How do I tame a creature that is hard to knock out without it escaping in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Taming a creature that is hard to knock out without it escaping in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. The key to success lies in understanding the mechanics of torpor, the creature's behavior, and the tools at your disposal. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you tame such creatures effectively.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics. Torpor is the stat that determines how close a creature is to being knocked out. When you hit a creature with a tranquilizer weapon like a slingshot, bow with tranq arrows, or a longneck rifle with tranquilizer darts, you increase its torpor. However, torpor decreases over time, so you need to keep applying torpor faster than it drains. Some creatures have high torpor resistance, meaning their torpor drains quickly, making them harder to knock out. Additionally, some creatures are fast or aggressive, making it difficult to keep them in one place while you work on taming them.

To start, you need to prepare the right tools and resources. For creatures that are hard to knock out, youÔÇÖll want to use the most effective tranquilizer weapons available. A longneck rifle with tranquilizer darts is ideal for high-level creatures because it deals significant torpor damage. YouÔÇÖll also need plenty of narcotics or biotoxin to keep the creature unconscious once itÔÇÖs knocked out. Narcotics are made from spoiled meat and narcoberries, while biotoxin is harvested from jellyfish or cnidaria. Additionally, gather the creatureÔÇÖs preferred food. For carnivores, this is usually 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 speeds up the process.

Next, consider building a taming pen. A taming pen is a structure designed to trap the creature so it canÔÇÖt escape while you knock it out. For large or fast creatures, a taming pen is essential. You can build one using stone or metal foundations, walls, and a gate. Place the pen in an area where the creature spawns, and lure it inside using a fast mount or by shooting it from a distance. Once the creature is inside, close the gate to trap it. This prevents it from running away or being attacked by other predators.

When youÔÇÖre ready to start taming, approach the creature carefully. Use your tranquilizer weapon to hit it from a safe distance. Aim for the head if possible, as headshots deal more torpor damage. Keep an eye on the creatureÔÇÖs torpor level and health. If its health drops too low, it will die, so avoid over-damaging it. Once the creature is knocked out, quickly place the preferred food in its inventory. Monitor its torpor level and add narcotics or biotoxin as needed to keep it unconscious. The taming process can take a long time, especially for high-level creatures, so be patient.

There are some important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, always carry extra supplies, including backup weapons, ammo, and food. Some creatures may take longer to knock out than expected, and running out of resources can ruin the taming attempt. Second, avoid taming in dangerous areas where other predators or players might interfere. Third, use taming calculators or guides to estimate the amount of food and time required for the creature youÔÇÖre taming. This helps you prepare adequately and avoid surprises.

Common mistakes to avoid include using the wrong type of weapon or food, not building a secure taming pen, and failing to monitor the creatureÔÇÖs torpor and health levels. Using a weak weapon like a slingshot on a high-level creature will take too long and may allow it to escape. Similarly, feeding the wrong food will slow down the taming process or fail altogether. Not building a taming pen can result in the creature running away or being killed by other predators. Finally, neglecting to monitor torpor and health can lead to the creature waking up or dying, wasting your efforts.

Advanced techniques and optimizations can further improve your taming success. For example, using a taming pen with a ramp allows you to lure the creature inside more easily. You can also use a flying mount to lead the creature into the pen from above. Another advanced technique is using a trap like a bola or chain bola to immobilize the creature temporarily, giving you more time to knock it out. Additionally, using kibble instead of raw meat or berries significantly speeds up the taming process and improves the creatureÔÇÖs taming effectiveness.

Resource requirements and preparation are crucial for a successful tame. Make sure you have enough tranquilizer ammo, narcotics, and food before starting. For high-level creatures, you may need hundreds of narcotics and dozens of pieces of food. ItÔÇÖs also a good idea to bring a fast mount for scouting and luring, as well as armor and weapons for protection. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to gather resources and build the taming pen together. Solo players should focus on efficiency and safety, as they wonÔÇÖt have backup if something goes wrong.

Specific examples and scenarios can help illustrate these strategies. For instance, taming a high-level Rex can be challenging due to its high health and torpor resistance. To tame a Rex, build a large stone or metal taming pen with a ramp. Lure the Rex into the pen using a fast mount like a Pteranodon or Argentavis. Once inside, close the gate and use a longneck rifle with tranquilizer darts to knock it out. Keep an eye on its torpor and health, and feed it raw meat or kibble once itÔÇÖs unconscious. Use narcotics to keep it knocked out until the taming process is complete.

In conclusion, taming a creature that is hard to knock out without it escaping in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful preparation, the right tools, and a solid strategy. By understanding the mechanics, building a secure taming pen, and using advanced techniques, you can successfully tame even the most challenging creatures. Always be prepared with extra resources, avoid common mistakes, and use taming calculators to estimate your needs. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, these tips will help you build a powerful team of tamed creatures to enhance your survival and progress in the game.