What is the best way to tame a high-level Kaprosuchus in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Taming a high-level Kaprosuchus in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and execution due to its aggressive nature and unique abilities. The Kaprosuchus is a fast, amphibious predator that can leap great distances and grab smaller creatures or players, making it a challenging but rewarding tame. Below is a detailed guide on how to successfully tame a high-level Kaprosuchus, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.

The first step in taming a Kaprosuchus is preparation. You will need the right tools and resources to safely knock it out and keep it unconscious during the taming process. For knockout taming, you will need a ranged weapon like a crossbow or longneck rifle, along with tranq arrows or tranquilizer darts. Tranq darts are more effective and cause less damage, making them ideal for high-level creatures. You will also need narcotics or biotoxin to maintain the Kaprosuchus's torpor, as well as its preferred food. Kaprosuchus prefers raw prime meat, raw mutton, or kibble made from Sarco eggs for faster taming. Gather these resources in advance to ensure a smooth process.

Once you are prepared, locate a Kaprosuchus in its natural habitat, which is typically swamps or rivers. These areas are dangerous, so bring armor, weapons, and a mount like a Carnotaurus or Raptor for protection. When you find a high-level Kaprosuchus, approach cautiously. Kaprosuchus is highly aggressive and will attack if it sees you. Use your mount to lure it into a taming pen, which can be built using stone or metal structures. A taming pen prevents the Kaprosuchus from escaping or being attacked by other predators. Make sure the pen has a large gate for easy entry and exit.

After luring the Kaprosuchus into the pen, close the gate and begin the knockout process. Use your ranged weapon to shoot tranq arrows or darts at its head for maximum effectiveness. Be careful not to kill it, as high-level Kaprosuchus have relatively low health. Monitor its torpor level and health using the creature info panel. If its torpor starts to drop, administer narcotics or biotoxin to keep it unconscious. Once the Kaprosuchus is knocked out, place the preferred food in its inventory. Raw mutton or kibble will tame it faster, but raw prime meat is a good alternative if those are unavailable.

During the taming process, stay vigilant. Swamps are filled with dangerous creatures like Titanoboas and Sarcosuchus, which can disrupt the tame. Clear the area of threats before starting, and keep an eye out for new predators. If you are playing solo, consider bringing a taming buddy or using a taming calculator to estimate the time and resources required. Tribes can divide tasks, with one player guarding the area while another monitors the Kaprosuchus's torpor and hunger.

Common mistakes to avoid include using low-quality food, which slows down the taming process, and failing to secure the area, which can lead to the Kaprosuchus being killed by other creatures. Another mistake is overestimating the Kaprosuchus's health and accidentally killing it with too many tranq shots. Always aim for the head and space out your shots to avoid excessive damage.

Advanced techniques include using a taming pen with a roof to prevent the Kaprosuchus from leaping out. You can also use a trap made of large bear traps to immobilize it temporarily, giving you time to build a pen or shoot tranq arrows. For resource optimization, craft kibble in advance using Sarco eggs, which significantly reduces taming time. If you are in a tribe, assign roles to streamline the process, such as one player gathering resources while another builds the pen.

In summary, taming a high-level Kaprosuchus requires preparation, patience, and careful execution. Gather the necessary tools and resources, build a secure taming pen, and use tranq arrows or darts to knock it out. Monitor its torpor and health, and feed it high-quality food like raw mutton or kibble. Clear the area of threats and avoid common mistakes like using low-quality food or over-damaging the creature. With these strategies, you can successfully tame a high-level Kaprosuchus and add a powerful amphibious predator to your team.