How To Tame A Dino In Ark Complete Taming Guide
Taming prehistoric creatures is the cornerstone of survival in ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended. Whether you need a massive beast to carry heavy resources or a swift mount to explore dangerous biomes, understanding the core mechanics of domesticating dinosaurs will dramatically improve your odds of thriving on the island. Master the essential techniques to convert wild beasts into loyal companions for your tribe.
Preparing for the Tame
Before approaching any wild dinosaur, thorough preparation is crucial for a successful operation. You must gather the correct equipment, including tranq arrows, narcotics, and the preferred food source of the specific species you are targeting. Crafting a sturdy trap out of stone or metal walls can prevent your target from escaping or attacking you during the knock-out process.
Understanding creature diets ensures you do not waste valuable time or resources in the field. Carnivores generally favor kibble or raw mutton, while herbivores thrive on specific crops or sweet vegetable cakes. Packing extra supplies guarantees that unexpected delays will not ruin your progress.
Knocking Out the Target
The standard knockout method requires lowering the target's stamina and raising its torpor until it falls unconscious. Utilizing specialized weaponry like crossbows, longneck rifles, or shocking tranq darts allows players to quickly subdue dangerous beasts from a safe distance. Aiming for high-damage hitboxes like the head usually yields the highest torpor gain per shot.
Maintaining distance is essential to avoid taking unnecessary damage during aggressive encounters. Positioning yourself on high cliffs or using tamed flyers can provide safe vantage points during the pursuit. Once the creature collapses, immediately clear the surrounding area of predators to protect your unconscious target.
Managing Torpor and Hunger Mechanics
After the creature is unconscious, you must monitor its torpor bar continuously to prevent it from waking up prematurely. Accessing the creature's inventory allows you to feed it narcotics or narcoberries whenever torpor drops to unsafe levels. Keeping a close eye on these stats prevents frustrating setbacks during long taming sessions.
Placing preferred food items directly into the dinosaur's inventory triggers the taming process as its hunger depletes naturally. Higher-quality foods increase the overall taming speed and preserve the final taming effectiveness bonus, granting additional bonus levels upon completion. Avoid letting the inventory run out of food to prevent taming effectiveness from plummeting.
Protecting Your New Companion
Unconscious creatures are extremely vulnerable to roaming wild predators like raptors or saber-tooths. Building temporary wooden or thatch spike walls around your taming site creates a secure perimeter against surprise attacks. Taking damage while unconscious will drastically reduce the creature's taming efficiency and final level bonuses.
Staying nearby until the process reaches one hundred percent ensures you can intervene if hazards approach. Once fully tamed, name your new companion and equip it with the corresponding saddle to begin utilizing its unique abilities. Properly maintaining your tame's health and food levels secures a powerful long-term asset for your base.