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Where Should I Go in Ark? A Comprehensive Guide to Survival

Figuring out where to go in Ark: Survival Evolved can be daunting for new players and even seasoned survivors. The game throws you into a vast, often unforgiving world filled with dinosaurs, dangers, and endless possibilities. But fear not, this guide will walk you through the best locations to start, build, and thrive in the various Ark maps. We’ll explore safe havens, resource-rich areas, and strategic locations to help you make the most of your Ark experience. Generally, if you’re asking the question “Where should I go in ARK?”, the first part of the answer is “South.”

The Best Starting Locations in ARK

Southern Beaches: The Beginner’s Haven

As a general rule, the further north you travel in Ark, the more treacherous the environment becomes. This makes the southern half of the island far more suitable for beginners. The terrain is easier to navigate down south, the climate is less extreme, and the creatures tend to be smaller and less aggressive. You will likely spawn near water or on the beach itself, which is ideal. The beach is one of the safest spots in the early game and should be your primary focus for the first few hours.

Specific Starter Zones on the Island Map

For the Island map, which is often considered the “base” map and a great starting point, the southern beaches are the safest. More specifically:

South 1: This area, especially the small sticky-out bit, is generally safe. The main threat you’ll encounter are Spinos, but these are ubiquitous throughout the map.
South Beaches Under Red Obelisk: If you happen to spawn completely to the left under the red obelisk, you can find a few experience notes relatively quickly, giving you a significant early-game boost.

Beyond the Island: Starting on Other Maps

While the Island is excellent for starting, you might be eager to explore other maps. Here’s a brief look at starting on other popular maps:

Ragnarok: Has a few good areas, but pay special attention to resource availability in the starting areas, as some places might be resource-sparse for beginners.
Lost Island: Similar to the Island map, but with some more unique biomes that offer new challenges. Look for coastal areas that provide a balance of safety and resources.
Fjordur: While visually appealing, Fjordur can be challenging, so start in the more accessible southern regions near the coasts.

Where to Build Your Base

Strategic Base Locations

Choosing the right location for your base is crucial for long-term survival and success. Here are some top spots:

Herbivore Island: Located in the southeast corner of the Island map, Herbivore Island is famous for being one of the safest areas from predators. However, be mindful of the Megalodons in the bay, and avoid chasing fleeing creatures into the water.
Southern Islets: These islands in the south provide a mix of resources and relative safety, making them great for early to mid-game bases.
The Southern Jungle: Can be good, but be aware of more aggressive dinos that spawn there.
On a Raft: While not a traditional base, building on a raft allows you to be mobile and potentially avoid dangers. However, it also makes you vulnerable to attack.

Advanced Base Locations

As you progress, consider more strategic locations:

Whitesky Peak: Offers breathtaking views and can be a defensible location with the right planning.
North East Cave: While dangerous, caves provide natural protection and unique resources.
The Redwood Forest: Offers great resources, but be cautious of the aggressive creatures that roam the area.

What to do Once You’ve Found Your Location

Once you’ve settled on a safe start and potential base location, here is what you should be focusing on:

Gather Resources: Prioritize gathering essential resources like wood, stone, fiber, and thatch. This is vital for crafting basic tools, weapons, and a small shelter.
Crafting: As a stranded survivor, your first priority is to craft items and tools necessary for survival. Start by making a stone pickaxe and hatchet. Then, focus on building a crafting station.
Build a Small Shelter: Establish a basic base, such as a small structure with a bed, storage box, campfire, and crafting station. Start small and functional, and expand later as you acquire more resources.
Tame Dinosaurs: Taming some dinos early in the game is vital. Some easy dinos to tame are:
- Dilophosaurs: Easy to tame with a slingshot, these can be useful early on.
- Triceratops: A herbivore that can gather berries efficiently.
- Ankylosaurus: Great for gathering metal and other heavy resources.
Leveling Up: Make sure you are leveling up your character by increasing your health, stamina, and other vital stats.
Explore: Get out there and explore, but do so cautiously.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main goal of ARK?

The main goal in ARK: Survival Evolved is to survive. Players must hunt, harvest, craft, build shelters, and research technologies to endure the harsh environment. The ultimate objective varies, but involves completing tasks, defeating bosses, and uncovering the mysteries of the island.

2. What are the best stats to upgrade early on?

Key early-game stats include Health, Stamina, Weight, and Movement Speed. Fortitude is also valuable for resisting environmental effects.

3. What should I build first in Ark?

Start with a simple bed, a campfire, and storage box; then move on to a crafting table. Then consider a mortar and pestle, preserving bin, smithy, and refining forge as you advance.

4. What is the easiest dinosaur to tame?

Dilophosaurs are typically the easiest to tame early, followed by Ichthyosaurus, Triceratops, and Ankylosaurus.

5. What is the fastest dinosaur in Ark?

The DodoRex is the fastest dinosaur, but also extremely rare. More realistically, the Gallimimus is very fast and obtainable.

6. Which Ark map is the easiest to complete?

The Island is generally considered the easiest map to complete because it is the base map and more straightforward.

7. Which map has the most dinosaurs?

Ragnarok has a large variety of creatures, making it close to having all dinosaurs. It’s only missing some that are exclusive to other maps.

8. What is the safest place in Ark?

Herbivore Island, in the southeast corner of the Island map, is considered the safest location from predators but be mindful of Megalodons in the bay.

9. How do I protect myself from radiation in Ark?

You need to wear a full suit of Hazard Armor to be protected from radiation, mushroom spores, and poison gas.

10. What dinos should I focus on taming early?

Early taming should focus on versatile dinosaurs like Dilophosaurs, Triceratops, and Ankylosaurus. An Argentavis is also very useful once you can tame it.

11. What do I do if I die in Ark?

Upon death, you’ll respawn at your last bed location. You’ll need to go back to the location of your death to recover your lost inventory.

12. How do I get experience quickly in Ark?

Completing tasks, crafting items, harvesting resources, and finding experience notes are all great ways to gain experience.

13. Can I play Ark with friends?

Yes, you can play with friends on private servers or official servers. The game supports cooperative play.

14. What does God Mode do in Ark?

God Mode prevents you from taking damage from other players, dinos/creatures, explosions, weapons, or fall damage. However, you can still die from drowning, hunger, thirst, and environmental factors.

15. Why is the game called “Ark”?

The word “ark” comes from the Latin word “arca,” which is a term for a chest or box. It’s a reference to the concept of a safe haven or container in a dangerous world.

By taking these considerations into account, you should be well-prepared to start your ARK journey. Explore, adapt, and above all, survive!

Where should I go in Ark?