ARK: Beginner Servers vs. Normal Servers – What’s the Real Difference?
The world of ARK: Survival Evolved can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, especially for new players. Stepping onto the shores of this prehistoric island for the first time often involves a steep learning curve, a lot of trial and error, and the potential for some seriously frustrating encounters with more experienced players. To ease newcomers into the experience, the developers introduced Beginner Official Servers, offering a distinct gameplay experience compared to the standard Normal Official Servers. The key difference boils down to this: Beginner Servers are designed to limit player and dino progression, offer a more protected environment, and reset periodically, providing a fresh start for everyone. Normal servers, on the other hand, allow for full character and dino progression, often have established tribes, and maintain persistent worlds.
Understanding Beginner Servers
Limited Progression
The most significant difference between beginner and normal servers lies in the progression caps. On beginner servers, there are limitations on how high a player can level up and how powerful their tamed dinos can become. This is typically in the form of level caps on both the player and their dinos, preventing anyone from amassing overwhelming power. This limitation makes the game more approachable for new players, creating a level playing field where they can learn the mechanics without being instantly decimated by higher-level players and their extensively bred creatures.
Periodic Wipes
Another key feature of beginner servers is their periodic wipes. These servers are reset regularly, effectively clearing all player progress, bases, and tames. This ensures that the environment remains beginner-friendly, preventing any single group or player from accumulating significant advantages. The wipes encourage a continuous fresh start and maintain the balance designed for new players. This also helps to keep the server running smoother, as it doesn’t carry the data from long time players.
Focus on Learning
The focus on beginner servers is specifically on providing a safe space to learn the core mechanics of ARK. Players can experiment with different building strategies, tame various dinos, and explore the map without the constant fear of raids from developed tribes. It’s essentially a tutorial island at large-scale, allowing new players to get the hang of the game before committing to the intense environment of regular servers.
Designed for Newcomers
Beginner servers aren’t meant to be a long-term destination; instead they are seen as a place to get your footing. Players should expect to eventually migrate to other types of servers, once they have mastered the basics. This way they will have the knowledge to survive and prosper on the normal servers.
Understanding Normal Servers
Full Progression
In contrast to beginner servers, normal official servers allow for full player and dino progression. There are no artificial caps on levels or dino stats, meaning players can develop their characters to the maximum potential. This allows for a much longer gameplay loop, and encourages long-term tribe building.
Persistent World
Normal servers have a persistent world, meaning everything you build and tame remains on the server unless destroyed by other players. This allows established tribes to build massive fortresses and breed extremely powerful dinos, which can be both appealing and daunting depending on how long one plays.
Risk of Established Players
One of the main challenges on normal servers is the presence of established tribes. These groups often have a significant advantage in terms of resources, territory, and powerful tames. This can be a very hard learning curve for new players who might get attacked for no reason.
Variety of Gameplay Experiences
While more challenging for beginners, normal servers offer a more varied and intense gameplay experience including base building, long-term resource accumulation, breeding, and of course, PvP. They are the true testing ground for survival skills and strategy, pushing players to master every aspect of the game.
Which Server Type is Right for You?
Choosing between beginner and normal servers ultimately depends on your experience level and goals. If you are new to ARK or want a less intense environment to learn the game, beginner servers are the ideal choice. If you’re looking for a long-term, competitive experience with more freedom and risk, then normal servers are the place for you. Many new players may even start on a beginner server, before moving onto a normal server once they have enough knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do beginner servers have different rates than normal servers?
Generally, beginner servers have similar rates for resource gathering, taming, and experience gains compared to normal servers. The primary difference is the limitations on progression and the periodic wipes.
2. How often are beginner servers wiped?
The wipe schedule for beginner servers varies and is usually announced by the developers. It’s typically done on a recurring schedule to maintain the balance on the server. Checking the official forums and patch notes can keep you up to date on the wipe schedule.
3. Can I transfer my character from a beginner server to a normal server?
Character transfers are generally not allowed from beginner servers to normal servers to prevent unfair advantages. This keeps the balance in both server types and encourages players to experience both types of servers on their own.
4. Are there unofficial beginner servers?
While the most common beginner servers are the official ones, unofficial servers can also create similar settings. Server admins might choose to set up their server with level caps and periodic wipes. These tend to be less frequent then the official ones.
5. What happens to my base and tames during a wipe on a beginner server?
Everything is lost during a server wipe, including all bases, items, and tames. This is designed to provide a completely fresh start for everyone.
6. Can I play PvP on beginner servers?
Yes, beginner servers still allow for Player versus Player (PvP) combat, but the limited progression means no individual or group is likely to become extremely overpowered.
7. Is there more lag on beginner servers?
Lag on a server depends more on its location, population, and server hardware rather than whether it’s a beginner or normal server. However, beginner servers with lower population may experience less lag.
8. Are beginner servers only for completely new players?
While designed for beginners, experienced players often use beginner servers to enjoy a more casual experience or practice new strategies without the pressure of established tribes.
9. Are there boosted beginner servers?
Boosted rates are not a common feature on the official beginner servers. They are designed to keep close to the base rates of the game, and keep the pace a little slower for newcomers.
10. Why are some tribes so powerful on normal servers?
Powerful tribes on normal servers have typically invested significant time in breeding and raising powerful dinos and building large bases. Long-term dedication to the game is required to get to this level.
11. Are there any alternatives for new players on normal servers?
Some normal servers have “new player” communities that focus on helping new survivors. It is always a good idea to search for one of these before committing to the server.
12. What should a new player focus on in their first days on a beginner server?
New players should focus on learning the basic mechanics, building a basic base, taming simple dinos, and experimenting with crafting. Survival and building a solid foundation are key in the first few days.
13. How many levels can I get on a beginner server?
The maximum level you can achieve on a beginner server is limited, usually significantly below the normal level cap. This limit changes, however it is usually around 30 – 40.
14. What are the benefits of playing on an unofficial server?
**Unofficial servers can provide a wide range of experiences**, including modded content, custom rates, and different gameplay styles. They are often much more customizable than the official servers and the community is usually a little smaller.
15. Is there a way to reset your level on a normal server?
**There is no way to reset your level on normal servers** unless you create a new character. Some unofficial servers may have ways to do it, however this is not a common feature.
Understanding the differences between ARK’s beginner and normal servers is crucial for setting the right expectations and maximizing your enjoyment. Whether you prefer a more gentle learning curve or the full-blown survival experience, there’s an ARK server that’s perfect for you.