Taming prehistoric creatures is one of the most rewarding core mechanics in Ark: Survival Evolved and Ark: Survival Ascended. Whether you need a powerful war mount, a swift scout, or an efficient resource harvester, mastering the taming process is essential for long-term survival. Understanding the different taming methods and preparing the right equipment ensures a smooth experience out in the wild.
Preparing for the Knockout Tame
Knockout taming is the most common method used for aggressive and passive wild dinosaurs alike. Players must first render the creature unconscious using weapons like slingshots, tranquilizer arrows, or shocking tranquilizer darts. It is crucial to monitor the creature's torpor bar to ensure it falls asleep before taking fatal damage.
Before attempting to knock out a targeted dinosaur, building a simple taming trap is highly recommended. Traps prevent creatures from fleeing into dangerous territories or attacking you while you reload. Using wooden or stone doorframes allows you to safely shoot the target from a secure distance.
Managing Food and Taming Effectiveness
Once the dinosaur is unconscious, players must place appropriate food inside its inventory to begin the taming bar progression. Carnivores generally prefer kibble, raw mutton, or prime meat, while herbivores prefer specific berries or crops. Providing preferred foods accelerates the process and preserves high taming effectiveness.
Maintaining high taming effectiveness rewards your creature with extra bonus levels upon successful tame completion. Avoiding damage to the unconscious creature and keeping its torpor level high with narcotics or narcoberries prevents it from waking up prematurely. Planning your resource supply beforehand avoids costly delays during the feeding phase.
Exploring Passive Taming Techniques
Certain species in Ark cannot be knocked out and require a passive taming approach instead. For these creatures, players must place preferred food in the last slot of their hotbar and approach quietly from behind. Wearing ghillie armor significantly reduces your visibility, making it easier to sneak up without triggering aggression.
Patience is key when passive taming, as feeding intervals can vary depending on the creature's level and species. Alerting or damaging the animal mid-process resets its progress and reduces its taming effectiveness. Maintaining a safe distance between feeding prompts ensures a successful encounter.
Utilizing Utility Creatures for Progression
Taming specific utility dinosaurs dramatically improves base building, defense, and resource gathering capabilities. Creatures like the Ankylo excel at harvesting metal, while the Doedicurus makes collecting stone effortless. As you build your collection of tamed beasts, progression across the island becomes significantly faster and safer.
Every tamed dinosaur offers unique stats, specialized abilities, and saddle requirements to master. Taking the time to tame high-level wild creatures pays off in superior health, stamina, and weight capacities. Building a diverse army of tamed companions remains the ultimate key to conquering the harsh environments of Ark.
