How do I tame a creature that requires a lot of narcotics to stay unconscious in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Taming a creature that requires a lot of narcotics to stay unconscious in ARK: Survival Evolved can be a challenging but rewarding process. The key to success lies in understanding the mechanics of torpor, the creature's hunger, and the resources needed to keep it unconscious while feeding it the right food. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you tame such creatures effectively.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics. Torpor is the stat that determines how unconscious a creature is. When you knock out a dinosaur, its torpor will slowly decrease over time. If the torpor drops too low, the creature will wake up, and youÔÇÖll have to start the taming process over. To prevent this, you need to use narcotics or narcoberries to keep the torpor high. Some creatures, especially larger ones like the Rex or Spino, have high torpor decay rates, meaning they will wake up quickly unless you manage their torpor carefully.

To begin, youÔÇÖll need to prepare the necessary resources. This includes a good supply of narcotics or narcoberries, the creatureÔÇÖs preferred food, and tools to knock it out. For carnivores, this usually means raw meat or prime meat, while herbivores prefer berries or crops. Kibble, made from specific eggs and other ingredients, is the most effective taming food and will speed up the process significantly. YouÔÇÖll also need weapons like a crossbow with tranq arrows or a longneck rifle with tranquilizer darts to knock the creature out. Having a few hundred narcotics on hand is a good idea for larger creatures, as they can consume a lot during the taming process.

Once youÔÇÖre prepared, locate the creature you want to tame. ItÔÇÖs best to find one in a safe area where it wonÔÇÖt be attacked by other predators. If possible, lure it into a taming pen. A taming pen is a structure you build to trap the creature, making it easier to knock out and tame without it running away or being disturbed. Use stone or metal structures to ensure the creature canÔÇÖt break out.

Next, knock the creature out. Aim for the head to maximize torpor gain and minimize damage. Be careful not to kill it, as some creatures have low health relative to their torpor. Once the creature is unconscious, quickly access its inventory and place the preferred food inside. Then, start feeding it narcotics or narcoberries to keep its torpor high. Monitor the torpor level closely, as it will decay over time. If the torpor drops too low, the creature will wake up, and youÔÇÖll have to start over.

One important tip is to avoid overfeeding narcotics. Each dose of narcotics or narcoberries adds torpor, but it also increases the creatureÔÇÖs torpor decay rate. This means the more you use, the faster the torpor will drop, requiring even more narcotics to maintain. To optimize this, wait until the torpor is about halfway down before adding more narcotics. This will help you conserve resources and make the taming process more efficient.

Another consideration is the creatureÔÇÖs hunger. Taming effectiveness is based on how much food the creature eats during the process. If the creature is not hungry, it wonÔÇÖt eat, and the taming progress will stall. To speed up the process, you can force-feed the creature stimberries, which will lower its food stat and make it hungry again. However, this also increases torpor decay, so use this technique carefully.

Common mistakes to avoid include not preparing enough resources, knocking out the creature in a dangerous area, and not monitoring torpor levels closely. Running out of narcotics mid-tame can be disastrous, especially for larger creatures. Always bring extra resources, and consider bringing a backup weapon in case your primary one breaks. Additionally, avoid taming near aggressive creatures or in areas with extreme weather conditions, as these can disrupt the process.

For advanced players, consider using a taming calculator to determine the exact amount of food and narcotics needed for the creature youÔÇÖre taming. This can help you plan your resources more efficiently. Additionally, using kibble instead of raw meat or berries will significantly reduce the taming time and increase the taming effectiveness, resulting in a stronger creature with better stats.

If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to gather resources and protect the taming area. One player can focus on knocking out the creature, while another monitors torpor and feeds it narcotics. This division of labor can make the process smoother and faster. Solo players should focus on preparation and efficiency, ensuring they have everything they need before starting the tame.

In summary, taming a creature that requires a lot of narcotics involves careful preparation, monitoring torpor and hunger levels, and using the right resources. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully tame even the most challenging creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, mastering these mechanics will help you build a powerful team of tamed creatures to enhance your survival and progress in the game.