How do I craft and use a campfire to cook meat and stay warm in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Crafting and using a campfire in ARK: Survival Evolved is one of the most fundamental survival skills you need to master early in the game. A campfire serves two primary purposes: cooking meat to restore hunger and providing warmth to combat cold temperatures. Below is a detailed guide on how to craft and use a campfire effectively, along with tips and strategies to optimize its use.

To craft a campfire, you first need to gather the necessary resources. The campfire requires 12 thatch, 1 flint, 16 wood, and 16 stone. Thatch can be obtained by punching or using a pickaxe on trees, while flint is gathered by hitting rocks with a pickaxe. Wood is also collected from trees, and stone is obtained from rocks. Once you have these materials, open your inventory and navigate to the crafting tab. Look for the campfire in the list of available engrams. If you havenÔÇÖt unlocked it yet, youÔÇÖll need to spend engram points to learn the recipe. The campfire is unlocked at level 2, so itÔÇÖs one of the first items you can craft.

After crafting the campfire, you can place it in your desired location. To do this, open your inventory, select the campfire, and place it on the ground. ItÔÇÖs important to choose a safe and flat area, preferably inside or near your base, to avoid interference from hostile creatures. Once placed, you can interact with the campfire to add fuel and food. The campfire uses wood or thatch as fuel, so make sure you have enough in your inventory. Adding fuel is as simple as dragging wood or thatch into the campfireÔÇÖs inventory slot.

To cook meat, you need to place raw meat in the campfireÔÇÖs inventory. Raw meat can be obtained by killing dinosaurs or other creatures. Once the meat is in the campfire, it will begin cooking automatically as long as there is fuel. Cooked meat restores more hunger than raw meat and doesnÔÇÖt spoil as quickly, making it a valuable resource for survival. Keep an eye on the campfireÔÇÖs fuel level, as it will stop cooking if it runs out of wood or thatch. You can add more fuel by dragging additional wood or thatch into the campfireÔÇÖs inventory.

The campfire also provides warmth, which is crucial in cold biomes or during nighttime when temperatures drop. Standing near the campfire will increase your characterÔÇÖs temperature, helping you avoid hypothermia. This is especially important in snowy areas or during winter events. If youÔÇÖre exploring a cold region, consider placing multiple campfires in your base or temporary shelter to maintain a comfortable temperature.

There are a few common mistakes to avoid when using a campfire. First, donÔÇÖt place it in an exposed area where it can be easily destroyed by hostile creatures or other players in PvP. Second, always ensure you have enough fuel to keep the fire burning, especially if youÔÇÖre cooking large quantities of meat. Running out of fuel mid-cooking can waste time and resources. Third, avoid overloading the campfire with too much meat at once, as it has limited inventory space. Cook in batches if necessary.

For advanced players, consider using a cooking pot or industrial grill for more efficient cooking. These items can cook larger quantities of food and offer additional recipes, such as custom recipes or kibble. However, the campfire remains a reliable and accessible option, especially in the early game or when resources are limited.

In terms of resource management, always gather extra wood and thatch to keep your campfire running. Tamed dinosaurs like the Beaver or Mammoth can help you collect wood more efficiently, while a Doedicurus is excellent for gathering stone. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, assign roles to members to ensure a steady supply of resources. For solo players, prioritize gathering enough materials to sustain your campfire and other essential items.

In specific scenarios, such as exploring caves or setting up a temporary base, a campfire can be a lifesaver. For example, if youÔÇÖre venturing into a cold cave, place a campfire near the entrance to warm up before proceeding. Similarly, if youÔÇÖre building a remote outpost, a campfire can serve as a quick source of warmth and cooked food.

In summary, the campfire is a versatile and essential tool in ARK: Survival Evolved. By mastering its use, you can ensure a steady supply of cooked food and maintain a comfortable temperature in harsh environments. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, the campfire is a cornerstone of survival and progression in the game.