ARK: Survival Ascended is an action-packed survival game where you awaken on a mysterious island filled with prehistoric creatures and must gather resources, craft tools, build shelters, and tame dinosaurs to survive. For beginners, the game may seem overwhelming at first, but this guide will walk you through the basics to help you thrive in this adventurous world.
Survival in ARK starts small—gather, build, tame, and thrive, one step at a time.
Step 1: Choose Your Spawn Location
When starting the game, you’ll need to pick a spawn location. For beginners, it’s best to choose a relatively safe area, such as the southern regions of The Island map. These areas typically have fewer aggressive creatures, giving you time to learn the game’s mechanics.
Step 2: Gather Basic Resources
Your first goal is to collect basic resources to craft tools and shelter. Here’s what you should look for:
- Stone: Pick up small rocks from the ground.
- Wood and Thatch: Punch trees to gather these materials (you’ll take minor damage when doing this, so don’t overdo it).
- Fiber: Collect fiber from bushes by hand.
- Berries: Gather berries from bushes for food. Be cautious of Narcoberries and Stimberries; they have special effects and shouldn’t be consumed recklessly.
Step 3: Craft Essential Tools
Once you have enough resources, open your inventory (default key is I) and craft basic tools:
- Stone Pick: Useful for gathering thatch and flint.
- Stone Hatchet: Ideal for collecting wood and stone.
- Torch: Helps with visibility and warmth at night.
Step 4: Build a Shelter
Having a shelter protects you from the elements and dangerous creatures. Start with a simple thatch hut:
- Craft a Thatch Foundation, Walls, Doorframe, Door, and Roof.
- Place the foundation on flat ground.
- Snap the walls, doorframe, door, and roof into place.
Upgrade to wood or stone as you gather more resources for better durability.
Step 5: Manage Your Survival Needs
ARK has four key survival needs you must monitor:
- Health: Avoid taking too much damage from falls, creatures, or starvation.
- Hunger: Eat berries, meat (once you can cook it), or other food sources.
- Thirst: Stay hydrated by drinking from rivers, lakes, or crafted water skins.
- Stamina: Rest when running or performing strenuous activities.
Step 6: Level Up and Unlock Engrams
As you perform tasks like crafting and gathering, you’ll earn experience points (XP) and level up. Each level grants:
- Stat Points: Assign these to health, stamina, weight, or other attributes.
- Engram Points: Use these to unlock new crafting recipes (engrams). Prioritize essentials like weapons, armor, and storage boxes.
Step 7: Tame Your First Dinosaur
Taming dinosaurs is a key feature of ARK. Start with a simple herbivore like a Parasaur:
- Craft a Slingshot and gather Rocks.
- Knock out the dinosaur by hitting it with rocks.
- Once unconscious, place berries in its inventory to tame it.
- Protect the dinosaur while taming; it can take time.
Step 8: Explore and Expand
As you grow more confident, explore further from your base. Be prepared for:
- Dangerous Creatures: Learn which dinosaurs to avoid.
- Resources: Harvest rarer materials like metal and crystals.
- Caves and Artifacts: These lead to advanced challenges and rewards.
Quick Tips for Beginners
Join a Tribe: If you’re playing multiplayer, teaming up with others can make survival much easier.
Avoid Combat Early On: Aggressive creatures like raptors or carnivores can easily kill you. Run or hide if you encounter them.
Craft a Sleeping Bag: This acts as a one-time respawn point.
Store Items Safely: Use storage boxes to keep your valuables safe.
Conclusion
Surviving in ARK: Survival Ascended takes patience and practice. Start small, focus on gathering resources, and gradually expand your skills and territory. Before long, you’ll be taming massive creatures and building epic bases. Good luck, survivor!
Leave a Reply