What is the best material to use for early-game base building in ARK: Survival Evolved?
In ARK: Survival Evolved, early-game base building is critical for survival, as it provides shelter from the elements, hostile creatures, and other players in PvP scenarios. The best material to use for early-game base building is wood, as it strikes a balance between durability, resource availability, and ease of construction. Wood structures are stronger than thatch and can withstand attacks from smaller creatures, making them a reliable choice for beginners. However, transitioning to stone as soon as possible is highly recommended for better protection.
To start building a wooden base, you will need to gather resources. Use a pickaxe or hatchet to collect wood from trees, thatch from bushes, and fiber from plants. Wood is the primary material for crafting wooden structures, while thatch and fiber are used for other essential items like beds and storage containers. Once you have enough wood, open your inventory and craft a foundation, walls, a doorframe, and a door. Place the foundation on flat ground to ensure stability, then attach walls and the doorframe. Finally, place the door in the doorframe to secure your base.
When building your base, consider its location carefully. Choose a spot near resources like water, trees, and rocks, but avoid areas with high concentrations of aggressive creatures. Building near a water source is especially important for hydration and irrigation if you plan to farm crops later. Additionally, try to build in a hidden or defensible location to reduce the risk of being raided by other players in PvP servers.
One common mistake early-game players make is building too large or too exposed. A smaller, well-protected base is more efficient and easier to defend. Avoid placing your base in open areas where it can be easily spotted. Instead, build near natural barriers like cliffs or dense forests. Another mistake is neglecting to build a bed or sleeping bag early on. These items allow you to respawn at your base if you die, saving you from having to trek back from a distant spawn point.
As you progress, prioritize upgrading your base to stone. Stone structures are much more durable and resistant to attacks from most creatures and players. To gather stone, use a pickaxe on rocks. You will also need to craft a mortar and pestle to create cementing paste, which is required for stone structures. Cementing paste can be made by combining chitin or keratin with stone in the mortar and pestle. Alternatively, you can harvest it from beaver dams or by taming a Beelzebufo, which produces cementing paste when eating insects.
For solo players, base building can be more challenging due to limited resources and time. Focus on building a compact, functional base with essential structures like storage, a bed, and a crafting area. Taming a few utility dinosaurs, such as a Trike for gathering berries or a Doedicurus for collecting stone, can significantly speed up resource gathering. In a tribe, tasks can be divided among members, allowing for faster construction and resource collection. Tribes can also pool resources to build larger, more advanced bases early on.
Advanced techniques for early-game base building include using snap points to create multi-level structures or incorporating natural terrain features like cliffs or caves into your design. This can provide additional protection and make your base harder to raid. Additionally, consider building a perimeter wall or fence around your base to keep out hostile creatures. Tamed dinosaurs like Dilophosaurs or Raptors can be stationed outside your base to act as guards.
In summary, wood is the best material for early-game base building due to its accessibility and durability. Focus on gathering resources efficiently, choosing a strategic location, and upgrading to stone as soon as possible. Avoid common mistakes like building too large or neglecting essential items like beds. For solo players, taming utility dinosaurs can greatly aid in resource gathering, while tribes can leverage teamwork to build more advanced bases quickly. By following these strategies, you can create a secure and functional base to support your survival and progression in ARK: Survival Evolved.
To start building a wooden base, you will need to gather resources. Use a pickaxe or hatchet to collect wood from trees, thatch from bushes, and fiber from plants. Wood is the primary material for crafting wooden structures, while thatch and fiber are used for other essential items like beds and storage containers. Once you have enough wood, open your inventory and craft a foundation, walls, a doorframe, and a door. Place the foundation on flat ground to ensure stability, then attach walls and the doorframe. Finally, place the door in the doorframe to secure your base.
When building your base, consider its location carefully. Choose a spot near resources like water, trees, and rocks, but avoid areas with high concentrations of aggressive creatures. Building near a water source is especially important for hydration and irrigation if you plan to farm crops later. Additionally, try to build in a hidden or defensible location to reduce the risk of being raided by other players in PvP servers.
One common mistake early-game players make is building too large or too exposed. A smaller, well-protected base is more efficient and easier to defend. Avoid placing your base in open areas where it can be easily spotted. Instead, build near natural barriers like cliffs or dense forests. Another mistake is neglecting to build a bed or sleeping bag early on. These items allow you to respawn at your base if you die, saving you from having to trek back from a distant spawn point.
As you progress, prioritize upgrading your base to stone. Stone structures are much more durable and resistant to attacks from most creatures and players. To gather stone, use a pickaxe on rocks. You will also need to craft a mortar and pestle to create cementing paste, which is required for stone structures. Cementing paste can be made by combining chitin or keratin with stone in the mortar and pestle. Alternatively, you can harvest it from beaver dams or by taming a Beelzebufo, which produces cementing paste when eating insects.
For solo players, base building can be more challenging due to limited resources and time. Focus on building a compact, functional base with essential structures like storage, a bed, and a crafting area. Taming a few utility dinosaurs, such as a Trike for gathering berries or a Doedicurus for collecting stone, can significantly speed up resource gathering. In a tribe, tasks can be divided among members, allowing for faster construction and resource collection. Tribes can also pool resources to build larger, more advanced bases early on.
Advanced techniques for early-game base building include using snap points to create multi-level structures or incorporating natural terrain features like cliffs or caves into your design. This can provide additional protection and make your base harder to raid. Additionally, consider building a perimeter wall or fence around your base to keep out hostile creatures. Tamed dinosaurs like Dilophosaurs or Raptors can be stationed outside your base to act as guards.
In summary, wood is the best material for early-game base building due to its accessibility and durability. Focus on gathering resources efficiently, choosing a strategic location, and upgrading to stone as soon as possible. Avoid common mistakes like building too large or neglecting essential items like beds. For solo players, taming utility dinosaurs can greatly aid in resource gathering, while tribes can leverage teamwork to build more advanced bases quickly. By following these strategies, you can create a secure and functional base to support your survival and progression in ARK: Survival Evolved.