What is the best way to tame a high-level Castoroides in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Taming a high-level Castoroides in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. The Castoroides, also known as the giant beaver, is a versatile creature that excels at gathering wood and thatch, making it a valuable addition to any tribe or solo player. Below is a detailed guide on how to tame a high-level Castoroides effectively.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. The Castoroides is a passive tame, meaning you do not need to knock it out. Instead, you must approach it carefully and feed it its preferred food. The Castoroides prefers Giant Bee Honey, Rare Flowers, and Vegetables (such as Rockarrot, Longrass, Savoroot, or Citronal). Giant Bee Honey is the most effective and will significantly speed up the taming process. However, it can be challenging to obtain, so if you donÔÇÖt have access to honey, vegetables or rare flowers will work, though the taming process will take longer.

To begin, gather the necessary resources. If youÔÇÖre using Giant Bee Honey, youÔÇÖll need to locate a beehive in the wild. Approach the hive carefully, as the bees will attack if you get too close. Use a ranged weapon like a crossbow or longneck rifle with tranq darts to knock out the bees guarding the hive. Once the bees are unconscious, you can safely harvest the hive for honey. Be sure to bring a bear trap or a tamed creature like a Dire Bear to help with this process. If youÔÇÖre using vegetables, grow them in crop plots or gather them from the wild. Rare flowers can be found in swamp biomes or harvested from certain plants.

Next, prepare for the taming process. The Castoroides is a semi-aquatic creature, often found near rivers, lakes, or swamps. It is generally docile but will flee if attacked or startled. To avoid scaring it, approach slowly and crouch to reduce your visibility. Wearing Ghillie Armor can also help you stay hidden. Once youÔÇÖre close enough, open your inventory and place the preferred food in the last slot of your hotbar. This will allow you to quickly feed the Castoroides without fumbling through your inventory.

When youÔÇÖre ready, approach the Castoroides from behind or the side to minimize the chance of it noticing you. Press the appropriate key to feed it the food. After feeding, the Castoroides will enter a cooldown period before it can be fed again. During this time, stay close but avoid making sudden movements. Repeat the feeding process until the taming bar is full. Keep in mind that the higher the level of the Castoroides, the more food and time it will require to tame.

One important tip is to bring plenty of food and narcotics. While the Castoroides is a passive tame, it can still be attacked by other creatures in the area. Having a tamed creature like a Carnotaurus or Raptor nearby can help protect you and the Castoroides during the taming process. Additionally, if youÔÇÖre taming near water, be cautious of predators like Sarcosuchus or Piranhas. Building a small taming pen with wooden walls can help keep the Castoroides safe and prevent it from wandering off.

A common mistake to avoid is feeding the Castoroides too quickly or startling it. If you feed it before the cooldown period is over, the taming effectiveness will drop, and the process will take longer. Similarly, if you accidentally hit the Castoroides or get too close, it may flee, forcing you to start over. Patience is key when taming a Castoroides, especially at higher levels.

For advanced techniques, consider using a taming calculator to determine the exact amount of food and time required for the specific level of Castoroides youÔÇÖre taming. This can help you plan your resources and avoid running out of food mid-tame. Additionally, if youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to gather resources and protect the taming area. Solo players should focus on preparing thoroughly and bringing backup tames for protection.

In summary, taming a high-level Castoroides requires careful preparation, patience, and attention to detail. Gather the necessary food, approach the creature cautiously, and protect it from predators during the taming process. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully tame a high-level Castoroides and enjoy its resource-gathering benefits in ARK: Survival Evolved.