What is the best way to build a base on a raft in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Building a base on a raft in ARK: Survival Evolved is a unique and versatile strategy that allows players to create a mobile home. This approach is particularly useful for exploring the map, avoiding land-based threats, and establishing a temporary or permanent base in areas where land is scarce or dangerous. However, building on a raft comes with its own set of challenges and mechanics that players must understand to create a functional and secure base.
To start, you will need to craft a raft. This requires 75 wood, 50 fiber, and 20 hide. Once you have the raft, you can place it in the water and begin building. The raft has a limited foundation area, so efficient use of space is crucial. You can place structures like foundations, walls, ceilings, and other building pieces directly on the raft. However, the raft has a structure limit, meaning you can only place a certain number of pieces before you reach the cap. This limit varies depending on the game settings, but it is generally around 88 structures.
When building on a raft, it is important to consider the weight distribution. Placing too many heavy structures or items on one side can cause the raft to tilt, making it difficult to navigate. To avoid this, try to balance the weight by evenly distributing structures and storage containers. Additionally, avoid placing too many heavy items like metal or stone in storage boxes, as this can also affect the raft's balance.
One of the key advantages of a raft base is its mobility. You can move your base to different locations, making it easier to gather resources, explore new areas, or escape from threats. However, this mobility also makes your base vulnerable to attacks from sea creatures like Leedsichthys, which can destroy your raft if it is not properly defended. To protect your raft, consider building a perimeter of walls or spikes around the edges. You can also place turrets or tamed creatures like Megalodons or Plesiosaurs to defend against hostile creatures.
Resource management is another important aspect of building a raft base. Since space is limited, you need to prioritize which structures and items are essential. Start with the basics, such as a bed for respawning, storage boxes for resources, and a smithy or fabricator for crafting. As you progress, you can add more advanced structures like a generator, refrigerator, or industrial forge. Keep in mind that some structures, like the industrial forge, are heavy and can affect the raft's balance, so place them carefully.
When building a raft base, it is important to plan ahead and consider your long-term goals. If you are playing solo, you may want to focus on creating a compact and efficient base that meets your immediate needs. If you are part of a tribe, you can divide responsibilities and work together to build a larger and more complex base. Communication and coordination are key to ensuring that everyone contributes and that the base is functional and secure.
One common mistake to avoid is overbuilding. It can be tempting to add as many structures as possible, but this can quickly reach the structure limit and make the raft difficult to navigate. Instead, focus on creating a functional and efficient base that meets your needs without exceeding the limit. Another mistake is neglecting defense. Even if you are in a relatively safe area, it is important to have some form of defense in case of unexpected attacks.
Advanced techniques for optimizing a raft base include using pillars and ceilings to create multiple levels. This allows you to maximize the available space and create separate areas for different purposes, such as storage, crafting, and living quarters. You can also use ramps or ladders to access different levels. Additionally, consider using greenhouse structures to grow crops on your raft. This can provide a steady supply of food and resources, especially if you are traveling to areas where resources are scarce.
In terms of resource requirements, building a raft base requires a steady supply of wood, thatch, fiber, and hide for basic structures. As you progress, you will need more advanced materials like metal, cementing paste, and polymer for stronger and more durable structures. It is important to gather and store these resources efficiently, as space on the raft is limited. Consider using storage boxes or vaults to keep your resources organized and accessible.
In conclusion, building a base on a raft in ARK: Survival Evolved is a versatile and effective strategy for survival and exploration. By understanding the mechanics, planning ahead, and optimizing your base, you can create a mobile home that meets your needs and protects you from threats. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, careful resource management and defense strategies are key to building a successful raft base.
To start, you will need to craft a raft. This requires 75 wood, 50 fiber, and 20 hide. Once you have the raft, you can place it in the water and begin building. The raft has a limited foundation area, so efficient use of space is crucial. You can place structures like foundations, walls, ceilings, and other building pieces directly on the raft. However, the raft has a structure limit, meaning you can only place a certain number of pieces before you reach the cap. This limit varies depending on the game settings, but it is generally around 88 structures.
When building on a raft, it is important to consider the weight distribution. Placing too many heavy structures or items on one side can cause the raft to tilt, making it difficult to navigate. To avoid this, try to balance the weight by evenly distributing structures and storage containers. Additionally, avoid placing too many heavy items like metal or stone in storage boxes, as this can also affect the raft's balance.
One of the key advantages of a raft base is its mobility. You can move your base to different locations, making it easier to gather resources, explore new areas, or escape from threats. However, this mobility also makes your base vulnerable to attacks from sea creatures like Leedsichthys, which can destroy your raft if it is not properly defended. To protect your raft, consider building a perimeter of walls or spikes around the edges. You can also place turrets or tamed creatures like Megalodons or Plesiosaurs to defend against hostile creatures.
Resource management is another important aspect of building a raft base. Since space is limited, you need to prioritize which structures and items are essential. Start with the basics, such as a bed for respawning, storage boxes for resources, and a smithy or fabricator for crafting. As you progress, you can add more advanced structures like a generator, refrigerator, or industrial forge. Keep in mind that some structures, like the industrial forge, are heavy and can affect the raft's balance, so place them carefully.
When building a raft base, it is important to plan ahead and consider your long-term goals. If you are playing solo, you may want to focus on creating a compact and efficient base that meets your immediate needs. If you are part of a tribe, you can divide responsibilities and work together to build a larger and more complex base. Communication and coordination are key to ensuring that everyone contributes and that the base is functional and secure.
One common mistake to avoid is overbuilding. It can be tempting to add as many structures as possible, but this can quickly reach the structure limit and make the raft difficult to navigate. Instead, focus on creating a functional and efficient base that meets your needs without exceeding the limit. Another mistake is neglecting defense. Even if you are in a relatively safe area, it is important to have some form of defense in case of unexpected attacks.
Advanced techniques for optimizing a raft base include using pillars and ceilings to create multiple levels. This allows you to maximize the available space and create separate areas for different purposes, such as storage, crafting, and living quarters. You can also use ramps or ladders to access different levels. Additionally, consider using greenhouse structures to grow crops on your raft. This can provide a steady supply of food and resources, especially if you are traveling to areas where resources are scarce.
In terms of resource requirements, building a raft base requires a steady supply of wood, thatch, fiber, and hide for basic structures. As you progress, you will need more advanced materials like metal, cementing paste, and polymer for stronger and more durable structures. It is important to gather and store these resources efficiently, as space on the raft is limited. Consider using storage boxes or vaults to keep your resources organized and accessible.
In conclusion, building a base on a raft in ARK: Survival Evolved is a versatile and effective strategy for survival and exploration. By understanding the mechanics, planning ahead, and optimizing your base, you can create a mobile home that meets your needs and protects you from threats. Whether you are playing solo or as part of a tribe, careful resource management and defense strategies are key to building a successful raft base.