What are the best early-game dinosaurs to tame in ARK: Survival Evolved?

In ARK: Survival Evolved, taming dinosaurs is one of the most important aspects of the game, especially in the early stages. Tamed dinosaurs can help you gather resources, defend your base, and explore the map more efficiently. For beginners, focusing on easy-to-tame dinosaurs with useful abilities is key to progressing smoothly. Some of the best early-game dinosaurs to tame include the Parasaur, Trike, Raptor, and Dilophosaur. Each of these creatures has unique benefits that can significantly improve your survival experience.

The Parasaur is often the first dinosaur new players tame. It is a passive herbivore that can be tamed without knocking it out. To tame a Parasaur, you simply need to approach it slowly and feed it berries, such as Mejoberries or Narcoberries. Parasaurs are useful for gathering berries and thatch, and they can also act as early-game pack mules due to their decent carry weight. Additionally, they have a "panic mode" ability that alerts you to nearby predators, making them a good early warning system.

The Trike, or Triceratops, is another excellent early-game tame. It is a herbivore that can be knocked out using a slingshot or tranq arrows. Once unconscious, you can feed it berries to tame it. Trikes are excellent for gathering large amounts of berries and thatch, and they are also strong enough to defend against smaller predators. Their high health and damage output make them a reliable companion for early exploration and resource gathering.

Raptors are small carnivores that are relatively easy to tame and provide significant combat advantages. To tame a Raptor, you need to knock it out using tranq arrows or a slingshot, then feed it raw meat. Raptors are fast, agile, and deal decent damage, making them ideal for hunting and defending against other players or aggressive creatures. They can also carry a moderate amount of weight, which is useful for transporting resources.

Dilophosaurs are another good early-game carnivore. They are smaller and weaker than Raptors but are easier to tame and still provide decent combat support. Like Raptors, they require raw meat for taming. Dilophosaurs are useful for their ranged spit attack, which can slow down enemies, making them helpful in both PvE and PvP scenarios.

To successfully tame these dinosaurs, you need to prepare the right tools and resources. For knockout taming, you will need a slingshot, bow, or crossbow, along with tranq arrows or tranquilizer darts. Narcotics are essential to keep the dinosaur unconscious during the taming process. For passive taming, you need the appropriate food, such as berries or raw meat. It is also a good idea to build a taming pen to trap the dinosaur and prevent it from escaping or being attacked by other creatures.

One common mistake beginners make is not preparing enough resources before starting the taming process. Running out of narcotics or food can lead to a failed tame, so always gather extra materials. Another mistake is not protecting the unconscious dinosaur. Predators or other players can easily kill or steal your tame if you leave it unattended. Always stay nearby and keep an eye on the dinosaur's torpor and hunger levels.

Advanced techniques include using kibble to speed up the taming process. Kibble is made from eggs and other ingredients and is the most effective taming food for many dinosaurs. However, kibble requires more preparation and resources, so it is usually reserved for mid-to-late game taming. Another optimization is using taming calculators to determine the exact amount of food and time required for each dinosaur. This can help you plan your taming efforts more efficiently.

For solo players, taming can be more challenging due to the lack of support from tribe members. It is important to focus on taming dinosaurs that can help you gather resources and defend yourself, such as the Trike or Raptor. For tribes, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as gathering resources, building taming pens, or guarding the unconscious dinosaur. This can make the taming process faster and more efficient.

In summary, taming early-game dinosaurs like the Parasaur, Trike, Raptor, and Dilophosaur can greatly enhance your survival and progression in ARK: Survival Evolved. By preparing the right tools and resources, building taming pens, and monitoring the taming process, you can successfully tame these creatures and use their abilities to your advantage. Avoiding common mistakes and using advanced techniques like kibble and taming calculators can further optimize your taming efforts. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, these dinosaurs provide valuable support in the early stages of the game.