What is the most efficient way to gather kibble for taming in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Gathering kibble for taming in ARK: Survival Evolved is one of the most efficient ways to tame creatures quickly and with high effectiveness. Kibble is a specialized food item that significantly reduces taming time and increases taming effectiveness compared to using raw meat, berries, or other standard foods. Each type of kibble is made from specific ingredients, primarily eggs, and is preferred by certain creatures. To gather kibble efficiently, you need to understand the mechanics of egg farming, resource gathering, and crafting.

The first step in gathering kibble is to establish an egg farm. Eggs are the primary ingredient for kibble, and they are laid by tamed creatures. Different creatures lay different types of eggs, and each type of egg is used to craft a specific type of kibble. For example, a Dodo Egg is used to make Basic Kibble, while a Rex Egg is used to make Extraordinary Kibble. To maximize egg production, you need to tame a variety of creatures that lay eggs. Some of the best egg-laying creatures include Dodos, Dilos, Raptors, Carnotaurus, and Rexes. To increase the chances of egg drops, you should have both male and female creatures of the same species in close proximity. This triggers the "mate boost" effect, which increases the likelihood of eggs being laid.

Once you have a steady supply of eggs, you need to gather the other ingredients required to craft kibble. These ingredients include Fiber, Mejoberries, Rockarrot, Longrass, Savoroot, Cooked Meat Jerky, and Water. Fiber can be gathered by hand or with a sickle from bushes. Mejoberries are harvested from bushes as well, while Rockarrot, Longrass, and Savoroot are crops that require farming. To farm these crops, you need to build crop plots, plant seeds, and irrigate them using water sources or irrigation pipes. Cooked Meat Jerky is made by placing cooked meat, Sparkpowder, and Oil in a Preserving Bin. Water can be collected from rivers, lakes, or rain using water containers or irrigation systems.

After gathering all the necessary ingredients, you can craft kibble in a Cooking Pot or Industrial Cooker. Place the required ingredients into the cooking device, along with Fuel such as Wood or Sparkpowder, and start the crafting process. Each type of kibble has a specific recipe, so make sure to follow the correct recipe for the kibble you want to craft. For example, Basic Kibble requires 1 Dodo Egg, 5 Mejoberries, 10 Fiber, 1 Rockarrot, 1 Cooked Meat Jerky, and 1 Water. Once crafted, the kibble can be used to tame creatures that prefer that specific type of kibble.

One important tip for efficient kibble gathering is to prioritize taming creatures that lay eggs frequently. Dodos and Dilos are excellent choices for early-game kibble production because they lay eggs relatively often and are easy to tame. As you progress, you can add more advanced creatures like Raptors, Carnotaurus, and Rexes to your egg farm. Another tip is to use Oviraptors to boost egg production. Tamed Oviraptors increase the egg-laying rate of nearby creatures when set to wander. However, make sure to encumber the Oviraptor with heavy items to prevent it from wandering too far.

A common mistake to avoid is neglecting to gather enough resources for kibble crafting. Kibble requires a variety of ingredients, and running out of any one ingredient can halt production. Make sure to stockpile resources like Fiber, Mejoberries, and crops to avoid interruptions. Another mistake is not protecting your egg farm. Predators or other players can destroy your tamed creatures or steal your eggs, so build a secure enclosure with walls and turrets to protect your farm.

Advanced techniques for optimizing kibble production include using Industrial Cookers and preserving kibble in Fridges or Tek Troughs. Industrial Cookers can craft kibble in large quantities and are more efficient than Cooking Pots. Fridges and Tek Troughs extend the spoil timer of kibble, allowing you to store it for longer periods without spoilage. Additionally, consider using a Kibble Farm mod if you are playing on a modded server, as it can simplify the kibble crafting process by automating egg collection and kibble production.

Resource requirements and preparation are crucial for efficient kibble gathering. You will need a steady supply of eggs, Fiber, Mejoberries, crops, Cooked Meat Jerky, and Water. Prepare by taming egg-laying creatures, setting up crop farms, and building Cooking Pots or Industrial Cookers. For solo players, managing an egg farm and gathering resources can be time-consuming, so prioritize creatures that lay eggs frequently and automate resource gathering where possible. For tribes, divide tasks among members to streamline the process, with some players focusing on egg farming and others on resource gathering and crafting.

Specific examples of kibble usage include using Basic Kibble to tame creatures like Pteranodons and Carbonemys, Simple Kibble for Argentavis and Ankylosaurus, and Extraordinary Kibble for high-level creatures like Giganotosaurus and Quetzalcoatlus. By understanding the preferences of each creature and crafting the appropriate kibble, you can tame creatures quickly and efficiently, enhancing your survival and progression in ARK: Survival Evolved.