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. However, understanding the mechanics and strategies involved in building a functional and secure base is essential to ensure long-term success.
To begin, you will need to gather basic resources such as thatch, wood, fiber, and stone. These can be collected by punching or using tools like a pickaxe or hatchet on trees, rocks, and bushes. Thatch is the weakest material and is only suitable for temporary shelters, as it can be easily destroyed by even low-level creatures. Wood, on the other hand, offers better durability and is relatively easy to obtain in large quantities. To craft wooden structures, you will need to unlock the necessary engrams in your inventory, which require spending engram points earned through leveling up. Early-game engrams to prioritize include the Wooden Foundation, Wooden Wall, Wooden Doorframe, and Wooden Door.
Once you have gathered enough resources, choose a location for your base. Look for a spot that is relatively flat, close to essential resources like water and trees, and not too close to dangerous creatures or high-traffic areas. Avoid building in open areas where your base will be easily spotted by other players in PvP. Start by placing a Wooden Foundation to serve as the base of your structure. Foundations provide stability and prevent your base from being destroyed by creatures or environmental hazards. Next, place Wooden Walls around the perimeter of the foundation to create enclosed space. Add a Wooden Doorframe and Wooden Door to allow entry and exit while keeping unwanted visitors out.
One important tip is to build a small, compact base initially. A smaller base is easier to defend and requires fewer resources to construct and maintain. As you progress and gather more materials, you can expand your base by adding additional rooms, storage areas, and crafting stations. Another consideration is to elevate your base slightly off the ground using Wooden Pillars or Foundations. This can help protect your base from smaller creatures that might wander too close.
A common mistake early-game players make is neglecting base defense. Even in PvE, hostile creatures can damage or destroy your base if it is not properly secured. To mitigate this, consider placing Wooden Spike Walls around the perimeter of your base. These spikes will deter most creatures from approaching too closely. Additionally, taming a few early-game dinosaurs like a Trike or Parasaur can provide extra protection, as they can fend off smaller threats and help with resource gathering.
Resource management is another key aspect of early-game base building. Always keep a stockpile of wood, thatch, and fiber, as these are the most commonly used materials for repairs and crafting. Use Storage Boxes to organize your resources and keep them easily accessible. If you are playing solo, prioritize crafting a Bed or Sleeping Bag as soon as possible. These items allow you to respawn at your base if you die, saving you from having to trek back from a distant location.
For tribes, coordination is essential. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering resources while another focuses on building and crafting. This division of labor can significantly speed up the base-building process. Additionally, tribes should consider building multiple small bases or outposts in strategic locations to ensure access to resources and provide fallback points in case of an attack.
As you progress, you will unlock more advanced materials like stone and metal. Stone structures offer significantly better durability and protection compared to wood, making them ideal for mid-game base upgrades. However, stone requires more resources and time to gather, so it is best to focus on wood in the early game. Once you have a stable base and a steady supply of resources, you can begin transitioning to stone structures for added security.
In summary, wood is the best material for early-game base building in ARK: Survival Evolved due to its balance of durability and resource availability. Focus on gathering resources, choosing a safe location, and building a compact, defensible base. Prioritize base defense, resource management, and progression to stone structures as you advance. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, careful planning and efficient resource use will ensure your base serves as a reliable hub for survival and progression.
To begin, you will need to gather basic resources such as thatch, wood, fiber, and stone. These can be collected by punching or using tools like a pickaxe or hatchet on trees, rocks, and bushes. Thatch is the weakest material and is only suitable for temporary shelters, as it can be easily destroyed by even low-level creatures. Wood, on the other hand, offers better durability and is relatively easy to obtain in large quantities. To craft wooden structures, you will need to unlock the necessary engrams in your inventory, which require spending engram points earned through leveling up. Early-game engrams to prioritize include the Wooden Foundation, Wooden Wall, Wooden Doorframe, and Wooden Door.
Once you have gathered enough resources, choose a location for your base. Look for a spot that is relatively flat, close to essential resources like water and trees, and not too close to dangerous creatures or high-traffic areas. Avoid building in open areas where your base will be easily spotted by other players in PvP. Start by placing a Wooden Foundation to serve as the base of your structure. Foundations provide stability and prevent your base from being destroyed by creatures or environmental hazards. Next, place Wooden Walls around the perimeter of the foundation to create enclosed space. Add a Wooden Doorframe and Wooden Door to allow entry and exit while keeping unwanted visitors out.
One important tip is to build a small, compact base initially. A smaller base is easier to defend and requires fewer resources to construct and maintain. As you progress and gather more materials, you can expand your base by adding additional rooms, storage areas, and crafting stations. Another consideration is to elevate your base slightly off the ground using Wooden Pillars or Foundations. This can help protect your base from smaller creatures that might wander too close.
A common mistake early-game players make is neglecting base defense. Even in PvE, hostile creatures can damage or destroy your base if it is not properly secured. To mitigate this, consider placing Wooden Spike Walls around the perimeter of your base. These spikes will deter most creatures from approaching too closely. Additionally, taming a few early-game dinosaurs like a Trike or Parasaur can provide extra protection, as they can fend off smaller threats and help with resource gathering.
Resource management is another key aspect of early-game base building. Always keep a stockpile of wood, thatch, and fiber, as these are the most commonly used materials for repairs and crafting. Use Storage Boxes to organize your resources and keep them easily accessible. If you are playing solo, prioritize crafting a Bed or Sleeping Bag as soon as possible. These items allow you to respawn at your base if you die, saving you from having to trek back from a distant location.
For tribes, coordination is essential. Assign roles to tribe members, such as one person gathering resources while another focuses on building and crafting. This division of labor can significantly speed up the base-building process. Additionally, tribes should consider building multiple small bases or outposts in strategic locations to ensure access to resources and provide fallback points in case of an attack.
As you progress, you will unlock more advanced materials like stone and metal. Stone structures offer significantly better durability and protection compared to wood, making them ideal for mid-game base upgrades. However, stone requires more resources and time to gather, so it is best to focus on wood in the early game. Once you have a stable base and a steady supply of resources, you can begin transitioning to stone structures for added security.
In summary, wood is the best material for early-game base building in ARK: Survival Evolved due to its balance of durability and resource availability. Focus on gathering resources, choosing a safe location, and building a compact, defensible base. Prioritize base defense, resource management, and progression to stone structures as you advance. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, careful planning and efficient resource use will ensure your base serves as a reliable hub for survival and progression.