How do I build a base that is hidden underwater in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Building a hidden underwater base in ARK: Survival Evolved is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. It requires careful planning, resource management, and an understanding of the game's mechanics. Below is a detailed guide to help you create a secure and functional underwater base.
First, you need to understand the mechanics of underwater building. In ARK, you can build structures underwater, but they must be placed on foundations or pillars. Foundations are the primary building blocks for your base, and they must be placed on a flat surface. Underwater terrain can be uneven, so you may need to use pillars to create a stable platform. Pillars can be snapped to foundations or placed directly on the ocean floor, allowing you to build vertically and create multi-level structures. Additionally, you will need to use underwater-specific structures like the Water Reservoir and the Industrial Forge, which are essential for survival and crafting.
To start, gather the necessary resources. You will need a lot of stone, wood, thatch, fiber, and metal. Stone and wood are the most basic materials and can be gathered by mining rocks and chopping trees. Fiber is obtained by harvesting bushes, and metal is mined from metal nodes, which are often found in mountainous areas. You will also need cementing paste, which can be crafted from chitin or keratin and stone, or harvested from beaver dams. Cementing paste is crucial for building advanced structures like metal walls and ceilings.
Once you have gathered enough resources, choose a location for your underwater base. Look for a spot that is deep enough to hide your base but not too deep that it becomes difficult to access. Coral reefs, underwater caves, and areas with dense kelp forests are good options. These locations provide natural cover and make it harder for other players to spot your base. Avoid building near popular resource nodes or underwater caves, as these areas are often frequented by other players.
Next, start building your base. Place a foundation on the ocean floor and snap additional foundations to it to create a stable platform. Use pillars to extend the platform vertically if needed. Once the platform is stable, build walls, ceilings, and doors to enclose your base. Use stone or metal structures for better durability and protection. Stone structures are resistant to most attacks, while metal structures are nearly indestructible. However, metal structures require more resources and are harder to craft, so consider your resource availability before choosing the material.
After building the basic structure, focus on defense. Place turrets around your base to deter intruders. Turrets require electricity, so you will need to set up a generator or use renewable energy sources like wind turbines or solar panels. You can also tame underwater creatures like the Megalodon or the Mosasaur to guard your base. These creatures can be set to aggressive mode and will attack any intruders that come too close.
Resource management is crucial for maintaining your underwater base. Set up storage boxes, preserving bins, and vaults to store your resources and items. Use a Water Reservoir to collect and store water, as you will need it for crafting and survival. Place an Industrial Forge in your base to smelt metal and craft advanced items. You can also set up a Fabricator to craft electronics and other high-tech items.
When building an underwater base, there are some common mistakes to avoid. One mistake is building too close to the surface, which makes your base easier to spot. Another mistake is not securing your base properly, leaving it vulnerable to attacks. Make sure to build strong walls and ceilings and place turrets and defensive creatures around your base. Additionally, avoid overextending your resources. Building an underwater base requires a lot of materials, so make sure you have enough resources before starting the project.
For advanced techniques, consider using underwater caves as part of your base. Underwater caves provide natural cover and are often difficult to access, making them ideal for hidden bases. You can also use Tek structures, which are advanced structures that require Tekgrams and resources. Tek structures are highly durable and offer unique features like force fields and teleporters. However, Tek structures require a lot of resources and are only available in the late game.
If you are playing solo, building an underwater base can be more challenging, as you will need to gather all the resources and defend the base on your own. Consider taming creatures that can help with resource gathering, like the Ankylosaurus for metal and the Doedicurus for stone. If you are playing in a tribe, divide the tasks among tribe members to make the process more efficient. One member can focus on gathering resources, while another can focus on building and defending the base.
In conclusion, building a hidden underwater base in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and an understanding of the game's mechanics. Choose a good location, gather the necessary resources, and build a strong and secure base. Use turrets and defensive creatures to protect your base, and manage your resources efficiently. Avoid common mistakes like building too close to the surface or overextending your resources. With the right strategy and preparation, you can create a hidden underwater base that is both secure and functional.
First, you need to understand the mechanics of underwater building. In ARK, you can build structures underwater, but they must be placed on foundations or pillars. Foundations are the primary building blocks for your base, and they must be placed on a flat surface. Underwater terrain can be uneven, so you may need to use pillars to create a stable platform. Pillars can be snapped to foundations or placed directly on the ocean floor, allowing you to build vertically and create multi-level structures. Additionally, you will need to use underwater-specific structures like the Water Reservoir and the Industrial Forge, which are essential for survival and crafting.
To start, gather the necessary resources. You will need a lot of stone, wood, thatch, fiber, and metal. Stone and wood are the most basic materials and can be gathered by mining rocks and chopping trees. Fiber is obtained by harvesting bushes, and metal is mined from metal nodes, which are often found in mountainous areas. You will also need cementing paste, which can be crafted from chitin or keratin and stone, or harvested from beaver dams. Cementing paste is crucial for building advanced structures like metal walls and ceilings.
Once you have gathered enough resources, choose a location for your underwater base. Look for a spot that is deep enough to hide your base but not too deep that it becomes difficult to access. Coral reefs, underwater caves, and areas with dense kelp forests are good options. These locations provide natural cover and make it harder for other players to spot your base. Avoid building near popular resource nodes or underwater caves, as these areas are often frequented by other players.
Next, start building your base. Place a foundation on the ocean floor and snap additional foundations to it to create a stable platform. Use pillars to extend the platform vertically if needed. Once the platform is stable, build walls, ceilings, and doors to enclose your base. Use stone or metal structures for better durability and protection. Stone structures are resistant to most attacks, while metal structures are nearly indestructible. However, metal structures require more resources and are harder to craft, so consider your resource availability before choosing the material.
After building the basic structure, focus on defense. Place turrets around your base to deter intruders. Turrets require electricity, so you will need to set up a generator or use renewable energy sources like wind turbines or solar panels. You can also tame underwater creatures like the Megalodon or the Mosasaur to guard your base. These creatures can be set to aggressive mode and will attack any intruders that come too close.
Resource management is crucial for maintaining your underwater base. Set up storage boxes, preserving bins, and vaults to store your resources and items. Use a Water Reservoir to collect and store water, as you will need it for crafting and survival. Place an Industrial Forge in your base to smelt metal and craft advanced items. You can also set up a Fabricator to craft electronics and other high-tech items.
When building an underwater base, there are some common mistakes to avoid. One mistake is building too close to the surface, which makes your base easier to spot. Another mistake is not securing your base properly, leaving it vulnerable to attacks. Make sure to build strong walls and ceilings and place turrets and defensive creatures around your base. Additionally, avoid overextending your resources. Building an underwater base requires a lot of materials, so make sure you have enough resources before starting the project.
For advanced techniques, consider using underwater caves as part of your base. Underwater caves provide natural cover and are often difficult to access, making them ideal for hidden bases. You can also use Tek structures, which are advanced structures that require Tekgrams and resources. Tek structures are highly durable and offer unique features like force fields and teleporters. However, Tek structures require a lot of resources and are only available in the late game.
If you are playing solo, building an underwater base can be more challenging, as you will need to gather all the resources and defend the base on your own. Consider taming creatures that can help with resource gathering, like the Ankylosaurus for metal and the Doedicurus for stone. If you are playing in a tribe, divide the tasks among tribe members to make the process more efficient. One member can focus on gathering resources, while another can focus on building and defending the base.
In conclusion, building a hidden underwater base in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and an understanding of the game's mechanics. Choose a good location, gather the necessary resources, and build a strong and secure base. Use turrets and defensive creatures to protect your base, and manage your resources efficiently. Avoid common mistakes like building too close to the surface or overextending your resources. With the right strategy and preparation, you can create a hidden underwater base that is both secure and functional.