Welcome to the exciting and often perilous world of ARK: Survival Evolved! As a new player, you may feel overwhelmed by the vast landscapes, dangerous creatures, and the myriad of systems that the game has to offer. This guide is designed to help you navigate the early stages of your ARK adventure, providing essential tips and strategies to ensure your survival and success. From understanding the basics of the game to essential crafting techniques and survival strategies, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to thrive in this prehistoric world.
Getting Started
When you first launch ARK: Survival Evolved, you will be greeted with various options for gameplay. Here are some crucial steps to help you get started:
Creating Your Character
1. Character Customization: You will have the opportunity to create and customize your character. You can adjust various aspects such as gender, skin color, and facial features. Take your time to create a character that you will enjoy playing as.
2. Choosing a Server: Decide whether you want to play on a single-player server, a non-dedicated server with friends, or an official multiplayer server. Each option has its pros and cons, so choose one that suits your play style.
Understanding the Basics
Once you enter the game, you’ll find yourself on a beach, surrounded by a stunning landscape and the sounds of dinosaurs. Here are some key concepts to understand as you begin your journey:
- Survival: Your primary goal is to survive. You need to manage your health, hunger, thirst, and stamina effectively.
- Resources: Collect resources like wood, stone, fiber, and thatch to craft tools and build shelter.
- Crafting: The crafting system allows you to create weapons, tools, and structures. Familiarize yourself with the crafting menu to understand what you can make.
Essential Survival Tips
Surviving in ARK requires quick thinking and resource management. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:
Gathering Resources
- Collecting Basics: Start by punching trees to gather wood and thatch, and hitting rocks for stone. You can also collect fiber from bushes.
- Using Tools: As soon as possible, craft a stone pick and hatchet, which will allow you to gather resources more efficiently.
Building a Shelter
1. Finding a Safe Location: Look for a flat area near water, ideally away from aggressive creatures. Avoid building too close to spawn points, as they tend to be more dangerous.
2. Building Materials: Begin with thatch structures, as they are easy to craft. Upgrade to wood or stone as you gather more resources.
3. Essential Components: Ensure your shelter has the following:
- A door for entry and exit
- A campfire to cook food and provide warmth
- A bed to respawn after dying
Managing Your Health
Your health can be affected by various factors, including hunger, thirst, and injury. Here are some strategies to manage your health effectively:
- Eating: Gather berries and hunt small creatures for meat to satisfy your hunger. Cooked meat restores more health than raw meat.
- Drinking Water: Drink from rivers or lakes to maintain hydration. Be cautious of drinking from contaminated sources, as they can lead to illness.
- Avoiding Injuries: Stay away from dangerous creatures, and avoid falls to prevent damage to your health.
Understanding the ARK Ecosystem
In ARK, you will encounter a wide variety of creatures, each with unique behaviors and attributes. Understanding the ecosystem is crucial for your survival.
Herbivores vs. Carnivores
- Herbivores: Generally easier to deal with, these creatures can be tamed for resources like berries and transportation. Examples include the Triceratops and Stegosaurus.
- Carnivores: These predators can pose a significant threat. While they can be tamed for protection and combat, you should approach them with caution. Examples include Raptors and Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Taming Creatures
Taming creatures can provide significant advantages, including transportation and resource gathering. Here’s how to tame creatures:
1. Knockout Taming: For many creatures, you’ll need to knock them out using tranquilizer arrows or items like a slingshot.
2. Feeding: Once knocked out, feed the creature its preferred food. Different species have different favorite foods.
3. Patience: Taming takes time, so stay nearby to protect the creature from predators.
Crafting and Progression
Crafting is a vital aspect of ARK. Understanding how to progress through the crafting system will significantly enhance your gameplay experience.
Crafting Menu and Engram Points
- Engram Points: As you level up, you earn engram points, which can be spent to unlock new crafting recipes (engrams).
- Crafting Menu: Familiarize yourself with the crafting menu to see what you can create. Start with basic tools and gradually work your way up to advanced structures and weapons.
Key Crafting Items
- Weapons: Craft bows and arrows for ranged combat. Swords and clubs are useful for close encounters.
- Armor: Wearing armor helps protect against damage. Start with cloth armor and progress to hide or metal armor as you gather resources.
- Storage: Build storage boxes to keep your gathered resources organized and safe from other players or wildlife.
Exploring and Advancing
As you become more comfortable with the basics of survival, it’s time to explore the world and advance your skills.
Exploration Tips
1. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: Always be vigilant of potential threats, including hostile creatures and players.
2. Map Usage: Familiarize yourself with the map. Knowing key locations can help you plan your resource gathering and exploration.
3. Join a Tribe: Consider joining a tribe to collaborate with other players. Working together can significantly enhance your survival chances.
Endgame Goals
As you progress, set long-term goals for your ARK adventure:
- Building a Base: Create a fortified base with advanced defenses.
- Taming Legendary Creatures: Aim to tame some of the most powerful creatures in the game.
- Boss Battles: Prepare to face off against bosses, which require teamwork and strategy.
Conclusion
ARK: Survival Evolved is a game filled with challenges and wonders. By following this beginners' guide, you will have a solid foundation to start your journey. Remember, survival is not just about gathering resources but also about adapting to the ever-changing environment and honing your skills. Embrace the thrill of exploration and the joy of discovery, and you will find yourself immersed in the breathtaking world of ARK. Happy surviving!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best starting location for beginners in Ark?
The best starting locations for beginners in Ark are the South Zone 1 or 2. These areas have easier access to resources and fewer aggressive creatures.
How do I gather resources efficiently in Ark?
To gather resources efficiently, use your pickaxe for stone and metal, your hatchet for wood and thatch, and focus on harvesting bushes for berries. Always keep your inventory organized.
What should I prioritize building first in Ark?
As a beginner, you should prioritize building a thatch shelter for protection, a campfire for cooking food, and a storage box to keep your resources organized.
How can I tame my first dinosaur in Ark?
Start by taming a Dodo or a Lystrosaurus. Use berries to feed them and ensure you knock them out with a slingshot or a club. Keep an eye on their torpor level to avoid them waking up.
What are the essential survival tips for beginners in Ark?
Stay hydrated and fed, build a shelter before nightfall, avoid aggressive creatures, and always keep a stock of basic tools and weapons for protection.
How do I level up quickly in Ark?
You can level up quickly by gathering resources, crafting items, and killing creatures. Focus on completing tasks that give you experience points, like building structures and taming dinosaurs.
What are the best beginner-friendly dinosaurs to tame?
The best beginner-friendly dinosaurs to tame include the Dodo, Lystrosaurus, and Parasaur, as they are easier to find, require less effort to tame, and provide useful benefits.
