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

Taming a creature that requires raw meat in ARK: Survival Evolved involves a combination of preparation, strategy, and patience. The process typically revolves around knockout taming, where you render the creature unconscious and then feed it raw meat to gain its trust. Below is a detailed guide to help you successfully tame such creatures.

First, you need to prepare the necessary tools and resources. For knockout taming, you will need weapons to incapacitate the creature, such as a slingshot, bow with tranq arrows, or a crossbow with tranquilizer darts. Tranq arrows and darts are more effective and cause less damage to the creature, making them ideal for taming. You will also need narcotics or narcoberries to keep the creature unconscious during the taming process. Narcotics are more efficient as they provide a higher torpor boost and last longer. Additionally, gather a significant amount of raw meat, as carnivorous creatures require a lot of it to tame. Having a preserving bin or refrigerator to store the meat can help keep it fresh, as spoiled meat is less effective.

Once you have your tools and resources ready, locate the creature you wish to tame. Approach it carefully, as many carnivorous dinosaurs are aggressive and will attack if provoked. If the creature is aggressive, you may need to lure it into a taming pen. A taming pen is a secure structure made of stone or metal that prevents the creature from escaping or being attacked by other predators. Building a taming pen near the creature's spawn area can make the process safer and more efficient.

Next, begin the knockout process. Use your chosen weapon to shoot the creature with tranq arrows or darts. Aim for the head if possible, as this will increase the torpor gain. Be mindful of the creature's health, as excessive damage can kill it before it is knocked out. Monitor the creature's torpor level, which is displayed above its head. Once the torpor reaches a certain threshold, the creature will fall unconscious. At this point, quickly access its inventory and place raw meat inside. The creature will begin eating the meat, and its taming effectiveness will increase over time.

While the creature is unconscious, you must maintain its torpor level by feeding it narcotics or narcoberries. This prevents it from waking up before the taming process is complete. Keep an eye on the creature's hunger and torpor levels, as these will determine how quickly it tames and how often you need to administer narcotics. The taming effectiveness, which affects the creature's stats after taming, will decrease if it takes damage or if it wakes up prematurely. To maximize taming effectiveness, avoid letting the creature take any damage and ensure it remains unconscious throughout the process.

There are several advanced techniques and optimizations you can use to improve your taming efficiency. Using kibble, which is made from specific dinosaur eggs and other ingredients, can significantly speed up the taming process and increase taming effectiveness. However, kibble requires more preparation and resources. Another optimization is to use a taming calculator, which helps you determine the exact amount of food and time required for each creature. This can save you time and resources by ensuring you have enough supplies before starting the taming process.

When taming as part of a tribe, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person responsible for knocking out the creature, another for feeding it, and another for gathering resources. This division of labor can make the process faster and more efficient. For solo players, preparation is even more critical. Ensure you have all necessary resources and tools before attempting to tame a creature, as you will not have the support of tribe members to assist you.

Common mistakes to avoid include using the wrong type of food, such as cooked meat instead of raw meat, which will not work for taming carnivorous creatures. Another mistake is not monitoring the creature's torpor level, which can lead to it waking up prematurely and ruining the taming process. Additionally, failing to secure the area around the unconscious creature can result in it being attacked by other predators, which can kill it or lower its taming effectiveness.

In summary, taming a creature that requires raw meat in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful preparation, strategic use of tools, and constant monitoring of the creature's torpor and hunger levels. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully tame powerful carnivorous dinosaurs to aid in your survival and exploration. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, mastering the taming mechanics will greatly enhance your gameplay experience.