What is the best way to tame a creature that requires a specific type of food in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Taming a creature in ARK: Survival Evolved that requires specific food involves understanding the mechanics of the taming process, preparing the right resources, and executing a strategy tailored to the creature's behavior. The process can vary depending on whether the creature is tamed passively or through knockout methods. Below is a detailed guide to help you successfully tame such creatures.

First, you need to identify the creature's preferred food. For example, a Carnotaurus prefers raw meat or prime meat, while a Therizinosaurus prefers rare flowers, vegetables, or kibble. Some creatures, like the Quetzal, require kibble made from specific eggs. Kibble is often the most efficient taming food, as it speeds up the process and increases taming effectiveness. To prepare kibble, you need to gather eggs from specific dinosaurs, combine them with other ingredients like fiber and cooked meat, and cook them in a cooking pot or industrial cooker. Always check the creature's taming requirements using a taming calculator or the game's wiki to ensure you have the correct food.

For knockout taming, you will need to render the creature unconscious. This is done using weapons like slingshots, bows with tranq arrows, or tranquilizer darts from a longneck rifle. Each creature has a torpor stat, which determines how much damage it can take before being knocked out. Be careful not to kill the creature, as excessive damage can reduce its health to zero. Once the creature is unconscious, place the preferred food in its inventory. The creature will eat the food over time, gradually increasing its taming progress. Keep an eye on its torpor level and administer narcotics or narcoberries to keep it unconscious. Narcotics are crafted from spoiled meat and narcoberries in a mortar and pestle or chemistry bench.

Passive taming, on the other hand, requires you to approach the creature without startling it and feed it the preferred food directly. This method is often used for creatures like the Diplodocus or the Otter. Move slowly and avoid sudden movements. Some creatures may require you to crouch or stay out of their line of sight. Once you feed the creature, wait for its hunger to reset before feeding it again. This process can take time, so patience is key.

Preparation is crucial for successful taming. Gather all necessary resources beforehand, including food, narcotics, and weapons. Build a taming pen to trap the creature, especially for larger or more dangerous dinosaurs. A taming pen can be constructed using stone or metal foundations, walls, and gates. This prevents the creature from escaping or being attacked by other predators. For flying creatures like the Argentavis or Quetzal, you may need to use a trap with a large gate or a platform saddle to immobilize them.

When taming, always monitor the creature's health and torpor. Use a spyglass to check its stats from a safe distance. If the creature is taking too much damage, consider using a higher-tier weapon like a crossbow or longneck rifle to minimize health loss. For creatures with high torpor, such as the Giganotosaurus, prepare a large supply of narcotics or biotoxin to keep them unconscious. Biotoxin is more effective than narcotics and can be harvested from Cnidaria in the ocean.

Common mistakes to avoid include using the wrong food, over-damaging the creature, or failing to secure the area. Always double-check the creature's preferred food and ensure you have enough supplies. Avoid using low-tier weapons like slingshots for large creatures, as they can cause unnecessary damage. Secure the area by clearing out nearby predators and building a taming pen to prevent interruptions.

Advanced techniques include using taming efficiency multipliers, such as taming during events or using kibble. Events often provide bonuses to taming speed and effectiveness, making it easier to tame high-level creatures. Kibble is the most efficient food for taming, as it provides the highest taming effectiveness and reduces the time required. Additionally, using a taming calculator can help you determine the exact amount of food and narcotics needed for each creature.

Resource requirements vary depending on the creature. For example, taming a high-level Rex may require 50+ raw prime meat or kibble, along with hundreds of narcotics. Always gather extra resources to account for unexpected delays or mistakes. For solo players, consider taming smaller or easier creatures first to build up your resources and experience. Tribe members can work together to gather resources, build traps, and protect the taming area.

Specific examples include taming a Quetzal, which requires a platform saddle trap or a grappling hook to immobilize it. Use kibble made from Rex eggs for the best results. Another example is taming a Therizinosaurus, which can be dangerous due to its high damage output. Use a taming pen and tranq arrows to knock it out, then feed it rare flowers or kibble.

In conclusion, taming a creature that requires specific food in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful preparation, understanding the creature's behavior, and executing a well-planned strategy. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully tame even the most challenging creatures and enhance your survival and progression in the game.