How do I build a water base in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Building a water base in ARK: Survival Evolved is a unique and rewarding challenge that requires careful planning, resource management, and an understanding of the gameÔÇÖs building mechanics. Water bases are ideal for players who want to live near or on the ocean, providing access to underwater resources, taming aquatic creatures, and creating a secure location that is harder for enemies to raid. Below is a detailed guide on how to build a water base, covering mechanics, strategies, tips, and considerations.
To start, you need to understand the mechanics of building on water. Unlike land bases, water bases require foundations or platforms that can float or be anchored underwater. The most common way to build a water base is by using Stone or Metal Foundations, which can be placed on the ocean floor if the water is shallow enough. For deeper water, you will need to use structures like the Wooden Raft, Motorboat, or Platform Saddles from certain dinosaurs like the Brontosaurus or Quetzalcoatlus. These platforms allow you to build structures on them, effectively creating a mobile or semi-permanent water base.
Step-by-step, the process begins with gathering resources. You will need a significant amount of Wood, Thatch, Fiber, Stone, and Metal, depending on the size and material of your base. For a basic water base, start by crafting a Wooden Raft. This requires 75 Wood, 40 Fiber, and 20 Hide. Once you have the raft, place it in the water and use it as a foundation. You can then build walls, ceilings, and other structures on top of the raft. However, be cautious of the raftÔÇÖs weight limit, as building too much can cause it to sink or become unstable.
For a more permanent water base, consider using Stone or Metal Foundations. These require more resources but offer better durability and protection. To place foundations underwater, you need to find a shallow area where the ocean floor is close to the surface. Use a Water Jar or Canteen to stay hydrated while building, and consider taming an aquatic creature like an Ichthyosaurus or Megalodon to help you navigate and gather resources underwater.
Important tips and considerations include choosing the right location. Look for areas with access to both deep and shallow water, as this allows you to build a base that can accommodate both land and aquatic tames. Avoid areas with aggressive creatures like Leedsichthys, which can destroy rafts, or Alpha predators that may attack your base. Additionally, consider the proximity to resources like Oil, Silica Pearls, and Black Pearls, which are essential for mid-to-late-game progression.
Common mistakes to avoid include building too close to the shore, as this makes your base vulnerable to land-based threats. Another mistake is neglecting defense. Water bases are not immune to raids, so include turrets, plant species X, or tamed aquatic creatures like Tusoteuthis or Mosasaurs to defend your base. Also, avoid overloading rafts or platforms, as this can cause them to sink or become immobile.
Advanced techniques involve using multiple rafts or platforms to create a larger base. You can connect them using bridges or ramps, creating a floating fortress. Another optimization is using underwater caves or trenches to build hidden sections of your base, making it harder for enemies to locate and raid. Additionally, consider using Tek structures for late-game water bases, as they offer superior durability and unique features like force fields and teleporters.
Resource requirements vary depending on the size and material of your base. For a small raft base, you will need around 500 Wood, 200 Fiber, and 100 Hide. For a larger Stone or Metal base, prepare to gather thousands of Stone, Metal, and other resources. Use tames like the Ankylosaurus for Metal, the Doedicurus for Stone, and the Castoroides for Wood to speed up resource gathering.
Tribe and solo considerations differ in terms of scale and defense. Solo players should focus on smaller, more manageable bases with strong defenses, while tribes can build larger, more complex structures with shared resources and coordinated defenses. Tribes can also assign roles, such as one player gathering resources while another builds or tames aquatic creatures for protection.
Specific examples include building a water base near Herbivore Island on The Island map, as it offers a safe location with access to deep water and resources. Another example is creating a base in the underwater caves of The Center map, which provides natural defenses and access to rare resources.
In conclusion, building a water base in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and an understanding of the gameÔÇÖs mechanics. By following these steps and tips, you can create a secure and functional base that takes advantage of the oceanÔÇÖs resources and provides a unique survival experience.
To start, you need to understand the mechanics of building on water. Unlike land bases, water bases require foundations or platforms that can float or be anchored underwater. The most common way to build a water base is by using Stone or Metal Foundations, which can be placed on the ocean floor if the water is shallow enough. For deeper water, you will need to use structures like the Wooden Raft, Motorboat, or Platform Saddles from certain dinosaurs like the Brontosaurus or Quetzalcoatlus. These platforms allow you to build structures on them, effectively creating a mobile or semi-permanent water base.
Step-by-step, the process begins with gathering resources. You will need a significant amount of Wood, Thatch, Fiber, Stone, and Metal, depending on the size and material of your base. For a basic water base, start by crafting a Wooden Raft. This requires 75 Wood, 40 Fiber, and 20 Hide. Once you have the raft, place it in the water and use it as a foundation. You can then build walls, ceilings, and other structures on top of the raft. However, be cautious of the raftÔÇÖs weight limit, as building too much can cause it to sink or become unstable.
For a more permanent water base, consider using Stone or Metal Foundations. These require more resources but offer better durability and protection. To place foundations underwater, you need to find a shallow area where the ocean floor is close to the surface. Use a Water Jar or Canteen to stay hydrated while building, and consider taming an aquatic creature like an Ichthyosaurus or Megalodon to help you navigate and gather resources underwater.
Important tips and considerations include choosing the right location. Look for areas with access to both deep and shallow water, as this allows you to build a base that can accommodate both land and aquatic tames. Avoid areas with aggressive creatures like Leedsichthys, which can destroy rafts, or Alpha predators that may attack your base. Additionally, consider the proximity to resources like Oil, Silica Pearls, and Black Pearls, which are essential for mid-to-late-game progression.
Common mistakes to avoid include building too close to the shore, as this makes your base vulnerable to land-based threats. Another mistake is neglecting defense. Water bases are not immune to raids, so include turrets, plant species X, or tamed aquatic creatures like Tusoteuthis or Mosasaurs to defend your base. Also, avoid overloading rafts or platforms, as this can cause them to sink or become immobile.
Advanced techniques involve using multiple rafts or platforms to create a larger base. You can connect them using bridges or ramps, creating a floating fortress. Another optimization is using underwater caves or trenches to build hidden sections of your base, making it harder for enemies to locate and raid. Additionally, consider using Tek structures for late-game water bases, as they offer superior durability and unique features like force fields and teleporters.
Resource requirements vary depending on the size and material of your base. For a small raft base, you will need around 500 Wood, 200 Fiber, and 100 Hide. For a larger Stone or Metal base, prepare to gather thousands of Stone, Metal, and other resources. Use tames like the Ankylosaurus for Metal, the Doedicurus for Stone, and the Castoroides for Wood to speed up resource gathering.
Tribe and solo considerations differ in terms of scale and defense. Solo players should focus on smaller, more manageable bases with strong defenses, while tribes can build larger, more complex structures with shared resources and coordinated defenses. Tribes can also assign roles, such as one player gathering resources while another builds or tames aquatic creatures for protection.
Specific examples include building a water base near Herbivore Island on The Island map, as it offers a safe location with access to deep water and resources. Another example is creating a base in the underwater caves of The Center map, which provides natural defenses and access to rare resources.
In conclusion, building a water base in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and an understanding of the gameÔÇÖs mechanics. By following these steps and tips, you can create a secure and functional base that takes advantage of the oceanÔÇÖs resources and provides a unique survival experience.