How do I calculate the exact amount of narcotics needed for taming in ARK: Survival Evolved?
To calculate the exact amount of narcotics needed for taming in ARK: Survival Evolved, you need to understand the mechanics of torpor, the creature's torpor decay rate, and how narcotics or narcoberries are used to maintain the creature's unconscious state. 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 falls unconscious. However, torpor decreases over time, and if it drops too low, the creature will wake up, interrupting the taming process. Narcotics and narcoberries are used to replenish torpor, keeping the creature unconscious until the taming is complete.
First, you need to know the creature's maximum torpor. This can be found using a taming calculator or by looking up the creature's stats on the ARK wiki. Once you know the maximum torpor, you can estimate how much torpor the creature will lose over the taming duration. Torpor decay varies by species, but most creatures lose torpor at a steady rate. For example, a Rex loses torpor at a rate of about 1.5 points per second, while smaller creatures like a Dodo lose torpor much slower.
Next, calculate the total torpor loss over the taming period. Multiply the torpor decay rate by the total taming time in seconds. For example, if a Rex takes 2 hours to tame (7200 seconds) and loses 1.5 torpor per second, it will lose 10,800 torpor over the taming period. Since narcotics restore 40 torpor each, you would need 270 narcotics to cover the torpor loss (10,800 divided by 40). Narcoberries restore 7.5 torpor each, so you would need 1,440 narcoberries for the same effect. However, narcotics are more efficient and take up less inventory space, making them the preferred choice for most players.
Preparation is key. Before attempting to tame a creature, gather the necessary resources. For narcotics, you need spoiled meat and narcoberries. Spoiled meat is obtained by letting raw meat spoil in your inventory, while narcoberries can be harvested from bushes. Crafting narcotics requires a mortar and pestle or a chemistry bench. If you are taming a high-level creature, you may need hundreds of narcotics, so plan accordingly. It is also a good idea to bring extra narcotics in case the taming process takes longer than expected.
When taming, monitor the creature's torpor level closely. Use the radial menu to force-feed narcotics or narcoberries to the creature. Force-feeding is done by accessing the creature's inventory and selecting the narcotic or narcoberry, then choosing the "use" option. Be careful not to overfeed, as this can waste resources. Instead, wait until the torpor drops to about 50% of its maximum before replenishing it. This ensures you are not using more narcotics than necessary.
Common mistakes include underestimating the amount of narcotics needed, not monitoring torpor levels, and failing to protect the unconscious creature from predators. Always build a taming pen or use natural barriers to keep the creature safe. Bring weapons and armor to defend against hostile creatures that may attack during the taming process. Additionally, avoid using low-quality weapons or tools, as they may accidentally kill the creature instead of knocking it out.
Advanced techniques include using a taming calculator to determine the exact amount of narcotics needed for a specific creature and level. These calculators take into account the creature's level, taming effectiveness, and preferred food, providing a more accurate estimate. You can also use kibble to speed up the taming process, reducing the amount of narcotics needed. Kibble is made from eggs and other ingredients and is the most effective taming food for many creatures.
For solo players, taming high-level creatures can be challenging due to the large amount of resources required. Consider teaming up with a tribe to share the workload. Tribe members can help gather resources, protect the unconscious creature, and monitor torpor levels. If you are playing solo, prioritize taming creatures that are easier to manage, such as herbivores or smaller carnivores, before attempting to tame larger, more resource-intensive creatures.
In summary, calculating the exact amount of narcotics needed for taming involves understanding torpor mechanics, estimating torpor loss, and preparing the necessary resources. Use taming calculators for accuracy, monitor torpor levels closely, and protect the creature from predators. With proper preparation and strategy, you can successfully tame even the most challenging creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved.
First, you need to know the creature's maximum torpor. This can be found using a taming calculator or by looking up the creature's stats on the ARK wiki. Once you know the maximum torpor, you can estimate how much torpor the creature will lose over the taming duration. Torpor decay varies by species, but most creatures lose torpor at a steady rate. For example, a Rex loses torpor at a rate of about 1.5 points per second, while smaller creatures like a Dodo lose torpor much slower.
Next, calculate the total torpor loss over the taming period. Multiply the torpor decay rate by the total taming time in seconds. For example, if a Rex takes 2 hours to tame (7200 seconds) and loses 1.5 torpor per second, it will lose 10,800 torpor over the taming period. Since narcotics restore 40 torpor each, you would need 270 narcotics to cover the torpor loss (10,800 divided by 40). Narcoberries restore 7.5 torpor each, so you would need 1,440 narcoberries for the same effect. However, narcotics are more efficient and take up less inventory space, making them the preferred choice for most players.
Preparation is key. Before attempting to tame a creature, gather the necessary resources. For narcotics, you need spoiled meat and narcoberries. Spoiled meat is obtained by letting raw meat spoil in your inventory, while narcoberries can be harvested from bushes. Crafting narcotics requires a mortar and pestle or a chemistry bench. If you are taming a high-level creature, you may need hundreds of narcotics, so plan accordingly. It is also a good idea to bring extra narcotics in case the taming process takes longer than expected.
When taming, monitor the creature's torpor level closely. Use the radial menu to force-feed narcotics or narcoberries to the creature. Force-feeding is done by accessing the creature's inventory and selecting the narcotic or narcoberry, then choosing the "use" option. Be careful not to overfeed, as this can waste resources. Instead, wait until the torpor drops to about 50% of its maximum before replenishing it. This ensures you are not using more narcotics than necessary.
Common mistakes include underestimating the amount of narcotics needed, not monitoring torpor levels, and failing to protect the unconscious creature from predators. Always build a taming pen or use natural barriers to keep the creature safe. Bring weapons and armor to defend against hostile creatures that may attack during the taming process. Additionally, avoid using low-quality weapons or tools, as they may accidentally kill the creature instead of knocking it out.
Advanced techniques include using a taming calculator to determine the exact amount of narcotics needed for a specific creature and level. These calculators take into account the creature's level, taming effectiveness, and preferred food, providing a more accurate estimate. You can also use kibble to speed up the taming process, reducing the amount of narcotics needed. Kibble is made from eggs and other ingredients and is the most effective taming food for many creatures.
For solo players, taming high-level creatures can be challenging due to the large amount of resources required. Consider teaming up with a tribe to share the workload. Tribe members can help gather resources, protect the unconscious creature, and monitor torpor levels. If you are playing solo, prioritize taming creatures that are easier to manage, such as herbivores or smaller carnivores, before attempting to tame larger, more resource-intensive creatures.
In summary, calculating the exact amount of narcotics needed for taming involves understanding torpor mechanics, estimating torpor loss, and preparing the necessary resources. Use taming calculators for accuracy, monitor torpor levels closely, and protect the creature from predators. With proper preparation and strategy, you can successfully tame even the most challenging creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved.