How do I build a secure perimeter wall in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Building a secure perimeter wall in ARK: Survival Evolved is essential for protecting your base from hostile creatures and other players, especially in PvP environments. A well-constructed wall can deter intruders, provide a safe zone for your tamed dinosaurs, and give you peace of mind while crafting or storing valuable resources. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to build a secure perimeter wall, covering mechanics, strategies, and considerations.

First, you need to understand the mechanics of building walls in ARK. Walls are structures that can be crafted from various materials, including thatch, wood, stone, and metal. Each material offers different levels of durability and resistance to damage. Thatch walls are the weakest and can be destroyed easily by most creatures and players. Wood walls are stronger but still vulnerable to fire and certain dinos like the Therizinosaurus. Stone walls are much more durable and resistant to most attacks, while metal walls are the strongest and nearly impervious to damage, except from explosives or high-level creatures like the Titanosaur. When building a perimeter wall, always aim for stone or metal if possible, as these materials provide the best protection.

To start building your perimeter wall, youÔÇÖll need to gather the necessary resources. For a stone wall, youÔÇÖll need stone, wood, and thatch. For a metal wall, youÔÇÖll need metal ingots, cementing paste, and polymer. Cementing paste can be crafted from chitin or keratin and stone, or harvested from beaver dams. Polymer can be obtained from organic polymer dropped by creatures like Kairuku or crafted from obsidian and cementing paste. Make sure you have enough resources before starting, as building a large perimeter wall can be resource-intensive.

Next, choose the location for your base and plan the layout of your wall. The size of your perimeter will depend on the size of your base and the area you want to protect. Use the fence foundation structure to create a stable base for your walls. Fence foundations allow you to place walls in a straight line and ensure they are aligned properly. Place the fence foundations around the perimeter of your base, leaving enough space for gates or entry points. Once the fence foundations are in place, start placing the walls on top of them. You can stack walls vertically to increase the height of your perimeter, making it harder for creatures or players to climb over.

When building gates, make sure they are wide enough to accommodate your tamed dinosaurs. Large creatures like the Brontosaurus or Rex will need a behemoth gate, which requires more resources but is essential for allowing them to pass through. Place the gate in a strategic location, such as near your main entrance or a resource-rich area. You can also add multiple gates for redundancy, in case one is destroyed or blocked.

One important tip is to reinforce your perimeter with additional defenses. Place turrets, plant species X, or auto-turrets along the wall to deter intruders. These defenses can target hostile creatures or players and provide an extra layer of security. You can also place spike walls or bear traps around the perimeter to slow down or damage attackers. Tamed dinosaurs like the Rex, Spino, or Carnotaurus can also be stationed near the wall to defend against threats.

A common mistake to avoid is building your wall too close to your base structures. This can make it easier for attackers to breach your defenses and access your valuable resources. Leave some space between your wall and your main base to create a buffer zone. Another mistake is neglecting to repair or upgrade your wall over time. Regularly check the durability of your wall and replace damaged sections with stronger materials as you progress in the game.

For advanced techniques, consider using layered walls or double walls. This involves building two layers of walls with a gap in between, making it harder for attackers to break through. You can also use pillars and ceilings to create elevated platforms for turrets or snipers, giving you a tactical advantage. Additionally, consider using natural terrain features like cliffs or rivers to enhance your perimeterÔÇÖs security. Building your wall along a cliff edge or using water as a natural barrier can make it harder for enemies to approach.

Resource management is crucial when building a perimeter wall. If youÔÇÖre playing solo, focus on gathering resources efficiently by using tamed dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus for metal, the Doedicurus for stone, and the Castoroides for wood. In a tribe, divide tasks among members to speed up the process. For example, one player can gather resources while another focuses on crafting and building.

In specific scenarios, such as PvP, you may need to adapt your strategy. In PvP, players often use explosives like C4 or rockets to breach walls, so prioritize metal walls and turrets to counter this threat. In PvE, focus on protecting against wild creatures and environmental hazards like weather or natural disasters.

In conclusion, building a secure perimeter wall in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and strategic placement of defenses. By using strong materials, reinforcing your wall with turrets and traps, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a safe and secure base that withstands threats from both creatures and players. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, a well-built perimeter wall is a cornerstone of survival in the dangerous world of ARK.