquire early in the game. They spawn in accessible locations, and their taming process is relatively straightforward, often involving knocking them out with tranq arrows or darts.
2. How do I tame an Argentavis?
Taming an Argentavis requires a strategic approach. You’ll need to knock it unconscious with tranq arrows or darts, ideally from a safe distance or using a trap. Prime meat or kibble are the preferred taming foods. Keep it unconscious by administering narcotics or narcoberries. Be aware of other predators that may interfere with the taming process.
3. What is the best kibble for taming an Argentavis?
The best kibble for taming an Argentavis is Exceptional Kibble. Using this will result in a much faster and more efficient taming process. However, if Exceptional Kibble is unavailable, other kibble types or prime meat can be used.
4. How do I tame a Quetzal?
Taming a Quetzal is one of the most challenging taming endeavors in Ark. It requires a high-level character, a strong flying mount (ideally another Quetzal or Argentavis), and a lot of patience. The most common method involves trapping the Quetzal in a structure built on the back of another flying tame, or shooting it with tranq darts while keeping pace with it on another flyer.
5. What are the different types of Wyverns?
There are four main types of Wyverns: Fire Wyvern, Lightning Wyvern, Poison Wyvern, and Ice Wyvern. Each type possesses a unique breath attack with varying effects. Rock Drakes are also considered flying mounts by many and are extremely powerful due to their cloaking.
6. Where can I find Wyvern eggs?
Wyvern eggs can be found in Wyvern nests located in hazardous areas like trenches and caves, often guarded by powerful wild Wyverns. You will need to steal the egg and escape the nest quickly before the Wyverns can retaliate.
7. What is the best way to level up my flying tame?
The best way to level up your flying tame is by using it in combat against other creatures. Hunting high-level creatures, completing explorer notes, and performing cave runs are effective methods.
8. Can I breed flying tames?
Yes, most flying tames can be bred, allowing you to produce offspring with improved stats and mutations. However, some creatures, like Wyverns, require specific conditions for breeding, such as incubating eggs at the correct temperature.
9. What stats should I focus on when breeding flying tames?
When breeding flying tames, focus on improving stats like health, stamina, melee damage, and weight. These stats will enhance their combat ability, survivability, and utility.
10. What is the best saddle for a Pteranodon?
The best saddle for a Pteranodon is the Tek Pteranodon Saddle. This saddle provides increased armor and a built-in Tek energy system, allowing you to activate a boost for increased speed and maneuverability.
11. How can I protect my flying tames from wild predators?
Protecting your flying tames requires vigilance and strategic planning. Store them in a secure, enclosed area, such as a stable or hangar. Utilize defensive structures like walls, turrets, and plant species X to deter predators.
12. What is the carry weight of an Argentavis?
The base carry weight of an Argentavis is 400. However, this can be increased by leveling up the weight stat.
13. What are some good strategies for using flying tames in PvP combat?
In PvP combat, flying tames can be used for scouting, raiding enemy bases, and providing air support. Coordinate attacks with ground troops, utilize hit-and-run tactics, and take advantage of the flyer’s maneuverability. Wyverns are especially potent in PvP.
14. Can flying tames be used underwater?
No, flying tames cannot be used underwater. They will be dismounted if they enter deep water.
15. How can I improve my flying tame’s stamina?
To improve your flying tame’s stamina, level up its stamina stat. Additionally, avoid overusing the sprint function, as this will quickly deplete their stamina. Also consider breeding for better stamina stats to begin with.