Dezcourse

In the sprawling world of ARK: Survival Evolved, players find themselves in a prehistoric setting filled with towering dinosaurs and other dangerous creatures. One of the game’s most exhilarating aspects is the ability to tame and train these majestic beasts. Whether you’re seeking a loyal companion for protection or a powerful mount for exploration, knowing how to tame your first dinosaur is essential for survival. This guide will walk you through the basics of taming and training dinosaurs, making your journey through ARK more enjoyable and efficient.

Understanding the Basics of Taming

Before you can start taming a dinosaur, it’s essential to understand the taming process. Each dinosaur in ARK has a unique temperament and taming requirements. There are two primary methods for taming: passive taming and aggressive taming.

Passive Taming

Passive taming involves feeding the dinosaur without causing harm. This method is often used for herbivores and requires you to approach the creature without startling it. Follow these steps for passive taming:

1. Find the Right Dinosaur: Choose a relatively easy-to-tame dinosaur for your first attempt, such as the Dodo or Iguana.
2. Gather Food: Most herbivores prefer berries. Collect a variety of berries, focusing on Mejoberries, which are often the most effective.
3. Approach Carefully: Sneak up on the dinosaur. If the creature notices you, back away slowly until it calms down.
4. Feed the Dinosaur: Once you are close enough, open your inventory and select the berries. Approach the dinosaur and feed them to it.
5. Repeat: Continue to feed it the appropriate food until its taming bar is full.

Aggressive Taming

Aggressive taming, also known as “knocking out,” is required for carnivores and some more aggressive herbivores. This method involves incapacitating the dinosaur before taming it. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prepare the Right Weapons: For aggressive taming, you will need weapons like a Slingshot, Bow, or tranquilizer arrows. Make sure to craft enough ammo before approaching a dinosaur.
2. Choose Your Target: Select a dinosaur that you want to tame. Start with a smaller creature, such as the Parasaur or Triceratops, to build your confidence.
3. Locate the Dinosaur: Find your chosen dinosaur in the wild.
4. Knock It Out: Use your weapon to deal non-lethal damage. Aim for the head to maximize the torpor (the measure of unconsciousness). Be careful not to kill it!
5. Monitor Torpor Levels: Keep an eye on the dinosaur’s torpor levels. Once it’s unconscious, quickly move to the next step.
6. Feed the Dinosaur: Open its inventory and place the appropriate food inside. Carnivores typically prefer Raw Meat, while herbivores will want Berries.
7. Protect Your Tame: Stay near the unconscious dinosaur to defend it from predators. It’s also wise to place a Campfire nearby for cooking meat if needed.

The Importance of Taming Effectiveness

Taming effectiveness is a crucial aspect of the taming process that determines how strong your dinosaur will be once fully tamed. Several factors influence this:

1. Quality of Food: Higher quality food (like Kibble) results in better taming effectiveness. Kibble requires specific ingredients and a cooking pot, making it a more advanced option.
2. Time Taken: The longer a dinosaur remains unconscious, the lower the taming effectiveness. Keep a close watch on its torpor levels and feed it promptly.
3. Environmental Factors: The presence of predators or environmental hazards can affect the taming process. It’s advisable to tame in a safe area, away from threats.

Training Your Tamed Dinosaur

Once you’ve successfully tamed your first dinosaur, it’s time to train and utilize it to enhance your survival experience. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your new companion:

Commands and Behavior

1. Access the Wheel: Open the command wheel by holding the appropriate key on your platform (e.g., the triangle button on PlayStation). This allows you to give commands to your dinosaur.
2. Set Behavior: You can adjust the dinosaur’s behavior, such as setting it to passive, neutral, aggressive, or to follow you. Understanding these settings will help in various scenarios, such as protecting your base or accompanying you during exploration.
3. Leveling Up: Tamed dinosaurs gain experience through combat, gathering, and other activities. As they level up, you can allocate points to different stats like health, stamina, and damage output, customizing your dinosaur for your play style.

Riding Your Dinosaur

1. Craft a Saddle: Before you can ride your dinosaur, you’ll need to craft a saddle specific to the species. Each dinosaur has a unique saddle that requires various resources to craft.
2. Equip the Saddle: Once crafted, access the dinosaur’s inventory, and place the saddle inside. You can then ride your dinosaur by approaching it and selecting the appropriate command.
3. Utilize Skills: Different dinosaurs possess unique abilities. For example, some can gather resources efficiently, while others excel in combat. Experiment with your dinosaur’s abilities to optimize your gameplay.

Conclusion

Taming and training your first dinosaur in ARK: Survival Evolved can be a rewarding experience, providing you with a powerful ally for your adventures. Understanding the basics of taming, utilizing the right strategies, and training your dinosaur effectively will significantly enhance your gameplay. As you continue to explore the vast landscapes of ARK, your tamed dinosaur will become an invaluable asset, making survival more manageable and enjoyable. Embrace the challenges ahead and enjoy the thrill of creating your own prehistoric companion!