How do I prepare enough narcotics for taming a Rex in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Taming a Rex in ARK: Survival Evolved is a significant milestone, as it is one of the most powerful creatures in the game. Preparing enough narcotics for the taming process is crucial, as the Rex has a high torpor level and will require a steady supply of narcotics or narcoberries to keep it unconscious during the taming process. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to prepare and manage narcotics for taming a Rex.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of narcotics and torpor. Torpor is a stat that increases when a creature is hit with tranquilizers, such as tranq arrows or darts. Once the torpor reaches a certain threshold, the creature will fall unconscious. However, torpor decreases over time, and if it drops too low, the creature will wake up. Narcotics are used to keep the torpor high, ensuring the creature stays unconscious until the taming process is complete. Narcotics are crafted using narcoberries and spoiled meat in a mortar and pestle or chemistry bench. Each narcotic increases the torpor of the creature by 40 over 8 seconds, making them essential for long taming processes like taming a Rex.

To prepare enough narcotics, youÔÇÖll need to gather a large amount of narcoberries and spoiled meat. Narcoberries can be harvested from bushes using a dinosaur like a Trike, Bronto, or Therizinosaurus, which are efficient at gathering berries. Spoiled meat is obtained by letting raw meat spoil in your inventory or storage. One raw meat spoils into one spoiled meat after 10 minutes. To speed up the process, split stacks of raw meat into single pieces, as each piece will spoil individually. Once you have enough narcoberries and spoiled meat, craft narcotics in a mortar and pestle or chemistry bench. A chemistry bench is more efficient, as it produces narcotics faster and uses fewer resources.

For a Rex, youÔÇÖll need a significant amount of narcotics. A high-level Rex can require over 100 narcotics to keep it unconscious throughout the taming process. ItÔÇÖs better to overprepare, so aim for at least 150-200 narcotics to account for any mistakes or delays. Additionally, youÔÇÖll need to prepare the taming food. Rexes prefer raw prime meat or kibble for taming. Raw prime meat can be obtained by killing large creatures like Brontos, Stegos, or other Rexes. Kibble, specifically Rex Kibble, is made from Rex eggs, which can be obtained from tamed female Rexes. Kibble is the most efficient taming food, as it speeds up the taming process and requires fewer resources overall.

When taming a Rex, itÔÇÖs important to have a secure taming pen. A taming pen prevents the Rex from escaping or being attacked by other predators. Build a pen using stone or metal structures, as Rexes can easily destroy wood. The pen should have a large gate or ramp to lure the Rex inside. Once the Rex is inside, close the gate and begin the taming process. Use a long-range weapon like a crossbow with tranq arrows or a longneck rifle with tranquilizer darts to knock out the Rex. Aim for the head to maximize torpor gain. Once the Rex is unconscious, place the taming food in its inventory and start feeding it narcotics to maintain its torpor.

One common mistake is not monitoring the RexÔÇÖs torpor closely. If the torpor drops too low, the Rex will wake up, and youÔÇÖll have to start the taming process over. To avoid this, keep an eye on the torpor bar and administer narcotics as needed. Another mistake is not having enough taming food. If the Rex runs out of food, it will stop taming, and its taming effectiveness will decrease. Always bring extra food to ensure the taming process goes smoothly.

Advanced techniques include using a taming calculator to determine the exact amount of narcotics and food needed for the RexÔÇÖs level. This helps you prepare more efficiently and avoid wasting resources. Additionally, using a taming pen with a trapdoor or a bear trap can make the taming process easier, as it immobilizes the Rex and prevents it from moving around.

If youÔÇÖre playing solo, taming a Rex can be challenging due to the amount of resources and time required. Consider teaming up with a tribe to share the workload. Tribe members can help gather resources, build the taming pen, and monitor the RexÔÇÖs torpor during the taming process. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, prioritize gathering resources and building a secure taming pen before attempting to tame a Rex.

In summary, preparing enough narcotics for taming a Rex involves gathering narcoberries and spoiled meat, crafting narcotics, and preparing taming food like raw prime meat or kibble. Build a secure taming pen, monitor the RexÔÇÖs torpor closely, and avoid common mistakes like running out of food or letting the Rex wake up. Use advanced techniques like taming calculators and traps to optimize the process. Whether playing solo or with a tribe, proper preparation and resource management are key to successfully taming a Rex in ARK: Survival Evolved.