How do I tame a creature that requires cooked meat jerky in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Taming a creature that requires cooked meat jerky in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a specific process that requires preparation, patience, and attention to detail. Cooked meat jerky is a preferred taming food for certain creatures, such as the Megalosaurus, and it is also used in some kibble recipes. To successfully tame a creature with cooked meat jerky, you need to understand the mechanics, gather the necessary resources, and follow a step-by-step strategy.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of taming with cooked meat jerky. Cooked meat jerky is made by combining cooked meat, oil, and sparkpowder in a preserving bin or industrial cooker. The preserving bin requires sparkpowder to act as a preservative, and the jerky takes approximately 30 minutes to craft. Once you have the jerky, you can use it to tame creatures that prefer it as their taming food. The jerky is particularly useful because it has a long spoilage timer, making it a reliable food source for taming.

To begin the taming process, you need to prepare the necessary resources. Start by gathering raw meat, which can be obtained by hunting dinosaurs like Dodos, Parasaur, or other small to medium-sized creatures. You will also need oil, which can be harvested from oil nodes in the ocean, from Trilobites, or by using an Ankylosaurus on oil rocks. Sparkpowder is crafted by combining flint and stone in a mortar and pestle or fabricator. Once you have these resources, place the cooked meat, oil, and sparkpowder in a preserving bin to start crafting the jerky.

While the jerky is being prepared, you can focus on the creature you want to tame. For example, if you are taming a Megalosaurus, you will need to knock it out using tranquilizer arrows or darts. The Megalosaurus is a nocturnal creature, so it is best to tame it at night when it is active. Use a longneck rifle with tranquilizer darts or a crossbow with tranq arrows to knock it out. Aim for the head to maximize torpor gain, but be careful not to kill the creature. Once it is unconscious, place the cooked meat jerky in its inventory and monitor its torpor and hunger levels.

One important tip is to have narcotics or biotoxin on hand to keep the creature unconscious. The Megalosaurus, like many other creatures, will lose torpor over time, and you may need to administer narcotics to prevent it from waking up prematurely. Additionally, building a taming pen can help secure the creature and protect it from other predators. Use stone or metal structures to create a pen that the creature cannot escape from, and place a roof to prevent flying predators from attacking.

A common mistake to avoid is not having enough cooked meat jerky for the taming process. Some creatures require a significant amount of jerky, so it is essential to prepare more than you think you will need. Another mistake is not monitoring the creatureÔÇÖs torpor and hunger levels closely. If the creature wakes up before the taming process is complete, you will need to knock it out again, which can be time-consuming and risky.

Advanced techniques for optimizing the taming process include using kibble instead of cooked meat jerky. Kibble is a more efficient taming food and can significantly reduce the taming time. For example, Megalosaurus kibble is made from Megalosaurus eggs, citronal, cooked meat jerky, fiber, and water. If you have access to kibble, it is highly recommended to use it for faster and more effective taming.

Resource requirements for taming with cooked meat jerky include raw meat, oil, sparkpowder, and narcotics. You will also need weapons like a crossbow or longneck rifle for knocking out the creature. If you are playing in a tribe, you can divide the tasks among members to speed up the preparation process. For example, one player can gather meat, another can collect oil, and a third can craft sparkpowder and narcotics. Solo players will need to manage all these tasks themselves, so it is important to plan ahead and gather resources efficiently.

In conclusion, taming a creature with cooked meat jerky in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful preparation and execution. By understanding the mechanics, gathering the necessary resources, and following a step-by-step strategy, you can successfully tame creatures like the Megalosaurus. Remember to monitor the creatureÔÇÖs torpor and hunger levels, use narcotics to keep it unconscious, and consider using kibble for faster taming. With these tips and techniques, you can build a powerful team of tamed creatures to enhance your survival and progress in the game.