How do I tame a Reaper King in the Aberration map in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Taming a Reaper King in ARK: Survival Evolved, specifically on the Aberration map, is one of the most unique and challenging taming processes in the game. Unlike most creatures, the Reaper King cannot be tamed through traditional methods like knocking it out or passive feeding. Instead, it requires a player to become impregnated by a Reaper Queen, which then leads to the birth of a Reaper King. This process involves several steps, careful preparation, and a good understanding of the mechanics involved.

To begin, you must first locate a Reaper Queen. Reaper Queens are found in the Radiation Zone of the Aberration map, which is a highly dangerous area filled with radiation, hostile creatures, and environmental hazards. Before venturing into this zone, you need to prepare adequately. Craft Hazard Suit Armor to protect yourself from radiation, and bring plenty of medical brews, stimulants, and food to sustain yourself. Additionally, you will need a strong mount, such as a Rock Drake or a high-level Megalosaurus, to help you navigate and survive the area.

Once you are prepared, head to the Radiation Zone and search for a Reaper Queen. Reaper Queens are large, aggressive creatures that can deal significant damage, so approach with caution. When you find one, you need to provoke it into attacking you. The goal is to get the Reaper Queen to use its tail attack, which has a chance to impregnate you if you are below 85% health. To increase your chances, let the Reaper Queen reduce your health to around 50-60% before engaging in close combat. Be careful not to die, as this will reset the process.

If successful, you will receive a notification that you have been impregnated. This starts a timer, and you will need to survive for approximately 12 in-game hours before the Reaper King is born. During this time, you will experience periodic health drains and debuffs, so keep your health and stamina high by consuming medical brews and food. It is also important to avoid taking damage from other sources, as this can kill you and end the impregnation.

Once the timer runs out, you will enter labor, and the Reaper King will be born. The newborn Reaper King will be hostile, so you need to quickly feed it to complete the taming process. The best food to use is Aberration-specific resources like Nameless Venom or Element. You can obtain Nameless Venom by killing Nameless creatures, which are found in the Bioluminescent and Radiation Zones. Element is a rare resource that can be obtained from defeating bosses or mining specific nodes in the Rockwell Arena.

After feeding the Reaper King, it will become tamed and will follow your commands. Reaper Kings are powerful creatures with high health, damage, and unique abilities like a tail spin attack and the ability to climb walls. They are excellent for combat and exploration, making them a valuable addition to your team.

There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when taming a Reaper King. First, always bring a backup set of Hazard Suit Armor and supplies, as the Radiation Zone is unforgiving. Second, coordinate with your tribe if you are playing in a group, as having multiple players can make the process easier and safer. Third, avoid using high-damage mounts or weapons when fighting the Reaper Queen, as killing it will reset the process.

Common mistakes to avoid include entering the Radiation Zone unprepared, failing to manage your health during the impregnation phase, and not having enough food to feed the newborn Reaper King. Advanced techniques include using a trap to immobilize the Reaper Queen, making it easier to provoke the tail attack without risking death. Building a small base near the Radiation Zone with supplies and a bed can also help if you need to respawn or restock.

In summary, taming a Reaper King in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful preparation, precise execution, and a good understanding of the unique mechanics involved. By following these steps and tips, you can successfully tame one of the most powerful creatures in the game and enhance your survival and exploration capabilities on the Aberration map.